At his final press conference of the season (not of his tenure as Texans head coach), Gary Kubiak expressed gratitude to Bob McNair for being retained for a sixth season. He was also very clear that the Texans search for a new man to head up the defense begins immediately.
Kubiak denied that he has spoken to Wade Phillips, but admitted that Phillips will be one of the coaches he’ll speak to regarding the opening left vacant by Frank Bush. According to Kubiak, he is going to start talking to guys on the phone about the defensive coordinator job this evening.
Hamstringing the DC search from the beginning?
Along with Bush, three other position coaches were let go (see previous entry for details). Interestingly, defensive line coach/assistant head coach Bill Kollar was retained. I like Kollar. I think he’s a fine D-line coach – but it seems strange to me that the Texans wouldn’t let their new defensive coordinator call all the shots as far as who is brought on staff.
Now, keeping Kollar could mean many things, or nothing. It could mean that the Texans already have talked to a DC candidate, and he is fine with Kollar staying on. It could mean that the Texans insist on Kollar staying as D-line coach, and won’t hire a guy who disagrees. Or, the Texans might send Kollar packing if it’s a sticking point with the guy they want. I just think it’s a little strange for the Texans, a 6-10 team with a terrible defense, to not give the entire run of the defense to the new guy in charge. On top of this, let’s be honest. Kollar has done a good job, but nothing approaching a GREAT job – but that also has a lot to do with the talent he’s been given to work with.
Jan 3, 2011 at 18:53:09
But Kollar HAS been given a lot of talent to work with: Mario, Okoye, Barwin, Smith, etc. Mario has improved somewhat, but his overall technique is often times fairly rudimentary, which tells me he isn’t being coached well and is living off pure physical talent alone. Okoye’s best year was his rookie year.
Kollar loves smaller defensive linemen, which has been a major problem for us, especially in the middle. The 4-3 under Bush was allegedly running explicitly calls for a large NT, one who can anchor his area. Shaun Cody does not qualify.
Yes, it is another disconnect between what Bush supposedly wanted to do and what was actually being done. However, Kollar has failed to further develop the quality talent he already has on the roster. Kollar is a major part of the problem.
Jan 3, 2011 at 19:16:49
Regardless of Kollar’s coaching ability and potential fit with the new coordinator, he is under contract. Given that the d-line was the least of the defense’s worries and that those responsible for coaching pass coverage clearly failed in every sense of the word this year, it makes sense to me to retain Kollar temporarily and release the linebacker and secondary coaches. They will obviously not be brought back. Retaining Kollar for now at least gives the incoming coordinator the choice of whether to retain him or not. My guess is that if the coordinator wants him gone, he’ll be gone. If not, he’s under contract and will stay. It’s more about strategic positioning than a more purist, clean slate approach. If they release him now and can’t find somebody as good or better, that’s a business decision boo-boo. This is about the value of the option.
Jan 3, 2011 at 19:17:29
Does it really matter that he wasn’t let go today? Kubiak must think alot of him, and wants to keep him on the payroll. If he cuts him loose now, he will be scooped up by the end of the week. I am assuming that the new DC will decide who stays and who goes. There are others than Kollar and the 4 that got whacked today, assume more to follow depending on the DC’s wants.
What I am concerned about is Marciano. ST this year were absolutely abysmal, and he din’t get whacked today? WTF?
Jan 3, 2011 at 19:40:49
Kollar’s not the issue here.
Am I the ONLY one who is freaking out (in a bad way) about the defensive coordinator position.
I mean, how much of this sounds like nightmarish Deja vu:
-McNair and Kubiak foregoing the traditional idea of weighing all options and, instead, opt for a guy they are friends with that is connected to them in some way. (should I be happy that the connection is to the Oilers and not to the Broncos?)
-the texans, a young team lacking in direction, being led by an “aw, shucks” “player’s coach” (see under “pushover”) instead of a hard-nosed guy who will actually expect his professional employees to perform with the talent level and diecipline that earned them a spot in the NFL and the work ethic that comes from gratefully realizing how good they have it.
It took a 2-14 season to get capers and casserly axed. I now believe anything short of that will keep Kubiak employed.
Everyone in Texas gives Jerry Jones a lot if flak, but I say credit the man who actually expects his franchise to be one of the best. I’d love to have that here.
Jan 3, 2011 at 21:11:16
Never said Kollar was the issue – point is, the new DC is coming in to do a complete overhaul of the defense. Kollar has been okay to good – not great. Sure, he’s a sought-after D-Line coach, but what matters are results. Texans are still in the bottom half of the league in sacks and pressures.
I’m not against Kollar staying, but I just don’t understand why he’s here and say, Johnnie Holland is not. Holland has been as effective as Kollar. I saw on Twitter though, the Kollar was the D Line coach in Atlanta under Wade, so, that is probably something.
Jan 3, 2011 at 21:14:01
@WMH
Regarding special teams – if you look at Marciano’s track record, he’s been good for the bulk of his career. Injuries and opportunities to other players on defense played a heavy role in sinking our special teams. I don’t have a problem with him coming back. Joe really did have VERY little to work with this year. Andre Davis gone. Slaton as a KR. Dom Barber was a ST captain. Barwin was a heavy ST guy. Sharpton moved from ST to starter. Nolan got fewer snaps on ST and more at S. Not saying Joe is fantastic and should be bulletproof but his record speaks for itself. I’m okay with him returning.
Jan 3, 2011 at 21:24:03
@Kyle
Oh, uh – this probably won’t make you feel any better but Wade IS a Bronco connection. Wade was the defensive coordinator while Gary was playing in Denver.
Jan 4, 2011 at 08:54:46
As much as I want to rip my hair out at “another Denver signing”
Champ Bailey says he wants to convert to FS, and I think he’d be a stupendous asset to this team, especially in that role.
(For those still hoping for Marvin Lewis, this team parallels convincingly with the personnel of the 2000 Ravens, except that there was no answer for the Rod Woodson at FS hole. Champ would fill it, and our team would look on paper very much like that one. Just saying.)