After a tough Divisional Round exit, the Houston Texans are shaking up their coaching staff in a bold move spearheaded by head coach DeMeco Ryans. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and offensive line coach Chris Strausser were both let go, following a season plagued by offensive struggles—slow play-calling and a shocking number of sacks, including eight in their loss to Kansas City.
While the offensive line was a problem, all eyes are now on the search for a new offensive coordinator. With the Texans boasting considerable talent, Ryans knows that getting this decision right is crucial for the team’s future. To make sure he lands the perfect candidate, Ryans has been casting a wide net in his search.
One of the first candidates to emerge was Chip Kelly, fresh off a National Championship win as Ohio State’s offensive coordinator. Though Kelly hasn’t interviewed yet, the Texans have already met with Syracuse offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon, who’s generating buzz after a breakout season leading Syracuse’s offense.
Nixon isn’t a stranger to the NFL, having coached for several teams, including the New York Giants as their running back coach in 2023. Prior to that, he was the interim offensive coordinator for the Carolina Panthers in 2021 and their assistant head coach in 2022.
In addition to Nixon, the Texans have interviewed their own quarterbacks coach, Jerrod Johnson, who’s been a hot target for other teams around the league.
With no clear frontrunner yet, it’s evident that Ryans is committed to casting a wide net to find the right offensive leader for the Texans’ bright future.
