Chron: Sources - Casserly to stay, Capers to exit

Have you guys read this crap yet?

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3559136.html


Sources: Casserly to return as Texans GM


By JOHN MCCLAIN
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

SAN FRANCISCO – Coach Dom Capers’ firing has been a foregone conclusion for weeks, but sources close to owner Bob McNair said today that general manager Charley Casserly will return to the Texans and remain in charge of the personnel department. Capers’ firing will be made official Monday morning and announced at an afternoon news conference at Reliant Stadium.

Two sources said that McNair also will announce that Casserly will return, putting to rest speculation around the country that he might be fired or might ask to buy out the last year of his contract.

Keeping Casserly in the same capacity means he’ll also figure prominently in the search for Capers’ replacement, as he did when Capers was hired as the first coach of Houston's expansion team.

When asked before Sunday’s game against the 49ers at Monster Park if Casserly definitely will return, McNair declined to comment. He said he had meetings scheduled with Capers and Casserly on Monday and that it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment until after he met with them.

However, the sources close to McNair said today that the owner had already met with Casserly and informed the general manager that he wanted him to return and that Casserly had agreed. Casserly also declined comment.

When McNair hired former NFL coach Dan Reeves as a consultant to evaluate talent that had been acquired by Casserly, there was speculation within the organization that the general manager wouldn’t want to stay after the season.

McNair and Reeves had several meetings last week. Reeves has been watching tape of Texans’ games and telling McNair what he thinks about the players.

Reeves had been out of football for two years until McNair called to ask for his help. When Reeves was introduced, he said he would consider a return to coaching if the right situation came along. McNair has said time and again that Reeves is a friend and consultant he trusts to give him an honest opinion about the Texans’ talent.

Obviously, Reeves said enough good things about the talent to convince McNair that Casserly wasn’t the problem.

Once it becomes official Monday that Casserly will return and that Capers is gone, the Texans have to turn their attention to the coaching search.

The Texans are expected to interview, among others, Washington assistant head coach/defense Gregg Williams, Denver offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak, Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, Buffalo defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, Chicago defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and possibly New York Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis.

The Texans also are expected to interview one or two college head coaches with NFL experience.