clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Are The Houston Texans Getting A New General Manager?

The NFL is buzzing with a lot of movement for coaches and front office personnel. Read on to hear what Houston might be doing in an effort to retain their top talent in the front office.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

It has been just over a week since the Houston Texans gave permission for Brian Gaine, their Director of Pro Personnel, to interview with the Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears for their available general manager positions.  News is now coming out that the Texans will try to promote Gaine to keep him in Houston.  Will they promote Rick Smith (as originally reported/speculated by Jason La Canfora last month) and announce Brian Gaine as the team's new general manager?

CBS Sports Radio reported this earlier today:

A source close to the team has told SportsRadio 610 that Texans director of pro personnel, Brian Gaine, will be promoted before he can interview for a second time with the Philadelphia Eagles for their open personnel position.

Gaine talked with the Eagles on Sunday about their open position and also interviewed with the Bears for their open GM job earlier this offseason. The Bears hired Ryan Pace.

Many in league circles have said that Rick Smith, Texans General Manager, know Texans head coach Bill O’Brien and Gaine are very close and this is an impact keeping Gaine in Houston.

Jason LaCanfora wrote in December that the Texans could promote Smith to a higher position in the front office and move Gaine into the general manager spot.

Gaine joined the Texans before the 2014 season after six years with the Miami Dolphins as their assistant general manager.

No word on what position Gaine would be given to keep him in Houston, but Rick Smith would need to act quickly to retain him.

You may recall that LaCanfora article from December, which included these comments:

Long-time Texans general manager Rick Smith, who has had a great run solidifying the franchise and leading its personnel department, is likely to have an expanded role in the organization in 2015, beyond football operations, with someone else taking over the GM title, according to numerous league sources.

Also, Texans college scouting director Mike Maccagnan and director of pro personnel Brian Gaine are seen as top internal candidates should the Texans end up reshuffling from within.

Smith is thought of very highly by owner Bob McNair and has played in a key role in developing the organization, but a shift in roles would not be a surprise at this point with O'Brien primed to take on more responsibility. The Texans parted with several long-time scouts after O'Brien's arrival and began bringing in new faces, and that process could well continue.

Earlier this week, it was announced that Mike Maccagnan departed Houston and accepted the GM role with the New York Jets.

Brian Gaine has 16 years of NFL experience, with roles in pro personnel and scouting.  The Texans hired Gaine as their Director of Pro Personnel in February of 2014.  Before that, he was the Assistant General Manager for the final two of his six seasons with the Miami Dolphins Before his time in Miami, Gaine spent three seasons as the Assistant Director of Pro Scouting for the Cowboys.  Before his tour of duty in Dallas, he was with the New York Jets' scouting department for six years; that included serving as the team's Assistant Director of Pro Scouting.

With the Eagles showing strong interest in hiring Gaine as their new general manager, will the Texans move quickly to promote him and keep him in Houston?  Share your thoughts below as we await more news on this developing story.