Texans Extend O'Brien's Contract, Hire Gaine As GM

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Texans announced this morning that have extended coach Bill O'Brien's contract four years on the heels of a 4-14 season and last-place finish in the AFC South. O'Brien has one year remaining on his original five-year contract, so the extension takes him through the end of the 2022 season.

The team also signed Brian Gaine to a five-year contract which also goes through the 2022 season. Texans owner Bob McNair intertwined the contracts to create a championship culture for the team.

"I'm delighted to get Brian as our new general manager and to have Bill's contract extended," McNair told the Houston Chronicle's John McClain. "Their deals will put them on the same track. Our goal is to win a Super Bowl, and we're all on the same page."

#Texans Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert C. McNair on Head Coach Bill O’Brien, whose 31 career victories are tied for the most by any head coach in franchise history through their first four years: pic.twitter.com/mV3xyjFFFA

— Texans PR (@TexansPR) January" class="redactor-linkify-object">https://twitter.com/TexansPR/s... 13, 2018

O'Brien had three-consecutive 9-7 seasons with playoff appearances in 2015 and 2016. The Texans won their wild card game in 2016. The team had lots of promise in 2017 after rookie quarterback Deshaun Watson took the reins and vaulted into one of the top signal callers in the league. But a series of injures to the defense (J.J. Watt in particular) and then Watson's season-ending ACL tear on a practice sent the team spiraling downward.

Gained was the Texans' director of pro personnel and then director of player personnel from 2014-16 before going to Buffalo last season to become the Bills' vice president of player personnel. In essence, Gaine has overseen a playoff team each of the last three seasons.

Gaine replaces former GM Rick Smith, who took leave to assist his wife, who is battling breast cancer. Smith said he plans to be back and resume the executive vice president title.

Image: Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans watches his team during their preseason game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on August 9, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)