Ag_07 said:

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Offensive Advisor Bill Lazor interviewed today.

WTF is DeMeco doing?

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This has been a weird list so far

Incredibly underwhelming

Why on earth would he even interview the advisor to the guy he just fired?

IrishAg said:

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Ag_07 said:

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Offensive Advisor Bill Lazor interviewed today.

WTF is DeMeco doing?

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This has been a weird list so far

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looks like he is greasing the palms of his buddies

It also follows that there doesn't appear to be a huge pool of OC candidates available unless they are trying to wait on someone from the Chiefs or Eagles to become available.

this may be the consequence of firing a guy after 2 seasons

a guy you convinced to leave another organization

pagerman @ work said:

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Ag_07 said:

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Offensive Advisor Bill Lazor interviewed today.

WTF is DeMeco doing?

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I remember reading during a previous coordinator or coaching search that there is often politics/optics on who gets interviewed (beyond the obvious like minority candidates), particularly as it relates to internal candidates.

Often teams interview internal candidates even if they have no intention of hiring them so that there is no stigma attached by other teams wondering why the individual wasn't even interviewed during the process, which would be seen as an internal negative grade by the current employer. It's basically doing a solid for an employee's career.

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I was listening to one of the Houston people last night and they also called out the interview process for both what you said and also a good way to dig into WTF happened to the offense last year and were they a part of it (in a manner that's easier to get real info out of them).

But I have a feeling it's going to be Caley, more talk about the interviews nearing the end soon. Caley reportedly turned down $3 million a year from the patriots to be their OC, so he's targeting a specific spot.

What other OC jobs are currently still open?

Ag_07 said:

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What other OC jobs are currently still open?

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I think this list is up to date.

Las Vegas - hired Pete Carroll as HC
Jacksonville - hired Liam Coen as HC
New York Jets - hired Aaron Glenn as HC
Dallas - hired Brian Schottenheimer as HC
New Orleans (also don't have a HC yet)
Tampa Bay - lost their OC to Jacksonville as the new HC

Of note are that Houston and Tampa Bay are the only current OC openings for a HC that wasn't hired this offseason.

Teams that have hired new OC's this offseason:

Chicago
Cleveland
Detroit
New England
San Francisco
Seattle

A summary of our offensive stats to help illustrate why we moved on from Slowik:

21.9 points/game (19th)
207.4 passing yards/game (21st)
20 passing TDs (25th)
12 Ints (16th)
5.7 net yards/attempt (tied at 23rd with the Jets, Cowboys, and Titans)
112.3 rushing yards/game (15th)
15 rushing TDs (16th)
4.4 yards/rush (tied at 13th with Saints and Patriots
981 offensive penalty yards (26th)

This just really shows how bad we were and we really only made the playoffs due to our defense and weakness of the division. It felt like he had a good run game this year but it really only feels that way compared to the passing stats.

Also of note, Houston and Tampa Bay are the only OC spots that you probably are excited going into. I've heard TB is targeting Caley also, but he probably won't be calling plays in Tampa Bay unlike Houston.

Max Power said:

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A summary of our offensive stats to help illustrate why we moved on from Slowik:

21.9 points/game (19th)
207.4 passing yards/game (21st)
20 passing TDs (25th)
12 Ints (16th)
5.7 net yards/attempt (tied at 23rd with the Jets, Cowboys, and Titans)
112.3 rushing yards/game (15th)
15 rushing TDs (16th)
4.4 yards/rush (tied at 13th with Saints and Patriots
981 offensive penalty yards (26th)

This just really shows how bad we were and we really only made the playoffs due to our defense and weakness of the division. It felt like he had a good run game this year but it really only feels that way compared to the passing stats.

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It is quite staggering how bad the offense was. I don't think Slowik was a bad coach, but his inability to adjust his scheme or play calling to what was or wasn't working in the games killed us.

Which can explain the love for Caley.

One thing I've heard about that Rams team is their ability to adapt their plan of attack to the tools they have available.

