Texans give coach O’Brien GM title, too; promote Easterby

HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Texans have added general manager to Bill O’Brien’s title, a role the coach has been filling since the firing of Brian Gaine in June.

The team announced the move Tuesday and also said that Jack Easterby, who worked this season as executive vice president of team development, was promoted to executive vice president of football operations.

Team owner Cal McNair said in a statement that he “thought it was important to update titles, roles and responsibilities for Bill O’Brien and Jack Easterby so they more accurately reflect the way we have been operating for the past eight months.”

He added that he “was encouraged by the progress that our team made on the field this year which was due in part to our new structure, operating approach and the leaders within our football operations group.”

The Texans won the AFC South title for the second straight season and the fourth time in five years. They beat Buffalo in the wild-card round and built a 24-0 lead against Kansas City in the second round before the Chiefs rallied for a 51-31 victory.