On Jan. 9, 2023, Houston Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair stood in front of the media in the team auditorium and announced that he had fired head coach and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith after serving a year in the head coaching position. It was the second consecutive year that the Texans had to make such an announcement, as former head coach David Culley was fired the year prior.
“As you know, Nick (Caserio) and I spoke with Lovie (Smith) last night and informed him that we would be moving in a different direction as an organization,” McNair said. “We just felt this was the best decision for us at this time. We know the last two seasons have not been what we had hoped for, but we’re committed to building a program that’s successful long-term.
“We’ve dealt with unprecedented circumstances over the last several years, but we’re excited about our future and where we’re headed. Now we’re committed to getting this one right. Like I said, I’m excited and optimistic about what’s possible moving forward on the field. I know our team has a bright future ahead.”
Sitting in the front row, staring intently at her husband speak about the franchise’s future, was Houston Texans Foundation vice president Hannah McNair. She looked directly at the podium intently, listening to every word from general manager Nick Caserio’s mouth as he spoke about how extensive the head coaching search would be and how the McNair’s would be a massive part of the process.
“In the end, it’s going to be my recommendation to ownership, and then ownership, our dialogue with each other, and then ultimately Cal and Hannah (McNair) own the team,” said Caserio about the collaborative effort in the coaching search. “I’m going to be respectful of their wishes. I think we’re going to be respectful of each other’s perspectives and wishes, and ultimately, we’re going to do what we feel is in the best interest of the Houston Texans organization. In the end, I think the owner has the trump card. For me to think otherwise, that’s probably rude of me, but that’s just the reality of it.”
As the press conference concluded, Hannah McNair made her way toward a couple of media members, me included, and spoke freely and candidly about ensuring they would hire the right leader for the rebuilding Texans.
“We will get this right, I promise you,” she said. “We know the narrative about this team, but that is not who we are. Neither is it the way we…
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