Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien has emerged as the favorite to become the Houston Texans’ next coach and the two sides are working on a deal, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter reported Saturday.
The Texans and O'Brien are aiming to have a deal completed within the next week, according to the report.
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Houston team owner Bob McNair told The Houston Chronicle on Saturday night: "The process has been underway, and it continues. The process isn't over. We have other candidates to interview next week."
O’Brien is 15-9 in two seasons at Penn State, taking over a program in the middle of turmoil. Prior to taking the Penn State job, O’Brien spent five seasons as an offensive assistant for Bill Belichick in New England.
O’Brien met with the Texans last week, and the team also has interviewed former Bears coach Lovie Smith and interim coach Wade Phillips.
The 44-year-old O'Brien drew interest from the NFL last year, interviewing with Cleveland and Philadelphia before deciding to stay at Penn State. His contract was re-worked after last season and the buyout if he were to leave for an NFL job was lowered to about $6.5 million.
Houston is 2-13 this season, having lost 13 games in a row. The team fired Gary Kubiak earlier this month.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.