Texans’ repeat coaching search has entirely different feel

A year ago, the Houston Texans were in the midst of complete chaos following the hire of new General Manager Nick Caserio. The highly controversial selection, against the advice of Cal McNair’s own search committee, had seemingly sent the franchise spiraling. Jack Easterby had cemented his status in the organization, rumors of J.J. Watt’s impending departure began to swirl, and franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson demanded a trade.

Another problem for Houston? Nobody wanted to coach the team.

There was heavy speculation regarding Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy as a potential peace offering to Watson. However, ultimately the coaching search came down to Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and Baltimore Ravens receivers coach David Culley. Originally, speculation around the Culley interview revolved around his previous relationship with Bieniemy. Nobody thought the team would seriously consider a candidate who had never been a coordinator for their first head coaching gig at 65 years old — 66 upon season’s end.

On Jan. 29, David Culley was announced as the fourth full-time coach of the franchise. Across the NFL, despite Culley’s reputation as a standout man with tons of experience in the league, both fans and the media alike were stunned at the selection.

When asked at his introductory press conference why he took the job, Culley responded “I took this job simply because there’s 32 of these in this league.”

Despite Caserio’s insistence that there was “tons of interest league-wide in the position” and that “Deshaun Watson is our quarterback” it was obvious to everyone watching that the Texans’ were a disaster that few were willing to stake their professional reputation to.

As such, it comes as no surprise that the Texans were also a bit of a disaster. An organization marred by conflict, with one of the worst rosters in the league, married to a rookie coach who wasn’t afraid to admit he was over his skis at times. No promising glimpses by Davis Mills or victories over an equal disaster in Jacksonville Jaguars could cover up a bad football team.

The Texans finished 4-13 and earned the rights to the third overall pick in the draft, taking home the honor of finishing 30th in the NFL this past season. Caserio, after a long deliberation period, opted to move on from Culley and cited philosophical differences.

This brings us to the present where once again, just a year later, Houston is looking for a new coach. It partially feels like déjà vu for Texans fans, a bad team with a bad record once again needs a new coach.

However, it feels markedly different this time.

Houston has got off to a fast start with five interviews. Within 24 hours of firing Culley, former Miami Dolphins coach and New England Patriots defensive coordinator Brian Flores was interviewing in Houston. They quickly moved to former Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Hines Ward, Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, and Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon. The Los Angeles Rams’ offensive coordinator, Kevin O’Connell, agreed to interview with the team at a time that’s yet to be determined.

There is a marked emphasis on youth this coaching cycle. Flores is the only candidate thus far with any coaching experience at the NFL level and he’s only 40 years old. This is all before any presumed interviews with New England Patriots candidates such as offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and inside linebackers coach Jerod Mayo have been scheduled.

Maybe it’s the impending draft capital to be acquired from the trading of Watson and Laremy Tunsil. Maybe it’s clarity regarding a clear leadership structure helmed by Caserio rather than the Easterby-McNair relationship that’s dominated the headlines. Regardless, this is not 2021.

If the Texans’ previous coaching cycle will be remembered by clear disinterest from the likes of top candidates such as Brian Daboll, Matt Eberflus and Bieniemy, the optics look entirely different now. There is a marked interest in young candidates that could serve the position for years to come and candidates that would bring an edge to their respective side of the football. Essentially, the opposite of what Culley offered in 2021 as a veteran, “Leader of Men” style coach.

O’Connell could bring the Sean McVay scheme that has gotten the most out of quarterbacks Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford, hopefully making life easier for second-year quarterback Davis Mills. Brian Flores ran one of the most schematically diverse defenses in the NFL while coaching Miami and could help turn around Houston quickly in a weak division. Gannon is highly regarded in circles around the league with multiple interviews lined up.

In short, each candidate brings something both advantageous and unique to the table. Houston may not have to take the scraps this time around.

What could render Houston choosing from a pool of who’s left as opposed to a pool of who’s interested is Caserio’s vise grip as the most involved general manager in the NFL. However, the roster, draft capital, and salary cap space are vastly different. Winning cures all, and the Texans appear to be in a better situation to attract and secure a good coach than they were a year ago.