HOUSTON — David Culley is the favorite to become the next head coach of the Houston Texans.
The announcement is expected to be made Thursday and comes after weeks of scrutiny over who the franchise would hire to be its next head coach and if quarterback Deshaun Watson would approve. Reports are that Watson wants out of Houston no matter who the team ended up hiring.
Culley, 65, was most recently an assistant with the Baltimore Ravens. He's been an NFL coach for 27 seasons but has never been a coordinator in the league.
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The Texans interviewed a number of candidates for the job, including Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, former Lions and Colts coach Jim Caldwell, current Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, current Texans quarterback Josh McCown and Brandon Staley before he was hired by the Los Angeles Chargers.
Along with assistant head coach, Culley also carried the title of passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. Last season, Baltimore's passing offense ranked last in the NFL.
Houston's head coach opening was the first in the NFL this season when the team fired Bill O'Brien after an 0-4 start. The team also had to find a new general manager because O'Brien held that role with the team as well.
Watson and the Texans started butting heads over the team's hiring of Nick Caserio earlier this month. Caserio was put in charge of the team's search for its next head coach. According to reports, Watson wasn't pleased with the hiring process the Texans used that ultimately landed Caserio the job.
Houston went 4-12 last season even though Watson led the league in passing.