4 takeaways from the Texans’ statements on the firing of David Culley
The Houston Texans fired coach David Culley on Thursday, and the search of a fifth full-time coach in team history has commenced.
On Thursday evening, the Texans released statements from general manager Nick Caserio, former coach David Culley, and chairman and CEO Cal McNair on the firing.
“Earlier today, I met with David Culley and Tim Kelly to inform them we will be moving in a different direction at the head coach and offensive coordinator positions,” Caserio said. “I came to this difficult but necessary decision after reviewing our football operation. While a change after one season is unusual, we had philosophical differences over the long-term direction and vision for our program moving forward. We appreciate Coach Culley for helping us navigate through a difficult season, but it is my responsibility to make decisions that I feel are best for our organization. The search for the next coach of the Houston Texans will begin immediately.”
“I loved every minute of being the head coach of the Houston Texans,” Culley said. “I appreciate the players and coaches for staying the course with me through the ups and downs of our season. I’m disappointed we didn’t win more games and I won’t have a chance to improve on the lessons I’ve learned, but I fully understand this is a bottom-line business and I didn’t do enough. I want to thank the McNair Family and Nick Caserio for giving me this opportunity, I am forever grateful for the experience. I wish this team and organization the best, they are building a special program and I truly believe the future is bright for Texans fans.”
“We are grateful for the energy and passion David brought to our organization throughout last season,” said McNair. “We wish him, his wife Carolyn and their entire family nothing but the best moving forward. I have entrusted Nick Caserio to lead football performance and I have complete confidence he will find the best leader for our team. These decisions are difficult, but Nick believed it was necessary for the future of our organization. We look forward to continuing to build our roster and finding the right coach to lead us forward.”
Here are four takeaways from the statements.
1. The move is entirely Nick Caserio's
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
McNair notes that “Nick believed it was necessary” to make the switch at coach. When Bob McNair passed away in late November 2018 and Cal took over, general manager Brian Gaine was fired in June 2019. Coach Bill O’Brien was fired after starting 0-4 in 2020. The impression was that McNair was an owner that demanded results immediately.
However, in allowing Caserio to jettison Culley one year into his five-year deal and allow him to make $22 million in the process, it is clear McNair is a pretty hands-off owner. Whether or not that leads to success remains to be seen, but Caserio has used one of his coaching hires, of which general managers don’t get many during their tenures in the front office.
2. David Culley is the problem
(AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Caserio notes that he had to fire Culley due to, “philosophical differences over the long-term direction and vision for our program moving forward.”
Culley hardly bucked when it came to doing things Caserio’s way. However, it may have been that Culley didn’t want to disrupt the continuity with the staff and get rid of offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. When Culley wouldn’t can Kelly, Caserio got rid of them both.
3. David Culley has high character
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)
Culley mentioned that he was disappointed in the fact Houston didn’t win more games, but he also noted that was equally disappointing was that he wouldn’t, “have a chance to improve on the lessons I’ve learned, but I fully understand this is a bottom-line business and I didn’t do enough.”
Not that he would have in a statement released by the team, but Culley accepts the fact he was the man on the sidelines. His in-game decisions were questionable and he cost the Texans games. For Houston sports fans, it is refreshing to hear accountability from a coach, even if he is gone.
4. Someone Nick Caserio likes came available
GM Nick Caserio — Courtesy: Houston Texans
Did the Texans really need to wait until Thursday afternoon to completely evaluate the job David Culley did in 2021? Did they really need to process all of the player exit interviews to get an idea of the progress the organization made in 2021? The 4-13 record alone tells you it wasn’t good enough.
Why not fire Culley on Monday, or even Tuesday? Why drag out the matter until almost the weekend?
It could be that someone Caserio likes is on the market or looking to take a coaching job. When that light went active, so did the trigger to get rid of Culley.
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