Culley has plenty to keep him busy

While Watson saga dominates headlines, coach still finalizing staff, evaluating roster

When a team hires a new head coach, that decision usually dominates the news cycle for weeks. But in the case of David Culley and his place in the Houston court of public opinion, he’s been eased into the background since being introduced by the Texans on Jan. 29.

That should be a blessing for Culley, who’s been able to take care of his business despite the controversy that’s enshrouded the organization since the season ended with a five-game losing streak and a 4-12 record.

With all due respect to Culley, Texans fans are more interested in the Deshaun Watson trade demand, J.J. Watt’s release, Cal McNair sanctioning Jack Easterby’s rise to power, and Nick Caserio’s plan to rebuild a team that won four AFC South titles in five years before bottoming out in 2020.

A head coach is the face of the franchise, hired to much fanfare and thrust into the leadership role while other team executives fade into the background. That’s what the Texans hope will happen eventually, but problems they’ve created continue to ignite a firestorm that paints them in a negative light in the local and national media.

Ordinarily, Caserio, Culley, Easterby and other members of the front office would be in Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine, but these times are anything but ordinary.

COVID-19 protocols implemented by the NFL have caused teams to focus on pro days and game tape as they evaluate draft prospects.

Meanwhile, back at NRG Stadium, Caserio and Culley have to figure out a way to persuade Watson to rescind his trade demand — something that appears more unlikely by the day — when there’s a lot of business that must be conducted.

Culley is fortunate to have Caserio as a general manager who has final say on all personnel decisions. That was Caserio’s specialty during his 20

year career at New England, where he contributed to six Super Bowl champions.

During these trying times for scouts and player evaluations, Culley and his coaching staff should benefit from Caserio’s expertise, as well as the experience of the team’s personnel department headed by Matt Bazirgan (director of player personnel), James Liipfert (director of college personnel) and Rob Kisiel (director of pro personnel).

A top priority has been Culley’s coaching staff. Of the seven teams that needed a new head coach, the Texans were last to fill their vacancy. That put them behind other teams when it came to hiring a staff to work under Culley.

The Texans still haven’t announced their coaching staff, because some assistant position and quality control jobs remain unfilled.

Culley has his coordinators — Tim Kelly on offense and Lovie Smith on defense — and position coaches in place. They’ve been meeting, including on Zoom conference calls, as they prepare for the start of free agency March 17 and the three-day draft that begins April 29.

Culley and his coaches are watching a lot of tape from last season’s games to help them evaluate their players. Something crucial they have to do is to explain to the personnel department what they’re looking for as they implement schemes on offense and defense.

Having Kelly return for an eighth season, including his third as offensive coordinator and second calling plays, should make the transition smoother, but new position coaches will have to communicate what they want in their players.

For instance, new offensive line coach James Campen, who had an eight-year playing career and spent 15 years as an assistant at Green Bay, might look for different characteristics in his players than former line coach Mike Devlin.

The scouts already know what a returning assistant such as running backs coach Danny Barrett is looking for, because he’s been communicating with the personnel department for the past three years.

Big changes are coming on defense. Whether as an assistant coach in Tampa Bay or St. Louis or as head coach in Chicago, Smith always has employed a 4-3 defense. The Texans haven’t used a 4-3 base since 2010, the year before Wade Phillips was hired as coordinator.

Because defensive coordinators utilize different fronts, switching to a 4-3 from a 3-4 isn’t as big a deal as it used to be. But a substantial part of the process is evaluating players who comprise the front seven.

Some outside linebackers in a 3-4 become ends in a 4-3. Inside linebackers have to be able to transition into the middle, and in Smith’s defense, the Mike linebacker (as he’s called) has to be able to run and cover as well as tackle.

What should make the change easier is no matter what scheme Smith employs, his side of the ball needs a personnel makeover. He should have no problems communicating that to the scouts.

Something longtime NFL coaches such as Culley and Smith learn is patience. Culley waited 27 years to get an interview to become a head coach and aced it with McNair, Caserio and Easterby. He’s eager to reward their faith in him.

Culley knows there are going to be growing pains on both sides of the ball, and the worst thing a team can do is to rush to solve problems, especially those that require patience and perseverance.