DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 25, 2017: Director of player personnel Nick Caserio of the New England Patriots walks onto the field prior to a preseason game on August 25, 2017 against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. New England won 30-28. (Photo by: 2017 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
The Houston Texans are targeting longtime Patriots executive Nick Caserio to be the team’s next general manager. The Texans requested an interview.
The Texans have reportedly requested permission to interview Nick Caserio for their vacant general manager job. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports the Texans hope to replace Brian Gaine with the man they hoped to hire before hiring Gaine after the Patriots denied their permission to interview him in 2018.
When the Texans fired Gaine after only one season last week, it came as a surprise to some. To others, it was less of a surprise, because it could mean Caserio is ready to take the job this time.
Caserio, the Patriots Director of player personnel since 2008, also spent two years as a Patriots assistant coach on offense. Caserio, 43, has been in New England since 2001.
If he gets the job, he would continue the pipeline of former Bill Belichick people to Houston. Head coach Bill O’Brien previously spent five seasons on Belichick’s staff, including one year as offensive coordinator.
Belichick’s coaching and front office tree has many branches throughout the NFL. His front office experience as a scout and director of personnel is what appeals to the Texans.
The Patriots denied the Texans request to interview Caserio, but they are hoping the Patriots will have a different answer this time. Hiring Caserio could be a big win for the Texans as they continue trying to build a winner in Houston.
Whether it would be a loss for the Patriots is always difficult to tell.