With all of their injuries they were still able to spread the ball around and move it pretty damn well.

IrishAg said:

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Also of note, Houston and Tampa Bay are the only OC spots that you probably are excited going into. I've heard TB is targeting Caley also, but he probably won't be calling plays in Tampa Bay unlike Houston.

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I'd be interested in who would be calling plays in Tampa if it wouldn't be the OC since Coen called the plays this season.

IrishAg said:

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Also of note, Houston and Tampa Bay are the only OC spots that you probably are excited going into. I've heard TB is targeting Caley also, but he probably won't be calling plays in Tampa Bay unlike Houston.

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I wouldn't think a first time OC would be interested in working for the Jets specifically because it's either Rodgers or a QB to be determined up there and he's really particular about what he wants and who he'll work with. Vegas needs a QB as well but they don't draft until pick 6. Coen is going to call the plays in Jacksonville as I would expect Schottenheimer to do in Dallas. The Saints still need to hire a HC and it sounds like Kellen Moore is going to take that job so he's the likely play caller regardless of OC.

Ag_07 said:

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Which can explain the love for Caley.

One thing I've heard about that Rams team is their ability to adapt their plan of attack to the tools they have available.

With all of their injuries they were still able to spread the ball around and move it pretty damn well.

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That's the biggest thing. Also Caley was an assistant coach in New England since 2015 before moving to the Rams in 2023. So he know what it takes to win, rebuild, and retool an offense, he's just never had to call an offense. So, it's a roll of dice, but digging into him he's listed (outside the Texans point of view) as the #1 guy tagged to be the next great offensive coordinator.

Max Power said:

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IrishAg said:

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Also of note, Houston and Tampa Bay are the only OC spots that you probably are excited going into. I've heard TB is targeting Caley also, but he probably won't be calling plays in Tampa Bay unlike Houston.

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I wouldn't think a first time OC would be interested in working for the Jets specifically because it's either Rodgers or a QB to be determined up there and he's really particular about what he wants and who he'll work with. Vegas needs a QB as well but they don't draft until pick 6. Coen is going to call the plays in Jacksonville as I would expect Schottenheimer to do in Dallas. The Saints still need to hire a HC and it sounds like Kellen Moore is going to take that job so he's the likely play caller regardless of OC.

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Yeah, I crosswired my thoughts on TB and Jax and the not calling plays in TB comment (posting while on conference calls is bad lol). But I think Tampa Bay and Houston are the only places that have opportunities with QBs someone who's ready to take the next step will want to walk into. The rest just aren't in a good place, or will have someone dictating the offense that's being run.

pagerman @ work said:

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Ag_07 said:

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Offensive Advisor Bill Lazor interviewed today.

WTF is DeMeco doing?

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I remember reading during a previous coordinator or coaching search that there is often politics/optics on who gets interviewed (beyond the obvious like minority candidates), particularly as it relates to internal candidates.

Often teams interview internal candidates even if they have no intention of hiring them so that there is no stigma attached by other teams wondering why the individual wasn't even interviewed during the process, which would be seen as an internal negative grade by the current employer. It's basically doing a solid for an employee's career.

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Every industry does this. Not surprising that athletics is no different.

IrishAg said:

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Ag_07 said:

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Which can explain the love for Caley.

One thing I've heard about that Rams team is their ability to adapt their plan of attack to the tools they have available.

With all of their injuries they were still able to spread the ball around and move it pretty damn well.

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That's the biggest thing. Also Caley was an assistant coach in New England since 2015 before moving to the Rams in 2023. So he know what it takes to win, rebuild, and retool an offense, he's just never had to call an offense. So, it's a roll of dice, but digging into him he's listed (outside the Texans point of view) as the #1 guy tagged to be the next great offensive coordinator.

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He would probably be a good hire I just don't think that another first time OC is the right fit for this team/CJ right now. I was hoping for an experienced play caller but I'm preparing to be disappointed, even though it may work out in the long run.

