Post by John on Jun 6, 2006 7:39:59 GMT -4
Texans make Broncos' Smith youngest GM in league
June 5, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans hired Rick Smith as general manager on Monday, reuniting the former Denver assistant GM with new coach Gary Kubiak.
Smith becomes the second general manager in Texans history, following Charley Casserly, who resigned following the draft. Casserly is considered the front-runner to become the NFL's vice president for football operations, succeeding Art Shell, who left to become coach of the Oakland Raiders for the second time.
Smith, who at 36 will be the NFL's youngest GM, spent 10 years with Kubiak while the coach was offensive coordinator of the Broncos. He also becomes the second black general manager, joining Ozzie Newsome of Baltimore.
He is unlikely to have the overriding power with the Texans that Casserly had. Smith joined the Broncos in 1996, but had only been in his current position since March. Before that he spent six seasons as head of Denver's pro personnel operations.
He moved to the front office after serving as a defensive assistant for four seasons.
"I'm so excited about this opportunity," Smith said, flanked by his wife, Tiffany, and Texans owner Bob McNair at news conference. "Particularly the opportunity to work with a guy like Gary ... a guy I really believe in."
The Texans also interviewed Reggie McKenzie, the Green Bay director of pro personnel, and Rick Mueller, the New Orleans Saints director of player personnel.
"We came to the conclusion that Rick Smith was the man for us," McNair said. "Rick has a terrific background. No. 1 he's worked with Coach Kubiak, which is certainly important to us. This is a team effort. We need to have people who can work well together."
Kubiak, who called Smith one of the "brightest football minds in the business," said he likes working with people like Smith who challenge his ideas.
"He's battled me in many situations and made me a better football coach," Kubiak said. "Because sometimes I get a little tunnel vision on some players and various things and he helped me see another side."
Though his relationship with Kubiak played a major role in his hiring, Smith believes other factors also came into play.
"I do believe that I'm prepared for this job," he said. "I think Mr. McNair was convinced that I am and so I think that carried the most weight. Certainly the familiarity and relationship with Gary was a positive, but I think my credentials stand for themselves."
McNair is under added pressure after the Texans sunk to their franchise-worst 2-14 record in their fourth season. The changes began in January when Kubiak was hired to replace Dom Capers, who was fired the day after the season ended.
"We've promised that we're going to have a winner for Houston," McNair said. "I'm committed to that. We are going to win."
Smith said he's looking forward to beginning his evaluation of the Texans and he plans to start that process on Wednesday when Houston opens minicamp.
Smith began his coaching career at Purdue in 1992 after playing strong safety for the Boilermakers. He spent two seasons as a strength and conditioning coach before taking over as defensive backs coach. He worked as an assistant at TCU for a month before taking a job with the Broncos.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
June 5, 2006
CBS SportsLine.com wire reports
HOUSTON -- The Houston Texans hired Rick Smith as general manager on Monday, reuniting the former Denver assistant GM with new coach Gary Kubiak.
Smith becomes the second general manager in Texans history, following Charley Casserly, who resigned following the draft. Casserly is considered the front-runner to become the NFL's vice president for football operations, succeeding Art Shell, who left to become coach of the Oakland Raiders for the second time.
Smith, who at 36 will be the NFL's youngest GM, spent 10 years with Kubiak while the coach was offensive coordinator of the Broncos. He also becomes the second black general manager, joining Ozzie Newsome of Baltimore.
He is unlikely to have the overriding power with the Texans that Casserly had. Smith joined the Broncos in 1996, but had only been in his current position since March. Before that he spent six seasons as head of Denver's pro personnel operations.
He moved to the front office after serving as a defensive assistant for four seasons.
"I'm so excited about this opportunity," Smith said, flanked by his wife, Tiffany, and Texans owner Bob McNair at news conference. "Particularly the opportunity to work with a guy like Gary ... a guy I really believe in."
The Texans also interviewed Reggie McKenzie, the Green Bay director of pro personnel, and Rick Mueller, the New Orleans Saints director of player personnel.
"We came to the conclusion that Rick Smith was the man for us," McNair said. "Rick has a terrific background. No. 1 he's worked with Coach Kubiak, which is certainly important to us. This is a team effort. We need to have people who can work well together."
Kubiak, who called Smith one of the "brightest football minds in the business," said he likes working with people like Smith who challenge his ideas.
"He's battled me in many situations and made me a better football coach," Kubiak said. "Because sometimes I get a little tunnel vision on some players and various things and he helped me see another side."
Though his relationship with Kubiak played a major role in his hiring, Smith believes other factors also came into play.
"I do believe that I'm prepared for this job," he said. "I think Mr. McNair was convinced that I am and so I think that carried the most weight. Certainly the familiarity and relationship with Gary was a positive, but I think my credentials stand for themselves."
McNair is under added pressure after the Texans sunk to their franchise-worst 2-14 record in their fourth season. The changes began in January when Kubiak was hired to replace Dom Capers, who was fired the day after the season ended.
"We've promised that we're going to have a winner for Houston," McNair said. "I'm committed to that. We are going to win."
Smith said he's looking forward to beginning his evaluation of the Texans and he plans to start that process on Wednesday when Houston opens minicamp.
Smith began his coaching career at Purdue in 1992 after playing strong safety for the Boilermakers. He spent two seasons as a strength and conditioning coach before taking over as defensive backs coach. He worked as an assistant at TCU for a month before taking a job with the Broncos.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service