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"I'm disappointed, but it's part of the business," Culley told
SportsTalk 790 in a radio interview. "I understand and I move
on."
Culley told the station that he has three years remaining
guaranteed on his contract, contradicting earlier reports that
he was given only two guaranteed years when he became head
coach. NFL Network reported Culley is owed $17 million on those
remaining years.
"You're judged every year," Culley said. "Basically, you're
judged on wins and losses, and if you judge it on wins and
losses I'm not happy with four wins at all. I expected to get
more than four wins and felt like we should have got more than
four wins. This is a bottom-line business, and I wasn't happy
with the number of wins we got."
The Texans did not immediately confirm the termination of
Culley, who guided the club to a 4-13 record this season. The
team also reportedly fired offensive coordinator Tim Kelly.
Culley's firing leaves one Black head coach in the NFL -- Mike
Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers -- and lifts the vacancy count
to seven. An eighth team, the Las Vegas Raiders, made the
playoffs with an interim head coach and is expected to seek a
long-term replacement after the postseason ends.
Fox Sports reported Sunday that Culley would likely be fired
with general manager Nick Caserio targeting former New England
ally Josh McDaniels as head coach. McDaniels and Caserio were
former teammates at John Carroll University.
But reports Thursday pointed to a reunion between Caserio and
Brian Flores. Dispatched by the Miami Dolphins on Monday after
three seasons and a 24-25 record, Flores interviewed with the
Chicago Bears earlier this week.
In addition to Caserio, Flores has connections to Jack Easterby,
who also has roots with the Patriots' organization.
Between the 2020 shift away from a general manager, trading
All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and firing coach Bill
O'Brien, the Texans have been widely criticized for what appears
to be less-than-optimal team management. Players were supportive
of Culley on Monday before parting for the offseason but also
voiced displeasure with the process that brought Culley and
Caserio to Houston.
Culley, 66, took the job in Houston in January 2021 after
quarterback Deshaun Watson requested the franchise trade him.
Watson reportedly felt disrespected by ownership when his
preference for a new head coach, Chiefs offensive coordinator
Eric Bieniemy, wasn't seriously considered.
Prior to joining the Texans, Culley was an NFL assistant coach
for 27 years following 15 years in the college ranks.
--Field Level Media
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