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Before Andy Reid’s heroic tenure back in 2013, Romeo Crennel, the head coach, will now be a distant memory for most Chiefs fans – so what happened to him after?
Crennel oversaw a turbulent period for the Kansas City Chiefs and was fired from his head coaching role after winning just one home game in the full-time job. Andy Reid then took over.
Life after the Chiefs
Opting to abstain from a season of coaching, Crennel returned to the NFL as he became the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans. The former Chiefs head coach secured a three-year contract with the AFC South franchise.
Throughout the three years with the Texans, Crennel was the one of the highest paid defensive coordinators in the NFL: a reported wage of $1.8 million per year from 2014-2016.
The expensive contract was justified as Crennel demonstrated his coaching prowess in the role. In 2016, the Texans finished the season with the number one ranked defense in the NFL. When assistant head coach Mike Vrabel accepted an offer for the HC role at the Tennessee Titans, Crennel was promoted to the open role left behind.
The then Texans head coach Bill O’Brien was dismissed from his role after a disastrous 0-4 start to the 2020 regular season. Once again, Crennel was promoted to the open job but only on an interim basis.
In his first game as the Texans HC, Crennel would set the record of being the oldest head coach in NFL history. Additionally, this milestone achievement was celebrated in excellent style as the Texans were victorious over their AFC South rivals, the Jacksonville Jaguars.
David Culley was appointed as O’Brien’s full-time successor in 2021. Crennel’s services were rewarded as he was retained on the coaching staff for the upcoming season. In March 2021, the 76-year-old was given the role of senior adviser for football performance for the Texans.
End of an era
On the 9th of January, 2022, the five-time Super Bowl winner would see out his last game in the NFL as he announced his retirement in June later that year.
Moreover, his last game would be a loss to former colleague Mike Vrabel, the then head coach of the Titans.
Crennel won most his accolades before he stepped foot in Kansas City: five Super Bowl rings with the New York Giants (2) and New England Patriots (3) as defensive coordinator.