Texans fire coach after 11th defeat

The scuffling Houston Texans fired Gary Kubiak on Friday, parting ways with the only coach to lead the team to the playoffs.

The team announced the decision one day after the Texans lost their 11th straight game, 27-20 at Jacksonville, a stunning fall for a team that expected to make a Super Bowl run. Houston (2-11) played miserably and was flagged 14 times for a franchise-record 177 yards.

The 52-year-old Kubiak was hired in 2006 and led the team to back-to-back AFC South titles in 2011-2012, the highlights of his eight-year tenure.

The Texans said they couldn’t wait any longer to start turning things around.

“What’s taken place with this organization is unacceptable,” general manager Rick Smith said. “We’ve got three weeks of an evaluation process left and we’ve got to right the ship.”

Kubiak’s overall record is 61-64, with a 2-2 mark in the playoffs.

The Texans said defensive coordinator Wade Phillips would serve as interim coach for the rest of the season.

Team owner Bob McNair said NFL and head coaching experience were important factors in filling the job, and that the 66-year-old Phillips will be considered.

Harvin, Browner out

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin and cornerback Brandon Browner will both be out for Sunday’s game at San Francisco.

Seattle coach Pete Carroll said next week will be important in Harvin’s continued return from hip surgery, while Browner showed no progress this week in his attempts to return from a groin injury suffered in Week 10 at Atlanta.

Harvin has played just once this season, in Week 11 against Minnesota, but has been bothered by soreness ever since. He did not practice this week.