Houston Texans: Jonathan Gannon is a name to know in head coach search

The Houston Texans have been rumored to be interested in Jonathan Gannon as the next head coach.

Maybe the Houston Texans have found their next head coach and none of us know it yet, but the rumors seem to be heavy when the name Jonathan Gannon is brought up on social media, and for good reason, as he’s a talented coach that will be a head coach in the NFL sooner rather than later.

Gannon has been coaching or scouting in the NFL since 2007 on the defensive side of the ball, starting with the Atlanta Falcons, then joining the Titans, Vikings and Colts in defensive coaching roles, and with the Rams as a scout.

In 2021, he was the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles, his first time in that role with any team he’s coached with, and the Eagles defense improved under his watch.

Philadepha’s defense in ’21 was ranked 19th in total points allowed (375), 14th in points per game (22.1), 23rd in yards per game (328.8), 22nd in passing yards allowed (3,756), 22nd in passing yards per game (220.9), 24th in rushing yards allowed (1,834), 24th in rushing yards allowed per game (107.9), 31st in sacks (29), 20th in interceptions (12), 19th in forced fumbles (13), 31st in fumble recoveries (four), first in fumble recovery for touchdowns (three), and 13th in QB hurries (75).

If the Texans are wanting to add a young coach with a good amount of potential, potentially finding the next great young coach like some current playoff teams have found recently, then the 39-year-old defensive coordinator would be the way to go for general manager Nick Caserio if he’s the one making this huge decision for the franchise that’s coming off consecutive four-win seasons.

Houston Texans stats weren’t the greatest defensively in 2021

The Texans are coming off a season where they allowed the third-most points per game (25.9), the second-most yards per game (384.4), the second-most rushing yards per game (142.2), the 10th-most passing yards per game (242.2), and the third-most points allowed (440).

Houston was also 27th in sacks (32), ninth in interceptions (17), ninth in forced fumbles (16), 12th in fumble recoveries (12), 28th in hurries (54) and tied for first with one safety.

The Texans defense didn’t have the best year, and the secondary has to be addressed when the new head coach is hired. A coach like Gannon could fix those issues, as he’s a former scout with the Rams, and he has helped make the Eagles defense move in the right direction.

He’s also learned under Mike Zimmer with the Vikings, so there has to have been a lot learned from him and that coaching staff with all of their knowledge, which would help the Texans’ defense in ’22. Speaking of Zimmer, he was recently fired, so maybe he should have an interview too, or join the new Texans coaching staff in some capacity.

Any way you look at it, it seems that the virtual interview with Gannon went well and impressed those in charge of the Texans, so get to know the name Jonathan Gannon, as he could just be the next head coach of the franchise if he continues to impress when his second interview takes place.