The Houston Texans have appointed David Culley as the fourth head coach in franchise history. Culley joins the Texans of the Baltimore Ravens where he has served as assistant head coach / hitting coordinator / wide reception coach for the past two seasons (2019-20). Culley has 27 years of NFL coaching experience and 43 overall seasons in coaching after a 16-year career at the collegiate level. As an NFL coach, Culley has won 10 league titles, the playoffs in 17 different seasons, and played in six conference games.
“Throughout his coaching career, David has demonstrated the ability to lead and bring people together,” said Cal McNair, chairman and general manager of the Texans. “David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team as someone who has seen it all in this league. In his more than 40 years of coaching, David has learned from many of the best coaches in the NFL while helping players to navigate both the physical.High-regarded individuals from across the league have constantly used us in this process in support of David because of his unique ability to connect with those around him and his passion for the game and the relationships he creates. “Meetings with David, it was clear he had the energy, communication skills and vision to put together a winning program. We are delighted to welcome David, Carolyn and the Culley family into the Texas Texans.”
“It was essential to find a head coach who could pursue our entire organization and David is undoubtedly the leader,” said Texas general manager Nick Caserio. “David’s infectious energy, passion for the game and the ability to manage a room were clear from the start. While he shared his vision on how a head coach should lead a football team, it gave us faith in him. his mentality of being selfless.and we were willing to take on any challenge while investing in each person in our program.I could not be more excited to welcome David Culley and his family to Houston than the following head coach of the Texans. ‘
“On behalf of my family, I want to thank Janice, Cal and Hannah McNair for the wonderful opportunity to be the next head coach of the Houston Texans,” Culley said. “To say that I’m excited and that it’s a dream come true is an understatement. Along the way, I dumped countless people, organizations, family members and friends in me and prepared a path for me. My true hope is that this moment is as much of them as of mine. Let’s go to work and let’s do it together! “
As the Ravens Assistant Head Coach / Stroke Coordinator / Broadway Reception Coach of 2019-20, Culley helped the offense by creating a pass rate that complements the team’s dynamic storm attack. In 2020, Baltimore scored the seventh most points per game (29.3) in the league, despite numerous key players in and out of the series. The Ravens attack was a major contribution to end the season on a five-game winning streak to reach the playoffs, averaging 37.2 points per game during the period. His work with the Ravens offense in 2019 resulted in them scoring the NFL in 33.2 points per game. The unit also finished second in total yards per game (407.6), while the franchise records were set for touchdowns (64), points (531), total net yards (6,521), rushing yards (3,296), first downs (386) and the least turnover (15).
Before joining the Ravens, Culley was the Bills’ coach in 2017-18. In 2018, he helped develop QB Josh Allen, who set the franchise record for most total touchdowns (18) produced by a quarterback from the Bills. In addition, Allen set the franchise quarterback records for most rush-yard yards in a game (135), stormy one-season (eight) and one-season rush (631). Culley also worked with QB Tyrod Taylor in 2017 when he passed for 2,799 yards and 14 times as he led Buffalo to a 9-7 season and the franchise’s first playoff spot since 1999.
Culley served as assistant head coach / wide reception coach at the Chiefs from 2013-’16 under Andy Reid, where he helped the team reach a cumulative record of 43-21. In 2016, Culley led star rookie WR Tyreek Hill to 61 catches for 593 yards and a six-time team high, en route to Kansas City’s 12-4 record and a division title. Last season, WR Jeremy Maclin in his first year with the team received 1,088 yards and set a franchise record for one season or another for most receptions (87). In 2013, for the first time since 2003, the team won at least 11 matches.
Culley spent 14 seasons with the Eagles (1999-2012) as the wide receiving coach from 1999-2010 and as a senior attacking assistant / wide receiving coach in 2011-12. During his tenure, Philadelphia made nine playoff appearances and advanced to five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl (2004). Culley developed WR Jeremy Maclin with the Eagles, and in his first three seasons (2009-11) with Philadelphia, Maclin got more passes (189) than any other wide receiver in franchise history. In 2009-10, the Eagles won the playoffs in consecutive years and in 2010 won the NFC East Division. During those seasons, Culley worked closely with WR DeSean Jackson and helped him earn the first two Pro Bowl picks of his career.
From 1999-2008, Culley and the Eagles won the NFC East Division five times and won the NFC Championship game on five different occasions. Coached by Culley in 2004, WR Terrell Owens earned First-Team All-Pro honors when he received 77 receptions for 1,200 yards and a franchise record of 14. Philadelphia will advance to Super Bowl XXXIX against New England behind Owens’ tremendous season. In 2002, the Eagles attack was fourth in the NFL in points per game (25.9) and WR Todd Pinkston received a team-high seven reception. As of 2000-04, Philadelphia has won 59 regular-season games, the most remaining in any five-year team in franchise history.
Culley was appointed the Coaching Coach for the Steelers in 1996 and spent three seasons (1996-98) in the role with the team. In 1997, he assisted WR Yancey Thigpen in his Pro Bowl season when he received a career-high 1,398 yards and seven touchdowns as Pittsburgh won 11-5 and won the division. Culley came to the Steelers after working with the Buccaneers as a wide receiving coach for the previous two years (1994-95).
Prior to his coaching in the NFL, Culley had several coaching points at the university over a period of 16 years. He was the broad reception coach at Texas A&M from 1991-93 and the offensive coordinator / running back / wide receiver coach at the University of Texas-El Paso from 1989-90. During his time as a coach at Southwest Louisiana (1985-88), Culley coached Brian Mitchell, who became the first player in NCAA history to pass more than 5,000 yards and more than 3,000 yards in a career rushed. He also stopped coaching in Western Kentucky (1984), Tennessee-Chattanooga (1983), Middle Tennessee State (1982), Vanderbilt (1979-81) and Austin Peay (1978).
Culley was recruited to play at Vanderbilt University by Bill Parcells, who was the defense coordinator at the time. He was a four-year-old letter winner (1973, 1975-77) and the first black quarterback to ever play for the Commodores. Culley grew up in Sparta, Tennessee and played football, basketball and baseball at White County High School.
Culley and his wife, Carolyn, raised two children, Monty and Jessie.
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