The Texans continue to move swiftly in their search to replace David Culley. They interviewed two more candidates Saturday, meeting with Chargers OC Joe Lombardi and Florida Atlantic wide receivers coach Hines Ward.
These meetings come after the Texans’ Brian Flores interview Friday. Flores has been the candidate most closely linked to the job and should still be considered the favorite, though GM Nick Caserio end up meeting with Patriots linebackers coach Jerod Mayo as well. Ward being interviewed meets the Rooney Rule requirement for the Texans, who have now met with two minority candidates.
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A former star Steelers wide receiver, Ward has only been a full-time staffer since 2019. He coached wide receivers for two years under Adam Gase with the Jets. While he also serves as a special assistant to the head coach at Florida Atlantic, Ward’s coaching background would not seem enough to make him a serious candidate. But the four-time Pro Bowler has been around the game for a rather lengthy stretch.
The Chargers brought Lombardi over from the Saints to be their OC. Under Lombardi, Justin Herbert topped 5,000 passing yards this season and is the AFC’s Pro Bowl starter. Lombardi has three seasons’ worth of OC experience, with the previous two coming under Jim Caldwell in Detroit from 2014-15.
Unlike Flores, Lombardi does not have a tie to the Patriots, having spent most of his coaching career with the Saints. This is Lombardi’s first connection to a head during this year’s HC hiring period.
If nothing else, Hines Ward would instantly become the best blocking head coach in the NFL.
I think he will be a good head coach as he seems to be a solid leader
Joe Lombardi held the Chargers offense back this year and would be a ridiculous head coach hire, but NFL rules require teams to interview at least two sons of famous coaches.
Funniest comment of the day! Bravo
Know that is Joe Lombardi who is interviewing and he’s no Vince!
Hines Ward? Seriously?! Someone needs to take the team from this ownership group. This is just embarrassing.
Hines was just going through the motions for the Rooney Rule .. Flores will be the coach in coming days
Why would Hines Ward be a Rooney Rule candidate if they’re going to hire Brian Flores, who is black? Do you have any idea what you’re talking about?
You have to interview two minorities from outside the organization to meet the Rooney rule. So Flores is 1, Ward is 2.
Do you have any idea what you’re talking about?
jerod Mayo is 2 .. Ward is 3
Ward is 2 and Mayo would be 3. So rule is satisfied now that Ward interviewed and Texans can hire whomever they choose without waiting on Mayo.
It’s safer to eat Fugu then try to hire a coach.
Basically.
@rct You’re a f’n idiot.
Who would want to coach this mess of a team. Even players would want out you would think.
Who is kidding who? It is clear the Texans want to reincarnate the Patriots thus they will pair their Patriot GM with a former Patriot coach they didn’t want to stain with last year’s joke of a roster.
Hines Ward would make a great head coach
Any relation to Vincent Lombardi?
Hines Ward as a head coach would interesting…would he be the only NFL HC in history to smile after each play?