|
 The decision comes a day after Houston lost to Jacksonville and
fell to an NFL-worst 2-11, a huge swing from last season when they
went 12-4 and won the AFC South Division.
"This has been a very disappointing year," said Texans chief
executive Bob McNair. "We started with such high hopes. To have this
string of losses is unacceptable."
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips will serve as interim coach for
the Texans' final three games of the 2013 season, the team said in a
statement.
With Kubiak's departure, Bob Ligashesky was promoted from special
teams assistant to special teams coordinator, replacing Joe Marciano
who was sacked.
Houston entered the 2013 NFL season with high hopes and were
considered a Super Bowl contender by some given a mix of
high-profile names at several positions, a veteran coaching staff
and a reputation as a legitimate AFC powerhouse following division
titles the prior two seasons.
But after opening the campaign with a pair of wins, Houston fell
apart due to a combination of unsteady play at quarterback and
injuries to key players, including tight end Owen Daniels and
running back Arian Foster.
Kubiak, who went 61-64 during the regular season and 2-2 in the
playoffs since taking the head coaching job in 2006, missed time
earlier this season after collapsing at halftime during a game last
month.
[to top of second column] |
He was diagnosed as having suffered a mini-stroke and missed
one game before working the following two contests from the
booth. Kubiak returned to the sidelines on December 1.
"I want to thank Bob McNair and his family for giving me my
first head coaching opportunity in the National Football
League," Kubiak said in a statement.
"Bob has treated me with the utmost class and respect throughout
my career with the Texans. I want to thank the players and
coaches for all the work they have put in during my years with
the Texans.
"Though we came up short this season, the work, effort and
sacrifice they gave me and this organization over the last eight
seasons is not to be taken for granted. I want to wish them all
the best."
Phillips, who was named Houston's defensive coordinator ahead of
the 2011 season, has an 82-60 record as a head coach during
stints with New Orleans, Denver, Buffalo, Atlanta, Dallas and
Houston.
When he filled in for Kubiak earlier this season, the Texans
held a 17-14 halftime lead over the Arizona Cardinals but could
only muster 41 yards in the final two quarters en route to a
27-24 loss.
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto and Mark Lamport-Stokes in
Thousand Oaks, California; editing by Gene Cherry)
[© 2013 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
Copyright 2013 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |
