Head coach Bill O'Brien of the Houston Texans
As the Houston Texans enter the 2024 season, they do so as legitimate title contenders, bolstered by a series of high-profile offseason acquisitions. This dramatic turnaround is a stark contrast to the turbulent years that followed the departure of Bill O’Brien, who served as both head coach and general manager. O’Brien, now reflecting on his time in Houston, expressed regret over his dual role in an interview on “Next Up with Adam Breneman” this week.
“That was a tough time in Houston,” O’Brien admitted. “We were a good team. We went after some guys for the GM role, but we couldn’t get ’em. And at the end of the day, we went a full year without a GM, really. Myself and another guy did it. And then there was a year where they were like, ‘Well, we’re just gonna make you the GM.’ In the end, that’s not who I am. That’s another lesson learned.”
O’Brien, who struggled with the additional responsibilities of general manager, revealed how the dual role affected his relationships and enjoyment of the job. “I didn’t really enjoy being the GM,” he said. “I didn’t enjoy negotiating contracts. In some respects, I lost relationships with some of the guys that I was coaching. In my opinion, there’s very few guys in the history of football that can ever be a coach and GM simultaneously, and they’re the greatest of the greats. I feel like I’m a good coach. I know how to evaluate talent. But I shouldn’t be negotiating contracts and things like that. So, in the end, that was a mistake by me, and I wish I really didn’t do that, to be really honest with you.”
O’Brien, who was hired as Boston College’s head coach this offseason, spent over six seasons with the Texans. His tenure included four winning records and three playoff appearances in his first five years. However, his legacy is marred by contentious decisions as the team’s personnel chief. Following the dismissal of GM Brian Gaine, O’Brien was unofficially given final say on the roster and officially took on the GM title in 2019. His most notorious move came when he traded star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for injury-prone running back David Johnson.
“When we were running it at the Houston Texans, yeah, we made some controversial decisions,” O’Brien explained. “But we made some good decisions, too. We traded some top picks for Laremy Tunsil. Laremy Tunsil’s one of the greatest left tackles in the history of the game, in my opinion. So it wasn’t like it was all terrible. But for me, personally, it’s more about being a coach. And that’s what I love to do.”
The Texans’ resurgence as a title contender in 2024 stands in contrast to the chaos of the previous regime. With new leadership and a revitalized roster, Houston is poised to make a significant impact this season. As the team looks forward to potential championship glory, O’Brien’s tenure serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges that come with balancing the roles of head coach and general manager.
