David Culley has had plenty of time working with John Harbaugh.
Both were members of Andy Reid’s first coaching staff with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. Culley was the receivers coach and Harbaugh was in his second season as the team’s special teams coordinator.
“He’s one of the top guys in this league,” Culley said.
In 2008, Harbaugh left to coach the Ravens, and Culley followed Reid to the Kansas City Chiefs from 2013-16. After a couple season with the Buffalo Bills coaching quarterbacks, Harbaugh asked the former Eagles receivers coach to take the same job on his staff in Baltimore.
“When he asked me to come with him the one thing that I love about John Harbaugh is — and I’ve taken this with me — is the honesty is so there with him in everything that he does and whether he’s dealing with a player, whether he’s dealing with a coach, whether he’s dealing with you all,” Culley said. “You may not like what you hear, but what you get is you get the honesty. And you know what? I’ve got that. I’ve learned that. I appreciate that and that’s what I’m all about, and that’s why I’m glad to be there and I appreciate him for being that for me.”
The Texans will need as much honesty as they can get as the club seeks to rebound from a 4-12 season that saw its coach and general manager fired after an 0-4 start. Culley has a tough assignment ahead as he evaluates a roster that may need a little motivation and retooling if they are to get back into postseason contention.
