HOUSTON (SportsRadio 610)- Kamu Grugier-Hill is a free agent after enjoying a breakout season with the Texans in 2021. He doesn't know if he'll return to the team in 2022, but if he does, he wants David Culley back as well.
"I hope he is," Grugier-Hill said after the Texans 28-25 season finale loss to the Tennessee Titans. "I don't make the decision. I don't even know if I'm going to be here. I think it would be great."
Culley's future with the Texans is uncertain after he finished his rookie campaign with the team 4-13, his first season as a head coach at any level after more than 40 years as an assistant, 27 in the NFL.
"I think he did a great job all season," Texans quarterback Davis Mills said. "Obviously, he was a great leader for the team. In the game of football, ultimately, it comes down to wins and losses, but he had full faith in the team and really led us well all season. I loved him as a coach, and I hope he is back."
Culley danced around questions about his job security the last month and did so again after Sunday's game. He said he hasn't spoken to general manager Nick Caserio about his future, but did make it clear he would like to continue in his current role.
"As of right now, I feel like I will be coaching this team next year," Culley said.
Culley was a surprise pick to be the Texans head coach when he was hired 11 months ago, but as the fourth oldest head coach in the NFL he isn't viewed as the long-term man for the job, and now that he has a year under his belt in charge of football operations, Caserio may look to install more aligned with his way of thinking.
"I haven't had any questions or doubts at all about what's getting ready to happen," Culley said. "I'm looking forward to being the head coach of this football team next year. Haven't thought about it one minute."
Growing pains were to be expected for the 66-year old as he transitioned to being a head coach for the first time, and he was handed a team at the early stages of a complete roster overhaul that included a franchise quarterback who never took a snap in a game or in practice. There were plenty of bumps over the course of the Texans' 4-13 season, but his players still stood behind him.
"The season didn't go as we wanted to, but (David) Culley is a great coach," Texans wide receiver Nico Collins said. "We love him. He brings the juice. He picks us up when we're down. He is a great coach. I love him a lot. I appreciate him, everything he did this year and looking for the future, for sure."
