Report: Texans Sign New DC Romeo Crennel To A Three-Year Contract

Update:

Jason La Canfora reports that the Texans have signed new defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel to a three-year contract.

Crennel had never met Texans new head coach Bill O’Brien before the two sat down for an interview this past week. Still, O’Brien reportedly offered Crennel the job following their meeting, so he must have been pretty impressive.

Crennel has experience running a 3-4 defensive scheme, which means there shouldn’t be a lot of issues with regards to a transition. Both Crennel and O’Brien come from the Bill Belichick coaching tree, so it’s that surprising that the idea of pairing them together on the same staff would come up.

Crennel was the head coach for the Browns from 2005-08 and took over the Chiefs job during the 2011 season when Todd Haley was dismissed. Crennel lasted just one season with the Chiefs before he was ultimately fired.

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ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that former Chiefs and Browns HC Romeo Crennel plans on accepting the Texans’ defensive coordinator position.

• Mortensen adds that Crennel is committed to coaching the East-West Shrine college all-star game Janurary 18, but after that he will join the Texans’ coaching staff.
• Ian Rapoport reports that Crennel is “looking at possibilities.” and expects to see where things are after the East-West Shrine game.

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Jason La Canfora reports that former Chiefs and Browns HC Romeo Crennel will interview for the Texans vacant defensive coordinator position.

• La Canfora adds that this isn’t a done deal, and Crennel has other options available to him.

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John McClain of the Houston Chronicle mentions that it would mot be surprising to see the Texans hire Romeo Crennel as their new defensive coordinator.

• Ian Rapoport reports that although there is “some interest” from the Texans, it’s still a bit early to say that Crennel is a serious option.
  • Rapoport adds that Crennel is coaching the East-West Shrine game and won’t back out of the commitment.
• Alex Marvez of Fox Sports reports that O’Brien has fired all of Texans assistants and coaching staff.
  • Marvez also confirms that Romeo Crennel will be their defensive coordinator.
  • According to Marvez, you can expect to see a “heavy Patriots feel” with regards to his staff.

McClain refers to Crennel as “one of best [defensive coordinators] in league history” and adds that the Texans wouldn’t have to make a lot of changes to their current defense.

There are plenty of examples around the league of guys having success as coordinators, but struggling as a head coach. In fact, the Texans current defensive coordinator Wade Phillips is a prime example of this.