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Texans New Coaching Staff

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
The Texans made several other moves. [besides Kelly to OC]

That included hiring Carl Smith as quarterbacks coach. He replaces Sean Ryan, who now coaches the Detroit Lions' quarterbacks.

Smith was previously the Seattle Seahawks quarterbacks coach, working with Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson. He is the father of Tracy Smith, the Texans' assistant special teams coordinator.

The Texans promoted offensive assistant Will Lawing to tight ends coach.

Former Texans quarterback T.J. Yates has been named an offensive assistant as well as John Ayward.

Former Texans inside linebacker Akeem Dent has been hired as a defensive assistant.

The Texans hired Mike Eubanks as strength and conditioning coach and named former Texans Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Cushing as assistant strength and conditioning coach along with Joe Distor and Jason George.

The Texans hired former New York Jets executive Clay Hampton as director of football operations, shifting Doug West to assistant to the head coach.


Retired Pro Bowl wide receiver Wes Welker, who interviewed with the 49ers and Packers is no longer listed on the Texans' coaching staff.

•••

2019 TEXANS STAFF


The Texans' assistant coaches and football operations staff for the 2019 season:

OFFENSE
Tim Kelly, offensive coordinator
John Aylward, offensive assistant
Danny Barrett, running backs
Mike Devlin, offensive line
Will Lawing, tight ends
John Perry, wide receivers
Carl Smith, quarterbacks
T.J. Yates, offensive assistant

DEFENSE
Romeo Crennel, assistant head coach/defensive coordinator
Akeem Dent, defensive assistant
Bobby King, inside linebackers
D'Anton Lynn, assistant secondary
Anthony Midget, secondary
Matt O'Donnell, defensive assistant
John Pagano, senior defensive assistant/outside linebackers
Anthony Weaver, defensive line


SPECIAL TEAMS
Brad Seely, special teams coordinator
Tracy Smith, assistant special teams coordinator

STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Mike Eubanks, head strength & conditioning
Brian Cushing, assistant strength & conditioning
Joe Distor, assistant strength & conditioning
Jason George, assistant strength & conditioning/sports science coordinator
Billy Voltaire, assistant strength & conditioning/performance therapist

FOOTBALL OPERATIONS
Clay Hampton, director of football operations
Doug West, assistant to the head coach

LINK
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Carl Smith has been with Pete Carol forever..........he developed Drew Bledsoe............and made Wilson who he is today.

Our new head strength and conditioning coach has been 2nd in command from our previous Denver coach forever.

Welker is now 49ers WR coach.
 

Thorn

Dirty Old Man
I don't know why, but for some reason I like having Yates on the coaching staff. Now if they really want to impress me bring on Arian Foster so he can teach every one how to properly bow after a TD.
 

Mangler

Toro de España
I don't know why, but for some reason I like having Yates on the coaching staff. Now if they really want to impress me bring on Arian Foster so he can teach every one how to properly bow after a TD.
Can’t be bad to get advice from a former QB over some loser that got the QB Coaching job just because he’s the head coach’s buddy. TJ Yates, along with Carl Smith are pretty dang good additions to the offensive side. Something tells me we’re adding a little bit of West Coast to our boring playbook. Something Watson will more than likely thrive in...
 

CloakNNNdagger

Hall of Fame
Can’t be bad to get advice from a former QB over some loser that got the QB Coaching job just because he’s the head coach’s buddy. TJ Yates, along with Carl Smith are pretty dang good additions to the offensive side. Something tells me we’re adding a little bit of West Coast to our boring playbook. Something Watson will more than likely thrive in...
Carl Smith worked with Russell Wilson to learn how to stay in the pocket and maintain his accuracy. The problem is that a lot of so-called dual threats coming into the League like Wilson and Watson, don't develop as passers, and eventually end up not really being a "dual" threat at all because they become too predictable. A lot of the time they can supposedly pass and run.............but can really only run once opposing coaches get the film on them. If Watson is willing and capable, Smith will get him to play from the pocket, except only when there is significant advantage to leave it..........and that will be a noteworthy positive.



