Texans players cleaned out their lockers today and conducted exit interviews with general manager Rick Smith and coach Gary Kubiak.
Kubiak has not yet met with owner Bob McNair and may not before the coach’s regularly scheduled 3:30 p.m. news conference. It could be that Kubiak meets with the media before talking to McNair.
Kubiak is expected to return for his sixth season but nothing will be official until he meets with McNair and hears it from the owner. McNair wants Kubiak to bring in a big-name defensive coordinator with a proven track record, someone like Wade Phillips.
When McNair makes it official that Kubiak will return, Kubiak will make changes on his staff. Defensive coordinator Frank Bush and secondary coach David Gibbs are expected to be fired. Other changes could be made.
As players packed their bags, each said he wanted Kubiak to return. Defensive players said they expect changes to be made in the staff and possibly the system.
The Texans beat Jacksonville 34-17 Sunday to finish the season 6-10, equaling their worst mark since Kubiak’s first season in 2006. Kubiak’s overall record is 37-43, a .463 winning percentage.
john.mcclain@chron.com
