No news might not necessarily be good news for Houston Texans head coach David Culley.
The first-year coach said Monday he was moving forward from player exit interviews under the assumption he would be back as head coach for the 2022 season.
The Athletic reported Tuesday that the Texans are still in the process of reviewing Culley’s performance and might not make a decision until the end of the week about whether Culley ultimately stays or goes.
“As far as I know, I’m the head coach of the Texans right now, and am moving forward with that,” Culley said on Monday.
Asked if he’d spoken with general manager Nick Caserio or CEO Cal McNair about his status, Culley added, “Not at all, and I will not speak to them, they’ll speak to me.”
FOX Sports reported Sunday that Culley would likely be fired with Caserio targeted former New England ally Josh McDaniels as head coach.
But even with five openings for head coaches in the NFL known Monday, Houston remained silent. A sixth team, the Las Vegas Raiders, is expected to interview candidates for the job currently held by interim head coach Rich Bisaccia.
Culley added Monday that no meeting was scheduled with the team’s brass.
Between the 2020 shift away from a general manager, trading All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and firing coach Bill O’Brien, the Texans have been widely criticized for what appears to be less-than optimal team management. Players were supportive of Culley on Monday before parting for the offseason but also voiced displeasure with the process that brought Culley and Caserio to Houston.
Culley took the job in Houston in January 2021 after quarterback Deshaun Watson requested the franchise trade him.
Watson reportedly felt disrespected by ownership when his choice for head coach, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, wasn’t seriously considered.
Watson did not soften that stance after meeting with Culley, and after numerous sexual assault and misconduct lawsuits were filed against Watson in civil court, Culley had the unenviable task of leading the Texans without their Pro Bowl quarterback playing a snap all season.
–Field Level Media