New general manager Nick Caserio doesn’t need to be in a rush to find a new coach for the Houston Texans: he already has one.
Interim coach Romeo Crennel told reporters on Jan. 4 that he is still under contract with the team through February.
“My contract is up and I think it’s a February one or February 15th date, I’m not exactly sure,” Crennel said. “I’ve had no discussions at this point beyond that fact. The other coaches, most of the young coaches, their contracts are up. I don’t know what date is on those contracts but the team can control them for two weeks.”
The assistant coaches fall under a different criteria, which is why Caserio was visiting with a number of them last week, including offensive coordinator Tim Kelly.
“I think January 12th is the date that the team has the option of retaining them or denying permission for them to talk to people,” said Crennel. “Then, after that they become free agents and they can talk to whoever they want to talk to. I know that time is a factor. Jobs availability, that’s a factor. If the club decides if they want to keep a guy until the 12th, then they will be able to keep him until the 12th. After the 12th, he will be able to go talk to anybody he wants to about a job availability. That’s what those young guys are looking at. If coaches have time remaining on their contracts, then the team can control who they are allowed to talk to and when they are allowed to talk.”
According to Crennel, sometimes teams will tell assistant coaches to interview with the new coach to see if there is a fit.
Said Crennel: “In my experience, most teams will tell coaches, ‘we would like for you to interview with the new staff of the new coach to see if they might want to keep you. Then, if he does not want to keep you, they will give you permission after that point to talk.’ In my estimation that’s somewhat of a detriment to the coach because he could potentially be getting a job, and the new guy hasn’t been named yet and the team wants to hold assistants until they can talk to the new guy.”
The Texans have cleared the first hurdle and signed Caserio as their general manager. Now, they have to determine who will replace Crennel, who is sticking around for now.