The Houston Texans fired head coach David Cooley on Thursday after a season with the team, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelicero reported, according to sources.
An NFL assistant since 1994, the 66-year-old Porter got his first head coaching opportunity with the Texans in 2021, but it lasted just one campaign in which Houston finished 4-13.
Texans general manager Nick Casario, who was also brought in during the 2021 off-season, will now seek his second coach in as many seasons and the franchise's third head coach in the past three years.
"Earlier today, I met with David Cooley and Tim Kelly to inform them that we will be moving in a different direction in the head coach and offensive coordinator positions," Casario said in a statement Thursday evening. "I came to this difficult but necessary decision after reviewing our football operations. While a change after one season is unusual, we had philosophical differences over the long-term direction and vision to move our program forward. Appreciate Coach Porter for helping me get through a difficult season, but it's my responsibility to make the best decisions for my organization. The hunt for the Houston Texans' next coach begins immediately."
Rapoport explained that one of the reasons he was fired was that he would not change his aggressive staff, including Kelly, who was also fired on Thursday. Other changes are expected, Rapoport said.
Porter's departure comes with a costly warning for the organization, however, as Pelicero later revealed that Houston owes its now former coach another $17 million over the next three years. In all, Culley would have earned $22 million per Pelissero for one season of work.
Bud's sacking follows Brian Flores, who was fired Monday as head coach of the Miami Dolphins. With Cooley and Flores being fired, Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers is currently the only black head coach in the NFL.
"I loved every minute of being the head coach of the Houston Texans," Budd said in a statement. "I applaud the players and coaches for sticking with me through the ups and downs of my season. I'm disappointed that we didn't win any more games and that I won't get a chance to improve on the lessons I've learned, but I fully understand this is a bottom-line business and I didn't do enough. I'd like to thank the McNair family and Nick Casario for giving me this opportunity, I'm forever grateful for the experience. I look forward to this team and I wish the organization the best they are producing a special event and I truly believe the future is bright for Texans fans."
The firing of Culley takes his time off, which was essentially a no-win job from the time he was hired. Deshaan Watson requested a trade before the porter was hired and did not play during the 2021 season amid 22 allegations of sexual misconduct and the aforementioned trade request.
The club's greatest defensive player, J.J. Watt, too, was released weeks after he joined Kali's organization.
All things considered, Coolie topped his only season. Houston were a talent-poor team, whose roster only thinned as the season progressed following the departure of running back Mark Ingram, wide receiver Anthony Miller and pass rusher Whitney Mersillas. Veteran for a year, the proven-the deal filled the majority of Houston's roster, leaving Porter with little to grow. And yet, the Texans won four games, despite ranking 27th or worse in points per game, total yards allowed per game, and yards allowed with a team, many of which won. The season was initially projected to end with No. 1st overall selection in the 2022 draft.
Most notable was the fashion in which Culley's Texans minimized the vibe. The coach saw the benefits of delegating the starter to third-round pick Davis Mills in the team's final five games, and the decision proved to be a wise one, with Mills surprising many with his game. The rookie posted four games with a passer rating of 92 or better and ended the stretch with a 9-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio, helping Houston win two of its final four games, including in Week 16. Surprise glitches on the chargers were also involved.
Meanwhile, Houston's mercenary Giants give their best for future employment to play, refusing to lay down against better opponents. The Texans beat two teams with a winning record after their Week 9 and even took the AFC's top-seeded Titans to the wire in their 28–25 loss and closed the season.
With a record of 4-13, questions loomed large over Kali's future even after outperforming expectations. Rapoport and Pelissero reported last Sunday that Culley was seen as a potential bridge to the future in Houston.
Kali told reporters on Monday that he is proceeding as if he is going to become the head coach in 2022. That changed with Thursday's news, which cannot be analyzed without acknowledging the significant change in the coaching landscape. Casario, who hired the porter in 2021, has a history from the time he spent together in New England with Flores now available.
Houston is expected to launch a targeted coaching search, per Pelicero, one that should include Flores and could also see Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels receive an interview request
Selecting a new head coach is not the only task ahead for Casario. Texans GM has about $20.5 million in cap space to work with (per over the cap) while taking in more than $35 million in dead caps due to roster changes.
Culley leaves Houston with a season of experience as a head coach and more than decades as an assistant that spans the mid-1990s. Where he lands next remains to be seen, but it is likely that he will have a 4-13 record as a head coach against the conditions he worked for with the Texans.