Bob McNair showed Thursday he does not believe the Texans’ best season was an aberration, merely the beginning of what he believes will be multiple playoff appearances that will lead to a Super Bowl victory.

By signing coach Gary Kubiak, 50, to a new three-year contract and general manager Rick Smith, 42, to a four-year extension, McNair spoke loud and clear about the state of the Texans, who are coming off a 10-6 record, an AFC South title and a playoff victory over Cincinnati.

Last season’s success has caused a lot of NFL followers to deem the Texans a Super Bowl contender. McNair feels the same way, or he wouldn’t have signed Kubiak, Smith and president Jamey Rootes to new deals and promoted his son and right-hand man Cal McNair to chief operating officer.

“It’s really a cooperative effort, and I think that brings about the success we’ve enjoyed,” McNair said after a three-day minicamp ended Thursday. “I think stability’s very important. They’re committed to bringing a championship to Houston.”

Kubiak turned down a four-year deal for one that expires after the 2014 season.

“Gary has assured me that with the level of success he’s going to have, he’s going to be worth a lot more money after three years instead of four,” McNair said with a laugh.

Kubiak is 48-50, including 1-1 in the playoffs. His assistant coaches signed three-year extensions earlier in the offseason.

Collaboration

“I’ve got a lot of good people working around me,” Kubiak said. “Since the day I walked in here, it’s been a dream situation for me to come back home and help build a winner in Houston. This (new deals for him and Smith) is a great message from Bob to the players and everybody else. He believes in what we’re doing and where we’re heading.”

After a 6-10 season in 2010, McNair didn’t cave in to demands by fans and media to fire Kubiak and Smith.

“Bob stayed the course through a very tough time,” Kubiak said. “We were rewarded last year from that standpoint. Now we need to stay consistent.”

McNair gave Kubiak, who had been Denver’s offensive coordinator, his first head coaching job. Five months later, he gave Smith, then the Broncos’ assistant general manager, his first job as general manager.

“I heard all of that (demands to fire Smith and Kubiak), and I had to make a decision,” McNair said. “I felt Gary was a good coach, but we needed to strengthen our coaching staff, and if we did that, we’d get the kind of performance we were looking for.”

The Texans hired Wade Phillips as defensive coordinator. They improved from 30th to second in defense. Kubiak helped the offense overcome the loss of quarterback Matt Schaub and receiver Andre Johnson to injuries.

“I think Gary’s coaching performance last year was outstanding with the injuries we had,” McNair said. “I don’t know how he could have done a better job.

Given a chance

“When I hired them, they were rookies, but I was a rookie owner at one time. It takes a little time to learn your job, to work with others and determine how things mesh. They know each other well, and they work well together. They listen to each other, and I think that’s extremely important.”

Smith’s deal expires in May 2017. He’s in charge of acquiring players such as fullback Moran Norris and outside linebacker Keith Browner Jr., both of whom signed Thursday.









