Texans Telegram: David Culley building his staff, targeting Josh McCown

And after a grueling month (that felt like six) of head coaching interviews and searching, the Houston Texans have finally landed on their guy. No, it is not Eric Bieniemy or Leslie Frazier, but instead the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach of the Baltimore Ravens David Culley.

Now after his hire, one that shocked the entire football world, Culley and the organization have begun putting a coaching staff together as the organization looks to pick up the pieces from the Bill O’Brien era.

Familiar faces sticking around?

There were rumors that the Texans wanted to keep a couple of familiar faces in interim head coach Romeo Crennel and Tim Kelly around in Houston regardless of how the coaching hire was. While Crennel is expected to take some sort of upper management role in the front office, Kelly has already landed a gig on this new coaching staff.

Shortly after Culley’s hire, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Kelly has been hired as the full-time offensive coordinator under the new head coach. Kelly, perhaps to retain continuity at the coordinator position (and presumably quarterbacks coach), is a familiar face with quarterback Deshaun Watson. This may be an attempt at rebuilding a bridge.

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Texans want Josh McCown, others

He was interviewed during the head coach hiring period, but now that Culley is in place, Houston is looking to bring longtime journeyman quarterback Josh McCown onto their staff. McCown has been praised wherever he has been for his ability to lead young quarterbacks and be a coach on the field.

While he was on call on the practice squad of the Philadelphia Eagles a year ago, this may finally be the end of his playing career after initially retiring last season. His role is unknown at this point as Kelly also coached the quarterbacks a year ago, although that title could be passed to McCown now.

The Texans are also interested in bringing in former NFL and most recently Illinois head coach Lovie Smith onto their squad. Former Seattle  Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys defensive play-caller Kris Richard has been linked to Houston as the potential defensive coordinator as well.

Culley has history with Deshaun Watson

While their history together is extremely limited, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle stated Culley and Watson spent time together at the Pro Bowl a year ago, and the two “built a really good connection that week.” It has been reported that Watson is likely to want out regardless of the hire, but it seems like Houston is doing whatever they can to keep him around.