For nearly five decades, Romeo Anthony Crennel has haunted film rooms and dismantled offenses with his intricate strategies and schemes.
After spending this past season in a different role as the Texans' assistant head coach-defense, the 70-year-old is returning to his roots as a defensive boss.
With Mike Vrabel leaving the Texans after one injury-plagued season as defensive coordinator to become the Tennessee Titans' new head coach, Crennel is back in his old defensive coordinator role.
This figures to be a smooth transition for the Texans after an uncharacteristically rocky season on defense last year. It's a move that's been met with enthusiastic approval of several key defensive starters.
"We're very familiar with Romeo," Texans veteran cornerback Kareem Jackson said of Crennel on Friday night at NRG Arena while attending a Harlem Globetrotters basketball game. "We all think he's a great coach. I think he does some great stuff on defense, so it will be good for him to step back into that spot.
"We're very familiar with him. It's not like we'll have to get used to him or anything like that. We just have to keep it going. Anytime you can have a guy like Romeo step right in with his experience, it's always good."
Crennel is known as a supreme defensive signalcaller.
A former head coach with the Kansas City Chiefs and Cleveland Browns, Crennel has coordinated defenses for the Texans, New England Patriots, Chiefs and Browns.
With the Texans two seasons ago, Crennel's defense finished ranked first overall in total defense. The Texans fell to last in the NFL in points allowed per game this past season, surrendering an NFL-high 27.3 points per game.
Crennel is known for his leadership and experience.
"It's always a passion of his," Texans two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Johnathan Joseph said. "He was right there last year. Vrabe had the title, but Romeo was there every day in the room. Obviously he has all the pelts on the wall."
Under Crennel two seasons ago, the Texans gave up 20.5 points per game to rank 11th in scoring defense.
"I'm excited about it, I love Romeo," Texans free safety Andre Hal said. "He's one of the best coaches I've ever had."
Under Vrabel, the Texans became a one-dimensional defense that lacked a consistent pass rush. Only Pro Bowl outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney consistently got after the quarterback. Without injured defensive standouts J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus, the defense took a major step back.
"We had a couple of injuries to a couple of our best players, J.J., Whitney," Hal said. "We need guys like that to be successful. They're coming back next year, so we're excited about next year."
The Texans' secondary will have continuity with Anthony Midget promoted to secondary coach from assistant secondary coach after the firing of secondary coach John Butler.
"That's big for Midget, he works really hard," Joseph said. "He brings a lot of energy. He brings guys together. It's a great opportunity for him. I'm happy for him."
Although Vrabel is gone, the Texans will be competing against him twice a year in the AFC South division.
"If you're not wearing the same color as us," Jackson said, "of course, we want to beat your brains in."