Texans make surprise head coaching hire

The final NFL head coaching vacancy has been filled, and it's not a name you were expecting to hear. The Houston Texans have hired Baltimore Ravens' Assistant Head Coach/Wide Receivers Coach/Passing Game Coordinator David Culley as the team's next head coach.

The 65-year-old is a well-traveled man throughout the football world. He began his coaching career as a running backs coach at Austin Peay University in 1978 and spent 15 years in the college game; making stops at Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee, Chattanooga, Southwestern Louisiana, UTEP, and Texas A&M.

Culley made the leap to the NFL in 1994 with Tampa Bay as wide receivers coach and would serve the same role in Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Kansas City. His longest tenure was in Philadelphia, where he was a part of the Eagles' staff for 13 years. He followed Andy Reid to Kansas City before taking on a new role as quarterbacks coach in Buffalo in 2017. Culley joined the Ravens in his most recent role in 2019, and Baltimore quickly became one of the league's best passing offenses. Although the Ravens' passing offense clearly regressed in 2020, you cannot overlook that kind of instant impact.

It's certainly a surprise and questionable hire, however Culley clearly has experience in some good offensive systems, which is probably something that appealed to Houston. He has never called plays, so it will be interesting to see the offense that is designed. Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will remain in his role with the team, so there should be some kind of continuity.

This will be Culley's first shot at a head coaching job.