When finding out about the early candidates for the Texans head coaching search I decided to ask some of my buddies in the business.
Brian Flores is somehow available and is getting interest around the league. Joe Rose, who played tight end for the Dolphins in two Super Bowls, does color commentary for Miami games and hosts morning drive on WQAM, told me the former Miami coach has proven to have the goods to be successful. "He can coach. Players play hard for him" he said.
Flores posted back-to-back winning seasons, something that hadn't been done in Miami in two decades.
On Friday, I wrote that you're bound to see some unexpected names in a coaching search of any kind. And I had no idea who the Texans were going to talk with at the time. A close look at Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi shows that he has impressive credentials.
Bobby Hebert, the 'Cajun Cannon', played QB for the Saints and hosts afternoon drive on WWL in New Orleans. He thinks Lombardi has the mental make up to warrant consideration. The grandson of Vince Lombardi had two stints as the quarterbacks coach with the Saints.
"He's a combination clone between Sean Payton and (Saints Offensive Coordinator) Pete Carmichael" Hebert said. The Saints never finished out of the top ten in offense while Lombardi was there, finishing in the top five eight times. The Chargers were fourth in total offense this past season.
So far, the interviewee with the least coaching experience is Hines Ward. But he's hardly a stranger to championship football. Bill Hillgrove, who's been the Voice of the Steelers for 28 years, told me Ward is a "born leader."
"He's a fierce competitor who knows the value of work ethic" he said. Ward is a receivers coach and special assistant to the head coach for Florida Atlantic after serving as an offensive assistant and wide receivers coach with the Jets.
It's early and there are many possibilities for what the Texans might do. The search is in progress and we'll be here every step of the way keeping track.
