The Houston Texans are starting to look in last year’s head coaching interview folder as they search for their next leader of the franchise. The Texans announced Thursday they completed an interview with Josh McCown for their vacant head coaching position, the second time they have interviewed the former NFL quarterback for the job. Houston interviewed McCown last year before hiring David Culley as head coach (the Texans fired Culley after one season).
McCown was originally drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the third round of the 2002 NFL Draft out of Sam Houston State — playing for 12 teams in his 18 years. He last played for the Philadelphia Eagles in their wild-card playoff matchup against the Seattle Seahawks in the 2019 season, completing 18 of 24 passes for 174 yards. McCown interviewed for the Texans job while he was still rostered in the organization, but the Texans granted his release last March so he could pursue a coaching career.
McCown never officially retired from the league, and his only head coaching experience was at Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the 2019 season — while being a member of the Eagles’ active roster. Per Aaron Wilson of Pro Football Network, the Jacksonville Jaguars talked to McCown this week, but it wasn’t a former interview for their head coaching vacancy.
The Texans are the only team to officially interview McCown — and they have interviewed him twice. McCown turned down an offer to join the Eagles coaching staff in 2020 and signed as a practice squad player before joining the Texans later on that season. He did not play in 2021.
The Texans have also interviewed Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores, and Florida Atlantic University assistant coach Hines Ward for their head coaching position. McCown getting a second interview may be an indicator of where the Texans are heading for their next head coach.
