HOUSTON — David Culley and Urban Meyer will face off for the first time as NFL coaches on Sunday when the Houston Texans welcome the Jacksonville Jaguars to NRG Stadium. It will be Culley’s and Meyer’s first meeting coaching as opponents in 31 years.
During the 1990 collegiate season, Meyer served as the wide receivers coach for the Colorado State Rams, who took a 38-20 victory over Culley’s UTEP Miners. Culley served as the Miners’ offensive coordinator.
“He’s been one of the best coaches in the history of college football through his career,” Culley said. “I’ve kind of followed him through his career from when he first started, even back in Bowling Green, back in Utah. I know the kind of coach he is — got a lot of respect for him.”
During his media availability on Wednesday, Cully did not hesitate from showing his admiration towards Meyer — including revealing his fandom for Ohio State.
Culley made his transition to the NFL in 1994 when he became the wide receivers coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Meyer went on to become one of the most renowned college football coaches in history.
Although they never coached against each other since September 1990, Culley’s and Meyer’s paths intertwined on several occasions due to corresponding players. One of their most well-known players is former Pro Bowl quarterback Alex Smith.
Smith played two seasons under Meyer at Utah. Ten years later, Smith joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 — the same year Culley was hired as the team’s wide receivers and assistant coach. The pairing spent four seasons together in Kansas City.
“He went about it his way, and the way it went for me was completely different from his,” Culley said. “We’re both here now, and I’m hoping to go out and whip his butt this week.”