Updated 7:05 p.m. ET
Jets owner Woody Johnson today has named Mike Maccagnan his team's new general manager.
Johnson made the decision to hire the longtime Texans personnel man after conducting a GM search since Dec. 29 with the help of advisers and longtime NFL executives Ron Wolf and Charley Casserly.
"We interviewed a number of impressive, qualified candidates, but Mike Maccagnan clearly stood out," said Johnson. "Mike's attention to detail, strong personnel background, and collaborative approach to evaluating players made it clear that he is the right choice to be the next general manager of the New York Jets.
"I want to thank Charley Casserly and Ron Wolf for their contributions during this search. Their experience, guidance and expertise have been invaluable. We are proud to welcome Mike to the organization and I am confident that he will help us build a winning team."
"In my line of work," Maccagnan said, "having the chance to serve as a general manager is what you work towards your entire career. Having a supportive owner who is passionate and committed to delivering a winning team to the fans is one of the keys to building a successful organization. I have enjoyed getting to know Mr. Johnson during the interview process and am grateful to him for this opportunity."
"We have a solid foundation of players and a state-of-the-art facility in one of the most exciting and dynamic areas in America. As with all teams, there are some areas we need to address, but we're going to hire the right head coach, evaluate our personnel, and work together to build a football operation to get the New York Jets back on the winning track."
Maccagnan comes to the Jets with 25 years of experience as a football talent evaluator. He spent the past 15 seasons with the Houston Texans, where he rose from coordinator to assistant director to director of college scouting.
He contributed to every draft in the Texans' history, helping to add 12 Pro Bowl players to their roster — WR Andre Johnson and DEs Mario Williams and J.J. Watt were all drafted by Houston while four-time Pro Bowl RB Arian Foster was signed as an undrafted free agent.
Maccagnan has circled a good part of the Northern Hemisphere since leaving his Hightstown, NJ, hometown. He's spent time "across the pond," north of the border, in the nation's capital, and deep in the heart of Texas before returning to his home region to become the Jets' new general manager.
Here are some bullet points on Maccagnan's career stops:
NFL
Houston Texans (2000-14)
■ Director of college scouting (2011-14)
■ Assistant director of college scouting (2010-11)
■ Coordinator of college scouting (2000-10)
Washington Redskins (1994-2000)
■ Pro Scout (1995-2000)
■ College Scout (1994)
CFL
Saskatchewan Roughriders (1994)
■ Director of scouting
Ottawa Rough Riders (1993)
■ Director of scouting and director of player personnel
World League (1990-91)
■ London Monarchs director of player personnel (1991)
■ League scout (1990)
Three Maccagnan Facts
■ Native of Highstown, NJ, an hour south of the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center in Florham Park.
■ The Texans' first selection in the 2011 draft — Maccagnan's last year as assistant director of college scouting — was DE J.J. Watt, an MVP candidate this season.
■ As the Monarchs' director of player personnel, he contributed to the team's World League championship in 1991.
