HOUSTON – One day after the end of a tumultuous season, Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson made a direct assessment of where the organization needs improvement.
When asked what he is looking for in a new coach, Watson said, “We just need a complete cultural change.
“We just need a new energy. We just need discipline. We need structure. We need a leader so that we can follow him as players. That’s what we need.”
Texas fired coach and general manager Bill O’Brien in October and has been led by interim coach Romeo Crennel and interim general manager Jack Easterby since then.
Houston, who during the season began to interview candidates for coaches and general managers who are not currently employed by teams, began to ask teams for permission to interview candidates. On Monday, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Texans are requesting permission to interview New England Patriots player director Nick Caserio for his open position as general manager.
ESPN’s Ed Werder reported that Houston had scheduled a three-hour window on Sunday for a video conference interview with Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus for the opening head coach, the day after the Colts playoff game against the Bills.
Watson said on Monday that he spoke with Texas CEO Cal McNair on Sunday to discuss the open roles, expressing interest in offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, potentially returning next season after the best season of the defender’s career.
“We all have to be on the same page,” said Watson. “There are a lot of different minds, a lot of different ideas and a lot of people thinking they have that power, and it’s not like that. We need someone who stands out, and that’s what we follow and that’s how it works.”