@NFLMatchup
The best Quarterbacks out there play at a high level INSIDE THE POCKET. Regardless of offensive philosophy, it is the standard. Here are the highest-rated (still playing) QBs this season! #ChiefsKingdom #LARams #GoSaints #GoPats #Seahawks #HTTR #OnePride #Chargers #Bucs #Skol


9:49 AM - 29 Dec 2017
 
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Mangler

Toro de España
Carl Smith worked with Russell Wilson to learn how to stay in the pocket and maintain his accuracy. The problem is that a lot of so-called dual threats coming into the League like Wilson and Watson, don't develop as passers, and eventually end up not really being a "dual" threat at all because they become too predictable. A lot of the time they can supposedly pass and run.............but can really only run once opposing coaches get the film on them. If Watson is willing and capable, Smith will get him to play from the pocket, except only when there is significant advantage to leave it..........and that will be a noteworthy positive.



@NFLMatchup
The best Quarterbacks out there play at a high level INSIDE THE POCKET. Regardless of offensive philosophy, it is the standard. Here are the highest-rated (still playing) QBs this season! #ChiefsKingdom #LARams #GoSaints #GoPats #Seahawks #HTTR #OnePride #Chargers #Bucs #Skol


9:49 AM - 29 Dec 2017
Well, O’Brien himself has stated that Watson is open and willing to be taught. I see Carl Smith being a huge positive!
 

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
What to make? Hmm, what do all these new hires have in common? NONE are a threat to replace OB? That’s all I got.
That statement doesn't make any sense. Nobody they hired at all would be a "threat to replace OB" anyway. Unless a team does a mid-season change, which I always find to be a huge gamble, they usually go outside of house when replacing a HC. Plus these are suppose to be specialty coaches not necessarily HC material anyway. Other than the OC hire, who I'm unsure of but willing to give a chance, all the rest have a good background for what they were hired for. I'm particularly excited about the Carl Smith hire and hope he can do for Watson what he did for Wilson.
 

DBCooper

Outlaw
Contributor's Club
Carl Smith worked with Russell Wilson to learn how to stay in the pocket and maintain his accuracy. The problem is that a lot of so-called dual threats coming into the League like Wilson and Watson, don't develop as passers, and eventually end up not really being a "dual" threat at all because they become too predictable. A lot of the time they can supposedly pass and run.............but can really only run once opposing coaches get the film on them. If Watson is willing and capable, Smith will get him to play from the pocket, except only when there is significant advantage to leave it..........and that will be a noteworthy positive.



@NFLMatchup
The best Quarterbacks out there play at a high level INSIDE THE POCKET. Regardless of offensive philosophy, it is the standard. Here are the highest-rated (still playing) QBs this season! #ChiefsKingdom #LARams #GoSaints #GoPats #Seahawks #HTTR #OnePride #Chargers #Bucs #Skol


9:49 AM - 29 Dec 2017
What if there is no pocket?
 

DBCooper

Outlaw
Contributor's Club
Smith can try to help Watson learn to effectively recognize potential breakdowns quickly (improve reading defenses, calling protections and recognizing blitzes).........and learn to immediately react to the potential breakdowns with the least potentially damaging option.
Let’s hope.
 

zshawn10

All Pro
Bill O’Brien said that TJ Yates kept in touch with him all of last season in text messages and phone calls. Called Yates position on the coaching staff an entry level position. #Texans

— patrick (@PatDStat) February 5, 2019


Akeem Dent worked at Colorado State last season for no pay. Expressed to OB he wanted to coach but didn’t have a spot open last season. This year they do and now he will help on the defensive side of the football. #Texans

— patrick (@PatDStat) February 5, 2019


Brian Cushing will be an assistant with the strength and conditioning and will also help J.J. Moses with player development, mainly working with the rookies. #Texans

— patrick (@PatDStat) February 5, 2019


#Texans also hired Joe Distor as an assistant strength and conditioning coach. He was with the #Bears last season.

— patrick (@PatDStat) February 6, 2019
 

JamTex

Hall Of Fame Texans Fan!
Smith can try to help Watson learn to effectively recognize potential breakdowns quickly (improve reading defenses, calling protections and recognizing blitzes).........and learn to immediately react to the potential breakdowns with the least potentially damaging option.
The Smith hire was a really good one. Tim Kelly could benefit from having him on his offensive staff and he could learn a great deal very quickly. Adding Yates and Dent to the coaching staff could be good too. This staff (except Devlin) looks very promising. Even Devlin might be better with Smith coming on board. Still would have liked to see Devlin gone and a better line coach brought in.
 

