Houston Texans fans see Jack Easterby on the sidelines at NRG Stadium during game days, and it has generated questions as to what an executive vice president of football operations is doing on the sidelines as opposed to inside the press box.
Easterby took time with “The Jacob and Jacob Podcast” hosted by Jacob Hare and Jacob Erlbaum to talk about what he does for the Texans on game days. Given Easterby’s background as a character coach, the question centered around whether he gave any pep talks.
“On game day, not too many pep talks, but I’m a high-five guy when you’re playing a game you only get to play once a week,” Easterby said. “So, I love high-fiving guys and celebrating with them. It’s obviously a passionate game, and, so, I love to be a part of whether it’s pregame or postgame trying to celebrate with guys when they’re doing well and executing their gifts and what their jobs are.”
Easterby clarified that his role on game day to provide a smooth operation.
Said Easterby: “I try to stay out of the way and make sure our operation is efficient, whether that’s sideline stuff or halftime stuff or just helping the overall operations. So, our goal really during game day is really to serve and make sure the operation runs as smooth as possible.”
Easterby described his role earlier in the interview as a support role to ensure that the sports performance teams, logistics, and data and technology elements support the Texans.
The Texans hired Easterby in April 2019 as the vice president of team development. In Jan. 2020, he was promoted to executive vice president of football operations, his current role. From Oct. 2020 to the end of the regular season, Easterby was the interim general manager until Houston hired Nick Caserio as full-time general manager.