Houston Texans: 4 reasons Romeo Crennel is right coach right now
By Paul Conlon
4. Romeo Crennel’s demeanor represents Texans’ brand
In a 2018 article by the Houston Chronicle’s Aaron Wilson, Crennel has been described by various Texans coaches and players as kind-hearted, a calming influence, passionate, smart, wise, experienced, and motivating. What’s more, Crennel has been described as a coach who holds his players accountable to execute. But perhaps what sticks out the most to me, as a native Houstonian, is Crennel’s professional demeanor which embodies discipline and represents the city and team’s brand so well.
If you witnessed the infamous TMZ clip where O’Brien allegedly behaved unprofessionally by screaming at and cussing out a heckler in an arguably hostile manner at NRG Stadium in December 2019, you might notice, Romeo Crennel, within earshot of O’Brien only several paces away. Crennel appeared to ignore the heckler, holding his composure while walking to the locker room and not embarrassing the McNairs and the city of Houston.
In the video released by TMZ, former Texans standout, DeAndre Hopkins—who currently remains just six yards back from leading the NFL in receiving yards for the Cardinals—physically assists in redirecting O’Brien toward the locker room, while Crennel, exhibiting the utmost professionalism, appears to simply keep walking, refusing to enter into a verbal altercation with a heckler.
In a previous article covering the issue, I wrote that there remain mechanisms in place for on-field personnel to report abusive language or behavior emanating from fans that can ultimately lead to those individuals being asked to leave or even face prosecution. O’Brien engaging a fan was a bad look for the Texans. Additionally, with O’Brien’s team facing a deficit at the half against Denver, his time and mental energy could have been more sagely spent on strategizing for the Texans’ second half of action in a contest that Houston lost by 14 points.
Like O’Brien, Crennel is passionate. But from all accounts he embodies discipline, and will expect as much among all of his staff. In short, regardless of who might take the helm of the team going forward—Crennel or otherwise—the players will no doubt buy into the vision of a man they respect. A man who has been coaching in the NFL longer than any player on the Texans‘ roster has even been alive.