Lovie Smith, Ken Whisenhunt on Texans’ interest list

Veteran coaches are at the top of Houston’s wish list.

by James Dator

Dec 8, 2013, 4:14 PM UTC

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James Dator has been covering a wide range of sports for SB Nation for over a decade, with a special focus on the NFL.

The Houston Texans are wasting no time in finding the third head coach in team history. Reports Sunday indicate that the organization is looking at candidates with former Super Bowl experience, with both Lovie Smith and Ken Whisenhunt on the radar.

Dom Capers was the first coach of the Texans, and if the team decides to go with a defensive-minded coach again it appears that Smith could be the man for the job. Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports the team has contacted the former Bears' head coach, who was fired in 2012 after nine seasons that saw Chicago reach the playoffs three times, including a Super Bowl berth in 2006.

Smith would inherit one of the league's top defensive units, and the Texans have a valuable weapon in J.J. Watt to execute his aggressive, blitz-heavy defensive scheme.

Should the team elect to find another coach in Gary Kubiak's mold they could elect to bring in Whisenhunt -- according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The San Diego Chargers are enjoying renewed success, much of which can be attributed to the former Cardinals head coach. Running back Ryan Mathews is poised to have the second 1,000 yard season of his career while Philip Rivers has bounced back and is playing at his best. During his span as head coach in Arizona the team had a 45-51 record, winning the AFC West twice and heading to the Super Bowl in 2008, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Whisenhunt’s ability to create potent passing offenses would be invaluable on a team looking to select a quarterback at the top of the 2014 draft, and pairing him with a talented group of receivers.

There is no indication of any other potential coaches at this time, but these initial reports seem to indicate the organization is looking for a veteran coach with an established resume.