Sizing up the candidates
BRIAN FLORES
Last position: Dolphins head coach
Interview date: Jan. 14
Age: 40
Coaching experience: Scouting assistant (Patriots), 2004-05; Pro scout (Patriots), 2006-07; Special teams assistant (Patriots), 2008-09; Offensive assistant/special teams assistant (Patriots). 2010; Defensive assistant (Patriots), 2011; Safeties coach (Patriots), 2012-15; Linebackers coach (Patriots), 201618; Head coach (Dolphins), 201921.
Notable stats: Member of four Super Bowl championship teams in New England, plus seven AFC championship teams . ... Called defensive plays for the Patriots in 2018, when New England beat the Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIII with a defense that ranked seventh in the NFL in points allowed (325), fifth in turnovers (28), third in interceptions (18) and 11th in rush defense (1,803 yards allowed). … Dolphins ranked sixth in scoring defense (21.1 points allowed per game) in 2020 and 16th in scoring defense (21.9) in 2021 .
Why it makes sense: Houston would be a better fit for Flores, who reportedly clashed with Dolphins GM Chris Grier over control of the roster. Flores and Texans GM Nick Caserio spent four years working together in the Patriots’ player personnel department. They share a foundational philosophy on how to arrange an NFL roster by assigning value to potential players, which helped the Patriots make educated roster decisions that fit within the salary cap. Since they also spent 11 more years together in New England working in more gamecentric roles, Flores is familiar with the various in-game responsibilities Caserio had while wearing headset communications from the press box. Caserio advised David Culley with in-game situations last year, and Caserio has since said he’s “open-minded” to adapt his role to best serve the next head coach. While Flores’ interest in acquiring Deshaun Watson at the trade deadline makes for interesting hypotheticals, Caserio told Sports Radio 610 that Watson, who faces 22 civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault and harassment, “more than likely would not” play for the Texans again.
What could stop it: Chairman and CEO Cal McNair said the Texans do not consider themselves “Patriots South” when he introduced Caserio as the franchise’s new general manager in January 2021. Hiring Flores, another longtime Patriot staffer, would contradict that statement. While a Flores era in Houston would be its own isolated incident, there’s not much precedent that members of Bill Belichick’s coaching tree have succeeded in the NFL. McNair fired Bill O’Brien in 2020 after six-plus seasons, and fellow Belichick disciples Joe Judge (Giants), Matt Patricia (Lions), Josh McDaniels (Broncos) have all been fired after unsuccessful stints within the past 12 years. Fair or not, this narrative would follow Flores for his entire tenure. The Texans know this. A more tangible hangup: Caserio will need faith that Flores, who failed to lead the Dolphins to the postseason, can maximize (and develop) a talentlimited Texans roster that will be adding more players this offseason. The Dolphins were 1-7 when they beat the Texans in November, the first of seven straight victories that nearly resulted in the postseason berth Miami was expected to provide.
JOE LOMBARDI
Current position: Chargers offensive coordinator
Interview date: Jan. 15
Age: 50 Coaching experience: Defensive line coach (Dayton), 1996-98; Tight ends and offensive tackles coach (Virginia Military Institute), 1999; Defensive line and strength and conditioning coach (Bucknell), 2000; Tight ends and running backs coach (New York/ New Jersey Hitmen, XFL), 2001; Offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach (Mercyhurst), 2002-05; Defensive assistant (Falcons), 2006; Offensive assistant (Saints), 2007-2008; Quarterbacks coach (Saints), 200913; Offensive coordinator (Lions), 2014-15; Quarterbacks coach (Saints), 2016-20; Offensive coordinator (Chargers), 2021present.
Notable stats: Coached Drew Brees in New Orleans, who under Lombardi completed 69.9 percent of his passes for 44,278 yards, 338 touchdowns, 116 interceptions for a combined 104.6 passer rating. … Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill went 8-1 as starters while Brees was injured in 2019 and 2020, and the Saints still captured NFC South titles in both seasons. … Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate both totaled 1,000 receiving yards for the Lions in 2014.
