The Book of Jack is just about complete.
Hallelujah and Amen, the Texans have a coach. Yay. He's David Culley – by all accounts a top-notch human and decent coach, who years ago probably was deserving of a legitimate shot to become an NFL head coach.
Culley is respected by all, grounded in every way, humble, decent and a talented and convincing leader.
But the question Texans fans should be asking today is whether Culley deserves that shot now. And, more important, why?
The answer of course is as obvious as a Bible-thump upside the head.
It's Jack Easterby, the most powerful man in the organization, whose manifesto is clear: It's not so much about Xs and Os, as it is scripture and verse. It's not so much about Patriots South, as it is Lakewood West.
These are strange times, indeed, at NRG Stadium. The strangest. And they are, not so much because of faith -- a cornerstone and beacon in so many of our lives. But because of how faith is being used and misused.
Easterby has gained so much power and influence with Texans CEO Cal McNair and general manager Nick Caserio, he's managed to build the franchise in his own image. That is, if you don't testify like Jack, follow Jack, serve Jack and pray with Jack, then you might as well not know jack, because you won't fit in here.
Despite rampant distrust within his own building, questionable credentials and crippling the roster and salary cap structure while working with former coach Bill O'Brien, Easterby has managed to influence and construct every crucial piece of the next Texans hierarchy.
Caserio was brought in at Easterby's urging. Culley, the former Ravens passing game coordinator whose passing game ranked last in the NFL, was brought in by Easterby.
Next up are coaches like offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, defensive coordinator Lovie Smith and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown, all of whom will either owe their paychecks in some way to Easterby, espouse scripture and verse like Easterby, or both.
That's not to say The Book of Jack is destined for a bad ending. But without question, Texans fans should cross themselves and hope.
While passing on the likes of highly touted Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bienemy, revered former 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and rising hotshot coaching prospects like former Rams DC Brandon Staley and Panthers OC Joe Brady, Easterby orchestrated building a staff rife with red flags.
Those top-notch candidates didn't quite fit the Easterby mold.
Culley, 65, never has been an NFL offensive coordinator. Neither has he ever called plays, or successfully developed a quarterback.
Meanwhile, Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson has officially requested a trade from the Texans.
Culley has been mostly a wide receivers coach, spending 11 years with the Eagles, Chiefs and Ravens in that capacity.
Not once in those 11 years did Pro Football Focus grade his receiving corps higher than 80 – considered the absolute floor score for success.
In 2014 as Chiefs WR coach, the Kansas City receivers accounted for a stunning zero touchdowns.
In 2017, he was quarterbacks coach in Buffalo for Tyrod Taylor's least-productive season and in 2018 guided Josh Allen through his rookie season of 10 TDs and 12 interceptions.
That said, Culley coached under Chiefs coach Andy Reid for 14 years, earned his endorsement and was well-liked by numerous former players.
Strange, though: Despite spending his entire career on the offensive side of the ball, Culley is expected to keep the offense in O'Brien protégé Tim Kelly's hands.
McCown, widely regarded as a talented football mind, has zero NFL coaching experience.
And Lovie Smith, 62, has been out of the NFL since 2015, coaching the University of Illinois to a 17-39 record.
The risk-reward of this new Book of Jack regime is obvious.
While new hires in New York, Los Angeles, Atlanta and elsewhere have left fans excited and optimistic, Texans fans are left to hope for the best. And pray.
John P. Lopez is co-host of In The Loop, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lopez has covered Houston sports as a writer since 1990.
