The Texans may not have to look far to fill Bill O’Brien’s spot as head coach.
that “one strong possibility is to turn to Romeo Crennel [Houston’s] full-time coach.”
Crennel, 73, served as the Texans’ defensive coordinator and assistant head coach from 2014 to 2020. He is currently serving as the interim head coach after taking over for O’Brien, who was fired four weeks into the season.
O’Brien had been the head coach in Houston for the past six seasons. He accrued a 52-48 regular season record, winning four AFC South titles during that span. He also served as the team’s de facto general manager in 2019 and was officially awarded the title in 2020.
Crennel’s promotion to full-time is “currently being debated inside the organization,” according to Rapoport.
The Lynchburg, Virginia native has an extensive coaching resume in the NCAA and NFL. He served as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs (2012) and Cleveland Browns (2005-2008). He also was a member of the Giants’ coaching staff from 1981-1992 as the special teams and defensive line coach and the Jets ‘coaching staff from 1997-1999 as the defensive line coach.
The Texans were 2-2 since Crennel took oℱver ent🍸ering Sunday, sitting in third place in the AFC South behind the Colts (6-3) and Titans (6-3).
Hiring from within would certainly simplif꧒y the process, especially in light of the COVID-19🎃 protocols and general uncertainty around the 2021 offseason.
Rapoport added that Jack Easterby, VP of football operations for the Texans, “would continue to run football through the transition and may continue in that role if the team doesn’t hire a GM,” under that scenario.
“At least, that puts Easterby at the helm for several years until things settle,” he said.
Crennel is currently the NFL’s oldest head coach.