interim head coach is reportedly a strong candidate to receive the full-time role when the team conducts its coaching search.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Crennel is not viewed as a lame-duck coach. The team's current thinking is that Crennel could continue as head coach in 2021 as a "stopgap" before Houston conducts a more standard coaching search after that season—when it's expected the COVID-19 pandemic will be over.
There are concerns about the feasibility of conducting coaching searches amid the pandemic because of current restrictions. While interviews could be conducted on Zoom, Rapoport notes there may be a hesitance to hire a full-time coach perhaps without having met them in person.