The overhaul has begun.
No sooner has the season ended for the Houston Texans and the personnel changes have begun.
The changes have already begun in key offensive positions including offensive coordinator and offensive line coach.
If you did not know already, offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik is out of Houston. In only his second year in the rolem Slowik finds himself out of a job and that comes as no surprise to most fans.
Slowik failed to build on last years success and his appeared inability to make adjustments in games and also not really modifying his schemes from last year left the Houston Texans offense toothless this season.
Many names are in the hunt including Los Angeles Rams tight end coach Nick Caley, Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, Minnesota Vikings quarterback coach Josh McCown and Texans’ own Jerrod Johnson.
Other names to hit the chopping block have been offensive line coach Chris Strausser, another second year man who considered retirement before the start of last season. Poor form all year by the very expensive Texans line has led to changes at this coaching position also.
Cole Popovich, the assistant offensive line coach, was at one point a favoured successor to Strausser, be he now also finds himself fired from his role. DeMeco Ryans and the Texans must have believed a complete overhaul was due and really who could blame them?
The return has been poor and a change of direction in coaching may be only the first steps to getting a solid line to protect franchise quarterback C.J. Stroud.
Team president parts ways
A move that has already happened and came as somewhat of a shock to me was the amicable parting of ways with team president Greg Grissom.
Greg has been with the team since the inaugural season in 2002. He joined the team as a corporate sales manager and rose through the ranks, holding roles such as director and vice president in the corporate development field.
It was not until 2021 when he was promoted to team president which he held up until this week. Greg was held in high regard by colleagues, players, media and fans alike. He has spent almost 25 years with the team and he felt that now was the right time to chase other opportunities and challenges.
I know from personal interactions with Greg that he was a genuinely nice guy who when he seen you on a game day made the effort to come over and chat and make sure your day was going great and offered any help to improve your experience.
One thing that always stood out was he always remembered my name which I thought was a really nice touch from a classy guy.
I wish Greg all the best in whatever the next chapter holds and thank you for the memories.
The Texans were swift to find his replacement and that man is Mike Tomon.
Tomon comes in with a wealth of experience as Co-President & COO of Legends.
He is highly skilled in managing food, beverage, merchandise, retail and stadium operations around the world. We may see a new look to how the Texans conduct business in those realms online and in stadium.
There have even been rumblings of a major update to NRG Stadium and even a replacement with Tomon coming in. Let’s watch this space!
