Texans Fire Head Coach David Culley: Report

HOUSTON, TX — The Houston Texans have fired head coach David Culley after just one season, according to a tweet Thursday from NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero, who cited league sources.

Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly also has been fired, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.

The Texans went 4-13 this season and finished third in the AFC South, one game ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Culley was one of three Black head coaches in the NFL coming into the 2021 season, and only Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin remains. Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores was fired earlier this week.

Flores and New England Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo are both expected to be high on the Texans' list of candidates to be the next head coach, according to a SportsTalk 790 report. Both have ties to Texans General Manager Nick Caserio and Executive Vice President of Football Operations Jack Easterby from their time with the New England Patriots.

Culley's lone season at the helm was marked by discord within the Texans franchise.

After the hiring of Caserio from New England in early January 2021, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson requested a trade, citing his displeasure with the search for a new GM and coach. Watson's trade request came to light soon after Culley was hired by the Texans on Jan. 27.

In the spring, Watson was accused by 22 women of sexual assault during massage therapy sessions. With his case unresolved, the quarterback did not play for the Texans during the 2021, though was kept on the roster.

The Texans' quarterback situation was in flux for most of the season. Houston signed Tyrod Taylor in March and drafted Stanford quarterback Davis Mills in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft, its first selection after trading away its first- and second-round picks to the Miami Dolphins for left tackle Laremy Tunsil in 2019.

Taylor was named the starter for the season opener but was hurt against the Cleveland Browns in the second game of the season. Mills replaced Taylor against the Browns and started the next six games, throwing seven touchdowns and eight interceptions. He played better after taking over for Taylor again late in the season, completing 117 of 171 passes for 1,257 yards and nine touchdowns to just two interceptions as the Texans went 2-3 in the last five games.

The high point came in a 41-29 win over the Los Angeles Chargers on Dec. 26 in which Mills threw for 254 yards on 21-of-27 passing with two touchdowns and no interceptions.

Davis' improved play wasn't enough for the Texans to keep Culley on as head coach. Houston finished 30th in the NFL in scoring at 16.5 points per game and were 27th in scoring defense, allowing 26.6 points per game.