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
The Smith hire was a really good one. Tim Kelly could benefit from having him on his offensive staff and he could learn a great deal very quickly. Adding Yates and Hunt to the coaching staff could be good too. This staff (except Devlin) looks very promising. Even Devlin might be better with Smith coming on board. Still would have liked to see Devlin gone and a better line coach brought in.
Who?
 

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
I meant Dent. My spell check changed it. I corrected it after I saw the mistake. He was a linebacker for the Texans. He's a very smart guy and should make a good coach.
Dent to Hunt... okay?
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
I like the Carl Smith hire, people have been comparing Watson to Wilson since game one so why not get the coach that made Wilson what he is. Plus I think Watson has a higher ceiling than Wilson so I think this will be a good match.
Agreed, but disagree about Watson having a higher ceiling than Wilson. We can only hope Watson's career turns out as good as Wilson's has.
 

JB

Innocent Bystander
Contributor's Club
Depending his auto-correct system, it take a popular name and assume that is what is meant. Akeem Hunt has been very popular over the last few months versus Akeem Dent not at all.
FIFY

Yes, but he didn't type Akeem at all
 

cuppacoffee

Resident Grouch

maverick512000

Hall of Fame
Agreed, but disagree about Watson having a higher ceiling than Wilson. We can only hope Watson's career turns out as good as Wilson's has.
Wilson has had a great career but he has also had some great talent around him as well. This year Watson became the first player to pass for 4k+ yards, 25 touchdowns, rush for 500+yards and 5 scores. All this behind a less than talented O line, TEs that spent more time blocking than catching and with Fuller and then Coutee down on injury. Don't get me wrong, Nuk having hands made out of glue helped a lot but still that's insane considering that this was his first, full 16 game season. That's why I say he has a higher ceiling.
 

disaacks3

Moderator
Staff member
A great in-depth review of the makeup and background of our new coaching staff.


What to make of the Texans' coaching staff changes
Aaron Wilson , Houston Chronicle Feb. 5, 2019 Updated: Feb. 5, 2019 7:08 p.m.
I read it and came to the same conclusions as before. We're either giving another O'Brien hanger-on a shot at being an OC for the 1st time (at an NFL level no less), or he's there for window dressing. Neither option seems all that appealing.

The rest of the staff changes look meh (Yates) to good (Smith).
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Wilson has had a great career but he has also had some great talent around him as well. This year Watson became the first player to pass for 4k+ yards, 25 touchdowns, rush for 500+yards and 5 scores. All this behind a less than talented O line, TEs that spent more time blocking than catching and with Fuller and then Coutee down on injury. Don't get me wrong, Nuk having hands made out of glue helped a lot but still that's insane considering that this was his first, full 16 game season. That's why I say he has a higher ceiling.
Hope you are right.

It's not like Wilson has been playing with a stellar OL. There is a reason the Hawks traded for DB.
 

Mangler

Toro de España
He did it with Wilson.If he doesn't do it with Watson then that's on Watson.
Well, not really. The Seahawks run an easier offensive scheme than our “Learning China Backwards” offense that is so complicated even O’Brien doesn’t even know it. Unless the Texans incorporate a little bit of West Coast to whatever the hell it is they’re supposed to be running, then I don’t think it’s fair to compare the two, or measure them up side by side.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
Well, not really. The Seahawks run an easier offensive scheme than our “Learning China Backwards” offense that is so complicated even O’Brien doesn’t even know it. Unless the Texans incorporate a little bit of West Coast to whatever the hell it is they’re supposed to be running, then I don’t think it’s fair to compare the two, or measure them up side by side.
Already making excuses before Smith has even coached Watson.

Good job

Is everything that could possibly go wrong with the Texans including player performance/Draft/FA/injuries etc.... BOB's fault in your eyes? Because if this is the case you are being very myopic.
 

Earl34

Hall of Fame
After hiring Carl Smith, I feel much better about an inexperienced Kelly as OC.

He's brings years of NFL experience to the job and because he has no interest in being OC or HC, he will not be seen as a threat while adding input to their collaborative game planning sessions.
 
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OptimisticTexan

2024 / Rebuilding Block 4 After Playoffs / Texans
Already making excuses before Smith has even coached Watson.

