“Forever a Warrior” David Culley new head coach of Houston Texans

There’s a saying that if you shoot for the moon, if you miss you will at least land among the stars, but what happens when you over-shoot your goal?

Sparta’s David Culley had a goal of becoming a high school coach, specifically for his alma-mater, White County High School, but his work ethic, intelligence, and attention to detail has taken him much further. On Jan. 27, 2021, Culley was named head coach of the NFL’s Houston Texans.

“I’m happy!” said Culley. “It’s been a goal to someday have this opportunity, but, after 27 years in the league, I was not sure it was going to happen.”

Culley has spent time with several teams, most recently the Baltimore Ravens who made it to the second round of this year’s NFL playoffs. He served as position coach, passing game coordinator, or assistant coach. Culley said if the head coaching call had never come, he still would have considered himself blessed to have been able to continue to be involved, professionally, in the game that has shaped his life.

“But I am so appreciative of the Houston Texans for giving me this opportunity,” said Culley, who is already in Houston eager to start leading his new team.

Culley has a to-do list of things to accomplish that include assembling a new staff and putting the team’s directional plan together. There is also Free Agency to navigate as Culley works with the Texans’ management team to assemble a list of players they would like to sign.

“Football is a year-round job,” he laughed, saying that all of the pieces need to be in place in the next two months so they are ready for the NFL draft, in April. “Then there are offseason meetings and workouts.”

One thing Culley isn’t worried about is hard work. He claims that growing up in White County, Tennessee, has shaped him into who he is and prepared him for where he is today.

“I am so proud to be from White County,” said Culley. “Where I came from and the time I grew up has put me in a position to be the person and coach I am today.

Culley stated that Sparta is, and always will be, “home.”

“I never considered it ‘small’ – it’s just my town,” he said.  [It’s] the place I grew up. And I loved every minute of it. I just hope I represent it well.”

No one is doubting that he will. The town is full of pride for its once-star quarterback, now-turned NFL head coach, and Culley is humbled by the support, saying he is forever grateful for the people of White County and those who have been even a small part of his journey.

As for that goal he set for himself when he headed off to Vanderbilt, in 1974, it’s still there.

“It’s still a goal,” Culley said about coaching high school football, and then laughed, “I just hope that when my time in the NFL is over, they don’t think I’m too old to bring on staff as an assistant for the only high school program I would ever want to be a part of -  the White County Warriors.”