HOUSTON – It’s been a long wait but the transformation of the Houston Texans organization is well underway. In what’s been several years in a downward spiral the Texans are now enjoying a rapid turnaround . KPRC-TV Sports Director Randy McIlvoy caught up with Cal and Hannah McNair Thursday just two days before their team returns to the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
“Very happy, we feel good, it’s been a season of ups and downs and yet here we are we are still playing big games in January,” Cal McNair told KPRC 2 Sports Director Randy McIlvoy. “We had hoped to be playing big games in November, then December and now here we are in January with a big game coming up on Saturday,” added McNair.
The Texans success has also brought out the Texans legends that are loyal to the organization.
“We love those guys, they put it on for the team and the city. Means the world,” said Cal.
“It is family. Janice is here every game and Andre comes to see her every game along with Travis Johnson,” Hannah McNair explained. “They love her and she’s like their mom. We are a big family and for us to continue that feeling that’s what it’s all about.”
Cal has served as the longtime Chairman and CEO while his wife Hannah has led the Texans Foundation as their Vice President. While the Houston Texans organization has continued to make big impacts in the greater Houston area, on the football field the winning ways had been nowhere to be found in recent seasons. That all changed though on January 31 of 2023 when they made a one of the biggest hires in the history of the franchise by naming former Texans great DeMeco Ryans as the new head coach.
“Before we got DeMeco we knew what we had in house but were missing a couple of major pieces. We were feeling it inside the organization before everyone was feeling it in the community,” Hannah explained.
“When you are going through a rebuild you have to stay patient and stay the course and stick with your plan and here we are now in the playoffs it’s so exciting. You’ve got DeMeco and a lot of great players and a bright future for a long time. That’s what we feel and the community feels it.”
The hiring of Ryans also brought about the natural questions that come with any rookie head coach in the NFL. The McNair’s didn’t hesitate to make Ryans their choice.
“You worried if there would be a transition but with DeMeco he was a leader right away and stepped into the role and continues to be a really good head coach and we’re excited,” said Cal McNair.
It’s sort of an overnight success that took several years to get here. We had to stay the course and we knew how to get to where we wanted. This is just a start so we are really happy right now.”
Ryans declared a culture change was coming along with a return to glory for the Texans. This season they have taken a major step to get there finishing the regular season with a 10-7 record in Ryans’ first year on the job and clinching a playoff spot with a win over the Colts last Saturday. By Sunday, after Jacksonville lost to the Titans, Ryans and his Texans were celebrating an AFC South Division Championship.
The road back has started and Saturday the Texans will host the Cleveland Browns in the AFC Wildcard round at NRG Stadium. The McNair’s fully expect the atmosphere to be electric. Having a winner again has made for a few emotional days since the victory in Indianapolis.
“I pretty much lost my mind and I had an outer body experience,” said Hannah McNair. “It was incredible as the Titans won. I was all over the place and Cal was still taking it all in. I’m the biggest fan of this city and Houston sports and it’s exciting to get to do this for the fans and feed off of the energy. It’s motivating and drives you to do great things for the city and make them proud.”
The Texans on Thursday announced that the playoff game Saturday is now an official sell out.
“It will be packed here on Saturday and the fans are back. There’s so much energy on the field, it’s a fun place to be and I’m excited,” Cal McNair added.
