New Texans GM Brian Gaine will have "control of personnel and football operations" as part of a five-year deal that sees him filling the role left open by Rick Smith, according to John McClain of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Gaine, who comes to the team after serving as Bills VP/Player Personnel, will report to Texans Owner Bob McNair and Vice Chair & COO Cal McNair. Gaine will "work closely" with coach Bill O'Brien and VP/Football Administration Chris Olsen. The Texans also gave O'Brien and Olsen "four-year extensions." Olsen, who "handles the salary cap and contract negotiations, was promoted" from his role as VP/Football Administration. During three seasons working under Smith before joining the Bills, Gaine was "respected by the personnel department, the coaching staff and members of the administrative side or the organization." O'Brien was "on the search committee with the McNairs," and while Gaine will have the "final say on personnel -- just as Smith did -- O'Brien will continue to have control over his coaching staff as well as who plays and doesn't play on game days" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/14). The CHRONICLE's McClain writes this "should be one of the best weeks" of O'Brien's career. He just signed an extension that "takes him through" the '22 season and got the GM he "wanted" in Gaine. O'Brien said, "Brian's a very detailed and thorough evaluator. He's a very hard worker. He's a guy the organization really believes in" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/15).
WHO'S THE BOSS? In Houston, Brian Smith wrote Bob McNair "believes in O'Brien" because that is the "true takeaway from a decision that was months in the making." It is "amazing that after 16 years of owning a pro football team, McNair is now publicly celebrating getting everyone on the same philosophical page." It is also "clearer than ever that McNair -- and, thus, the Texans -- are still learning how to win." Smith: "Who else would gift-wrap a multiyear extension after going 4-12?" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/14).
