Second interviews set for Frazier, Culley
Tre’Davious White has absorbed a ton of knowledge from Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, gaining the kind of firsthand information only a fellow cornerback can impart.
The Bills’ All-Pro cornerback has made steady improvements under Frazier’s tutelage, intercepting 15 passes in four seasons while playing for one of the Texans’ top head coach candidates. It’s five fewer career interceptions than Frazier totaled during his time playing for the Chicago Bears, including a teamhigh six in his final season for the 1985 Super Bowl champions, before a major knee injury ended his career.
The idea of Frazier, who on Tuesday will interview with the Texans for a second time, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly, leaving Buffalo doesn’t sit well with White. He wants to keep playing for him.
“I don’t like that idea at all,” White said Monday with a laugh during a Zoom video call when asked about the possibility of Frazier’s leavnig to become the Texans’ next coach. “I’m happy he’s getting that opportunity. He’s an amazing coach. He’s been a great asset for myself.
“I can speak for my personal experience with him, man. It’s just playing the position I play, and to have a defensive coordinator who played that position and has won a Super Bowl playing that position, you don’t get that type of expertise every day.”
The Texans are also conducting a second interview with Baltimore Ravens assistant head coach/receivers coach/passing game coordinator David Culley in Houston and are heavily considering former Detroit
Lions and Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Caldwell for the job after already interviewing him twice, according to sources.
A former Minnesota Vikings head coach who has been an assistant head coach for the Colts and coordinated defenses for the Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Frazier, 61, has overseen a Buffalo defense that ranks second in opposing passer rating and passing yards allowed since he joined the Bills in 2017.
White has witnessed growth in his game due to Frazier’s influence.
“He’s the type of guy who takes the time to develop the player,” White said. “Every day at practice, he made me catch deep balls, putting them in the Jugs machine, running full speed down the field.
“Any time you have a coach like
that you can relate to and knows the ins and outs of the position, it’s definitely a plus. I will definitely be an endorsee of him to get a job. Hopefully, he’ll be back with us next year. He’s a big part of our success on defense.”
The Texans, who have also interviewed Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, former Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis, Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and new Los Angeles Chargers coach Brandon Staley, have been impressed with Culley’s creativity as a coach and his leadership qualities.
Culley built a quick connection with Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson, who’s in an unresolved dispute with the Texans and chairman and chief operating officer Cal
McNair, while coaching him during the Pro Bowl last year, according to sources.
Before Culley, 65, was in the NFL coaching ranks, he was an offensive coordinator at Texas-El Paso and coached the Texas A&M wide receivers from 1991 to 1993.
“I think the world of David Culley,” said former Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum in a telephone interview. “He worked for me, and he’s just a very smart guy, a good guy. He was great with the coaches and great with the players. Players loved playing for him. He’s been around great coaches like Andy Reid in Philadelphia and Kansas City.
“David gets up excited every day. He’s very knowledgeable as a football coach. His people skills are outstanding. He’s a high-energy guy. He’s the kind of guy who makes people around him better. He makes coaches better and players better because of his enthusiasm. He’s a really genuine person. I would love to see him in Houston.”
The Ravens led the NFL in scoring in 2019 (33.2 points per game) and ranked seventh this season (29.3) behind an offense led by star quarterback Lamar Jackson. Jackson had a 99.3 passer rating this year. Culley coaches wide receivers Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, Devin Duvernay and James Proche.
Culley has previously been the Bills’ quarterbacks coach, coaching standout quarterback Josh Allen. He had another stint as Chiefs assistant head coach and receivers coach with Reid.
Culley worked with the Philadelphia Eagles under Reid as a receivers coach. He has also coached the Buccaneers’ and Steelers’ wide receivers.
As much as his coaching acumen, Culley gets high marks for his ability to build relationships with players.
“David brings so much to the table,” Slocum said. “What happens in coaching, you get different personalities and different egos. Some guys are knowledgeable coaches, but they’re hard to deal with and bring out the worst in people. Other guys like David are like vitamins. They make your whole organization healthier and more positive.
“The enthusiasm David brings with him, he’s the kind of guy that players like to play for. He cares about them. It’s not all about you and the game. It’s about them and having fun and winning. In the big picture, it’s about the players. He brings out the best in people. David Culley — I love the guy, and I stay in touch with him.”