Houston Texans Coaching Change: Possible Replacements for Gary Kubiak

Gary Kubiak is a good coach and a great guy. He is very well respected by his players, staff and the Houston community. Furthermore, Kubiak is recognized as an offensive wizard throughout the NFL. He will not struggle to find a coaching job in the future. 

Perhaps all the Texans woes haven't been Kubiak's fault. In fact, a lot of them weren't, but he has had five years to build a playoff football team and failed.

Gary Kubiak was hired in 2006 after the Texans went 2-14 in the previous season. He had the first overall draft pick in the draft, which he used to get All-Pro defensive end Mario Williams. 

Since then, Kubiak has gone 33-34 and has not taken the Texans to the playoffs once. In the NFL, average just isn't good enough.

Employing a coach for more than four years without going to the playoffs is unheard of. Owners demand success, and fast. Bob McNair has been perhaps the most patient owner in NFL history. 

Sean Payton, head coach for the New Orleans Saints, is a good comparison to Kubiak. Hired in 2006, Payton started a new regime to turn around the previously 3-13 Saints. In his first season he led them to the playoffs, and last season he won a Super Bowl. 

Some other coaches hired in 2006 include:

Brad Childress

Childress was hired by the Minnesota Vikings in 2006. He won the NFC North twice and took the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game. He had an overall record of 39-35 before being fired this year.

Rod Marinelli

Marinelli was hired by the Detroit Lions in 2006. He improved the team to 7-9 in his second year but had an overall record of 10-38 and led the Lions to a terrible 0-16 season. He was fired in 2008.

Mike McCarthy

Hired by the Green Bay Packets in 2006, McCarthy has led his "cheese heads" to the playoffs twice with an overall record of 45-30. He has been on the hot seat numerous times.

Scott Linehan

Linehan was hired by the Rams in 2006. He ultimately took the team downhill and was fired four weeks into his third season with an overall record of 11-25. 

Dick Jauron

Jauron had the Bills in a mediocre state during his four years with the team. Hired in 2006, he had three straight 7-9 seasons. In his fourth season, after going 3-6, he was fired. 

The point is, these coaches have a job. Their job is to win and take their teams to the Super Bowl. Gary Kubiak, like many of the coaches above, has had his chance to do it. Even if he is a great coach and not solely responsible for the Texans' underachieving nature, enough is enough.

McNair can't justify keeping him in Houston. After all, what can Kubiak do next year that he hasn't in the previous five? 

Hiring a new head coach means a new scheme and staff but many coaches like Payton have proven they can turn teams around quickly.

Lets explore some viable replacements that could bring the Texans quick success. 

In ascending order...

Brian Billick

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SEATTLE - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Brian Billick of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 23, 2007 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Brian Billick is a great coach with a lot of experience winning. Although he is an offensive mind, Billick was at the helm of the Baltimore Ravens and their potent defense for nine years.

In that time, Billick coached the Ravens to four playoff appearances, two division titles and a Super Bowl championship with an overall record of 80-64. 

Billick has hinted that he would be interested in coaching again, but not when or where. I'm sure if the money is right, he would be wiling to hear McNair's offer and consider a tenure in Houston.

John Fox

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SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05: Head coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Ge

Although there hasn't been a lot of talk about John Fox, it is expected that he will be fired as head coach of the dismal Carolina Panthers. Fox is a great coach and the kind of guy McNair likes to keep as company. He is humble, hard-working, and says all the right things.

Fox began his career as a defensive backs coach before becoming a defensive coordinator and eventually head coach. He would be a good fit as the Texans' biggest problem is their secondary. 

In his nine years with Carolina, Fox has reached the playoffs three times with two division championships. The Panthers won the NFC championship in Fox's second year as head coach. They went on to the Super Bowl, losing a nail-biter to the New England Patriots.

Mike Zimmer

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IRVING, TX - NOVEMBER 20: Defensive Coach Mike Zimmer, foreground, and Headh Coach Bill Parcells of the Dallas Cowboys watch play from the sideline during their game against the Detroit Lions on November 20, 2005 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. The C

Zimmer is the defensive coordinator for the Cincinnati Bengals. Although they have struggled this season, he turned the Bengals defense around. 

He began his NFL career as an assistant coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. He worked his way up the ranks as a defensive backs coach and eventually became defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells in 2000. 

Parcells is one of the best coaches in NFL history and coaching under him says a lot.

Zimmer is one of many coordinators in the NFL who will eventually become a head coach. Many of the current head coaches in the NFL—Rex Ryan, Raheem Morris, Todd Haley—served as coordinators before getting head coaching jobs.

Sean McDermott

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Philadelphia Eagles secondary coach Sean McDermott directs the defense against the Dallas Cowboys November 14, 2005 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. The Cowboys defeated the Eagles 21 - 20. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

McDermott is another defensive coordinator with a lot of promise. Calling the Philadelphia Eagles defense, McDermott has gained a huge amount of notoriety and respect around the league this season. 

His name has been rumored around almost every open coaching seat and he seems more than interested to take the next step. 

Another guy who worked his way up the ranks, McDermott was the apprentice for legendary Eagles coordinator Jim Johnson. 

This guy just seems to have what it takes to be successful. With his unique blitz packages, he could help the Texans get their defense back on track. 

He wouldn't be too expensive, either. 

Jon Gruden

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TAMPA, FL - DECEMBER 28: Coach Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers directs play against the Oakland Raiders at Raymond James Stadium on December 28, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

I know, I know, Gruden is committed to ESPN!

He has a contract with the sports media giant through 2011 and says he is committed to getting better as a broadcaster. Fair enough, but we all know Gruden isn't done coaching. And a lot of money can change minds quickly. 

Gruden is an offensive coach who led great defenses. He led the Tampa Bay Bucs to a Super Bowl victory in 2002 and has five division championships—three with Tampa and two with Oakland.

Gruden doesn't just bring experience and offensive IQ, but a rare spark. He is very likable and brings intensity to the table. He knows how to get a team fired up and he doesn't put up with any nonsense—a trait shared by Bob McNair. 

If the money is right and Gruden can get out of a contract with ESPN, he is the second-best option for the Houston Texans. 

Bill Cowher

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 17: Coach Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers watches his team against the Carolina Panthers on December 17, 2006 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Steelers defeated the Panthers 37-3. (Photo by Gra

Start the campaigns: "Bill Cower for Houston!" 

Cowher is a fantastic coach with a massive resume. He takes the game and winning very seriously. He is constantly angry on the football field and rarely smiles, but gets the job done.

Cowher's pedigree is unmatched. Not only is he the best coach available, he would immediately become one of the best in the NFL if hired. 

He started out as a special teams and secondary coach for the Cleveland Browns in 1985. He quickly worked his way up and became defensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in 1989. After just two seasons, he was hired as head coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

In his first season as head coach, Cowher led the Steelers to a division title with an 11-5 record. He was named the 1992 Coach of the Year. 

Cowher served as the Steelers skipper for 15 seasons. During his tenure, he won eight division titles, two AFC championships and a Super Bowl. He had an overall record of 149-90.

Cowher isn't just capable of turning the team around and going to the playoffs, he is capable of winning a Super Bowl in his first couple of seasons and turning the Texans into a powerhouse for years to come.