Texans interview Lovie Smith for head-coaching spot; others on their short list

The Houston Texans have an advantage on the competition for teams that will be looking for head coaches this offseason. They have already fired theirs.

When the Texans became the first team to fire their head coach this season, letting Gary Kubiak go in the midst of what is now an 12-game losing streak, owner Bob McNair said he valued candidates with prior head-coaching experience.

One of those candidates reportedly is former Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith, a Texas native, whom the team already has interviewed, according to ESPN. There are others they hope to talk to, and that list will include interim head coach Wade Phillips, who took over for Kubiak.

Whisenhunt is the offensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers, and he would not be available until that team is out of the playoff picture.

Smith, 55, had an 81-63 record in nine seasons with the Bears, leading the team to three division titles and Super Bowl XLI, where they lost to Peyton Manning's Colts.

- - - - - - -

Eric Edholm

is a writer for Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at edholm@yahoo-inc.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @Eric_Edholm