The Houston Texans relieved Bill O'Brien of his duties as head coach and general manager, following the team's 0-4 start to the 2020 season.
"I just really want to thank the McNair family, you know, Cal, Janice, Hannah, obviously the late Bob McNair for just giving me and my family this opportunity," O'Brien said in his outgoing press conference Monday evening. "They were always very supportive and, in the end, in this business it's a bottom-line business, we weren't able to get it to where we needed to get it. I obviously have tremendous respect for their family. And again, I thank them for the opportunity that they gave me. I understand we fell short in terms of taking this team further in the playoffs, but I do leave knowing that myself and the staff gave everything this organization deserved and more."
Following back-to-back AFC South titles, the Texans struggled on both sides of the ball in their first four games of the 2020 regular season with losses to Kansas City, Baltimore, Pittsburgh and the Minnesota Vikings. Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair informed O'Brien on Monday after Sunday's 31-23 loss to Minnesota.
"I spoke with him earlier today and told him we are moving in a different direction," McNair said in his statement. "Romeo Crennel will serve as our interim head coach for the remainder of the 2020 season. We have a talented team and I have no doubt our players and staff will rally to make Texans fans proud as we aim to win championships and do great things for the city of Houston."
O'Brien said he informed the team on Monday, thanking the players for their hard work and wishing them the best.
The Texans hired O'Brien as the franchise's third head coach in January 2014 following a 2-14 finish to the 2013 season. O'Brien helped lead Houston to a seven-win improvement from 2013 to 2014 and began his NFL head coaching career with three consecutive winning seasons. Houston won four AFC South division titles, but ultimately was not able to advance past the Divisional Round of the playoffs during O'Brien's seven seasons as head coach.
"I will leave here with very fond memories of the Houston Texans organization, very fond memories of Houston," O'Brien said. "You know, when my family and I came here in 2014, we had no idea what to expect. Houston is a great city."