Why it makes sense: The Texans could overhaul a run-oriented offensive philosophy that averaged the fewest rushing yards per game (83.6) in the franchise’s 20-year history. Lombardi, the grandson of Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, is calling plays from the front lines of modern NFL offenses that have long since abandoned the Packers Sweep. Lombardi spent 12 years under Saints coach and playcaller Sean Payton and has since constructed his own playbook filled with West Coast route trees, pre-snap motions and up-tempo offensive schemes. In other words, a style that more resembles what the Texans used in the second half of the regularseason finale against the Titans, when rookie quarterback Davis Mills fielded his best game by going 16-of-20 passing for 240 yards and three touchdowns in just two quarters. Lombardi also gained a year of experience under Chargers coach Brandon Staley and his analytics-driven game management strategy.
What could stop it: Lombardi struggled to install his Paytoninspired offense in Detroit, where he attempted to fit quarterback Matthew Stafford into a style that was built around Brees’ prowess in timing, accuracy and a short passing game. Lombardi only has one season with the Chargers to prove he has learned from his mistakes in his first stint as an NFL offensive coordinator. The evidence is so far promising. Second-year quarterback Justin Herbert flourished into an MVP candidate with 5,014 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. A potent scheme that ranked fifth in scoring offense (27.9 points per game) had 1,000-yard receivers Mike Williams and Keenan Allen averaging an explosive 12.5 yards per reception, and dual-threat running back Austin Ekeler totaled 1,558 yards from scrimmage and 20 total touchdowns. Houston’s 41-29 upset of the Chargers, with Ekeler out on COVID-19 reserve, offered a window into the limitations of Lombardi’s scheme once it becomes one-dimensional.
HINES WARD
Current position:
Special assistant to the head coach/wide receivers coach at
Florida Atlantic Interview date: Jan. 15
Age: 45 Coaching experience: Bill Walsh coaching intern (Steelers), 2017 training camp; Offensive assistant (Jets), 2019-20; Special assistant to the head coach/wide receivers coach (Florida Atlantic), 2021.
Notable stats: The Steelers’ all-time leader in receptions (1,000), receiving yards (12,083) and receiving touchdowns (85) and spent his entire 12-year career in Pittsburgh from 1998 until 2011. … Former 1998 third-round pick who became a four-time Pro Bowler and three-time second team All-Pro. … Member of two Super Bowl championship teams. … Super Bowl XL MVP. Why it makes sense: Ward is a Hall of Fame candidate who was named a semifinalist for Canton’s 2022 class, a playing career that would afford him instant credibility and recognition with a roster made up of players who’d remember watching him play for the Steelers. Ward was a strong leader on two of Pittsburgh’s best teams of this century, and he’d likely possess some of the coaching qualities he learned while playing for Bill Cowher and Mike Tomlin. Due to Ward’s lack of coaching experience, his upside could resemble some of the best qualities the Texans received from David Culley in 2021: a motivating, consistent personality that could help provide stability in the second year of what Caserio has called a “massive undertaking” of a rebuild. Ward’s deep connections from a long and widely respected NFL career could also provide at least a minor boost in attracting high profile assistants, staffers and potential free agents.
What could stop it: As prolific as Ward’s playing career was, he does not yet have the credentials to prove he possesses any of the skills an NFL head-coaching position requires. The Texans would have a hard time rationalizing why they fired Culley, who, although he’d never been a head coach or full-time NFL coordinator, had at least spent 45 years as an assistant coach learning from some of the most reputable head coaches in football’s collegiate and professional history. The Houston fan base, and, more importantly, current and future players, would need perhaps unattainable reassurance to silence their questions about the direction of the franchise that would cause them hesitation to commit to its future. Caserio would be taking an incredible and unnecessary risk with his own career by taking a chance on an unproven coach after firing Culley, who received the full payment for a four-year contract that was guaranteed through 2025.
JONATHAN GANNON
Current position: Eagles defensive coordinator Interview date: Jan. 18
Age: 39 Coaching experience: Student assistant (Louisville), 2003-05; Graduate assistant (Louisville), 2006; Defensive quality control coach (Falcons), 2007; College scout (Rams), 2009; Pro scout (Rams), 2010-11; Defensive quality control coach (Titans), 201213; Assistant defensive backs coach (Vikings), 2014-17; Defensive backs coach (Colts), 201820; Defensive coordinator (Eagles), 2021-present.
