Houston Texans offensive coordinator George Godsey was unable to convert effort into points, including Saturday in the team's post-season loss to New England, so he and the team's management have reached an agreement to end his services. Photo by Matthew Healey/ UPI |
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George Godsey lost his job Monday as offensive coordinator, consequences of a historically bad Texans offense that struggled mightily to generate points and yards behind the inept play of $72 million quarterback Brock Osweiler.
Godsey was replaced after three games as the play-caller by coach Bill O'Brien following a 27-0 shutout loss to the New England Patriots in which they didn't cross midfield until the second half. It foreshadowed Godsey's eventual exit days after the Texans' 34-16 AFC divisional round playoff loss to the Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Although Godsey and O'Brien collaborated on play-calling duties for the remainder of the season, it was clear that the offense never clicked.
The Texans ranked 29th in total offense and 31st in red-zone offense. They were 28th in scoring, tying them with the 3-13 Chicago Bears.
The Texans scored 25 touchdowns, 23 on offense. It was the lowest output for a playoff team in a non-strike season since the NFL expanded its season to 16 games in 1978.
The Texans characterized Godsey's departure as a mutual parting of the ways.
"I'm grateful for the tireless work ethic and contributions George has made to our team over the last three years," O'Brien said in a statement. "I wish him nothing but the best in the future."
Godsey arrived on the Texans' coaching staff three years ago as O'Brien's hand-picked quarterbacks coach and was then elevated to offensive coordinator.
Godsey played quarterback at Georgia Tech when O'Brien was on the coaching staff there and worked alongside him on the Patriots' staff under coach Bill Belichick.
O'Brien was noncommittal when asked earlier Monday about the status of Godsey. Hours later, Godsey was out of a job.
"Before I talk about those types of things, I have to evaluate it myself," O'Brien said. "I've got to talk to our coaching staff, get their input, personnel people, get their input. So, I wouldn't be a good head coach if I stood up here and said, this is what I'm planning to do. The game is less than 48 hours ago. We're going to evaluate everything."
Although the Texans repeated as AFC South champions, they regressed offensively with Osweiler under center. He threw 16 interceptions in the regular season and another three interceptions during the playoff loss to the Patriots.
The Texans ranked 19th in total offense in 2015 despite using four different quarterbacks: Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett, T.J. Yates and Brandon Weeden.
The quartet combined for 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions as the offense scored 34 touchdowns. Osweiler threw just 15 touchdowns despite the presence of Pro Bowl alternate wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, whose production suffered with a new quarterback prone to erratic play.
Osweiler was benched for Tom Savage during a comeback win engineered by Savage. However, Savage suffered a concussion against the Tennessee Titans and the Texans turned back to Osweiler for the playoffs.
Against the Patriots, Osweiler completed 23 of 40 passes for 198 yards and one touchdown to go along with the three turnovers.
The Jacksonville Jaguars interviewed former San Francisco 49ers coach Chip Kelly for their offensive coordinator vacancy this week. Kelly is a long-time friend of O'Brien's who used to talk offensive philosophy with O'Brien when he was on the Patriots' coaching staff and they planned a joint practice session last August when Kelly was with the 49ers.
Former Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks and 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Knapp is available. He was Osweiler's quarterbacks coach with the Broncos, but wasn't retained by new Denver coach Vance Joseph.
Knapp had a previous stint as the Texans' quarterbacks coach working on the staff of former Houston coach Gary Kubiak.
Kubiak stepped down as the Broncos' head coach for health concerns and is planning to take the year off from coaching.
The Texans don't have an obvious in-house candidate from their offensive coaching staff, which includes receivers coach Sean Ryan, offensive line coach Mike Devlin, tight ends coach John Perry, running backs coach Charles London and offensive assistant Pat O'Hara.
Although the Texans made the playoffs, being their offensive coordinator isn't necessarily a very attractive vacancy due to Osweiler's presence.
O'Brien might be best off simply calling the plays himself.
