Texans interview ex-NFL star Hines Ward for head coach vacancy

[RaynorShyne]

Texans interview ex-NFL star Hines Ward for head coach vacancy | Fox News

Add this to the NFL free-agency Bingo card if you had it: the Houston Texans finished interviewing former Pittsburgh Steelers wideout Hines Ward for their head coaching vacancy, according to the team’s Twitter account.

The Texans abided by the Hines Ward Rule in their interview process: welcoming the longtime Steeler and current assistant coach at Florida Atlantic University to potentially replace ousted play-caller David Culley, who was let go on Thursday. Culley went 4-13 with the Texans.

Hines Ward's 1,000th Catch Earns Him History, and His Own Jersey Rule - Behind the Steel Curtain

Ward played for Steel City from 1998-2011 and became a prolific identity for the offense with strong hands, tough running and tenacious blocking ability behind the line. He is a two-time Super Bowl winner (40, 42) and recipient of MVP honors at Super Bowl 40, which featured his 43-yard touchdown catch, tossed by Antwaan Randle El.

Ward caught 12,083 receiving yards and 86 touchdowns during his tenure with the Steelers. 
Houston also finished their interviewing session after meeting with Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

Lombardi served as the New Orleans Saints’ quarterbacks coach from 2016-2020 and joined rookie head coach Brandon Staley’s crew in Los Angeles in 2020.

Sophomore Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert had an outstanding 2021-22 campaign alongside Lombardi: throwing for 5,014 yards, 38 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and completing 65.9 percent of his passes.
Houston has now interviewed with Ward, Lombardi and former Miami Dolphins head coach Brian Flores.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I think they will ultimately hire Brian Flores.

[mcmillenandwife]

Rooney Rule nonsense. It's an insult. They're checking a box. 

I love Hines, but he isn't ready to be a head coach. Maybe someday? But not now. Not only has he not yet even been a coordinator, he has very little coaching experience period.

This is why you should never, EVER have rules like this. People of color who are there because of their own merit get unfairly labeled as filling a quota, while moves like this (interviewing a laughably underqualified candidate solely because of his race) make a mockery of the rule.

I don't deny past injustices and discriminatory practices. But you can't undo them by inventing new ways to discriminate against different groups of people. Treat all people fairly and with respect, and let the most talented rise to the top. The NFL of all places is the ultimate proving ground for talent. It's almost entirely merit-based. So why apply different principles to coaches than you do to the players? Regardless of past injustices, you would NEVER apply race-based quotas to NFL players. The idea is ludicrous.

When will there be a similar rule related to the gender of NFL players and coaches? 

This is a damaging practice that undermines the presumably well-intentioned reasons for creating the rule in the first place.

[sandfan]

Neither race nor gender should be a qualification for a position. Rooney might have had good intentions and could have implemented them without saddling the rest of the league with his concept. As the owner he should have just done what he preached and let others do what they felt was best to create a winner.

We have run through decades of giving favored treatment to minorities. Examples would be easing entrance requirements for university admission or employment requirements across the private and public sector arenas. I'm not convinced those policies benefited the general society. They may have propped up an individual or a small segment but the sacrifice to do so was considerable.

I had a struggle or two with HR departments in this regard. Forcing any organization to hire or retain a lower qualified employee when more qualified options are available degrades that organization. That takes cash out of the performers pockets and erodes morale. Neither present a path to enhancing profits or creating a winning team.

[mcmillenandwife]

Neither race nor gender should be a qualification for a position. Rooney might have had good intentions and could have implemented them without saddling the rest of the league with his concept.  As the owner he should have just done what he preached and let others do what they felt was best to create a winner.

This. 

Create change through your actions, not by forcing via artificial (and discriminatory, IMO) rules and regulations. 

The irony of this is, I don't believe the Rooney's hired Tomlin because of his race. I think they believed he was the best person for the job, regardless of race. And I have to agree, as he did a pretty phenomenal job during his first 4 years with 2 Super Bowl appearances. He's been a great coach and probably still is, although I do think he outlived his effectiveness in Pittsburgh several years ago.

[Chucktownsteeler]

I agree on both points, Tomlin, at that time was the best candidate for the job. He also did good the first seasons. Some say Cowher’s players, some say the coordinators, maybe a little of both.

I do think his shelf life has expired, but we know he’s not going anywhere, anytime soon.

Also, selecting someone backed on race and gender is how we got Kamala Harris.