
The Houston Texans agreed to a three-year contract with Romeo Crennel as their new defensive coordinator.
Crennel was considered the favorite to replace Wade Phillips after Bill O’Brien was hired as head coach. Crennel and O’Brien are former New England Patriots assistants, but did not work there at the same time.
Crennel was out of the league this season after getting fired as the Kansas City Chiefs coach following the 2012 season.
Crennel has been a defensive coordinator for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Chiefs. He was also the Browns coach from 2005-08 and became the Chiefs’ interim head coach in 2011 before having that label removed before the 2012 season.
Former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel was hired as linebackers coach last week. Vrabel played under Crennel in New England. He most recently served as Ohio State’s defensive line coach.
The Texans have not hired an offensive coordinator, but O’Brien has said he will call the plays.