Texans fire Bill O’Brien: 5 Head coach replacements Houston should hire

3. Lincoln Riley, Oklahoma head coach

What NFL head coach replacement conversation is complete without mentioning Oklahoma Sooners head coach Lincoln Riley? Despite the fact that he’s expressed that coaching at the next level isn’t necessarily in his plans, he’s one of the biggest names on the market that could potentially be lured out of the NCAA ranks and into the pros.

Since taking over for Bob Stoops in Norman, Riley has been a wunderkind on the sidelines. His ability to design and scheme up elite offenses have been celebrated widely, which stands to reason as he’s produced two Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks and one Heisman finalist in the past three years.

Oklahoma is off to a 1-2 start this season and that might have some people soured on Riley but his offensive mind hasn’t gone anywhere. And if the Texans are interested in fully unlocking Deshaun Watson, it’s hard to think of many candidates more enticing than Riley.

There is no doubt a concern with hiring a head coach who has never held an NFL job and would be making a substantial jump. But if there’s one person who the Texans or any other team would be willing to make that risk for, it’s most likely Riley.