The Texans have completed contract extensions for head coach Gary Kubiak and general manager/executive vice president Rick Smith, whose contracts were set to expire after the 2012 season.
Kubiak signed a new three-year contract that will keep him in Houston through 2014. Smith signed a four-year extension through 2016.
"We think stability is extremely important to the success of this team," Texans chairman and CEO Bob McNair said. "I'm real pleased with the leadership group that we've got."
The Texans also recently gave a new contract to team president Jamey Rootes, who oversees the club's business functions, and named vice chairman Cal McNair chief operating officer.
"We think that this is an outstanding group of men, and I think we're going to see a lot of success for the organization as a result of having them in place for an extended period of time," Bob McNair said. "As I said earlier, I do think stability is very important. All of these people work very well together, and they are committed to bringing a championship to Houston. That's our goal, and that's what we work for every day, and so I'm real pleased that we were able to bring this about."
Kubiak and Smith both joined the Texans from the Denver Broncos in 2006, inheriting a 2-14 team. Only one player – All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson – is still on the roster from before their arrival.
The Texans are coming off a 10-6 season in which they won their first-ever AFC South title, made their first trip to the playoffs and won their first playoff game. Kubiak's coaching and Smith's roster-building helped them to overcome season-ending injuries to quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Matt Leinart and Pro Bowl outside linebacker Mario Williams, plus hamstring injuries that sidelined Johnson (nine) and All-Pro running back Arian Foster (three) for a combined 12 games.
"They've both done outstanding jobs," McNair said. "I think the coaching performance last year of Gary was outstanding with the injuries that we had. I just don't know how he could've done a better job. In terms of personnel, you've seen our personnel get better each year, and Rick and the scouts have really worked hard to be in the position to find talent and to bring 'em in and to bring in free agents.
"And I want to point out that the way we operate is that even though Rick's responsible for personnel and the draft, he works with Gary, and Gary has his input into that. And likewise, Gary is the one that decides who's going to be on the field, but he works with Rick in terms of the personnel we have and what players we need to bring in and who should be on the roster. So it's really a cooperative effort, and I think that brings about the success that we've enjoyed."
Kubiak, a Houston native, called it an "honor" to receive his contract extension.
"It's a big responsibility, and since the day I walked in here, it's been a dream situation for me to come back home and to build a winner here in Houston," Kubiak said. "I am just very thankful to Bob and Janice (McNair) and that their family has entrusted me with this situation and has done it again for a few more years. I'm just very proud to be a part of it, and I've always told you guys I pride myself on fulfilling contracts, not so much signing them. I've got another one to fulfill here, and I'm looking forward to it."
Smith said he believes the Texans are positioned for sustained success over the next several years.
"I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to help this franchise build a champion, and I stay that way today," he said. "We come to work every day committed to doing what we need to do in order to make that happen. Bob's committed, and Cal's committed, Gary and Jamey – all of us are. I'm just excited about the opportunity to continue that. I think we have set the foundation for success, and we had a little bit of that last year, and I think we're in position to continue that."
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