The Texans have started their interviewing process to try to find a new head coach to replace Gary Kubiak. It was reported that the former Chicago Bears coach Lovie Smith was the first candidate to be interviewed for the position, earlier this week.

Smith, 55, left the Bears after being fired when the Bears finished 10-6 and missed the playoffs in 2012. Smith served nine years with the Bears, and was 81-63, including 3-3 in the playoffs. He coached the defensive backs at Tampa Bay from 1996 to 2000, and was the defensive coordinator at St. Louis from 2001 to 2003.

Although Smith is a prime candidate, the Texans have several other possibilities that they will be looking into including their current interim head coach, Wade Phillips, the Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien, and the Chargers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt.

It was previously reported that Jon Gruden was the number one candidate for the position, however Gruden remains firm in saying that he will be staying with ESPN until at least 2014. “I’m just trying to do my job,” Gruden said. “I’m not going to address every little rumor or supposed conversation that takes place, according to these so-called sources. There are a lot of good coaches out there available to coach these teams. I’m just hoping ESPN likes the job I’m doing. That’s my focus.”

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