More interviews didnโt equal more minority hirings in NFL
(AP Photo)(AP) โ The NFL expanded the Rooney Rule to give more minority candidates opportunities to become a head coach and reward teams who develop them. The Houston Texans hired David Culley this week, making the 65-year-old longtime assistant the leagueโs third Black head coach hired. Culley and Saleh join Pittsburghโs Mike Tomlin, Miamiโs Brian Flores and Washingtonโs Ron Rivera as the leagueโs only minority head coaches. โWe didnโt make as much progress on the head coaching side as we would have liked,โ Rooney said. AdPerhaps an increase in minority executives will lead to more minority head coaches.
Houston Texans introduce Head Coach David Culley
HOUSTON โ David Culley became the coach of the Houston Texans believing Deshaun Watson would be his quarterback. โThe reason Iโm in this position today is because I knew heโs going to be a Houston Texan," Culley said. The only other minority candidate who was hired as a head coach this offseason was the New York Jetsโ Robert Saleh, the leagueโs first Muslim head coach. โWe have added a very well respected and experienced member to our Texans' family in our new head coach, David Culley," McNair said. The 65-year-old Culley becomes the fourth coach in Texans history, replacing Bill OโBrien, who was fired after the team opened the season 0-4.
AP Source: QB Watson requests trade from Houston Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)HOUSTON โ Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The same source who told The AP about the trade request said Watson made the ask before Culleyโs hire. The only other minority candidate who was hired as a head coach this offseason was the New York Jets' Robert Saleh, the league's first Muslim American head coach.
New 7th seed helps Bears 8 years too late for Lovie Smith
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)While Matt Nagy gets to coach Chicago in the playoffs despite a middling 8-8 record that could help save his job, former Bears coach Lovie Smith can only wonder if the extra team in the postseason could have helped him eight years ago. Smithโs Bears teams from the beginning of last decade are near the top of that list. Chicago lost five of six and missed the postseason as the seventh seed with an 8-8 mark. The tough-luck missing playoff team that season was the Giants, who missed out the year before Eli Manning and Co. won their second Super Bowl under coach Tom Coughlin.
Texans interview Jim Caldwell for Head Coaching position
HOUSTON โ The Houston Texans have two games left in the season but the search for a new General Manager and Head Coach continue to develop. The latest to interview for the head coach slot is Jim Caldwell who led both the Colts and Lions. Caldwellโs most recent success came in Detroit where he was the Lions Head Coach from 2014 through 2017 leading the Lions to two playoff appearances. With the Colts Caldwell went 36-28 while in charge from 2009-2011. Caldwell, whoโs background is on the offensive side, was fired after the 2011 season but Caldwellโs run in Indy included leading the Colts to the Super Bowl in 2009.