Sources: Patriots' Josh McDaniels 'Top Candidate' in Houston if Texans Fire David Culley
Sources: Organization will thoroughly evaluate David Culley, coaching staff
AARON WILSON - SPECIAL TO TEXANSDAILY
5 HOURS AGO
HOUSTON - The Houston Texans are expected to conduct a thorough evaluation of first-year head coach David Culley and the coaching staff to determine their respective statuses following the AFC South franchise's
season finale Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
The detailed review is expected to take into account everything about Culley and the coaches' performance and how they operated in a difficult rebuilding situation with an overhauled roster.
According to a league source, if Houston fires Culley then New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels could emerge as a top potential candidate to be the team's next head coach. McDaniels, if he decides to leave New England, could be a strong head coaching candidate for multiple potential vacancies based on his track record and his success developing Patriots rookie quarterback Mac Jones.
The Texans are 4-12 with one game remaining in the season in Culley's first year as a head coach at any level. They finished with an identical record last year under former coach and general manager Bill O'Brien, who was fired after an 0-4 start in 2020. He is now the Alabama offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach and set to interview for the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coaching position. Romeo Crennel, who finished 4-8 last season as the interim coach, is now the Texans' senior advisor of football performance.
A career assistant who previously worked for Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh as assistant head coach, passing game coordinator and receivers coach and an assistant coach under Andy Reid with the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles,
Culley, 66, has earned respect for his leadership. He has acknowledged some growing pains with game management, referencing decisions he wishes he could have back in a narrow loss to the Patriots.
"I've learned to be ahead of those things," Culley said this month. "I just feel more comfortable doing those kinds of things, and we’re growing as we go."
The Texans have won two of their past three games, including an impressive upset victory over the heavily favored Los Angeles Chargers and Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert. The Texans rank 30th in scoring offense (averaging just 15.9 points per game) and have the NFL's worst rushing offense and 29th-ranked defense.
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