The first NFL team to fire its head coach in 2020 is the last one looking to fill the position for 2021.
The Houston Texans pulled the plug on Bill O'Brien on Monday, Oct. 5, a day after the team fell to 0-4. It has made a mess of its search since, including alienating quarterback Deshaun Watson to the point he wants out.
In the meantime, six other teams have fired their coaches and made hires. Here's everything you need to know about the jobs that have been filled and the latest on the Texans.
FILLED JOBS
Philadelphia Eagles
New coach: Nick Sirianni
The Eagles tabbed Sirianni, 39, on Thursday. He comes to Philadelphia after serving as the offensive coordinator for the Colts since 2018.
The hope in Philly is that Sirianni can revitalize quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz had a near-MVP campaign in 2017 when current Colts head coach Frank Reich was his offensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
Sirianni was Reich's right-hand man in Indianapolis and was the quarterbacks coach when Reich was the Chargers offensive coordinator in 2014 and '15. The connection could hold significance for Wentz, who has a great deal of trust in Reich.
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Detroit Lions
New coach: Dan Campbell
The Lions introduced Campbell, 44, at a news conference on Thursday. He comes to Detroit from New Orleans, where he was serving as assistant head coach/tight ends coach. He has never been a coordinator in the NFL, is viewed as a motivator and someone who can bring a team together instead of an X's-and-O's guru.
The Lions had been searching for people they considered unifiers as they identified qualities they deemed important to building a winner out of a franchise that has one playoff win in the Super Bowl era and claimed its last division title in 1993.
The Lions got rid of coach Matt Patricia and general manager Bob Quinn midway through Patricia's third season. Patricia was 13-29-1. Quinn had been the team's GM since 2016, and the Lions were 31-43-1 during his tenure.
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Los Angeles Chargers
New coach: Brandon Staley
The Chargers hired Brandon Staley, who served the past season as the Los Angeles Rams' defensive coordinator, to replace Anthony Lynn, who was fired after four seasons.
Staley's unit was No. 1 in the NFL and helped the Rams to a 10-6 season and a wild-card playoff win over the Seattle Seahawks before the team exited the postseason with a loss to the Green Bay Packers. In his first year as an NFL coordinator, Staley's defense ranked No. 1 in efficiency, yards allowed per game and points allowed per game.
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Jacksonville Jaguars
New coach: Urban Meyer
The Jaguars hired Urban Meyer as their new coach, turning to one of the most successful college coaches in NCAA history to help spur a turnaround of one of the NFL's worst franchises.
"This is a great day for Jacksonville and Jaguars fans everywhere," team owner Shad Khan said in a statement.
Meyer is be the sixth head coach in Jaguars history, replacing Doug Marrone, whom Khan fired Jan. 4 after the Jaguars finished their worst season in franchise history (1-15). Marrone had a 25-44 record (including playoffs) in four seasons with the Jaguars.
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New York Jets
New coach: Robert Saleh
The Jets, coming off one of the worst seasons in franchise history, reached an agreement with San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh to be their next head coach, the team announced.
Saleh is regarded as an upbeat, energetic coach. The Jets coveted those traits after two difficult seasons under Gase, whose personality chafed some players. Ownership sought to find a "CEO" coach, someone who could galvanize the organization and build a winning culture.
Saleh replaces Adam Gase, who went 9-23 and was fired immediately after the 2020 season.
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Atlanta Falcons
New coach: Arthur Smith
The Falcons have signed Arthur Smith to be the team's new head coach, the team announced. Smith has served as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans the past two seasons.
Smith, 38, replaces Dan Quinn, whom the Falcons fired along with general manager Thomas Dimitroff on Oct. 11 after an 0-5 start. Raheem Morris took over as interim head coach and led the Falcons to their only wins of the 2020 season en route to a 4-12 overall record.
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OPEN JOBS
Houston Texans
Former coach: Bill O'Brien (fired on Oct. 5)
The Texans were off to an 0-4 start when the McNair family let go of O'Brien, who was in his seventh season and had taken over as general manager last January. O'Brien was hired in 2014, compiling a 52-48 record and four division titles. The Texans, though, never made an AFC Championship Game. Romeo Crennel was named as interim coach.
"I fully realize how important the general manager and head coach hires are for this organization," CEO Cal McNair told ESPN in November. "My goal is to hire great people who fit the Houston Texans. I want to build something that our fans, players and staff are proud of."
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