Gary Kubiak Houston Texans: Who Could Succeed Him As Texans Coach?

It's decision day for Houston Texans coach Gary Kubiak.

Houston closed out its season with a 34-17 win over Jacksonville, finishing a disappointing season with a 6-10 record. It was just their second win in 10 games, but questions have remained whether Kubiak would keep his job.

There have been numerous reports, for instance, that Houston would be a potential job that would interest former Steelers coach Bill Cowher.

On Sunday, the Associated Press reported that Kubiak could keep his job but be forced to fire several defensive assistants. Kubiak said he had talked with owner Bob McNair entering the final game and had a simple request.

"The bottom line is I asked him the last time we talked to let me enjoy the week.  Let me coach this game," Kubiak said following Sunday's victory. "We’ll sit down (Monday) and decide what’s going on.  He’s been fair to me and we’ll make that decision (Monday)."

Kubiak had built a reputation as perhaps the NFL's top offensive coordinator after spending 11 seasons (1995-2005) as the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator for Denver. After Sunday's win, though, Kubiak is now 37-43 with Houston, including no playoff appearances. At one point this year, Houston was 4-2, but things went downhill from there.

If he is fired today, who would be the best fit? Houston doesn't need to be overhauled and they do have an owner with deep pockets. Here are 10 possibilities:

10. Ray Sherman

NFL Photos/Getty Images

IRVING, TX - 2009: Ray Sherman of the Dallas Cowboys poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Irving, Texas. (Photo by NFL Photos)

The Cowboys receivers coach just finished his 22nd season in the NFL.

Besides being a long-time wide receivers coach, he was previously the offensive coordinator in Pittsburgh (1998) and Minnesota (1999). The Steelers were seventh in the league in passing and at Minnesota, the Vikings ranked third in total offense.

In 2007, he helped guide Terrell Owens to one of his best seasons, as he set a Cowboys single-season record for touchdown catches with 15, breaking Frank Clarke's record of 14 touchdown catches set in 1962. Owens also had six 100-yard receiving games that year.

Sherman is one of the most respected assistant coaches in the NFL. He definitely would be a dark-horse candidate, but one worth considering.

9. Brian Schottenheimer

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - MAY 02: Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer of the New York Jets speaks to the media during minicamp on May 2, 2009 at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Jets offensive coordinator has paid his dues. He's received some criticism this year, but fact is it's time for him to get a shot as a head coach.

It's just a matter of where.

8. Brian Billick

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

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)

The former Ravens coach could definitely help Houston's struggling defense and provide the franchise direction in establishing a winning culture.

I always liked Billick, but was confused with why his offenses struggled. Hopefully that won't be the case here. 

7. John Fox

Scott Halleran/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Carolina Panthers head coach John Fox reacts to a call in the second quarter during their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Fox's run as the Carolina Panthers head coach came to an end on Sunday.

He was 78-73 in nine seasons at Carolina, including a Super Bowl appearance after the 2003 season. While Carolina never had consecutive winning seasons in his tenure, I'd give him a look.

He could work wonders with Houston.

6. Jon Gruden

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

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)

Everything you read says Chucky will wind up in South Beach.

There's also been speculation about him reuniting with Mike Holmgren in Cleveland. I know it would be a long shot for him to go to Houston, but the team needs to do its due diligence and at least make a phone call.

5. Mike Zimmer

NFL Photos/Getty Images

CINCINNATI - 2009: Mike Zimmer of the Cincinnati Bengals poses for his 2009 NFL headshot at photo day in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by NFL Photos)

The Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator is considered the favorite to replace Marvin Lewis, who is expected to part ways with the team.

Zimmer is perhaps the league's top defensive coordinator and forged some of the NFL's best defenses during his time with the Dallas Cowboys.

4. Mike Tice

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

BOURBONNAIS, IL - JULY 30: Offensive line coach Mike Tice of the Chicago Bears walks out for a summer training camp practice at Olivet Nazarene University on July 30, 2010 in Bourbonnais, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

The Bears offensive line coach had head coaching experience at Minnesota and was previously Jack Del Rio's assistant in Jacksonville before coming to Chicago.

"I’d love to get another opportunity [to be a head coach], but I don’t have an immediate goal like I did when I was younger," Tice told the Chicago Sun-Times. "But the reason I wanted to coach the line again is I did want to have my hands on more. I did want to be involved more in the offense, and you are when you coach the line."

3. Lovie Smith

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - DECEMBER 26: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears watches as his team takes on the New York Jets at Soldier Field on December 26, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bears defeated the Jets 38-34. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

No, this isn't a misprint.

Smith has just one year left on his contract with the Bears and there's been no talk about any extension.

Watch and see what happens here. If Chicago makes a long playoff run, then obviously you take his name out of the mix. But if they're one and done, do you take a shot and gauge his interest if you're Bob McNair? 

2. Jeff Fisher

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

INDIANAPOLIS - JANUARY 02: Jeff Fisher the Head Coach of the Tennessee Titans watches play during NFL game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 2, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Real simple: If Bud Adams makes the foolish decision to let Fisher go in Tennessee, you drop everything and go meet with him. 

1. Bill Cowher

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

PITTSBURGH - DECEMBER 07: Head coach Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the Cleveland Browns December 7, 2006 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

If the Chin is serious about returning to the sidelines, you back the Brinks truck up and do whatever it takes to land him in Houston.