HOUSTON — The Texans fired David Cooley on Thursday, a move that came four days after Houston wrapped up a 4-13 campaign in his first season as head coach.
"I came to this difficult but necessary decision after reviewing our football operation," Texans general manager Nick Casario said in a statement released by the team. “While a change after one season is unusual, we had philosophical differences over the long-term direction and vision to move our program forward. We applaud Coach Porter for helping us navigate through a difficult season, But it's my responsibility to make decisions that I think are best for our organization."
Culley told Houston media outlets Sportstalk 790 and KRIV-TV that he has three years left on his contract and that his salary is guaranteed.
"I love every minute of being the head coach of the Houston Texans. I appreciate the players and coaches who have been with me through the ups and downs of our season," Budd said in a statement released by the team. "I'm disappointed that we didn't win more games and won't get a chance to improve on the lessons I've learned, but I fully understand that this is a bottom-line business and I didn't do enough."
The firing comes a year after the Texans hired a longtime assistant porter, who became the oldest first-time NFL head coach at age 65. Cooley, hired by Texans president and CEO Cal McNair, and Casario, was the only Black head coach hired last off-season. And was one of three black coaches in the NFL this season. His firing left Pittsburgh Steelers' Mike Tomlin as the NFL's only black head coach since the Miami Dolphins fired Brian Flores earlier this week.
Sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerrod Mayo is expected to emerge as a prime candidate for the Texans' head-coaching job.
"We are grateful for the energy and passion David has brought to our organization over the past season," McNair said in a statement released by the team. “I have assigned Nick Casario to lead the football performance and I am confident that he will find the best leader for our team. These decisions are difficult, but Nick believed it was important for the future of our organization. was necessary."
Offensive coordinator Tim Kelly was also fired on Thursday.
On Sunday, after the Texans finished their 4-13 season, Bud said he hoped to return for a second season. However, the Texans' ownership and front office took the past few days to evaluate the coach and on Thursday decided to sack him.
Before being hired at Houston, Bud spent two seasons as an assistant head coach, passing game coordinator, and wide receivers coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Culley spent 43 years in college football and as an assistant in the NFL.
In Bud's first season as head coach, the Texans won the same number of games as they had won the previous season under interim coach Romeo Cranell. Culley did it with a dwindling roster that had just one first-round pick in the past four years.
Houston was without quarterback Deshan Watson, who requested a trade last January after the McNair family hired Casario. Less than two months later, the first of 23 lawsuits were filed against Watson alleging sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. Watson, who still faces 22 active suits, reported to training camp and was on the active roster throughout the season. The quarterback was a healthy scratch for each game.
The Texans were also without a defensive end. Watts, who requested a release after the 2020 season and now plays for the Arizona Cardinals.
This season, the Texans dominated the Jacksonville Jaguars in the season opener, before losing to veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor with a left hamstring injury in Week 2. He was replaced by 2021 third-round pick Davis Mills, who went 0-6 in his six starts, while Taylor was on injured reserve.
After Taylor struggled on his return from injured reserve, he was benched to Mills, who beat the Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers in consecutive weeks.
Houston's offense was ranked 31st in the Football Outsiders DVOA under Porter and Kelly. According to ESPN Stats & Information, the Texans were outsourced by 172 points, the biggest difference in franchise history.
The Texans' 13 losses were the franchise's most in a single season since 2013.