HOUSTON – A day after the end of a tumultuous season, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson offered a compelling assessment of where the organization needs to improve.
When asked what he was looking for in a new head coach, Watson said, “We just need a whole cultural change.
“We just need new energy. We just need discipline. We need structure. We need a leader so we can follow that leader as players. That’s what we need.”
Texas fired Bill O’Brien, head coach and general manager, in October, and he has since been led by interim coach Romeo Crennel and interim general manager Jack Easterby.
Houston, which during the season began interviewing candidates for head coach and general manager who currently do not work on teams, has begun asking teams for permission to interview candidates. On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Texans were asking permission to interview New England Patriots players’ personnel director Nick Caserio for his job as an open general manager.
ESPN’s Ed Werder reported that Houston has scheduled a three-hour window on Sunday for a video conference interview with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus for head coach opening one day after the Colts’ game against the Bills.
Watson said Monday he spoke with Texans CEO Cal McNair on Sunday to talk about open roles, and expressed interest in offensive coordinator Tim Kelly returning next season after the quarterback’s best season.
“We all have to be on the same page,” Watson said. “There are too many different minds, too many different ideas and a lot of people who think they have that power, and it’s not like that. We need someone who is tall, and that’s what we follow and so it goes.”