Houston Texans: Best candidates to take over as head coach after firing Bill O’Brien

5. Byron Leftwich, Buccaneers offensive coordinator

Even if the Houston Texans do need help on defense, the play of the offense is why Bill O’Brien was fired in the first place, so maybe the focus of the Texans’ front office will be on finding an offensive-minded head coach. That brings us to Byron Leftwich who has been learning under the 40-plus years of coaching experience of Bruce Arians in both Arizona and now in Tampa Bay as an offensive coordinator with the Buccaneers this season.

Leftwich is a former NFL quarterback, and now is coaching Tom Brady with the Buccaneers. That said, it is kind of fun to imagine how Leftwich would work with Deshaun Watson, and how he would design an exciting offense for the franchise quarterback in Houston as it would have to be a bit different than what Brady currently runs.

Also there is the fact Leftwich would bring in some excitement and youthfulness as a rookie head coach, but also have the respect of not only being a former player, but a coach who has coached and worked with some of the very best to ever play the game.

If you want a case to how the Texans offense would be like, look at how the Tampa Bay offense is with a 40-year old Tom Brady and the success they are building each week. Now let yourself  imagine Leftwich with Watson, one of the very best young QBs in the game. Sounds like success could be had again in Houston.

4. Brian Schottenheimer, Seahawks offensive coordinator

Here is another offensive coordinator who has worked with some of the very best players and coaches in the NFL, oh and he’s also learned from his dad, former longtime NFL head coach Marty Schottenheimer.

Brian Schottenheimer has been working his ways through the ranks as a coach in the league, and his next step is to be a head coach, and one day that will happen. Working with Russell Wilson on a daily basis could only help Brian Schottenheimer if he were to take over in Houston, and help take Deshaun Watson to the next level of becoming one of the top elite quarterbacks in the league.