Houston Texans Head Coaching News: Jim Caldwell Rumored To Be Serious Candidate

Before Nick Caserio was hired, the Texans completed a few head coach interviews. Two were with Marvin Lewis and Jim Caldwell. The timing of each interview (the Texans had yet to hire a general manager, which they always stated they would do before hiring a head coach) made it seem like they were nothing more than a Rooney Rule requirement, and that Texans would interview actual candidates once their new general manager came on board.

I don’t say that to be rude about Lewis or Caldwell’s coaching candidacies, but retread coaches who failed to have postseason success didn’t seem like viable candidates to build a team around Deshaun Watson.

After the hurricane of disgruntlement continued to swirl and rumors enveloped the City of Houston this past weekend, the latest rumor is that Caldwell could become the newest head coach of the Texans as a way to appease Deshaun Watson. The report in question is from Pro Football Talk:

A buzz is building in league circles that Caldwell could be the next coach in Houston.

Last month, the Texans interviewed Caldwell, who previously coached the Colts and the Lions, before hiring G.M. Nick Caserio. With the team desperately needing a solution to the now obvious and well-documented discontent of quarterback Deshaun Watson, Caldwell could be the calming influence the team needs

Would Caserio want Caldwell? Former Lions G.M. Bob Quinn, who worked with Caldwell in Detroit, fired Caldwell after a pair of 9-7 seasons. Some would say that the firing of Caldwell became a matter of “when” not “if” once Quinn got the job, given the reality that Quinn seemed to be determined to eventually hire Matt Patricia to coach the team.

There is always a kernel of truth to rumors like this. If the Houston head coaching gig actually goes to Caldwell, I’d be shocked, but if the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that the unexpected should always be expected when it comes to the Houston Texans.