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Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 42 Caption Close Image 2 of 42 Houston Texans fullback Moran Norris reaches up to catch a pass. Norris is hoping to catch on for a second stint with the team. Houston Texans fullback Moran Norris reaches up to catch a pass. Norris is hoping to catch on for a second stint with the team. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 3 of 42 Wide receiver Jarrell Jackson makes a catch. Wide receiver Jarrell Jackson makes a catch. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 4 of 42 Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, left, and head coach Gary Kubiak talk at the start of practice. Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison, left, and head coach Gary Kubiak talk at the start of practice. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 5 of 42 Image 6 of 42 Houston Texans player gather in a huddle at the beginning of practice. Houston Texans player gather in a huddle at the beginning of practice. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 7 of 42 Rookie kicker Randy Bullock runs to his group at the beginning of practice. Rookie kicker Randy Bullock runs to his group at the beginning of practice. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 8 of 42 Texans linebacker Delano Johnson reaches up to block a pass thrown by assistant coach Perry Carter. Texans linebacker Delano Johnson reaches up to block a pass thrown by assistant coach Perry Carter. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 9 of 42 Rookie linebacker Whitney Mercilus runs a drill as linebackers coach Reggie Herring, right, looks on. Rookie linebacker Whitney Mercilus runs a drill as linebackers coach Reggie Herring, right, looks on. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 10 of 42 Image 11 of 42 Tackle Nathan Menkin (77) and center Ben Jones (60) run a pass blocking drill. Tackle Nathan Menkin (77) and center Ben Jones (60) run a pass blocking drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 12 of 42 Linebacker Delano Johnson (64) chases after defensive end Keith Browner Jr. during a drill. Linebacker Delano Johnson (64) chases after defensive end Keith Browner Jr. during a drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 13 of 42 Linebacker Jesse Nading reaches down to grab a towel as he runs a pass rush drill. Linebacker Jesse Nading reaches down to grab a towel as he runs a pass rush drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 14 of 42 Linebacker Whitney Mercilus runs a pass rush drill. Linebacker Whitney Mercilus runs a pass rush drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 15 of 42 Image 16 of 42 General manager Rick Smith watches practice. General manager Rick Smith watches practice. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 17 of 42 Linebacker D.J. Bryant splashes water on his face during a break. Linebacker D.J. Bryant splashes water on his face during a break. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 18 of 42 Texans defensive backs Shiloh Keo (31) and Brandon Harris run a drill. Texans defensive backs Shiloh Keo (31) and Brandon Harris run a drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 19 of 42 <center><strong>Tuesday, June 12</strong></center> Houston Texans quarterback John Beck (12) hands the ball off to running back Justin Forsett during Texans minicamp. <center><strong>Tuesday, June 12</strong></center> Houston Texans quarterback John Beck (12) hands the ball off to running back Justin Forsett during Texans minicamp. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 20 of 42 Image 21 of 42 Texans linebacker Delano Johnson splashes water on his face during a break. Texans linebacker Delano Johnson splashes water on his face during a break. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 22 of 42 Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak surveys the field as the Texans crank up minicamp. Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak surveys the field as the Texans crank up minicamp. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 23 of 42 Rookie linebacker Whitney Mercilus stretches during Texans minicamp. Rookie linebacker Whitney Mercilus stretches during Texans minicamp. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 24 of 42 Linebacker Whitney Mercilus gets ready to run a drill. Linebacker Whitney Mercilus gets ready to run a drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 25 of 42 Image 26 of 42 Houston Texans defensive backs Troy Nolan, left, and Shiloh Keo (31) run a drill. Houston Texans defensive backs Troy Nolan, left, and Shiloh Keo (31) run a drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 27 of 42 Defensive ends Keith Browner, left, and Tracy Robertson run a drill. Defensive ends Keith Browner, left, and Tracy Robertson run a drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 28 of 42 Center Cody Wallace lines up on the ball during Texans minicamp. Center Cody Wallace lines up on the ball during Texans minicamp. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 29 of 42 Quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during a drill. Quarterback Case Keenum throws a pass during a drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 30 of 42 Image 31 of 42 Running back Jonathan Grimes. Running back Jonathan Grimes. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 32 of 42 Wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker (87) stretches with the team before practice. After five years, most of them spent with the rival Jaguars, Sims-Walker looks to catch on with the Texans. Wide receiver Mike Sims-Walker (87) stretches with the team before practice. After five years, most of them spent with the rival Jaguars, Sims-Walker looks to catch on with the Texans. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 33 of 42 Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, right, shares a laugh with offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak, right, shares a laugh with offensive coordinator Rick Dennison. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 34 of 42 Defensive end Jared Crick hits a blocking sled during camp. Defensive end Jared Crick hits a blocking sled during camp. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 35 of 42 Image 36 of 42 Linebacker Jesse Nading runs through a drill. Linebacker Jesse Nading runs through a drill. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 37 of 42 Texans linebacker Bryan Braman runs through a set of blocking dummies. Texans linebacker Bryan Braman runs through a set of blocking dummies. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 38 of 42 Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips watches his team practice. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips watches his team practice. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 39 of 42 Linebackers Jesse Nading, center, and Tim Dobbins (52) run through drills. Linebackers Jesse Nading, center, and Tim Dobbins (52) run through drills. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 40 of 42 Image 41 of 42 Rookie offensive tackle Nick Mondek takes a break during Texans minicamp. Rookie offensive tackle Nick Mondek takes a break during Texans minicamp. Photo: Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle Image 42 of 42 Securing Kubiak, Smith provides franchise stability 1 / 42 Back to Gallery

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