So last 2 interviews:
Today:
Brian Johnson - former Eagles offensive coordinator before Kellen Moore and current Commanders assistant head coach and pass game coordinator

Last night surprise:
Grant Udinski - Vikings' assistant offensive coordinator/assistant QB coach, wow, he's only 29 years old (holy lord he was born in 1996, I feel so old). He's only been coaching since 2019 (in total)

Brian Johnson is interesting. I know everything fell apart at the end for the Eagles last year, but he has some great ties to great offensive minds. I have no clue what to make of Udinski, lot's of pub for being a lot like KOD in Minnesota, but man that's seems about the same danger as putting all you money on a number in roulette.

According to Aaron Wilson Chip Kelly told everyone he's staying put per these notes:

Quote:

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- "Strong" consideration for internal candidates especially QB Coach Jerrod Johnson
- Nick Caley strongest external candidate so far & he isn't getting Tampa OC job
- Texans had Chip Kelly on initial lists but he decided to stay at OSU
- Former HCs like Doug Peterson & Mike McCarthy aren't really big candidates
- His PERSONAL opinion is Jerrod as OC and Lazor on stuff would be best hire
- Cole Popovich is expected to be promoted as Head OL coach
- Hire probably goes into next week

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I'm leaning toward Caley, since he just announced he wouldn't even interview for the Jets opening. And if he's turned down TB, then it must mean he's holding out for his spot. Considering he's interviewed in person here (and I believe it's the only place he's interviewed in person), I'm thinking it's going to be him.

Some good context on Brian Johnson and his OC year with the Eagles

Brian Johnson’s biggest 🚩is PHI O declining with him as OC. They were still 7th in PPG btw

Some context, per B/R & ESPN, Sirianni handicapped and micromanaged Johnson

Sirianni overruled playcalls so often the players couldn’t tell who was calling plays: https://t.co/hR33uJaa6D https://t.co/I7SiqgGC4z pic.twitter.com/ZCpZO9LYpJ

— Jordan Pun (@Texans_Thoughts) January 31, 2025

So whatever happened to chip kelly

Staying put at tOSU

And yes I've heard the same things about Johnson and his time in PHI

While PHI has had success with him as HC I don't think Sirianni is very good coach. He's surrounded himself with good coordinators and great talent.

IMO they win despite him and not because of him.

texagbeliever said:

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Wait isn't surrounding yourself with great coaches to run things not the definition of a great head coach?

He is also by most reports a great players coach.

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I think that was in reference to a lot of people laying the issues with the offense at the feet of Brian Johnson

Fair point

texagbeliever said:

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Wait isn't surrounding yourself with great coaches to run things not the definition of a great head coach?

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I don't really have a big opinion on Sirianni one way or another, but that's not the definition of a great head coach, that's the definition of a smart head coach. And just because someone is a smart head coach doesn't necessarily mean they're a great head coach.

Sources: #Texans expected to interview #Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich @KPRC2 https://t.co/LvJX3srBI7

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) February 1, 2025

Very interesting, Adam Stenavich, Green Bay OC would bring some amazing things for the running game. Maybe pair him with Nixon from Syracuse as the passing game coordinator?

Might be something, it’s probably nothing. Chip Kelly was spotted heading for a departing flight this morning at IAH. pic.twitter.com/JztCoL9eQd

— Patrick (@PatTalksTexans) February 1, 2025

Recruiting trip?

Surely if we were flying him for an interview it'd be private?

B-Rabbit said:

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Might be something, it’s probably nothing. Chip Kelly was spotted heading for a departing flight this morning at IAH. pic.twitter.com/JztCoL9eQd

— Patrick (@PatTalksTexans) February 1, 2025

Recruiting trip?

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That would be my guess, now he might stop by and talk to DeMeco, but that would be kind of crappy to bail on OSU on the very last recruiting weekend of this cycle.

Bag of used K balls.