The Houston Texans plan to conduct additional follow-up interviews with one or more of their head coach candidates next week, according to sources – a critical point in the NFL’s last open search and one that still includes experienced, respected, respected Black coaches. a year has not yet been appointed.
Former Detroit Lions and Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell conducted a second interview last week – first with new Texas general manager Nick Caserio. Buffalo Bills defense coordinator Leslie Frazier and Kansas City offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy are eligible for second interviews after Sunday’s AFC title game. Baltimore Ravens assistant coach David Culley also remains a candidate, as do Colts defense coordinator Matt Eberflus and longtime NFL fullback Josh McCown.
Despite frustration over lack of input on the future of full-back Deshaun Watson, amid frustration over his lack of input, Houston has lured a coveted GM to Caserio, who has won six Super Bowl rings in New England has. Now the Texans are practicing patience with the diverse pool of head coaching candidates they have put together since Caserio took control of the search.
Hiring the even Frazier of Caldwell – two former assistants to Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy who consulted with Texas owner Cal McNair – will give a firm hand to a franchise that needs it after a turbulent four months. it began with the dismissal of coach / GM Bill O’Brien in October.
After months of discussing the NFL’s improved diversity efforts, it would also make the Texans just the second team to appoint a minority head coach in this cycle; the New York Jets hired Robert Saleh, who is Lebanese, earlier this month.
The interview of McCown (41) made headlines on Friday because it would be his first coaching job, even though he had played 19 NFL seasons and the last five were in fact a player-coach. McCown has always planned to start coaching and has long been identified as a future NFL head coach. But his plan was to only watch his sons play high school football for the next few years, and according to his sources, he still has his options left. McCown signed with the Eagles’ training group in November and is under contract with the Texans – as a player – for 2021.
Watson’s frustration is well documented, but he is not public with any trade request, and according to sources, the Texans also showed no interest in trading him. The Texans have several requests from other teams to reject offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, whom Watson likes. The ultimate hire of head coach can help determine what is going to happen next.
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