Good job

Is everything that could possibly go wrong with the Texans including player performance/Draft/FA/injuries etc.... BOB's fault in your eyes? Because if this is the case you are being very myopic.
OB is going to get the share of the blame while he insists on wearing 2 of 3 primary hats. He wants to be the HC and OC. When the team fails, it's the HC that takes the blame.....when the team fails due to a poor offensive performance.....it's the HC and OC who take the blame.

Some leaders micro-manage until they fail. Some leaders successfully trust the leaders they surround themselves with. Great HC's have a great coaching tree with a lineage of success. OB needs to get better offensive coaches or he's going to fail due to his pride and insecurity.
 

AcresHomesTexan

No Longer Arlington: Escaped From Jerry's World
Staff member
Author must be an idjit
So let me follow here, collaborative play-calling does not mean that three dudes are playing rock, paper, scissors between each down during live action.
 
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Max

Veteran
Probably a committee meeting before selecting the play and have Cal intervene if they can't reach a consensus. But I'm still blaming Ricky if the play doesn't work.
 

Max

Veteran
Plays that work are BOB plays. Plays that don't work are up to debate over which person selected them or it's also a possibility that the players just didn't execute.
 

DBCooper

Outlaw
Contributor's Club
What is your take on Welkers departure? Sorry if you have given your opinion and I missed it.

Promotion or lateral move? I though he did a good job with the slot guys.

Too bad they couldn't stay healthy.

:coffee:
Maybe he got bored teaching those creative routes O’Brien runs.
 

steelbtexan

King of the W. B. Club
Contributor's Club
OB is going to get the share of the blame while he insists on wearing 2 of 3 primary hats. He wants to be the HC and OC. When the team fails, it's the HC that takes the blame.....when the team fails due to a poor offensive performance.....it's the HC and OC who take the blame.

Some leaders micro-manage until they fail. Some leaders successfully trust the leaders they surround themselves with. Great HC's have a great coaching tree with a lineage of success. OB needs to get better offensive coaches or he's going to fail due to his pride and insecurity.
Jimmy Johnson and BB's coaching trees would disagree with this statement. Unless you think BOB is doing a great job.

Lol
 

cuppacoffee

Resident Grouch
Welker wanted to be a WR coach. The Texans were happy with the development of their WRs under the existing WR coach.
Sure wish he would have stayed with the Texans.

Can't blame a guy though for accepting a promotion and leaving.

I do like the way our coaching staff has become a blend of experience and trainees.

:coffee:
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Jimmy Johnson and BB's coaching trees would disagree with this statement. Unless you think BOB is doing a great job.

Lol
There are a lot more coaching trees out there than those two. Bill Walsh and Bill Parcells would agree. Unless you think BB and Mike Shannahan didn't do very good jobs. There's so much luck involved with whether or not a coach pans out, it isn't funny.
 

DocBar

Hall of Fame
Contributor's Club
Sure wish he would have stayed with the Texans.

Can't blame a guy though for accepting a promotion and leaving.

I do like the way our coaching staff has become a blend of experience and trainees.

:coffee:
Welker made a lateral change, not accepting a promotion. Same for the QB coach.
 

cuppacoffee

Resident Grouch
Welker made a lateral change, not accepting a promotion. Same for the QB coach.
Thanks DocB

So he didn't get a WR coaching position.. Just changed teams. Guess he just wasn't happy here.

I had read this article after my inquiry to cnnd "Former Houston Texans offensive assistant Wes Welker will be leaving to the San Francisco 49ers to become their wide receiver coach according to reports." - John McClain.

That's why I thought he left for a promotion.

Chances are he will learn a lot more about the passing game in SF as opposed to here. Should help his resume'.

I wasn't too concerned with the QB coach change. Actually just the opposite.

:coffee:
 

zshawn10

All Pro
Landry Locker

✔@LandryLocker

https://twitter.com/LandryLocker/status/1093679734511284224

ICYMI- Bobby Hebert, who played for #Texans new QB coach Carl Smith, talks about Smith’s philosophies that will help Deshaun Watson and the o-line. https://sportsradio610.radio.com/media/audio-channel/bobby-hebert-why-carl-smith-will-help-deshaun-watson …

https://twitter.com/intent/like?tweet_id=1093679734511284224

7:15 PM - Feb 7, 2019
  • Went from being the most sacked to one of the least
  • Made him get the ball out fast
  • QB can make the offensive line better
 
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