Report: Bill O'Brien, Texans intensify contract talks

Bill O'Brien took over a Penn State program rocked by the Jerry Sandusky scandal. (Centre Daily Times/Getty Images)

The Houston Texans have intensified talks with Bill O'Brien in an attempt to hire the Penn State coach, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Adam Schefter, but O'Brien has reportedly told five-star recruit Thomas Holley, that he plans to stay at PSU.

Sources have indicated that O'Brien and the Texans are close to a deal, and the team is expected to make a decision on the coaching vacancy as early as next week. However, 247Sports.com is reporting that Holley spoke with O'Brien after the initial report surfaced and denied that he was leaving Penn State

NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that O'Brien had agreed to meet with the Texans regarding their open head coach position.

O'Brien was respected as an NFL assistant with the Patriots prior to taking the job at Penn State in 2012. O'Brien was named Big Ten coach of the year after leading the Nittany Lions to an 8-4 record despite heavy NCAA sanctions resulting from the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Penn State finished the regular season 7-5.

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O'Brien interviewed with the Eagles and the Browns last offseason.