Houston Texans take unusual road in promoting Lovie Smith to head coach – Houston Texans Blog

HOUSTON — When the Houston Texans fired David Culley, general manager Nick Caserio cited “philosophical differences” with the head coach, with some reports pointing to Culley wanting to keep his coaching staff intact.

But almost a month after firing Culley, following interviews with six external candidates, Caserio hired a member of Culley’s coaching staff in Lovie Smith. Smith, who will be the fifth head coach in franchise history (excluding interim coaches), was the Texans’ defensive coordinator and associate head coach in 2021. He spent the previous five seasons coaching the University of Illinois, where he amassed a 17-39 record before being fired.

The Texans interviewed three candidates twice: former NFL quarterback Josh McCown, Philadelphia Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon and former Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores. Others with whom the Texans spoke included Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O’Connell, Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and former Steelers wide receiver and current Florida Atlantic receivers coach Hines Ward.

Some in the Texans organization have long thought of McCown as a candidate. When Houston signed McCown in November 2020, several sources told ESPN that he might get hired as part of a future Texans’ coaching staff, perhaps even as the next permanent coach to replace Bill O’Brien. That didn’t happen, though he did interview for the opening. To the surprise of many, he was close to being hired to replace Culley.

But late in the process, Houston pivoted to Smith, interviewing him for the opening Sunday. The Texans hired him Monday.

Smith, who is…