4 takeaways from Texans coach David Culley’s press conference

The Houston Texans introduced David Culley as their fourth full-time coach in team history on Friday in a virtual press conference with general manager Nick Caserio.

Here are four takeaways from the first encounter with the former Baltimore Ravens receivers coach and assistant head coach.

1. Culley has vim

(AP Photo)

Some people just look like their age — like Vic Fangio. One of the concerns about the 65-year-old Culley taking the Texans' job was whether he had any energy for the job, even if it was his first top job of his career. Culley's enthusiasm and desire to be the Texans' man on the sidelines was so evident in the virtual press conference that he appeared 10 years younger. While Culley still has to prove his mettle through a full 12 months of work, his introduction to Houston sports fans was full of optimism and excitement, even though there are many challenges ahead that could derail it.

2. The Deshaun Watson situation is a huge problem

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The Texans hire a new general manager. Questions are asked about the disgruntled franchise quarterback. The Texans hire a new coach. Questions are asked about the disgruntled quarterback wanting out of the organization. In what should be optimistic and inspirational introductions for the fans, to forget the horrendous 4-12 waste, Texans fans are continually reminded of the fact the best quarterback the city has had since Warren Moon wants to leave. How can there be any true hope for the future without Watson, who has earned three Pro Bowl selections and led Houston to consecutive AFC South titles? Even though the Texans have washed away the Bill O'Brien era, Watson's grievances with the organization remain, and there may be no solving that problem without entering a full rebuild.

3. Culley is a culmination of multiple great coaches

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Culley isn't just a product of the Andy Reid coaching tree. When he chose Vanderbilt in college, he was recruited by future Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Parcells. At Texas A&M from 1991-93, Culley coached with a College Football Hall of Fame coach in R.C. Slocum, longtime head football coach for the Aggies. When Culley left Reid in Kansas City, he joined the Buffalo Bills, coaching under Sean McDermott, who led the Bills to their first postseason since 1999, and also led Buffalo to its first conference title game since 1993. In Baltimore, Culley was the receivers coach and assistant head coach under the Ravens' John Harbaugh, who won a Super Bowl in 2012. The Texans could be getting a coach who will finally be able to put together all of the great lessons and keys to winning that he has picked up in his decades of coaching. It be just what Houston needs to execute a rebuild, whether soft or hard.

4. Cal McNair passed the buck

(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The official media alert from the Texans showed that the only participants in Friday's press conference would be general manager Nick Caserio and new coach David Culley. Commentators everywhere excoriated McNair for not being available for comment during a critical hire that even his late father made the past three times. McNair did show up on the virtual press conference at the beginning talking about how happy he was to hire Culley. However, that was the extent of his availability. The chairman and CEO did not field any questions from the media and left the call — at least, the on-camera portion. There is a huge problem out there and it is the franchise quarterback's exasperation with the team. Instead of taking the arrows for his new general manager and new coach, who did not do anything to incur such negativity — at least, not like some coaches — McNair let them take questions about a problem they did nothing to create nor stoke. It didn't look like anything an author of a how-to manual on leadership would use as a good example.