Houston Texans Promote Brian Gaine, But Not To General Manager

With the Houston Texans' front office losing its Director of College Scouting to the New York Jets earlier this week, there was some speculation that the organization could promote Brian Gaine to general manager to avoid losing him as well. We learned tonight that Gaine was in fact promoted, but not to general manager.

Texans GM Rick Smith has promoted pro personnel director Brian Gaine to director of player personnel. Gaine gets new contact and raise.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 18, 2015

Confirmed: Texans pro personnel dir. Brian Gaine gets new deal & promoted to director of player personnel. Reported 1st by Sports Radio 610.

— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) January 18, 2015

Rick Smith said last week he didn't want to lose Gaine and Mike Maccagnan, who's the Jets new GM. Gaine interviewed with Bears and Eagles.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) January 18, 2015

What this means in terms of Gaine's increased responsibilities and/or Rick Smith's diminished responsibilities as general manager is unknown at this point. What we do know is that Gaine isn't going anywhere, has a slightly altered title (going from Pro Personnel Director to Director of Player Personnel), presumably has some additional stroke within the front office, and that Rick Smith remains the Texans' general manager, at least in title. It remains to be seen whether this is the precursor to Rick Smith being moved or elevated to another role within the organization.