Tag: McNair

Dec 26, 2021; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans head coach David Culley before the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Texans to keep David Culley waiting for days

Posted on | by Field Level Media

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

Nov 3, 2019; London, United Kingdom; Houston Texans chief executive officer D. Cal McNair shakes hands with quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) after an NFL International Series game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 26-3. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Texans GM: Deshaun Watson is our QB

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Deshaun Watson remains the quarterback of the Houston Texans, and that will not change, general manager Nick Caserio said Friday at his introductory press session.

“He’s our quarterback,” Caserio said in a joint video conference with owner Cal McNair. “I can’t tell you how much respect and admiration I have for our player.”

Respect appears to be an important buzzword in Houston after Watson reportedly was incensed not to have input on the team’s GM and coaching searches, a right he allegedly was promised by McNair.

Watson has been unreachable this week, the Texans said, while on vacation.

Watson, the Houston Chronicle reported Friday, has not formally requested a trade but multiple reports Thursday point to a potential showdown between the quarterback and team management. At the center of the conflict is Watson’s reported preference for the team to hire Eric Bienemy as head coach. NFL Network and ESPN reported Watson was told the team would talk to the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator, but that hasn’t happened.

“When the time is appropriate we’ll have a conversation with the players and spend some time with Deshaun,” Caserio said.

Caserio, hired away from the New England Patriots on a six-year deal, has control of the Houston personnel department and roster decisions after the franchise spent two seasons without a true GM.

McNair said 2020 was “a hard year for a lot of different reasons” and confirmed Caserio would be the final voice on all roster matters, including the draft and free agency. McNair did not want to specifically address reports that Watson and standout defensive end J.J. Watt are perturbed at the team.

“In regards to 4, 99, they’re valued members of our team. Those are in alignment with bringing Nick aboard,” McNair said.

Watson’s agent, David Mulugheta, said Friday that his deleted Tweet on Friday was a political reference unrelated to McNair or the Texans. It read: “Nepotism at an all-type (sic) high. Shoutout to those of us who got it out of the mud.”

Watson earlier this week called for a complete “culture change” with the Texans, who finished 4-12.

Watson, 25, was named to his third straight Pro Bowl in 2020 and led the NFL with 4,823 passing yards. He threw a career-high 33 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions.

–Field Level Media