Eric Bieniemy Heavily Favored in Odds to Be Texans Next Head Coach

• The Houston Texans fired Head Coach and General Manager Bill O’Brien following their Week 4 loss
• Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy is the heavy favorite to be Houston’s next head coach
• Read below to see if Bienemy would be a good fit with the Texans and what other coaches could land the gig

For seven years there’s been hand wringing among Houston Texans fans that Bill O’Brien was driving the team into the ground with such trades of DeAndre Hopkins and Jadeveon Clowney, plus an inability to get past the AFC Divisional round. Fans got their wish, as Houston jettisoned O’Brien following a catastrophic 0-and-4 start.

In the interim, he’s been replaced by 73-year-old Romeo Crennel and they won their first game of the season last Sunday against Jacksonville. With Crennel at this point not considered a serious candidate to lead the Texans into the future, speculation is running wild as to who their next Head Coach will be.

Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and former nine-year NFL running back Eric Bieniemy, who was passed over for any opportunities last off-season is the current betting favorite to land the Texans job.

Next Houston Texans Head Coach Hired Odds

Odds taken Oct. 14

Eric Bieniemy Has Thrived In Kansas City

Anytime you’re at the helm of an offense that is as dynamic as the Chiefs, you’re going to get consideration to take the next step in your coaching career, particularly when you’ve done wonders with developing 2018 MVP Patrick Mahomes.

Patrick Mahomes just won Super Bowl MVP. In 2018, we charted his rapid rise to superstardom. pic.twitter.com/Y2ZUVbdW3A

— NowThis Impact (@nowthisimpact) February 3, 2020

Bieniemy was thought to potentially be in play to leave KC for a head coaching gig in the last cycle of coaching hires but was perhaps stunted by the fact that the Chiefs kept winning in the postseason en route to the Super Bowl, so teams looked elsewhere in lieu of waiting for him.

I don't care who the Texans hire as GM, but I hope they hire Eric Bieniemy as Bill O'Brien's replacement. I think Bieniemy would do a terrific job with Deshaun Watson and the offense.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 7, 2020

One surprising statistic is that KC ranks second-last in rushing according to Pro Football Focus, particularly because Bieniemy was himself a former running back. Part of that, of course, is due to having Mahomes on your roster which leads to the ball being slung around.

A lot can change between now and the off-season, so going all-in on Bieniemy is probably not the prudent move at such low +100 odds.

Texans Likely To Opt For Offensive Coach

When you have a fantastic quarterback like Deshaun Watson on your roster, it’s best to have a coach for him to maximize his elite talent, and that’s what Houston should be looking for. They’re going to need to pair that with a strong defensive coordinator because their Achilles heel has been on that side of the ball, giving up the second most yards per game on the ground and an inability to force turnovers.

Texans have gone 4 1/2 games without forcing a turnover. It's not like they're dropping INTs. They'd have to get close to the ball to do that. There have been no fumbles that opponents pounced on. They just can't get the ball out on defense.

— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) October 11, 2020

It’s going to be hard to convince anyone to take the job because, in the upcoming draft, Houston is without their first and second round picks, which were sent to the Dolphins as part of the Laremy Tunsil and Kenny Stills deal.

As much as it would be a great dream scenario for Clemson’s Dabo Swinney to be reunited with Watson based on their time together in college, it’d be a surprise to see him leave such a successful program, especially without the draft capital.

Someone who has ties to the current front office that has considerably better value than Bieniemy’s low price is Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

#Texans Executive VP of Football Operations Jack Easterby, on a very long-term contract, is close with #Patriots OC Josh McDaniels, as well as de facto GM Nick Caserio. Both clearly names to watch in Houston.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 5, 2020

Should Bill Belichick show no inclination to retire anytime soon, McDaniels could bolt for a franchise that he’s familiar with the powers that be plus have a guaranteed great young quarterback.

Pick: Josh McDaniels (+600)