The Houston Texans will have their third head coach in as many seasons in 2023.
General manager Nick Caserio hired David Culley, who was fired after a 4-13 season in his first job as head coach.
Lovie Smith replaced Culley and Houston went 3-13-1. The Texans fired Smith just hours after their victory Sunday that cost them the No. 1 overall pick.
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Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio at NRG Stadium on November 3, 2022 in Houston.
(Bob Levey/Getty Images)
Both layoffs have drawn some criticism since Culley and Smith are black. Some critics suggest the Texans hired and fired both coaches just to adhere to the Rooney Rule, which requires NFL teams to interview at least two outside minority candidates for open head coaching jobs and one for a head coaching job. coordinator or a senior position in a main office. .
A reporter asked the Texans’ general manager why any black candidate he interviews should feel the full support of the front office after firing two black coaches in back-to-back years. But Caserio said race isn’t a factor.
“I think each individual will have to make that decision. In the end, it’s not about race, it’s about finding quality coaches,” Caserio told reporters on Monday. “There are a lot of quality coaches. David is a quality coach. Lovie is a quality coach. In the end, every coach has their own beliefs, every coach has their own philosophy, every coach has a comfort level about what we’re doing. “. .
“That’s all I can do, be honest and direct, which I’ve done since the day I took this job. And I’ll continue to do that and try to find the coach that makes the most sense for me.” this organization”.
Head coach Lovie Smith of the Houston Texans before a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
(Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
TEXANS ATTRACT CRITICISM FOR THE DEPARTURE OF LOVIE SMITH
ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith called it a “disgrace” for the Texans to fire Smith, adding that African-Americans shouldn’t even put their name on the pool of potential candidates. Former NFL quarterback turned ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III said, “Using 2 black head coaches to tank and then firing them after 1 year shouldn’t sit well with anyone.”
“The Houston Texans organization, I’m going to say something loud and clear on the national airwaves, and I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks,” Stephen A. said on “First Take” Monday. “African Americans do not need to run. This is not an organization that has been fair to African Americans.
“As far as I’m concerned, if you’re African-American and you aspire to be a head coach in the NFL, there are 31 teams you should be aiming for. You should hope beyond god that the Houston Texans never call you.” – not while he’s there. Because he’s an embarrassment, and something needs to be said about it.”
General manager Nick Caserio of the Houston Texans walks across the field before a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at NRG Stadium on October 2, 2022 in Houston.
(Bob Levey/Getty Images)
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The Texans are 6-26-1 since Caserio joined the franchise.