Notable stats: Eagles improved from 31 points allowed per game in 2020 to 23.1 allowed per game under Gannon in 2021. Philadelphia had the league’s ninthranked rushing defense (107.8 yards allowed per game) and 11th-ranked passing defense (222.2 yards allowed per game). … Colts ranked sixth in interceptions (45), ninth in scoring defense (22.5 points per game) and 10th in both total defense (339.5 yards allowed per game) and red-zone defense (55.9%) from 2018 through 2020.
Why it makes sense: Since Gannon’s defensive philosophy is founded in a 4-3 scheme, the Texans could build on the roster adjustments it made and continue developing the core players who emerged during the 2020 season while transitioning to a four-man front under defensive coordinator Lovie Smith. Gannon, like Texans GM Nick Caserio, is a Cleveland-area native who broke his way into an NFL career by spending time as a scout. Gannon formed his defensive philosophy while working under respected defensive mind Mike Zimmer (former Falcons DC, former Vikings head coach), then with rising head-coaching candidate Matt Eberflus (current Colts defensive coordinator). Safeties have thrived in those defenses. Hiring Gannon might also entice safety Justin Reid, a pending free agent, to return to the Texans. What could stop it: Gannon is a first-time defensive coordinator who just finished his first season with the Eagles. The Texans could decide that’s not enough experience, although Caserio told reporters the Steelers made the right hire with longtime coach Mike Tomlin, who’d previously only spent one season as the defensive coordinator with the Vikings. But the final two games on Gannon’s résumé — a 51-26 loss to the Cowboys in the regular-season finale and a 31-15 loss to the Buccaneers in the NFC wild-card round — stir reasonable questions about the young coordinator’s scheme. The Texans could also decide their most immediate issue is fixing their historically inefficient offense by hiring an offensive-minded candidate. They already have Lovie Smith, an established defensive mind who helped build the Tampa 2 defense, on staff and can accomplish the same roster consistency and development by retaining him. But Gannon showed his Eagles could stop the run by ranking ninth in the NFL with just 107.8 rushing yards allowed per game. He could help improve a Texans unit that ranked second-to-last in rushing defense (142.2 yards allowed per game) last year. Still, Caserio will likely approach his second headcoaching hire with a more longterm, big-picture vision that won’t bind him to any particular scheme or collection of players from a roster that went 4-13.
JOSH McCOWN
Last position:
Texans quarterback Interview date: Jan. 20
Age: 42 Coaching experience: None Notable stats: Played 17 NFL seasons and appeared in games with the Cardinals, Lions, Raiders, Panthers, Bears, Buccaneers, Browns, Jets and Eagles… Started in 76 games, played in 102 and totaled 17,731 passing yards, 98 touchdowns, 82 interceptions with a 60.2 career completion percentage… Former 2002 thirdround pick by the Cardinals out of Sam Houston State.
Why it makes sense: If the Texans are prioritizing a candidate who already understands the inner workings of how the franchise functions, then
McCown meets that requirement. He spent the final year of his playing career with the Texans in 2020, which means he’s seen the franchise at its highest dysfunction and would have the personal experience to approach the job with a historic perspective. He’s also lived the life of a journeyman quarterback by playing for 12 different NFL teams. His connections in the league would be deep, but he’s also been exposed to multiple different offensive schemes. While he has yet been able to test his schematic knowledge as a coach at any high level of football, he has the playing experience to provide a healthy foundation to build on.
What could stop it: The Texans were highly criticized last year when a Cal McNair-led search committee interviewed McCown before the hiring of GM Nick Caserio. Reasonably so. McCown has no NFL or collegiate coaching experience. Caserio would be taking an incredible and unnecessary risk with his own career by taking a chance on Hines Ward, who at least spent last season as a special assistant to the head coach at Florida Atlantic. Maximize those factors when it comes to McCown. McCown played for the Texans in 2020. He still has close relationships with some current players and executive vice president of football operations Jack Easterby. But with far many more experienced candidates available, the Texans would have a hard time rationalizing such a decision.
Note: The team has requested permission to interview Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell.