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Houston Texans: Why the O’Brien and Gaine marriage was destined

By Brian K. Patterson

HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans talks with owner Bob McNair during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Kansas City Chiefs won 30-0. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 09: Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans talks with owner Bob McNair during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs at NRG Stadium on January 9, 2016 in Houston, Texas. Kansas City Chiefs won 30-0. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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The Houston Texans have inked Bill O’Brien and Brian Gaine to long-term deals indicating that Gaine will be the team’s 3rd general manager in franchise history and O’Brien will be around for a while longer.  This marriage was destined to happen and here’s why.

The Houston Texans had to get these contracts done because of now former GM Rick Smith deciding to care for his wife, who has breast cancer.  Bill O’Brien had only year left on a five-year deal that he signed back in 2014.

It’s not prudent to have a head coach coaching on the last year of his contract as it certainly indicates that a franchise does not have confidence in their coach long-term.  Although it has been done before, it’s certainly not a precedent that this franchise wants to set.

Bob McNair was eager to get a deal done for both and today’s announcement indicates his desire to accelerate things as the Houston Texans’ off season kicks off.  At least there won’t be an uncertainty of who will be minding the store in terms of player personnel as well as the coaching.

NFL Insider Ian Rapoport had the news to share in regard to the contracts being done:

He also let us know what the exact terms of the deals were:

The Houston Texans didn’t horse around when it came to getting something so important done.  Gaine had been the franchise’s favorite all-along even though they did interview now-Green Packers GM Brian Gutenkunst and assistant GM Jimmy Raye III.  This will be Gaine’s second tour of duty with the team, having been in charge of player personnel  from 2014-16.

With the hearsay indicating that Gaine was fired by Smith, forcing his move to the Buffalo Bills as vice president of player personnel, this may be awkward when the two reunite next year.  Smith is expected to take a year off with his leave of absence.  But let’s deal with that then, we’ll worry about the now.

What’s my opinion on all of these happenings?  Although I really wanted Nick Caserio inserted as the GM because of the fresh-face factor, I’m perfectly fine with this.  I didn’t realize how respected Gaine was in this organization so I don’t think there will be any issues with the harmonization of

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what he wants his front office to look like.

I’m willing to give Gaine a chance and I wish him nothing but the best. He’ll be hitting the ground running trying to shape a roster that’ll likely have one-third of it turnover because of injury or just plain inadequacies at the various position.

Gaine is expected to accompany the coaches at the Senior Bowl — scheduled for Jan. 27 — and the work will now begin on interviews to shape O’Brien’s staff to replace the six assistant coaches he fired.  I’m hoping Gaine will convince O’Brien to hire an offensive coordinator to relieve some of the pressure off of the game-day grind on the sidelines.

As for O’Brien, I was supportive of him from the get-go.  Sure, he hasn’t been perfect but he changed the culture of the locker room to one of discipline and the strong penchant for hard work.  Deshaun Watson and Jadeveon Clowney have gone out of their way to express their support for the tough, gritty, no-holds-barred coach who up until this point has led the team to three straight 9-7 seasons, two playoff berths and one postseason win.

Next: Houston Sports: Three New Year Predictions for 2018

Whether you like it or not, the Gaine/O’Brien era has officially begun and we’ll be all watching with keen eyes in regard to if this marriage will work or will be back at square one within the next couple of seasons.  I honestly doubt it as these two have an excellent history of working well together.

We’ll have to see if this is a match made in heaven or a clash rooted from the deep bellows of hell.

Go Texans.

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