We meet with the players here at 11 (a.m.) and then we’ll begin right away with our staff, evaluating our season strategically, personnel, schemes, everything.
Advertisement
That means both men will be back in Houston for the 2016 season and they’ll share in the responsibility to fix the biggest issue with the team. Despite a poor showing against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round that ended with Brian Hoyer committing five turnovers and the Texans losing 30-0, they defied expectations by just being there.
Well three actually, special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky, receivers coach Stan Hixon and defensive assistant Anthony Pleasant were all released from the team.
Ligashesky joined the Texans in 2013 and was the only holdover from Gary Kubiak’s last staff to make it to 2015.
“It’s not very good”, O’Brien said of the special teams Sunday, the day before making the moves. Wide receiver Jalen Strong tweeted out his support for Coach Hixon, saying “You always have a friend in me”. “Everything’s got to get better for us on special teams”. Their special teams finished 32nd in Football Outsiders’ DVOA rankings.
After Ryan Mallett’s adventures with the snooze button led him to miss a Texans team flight in October, there were reports of disagreement between Texans coach Bill O’Brien and General Manager Rick Smith about how to handle moving on without Mallett.
Advertisement
Listen to Sean Pendergast on SportsRadio 610 from 2 to 7 p.m. weekdays.
