Former Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator and head coach Romeo Crennel has announced his retirement from the NFL after 50 years of coaching and 39 years in the league.
“Football has been my entire life and it’s been a dream come true to coach for 50 years,” said Crennel. “There are so many friends to thank who have helped me and supported me throughout my career. I especially want to thank the fans and owners of the New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans for allowing me to contribute to the game that I have loved so much for so long. I’ll miss everything about coaching and teaching, but the thing I’ll miss the most is being around the guys every day. My goal was to put every player and coach in the best position to succeed and I consider every guy I coached or worked with a part of my family. I would also want to thank my wife Rosemary and my three daughters, Lisa, Tiffany and Kristine, for all of their support over the years. Because of their love and selflessness, I have been able to live out my dream. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to spend more time with my grandchildren while staying around the game of football.”
Crennel was hired by Todd Haley and Scott Pioli to serve as defensive coordinator in Kansas City starting in 2010. This came after Crennel took some time off following his stint as head coach with the Cleveland Browns. He served that role for two seasons, eventually taking over as interim head coach after Haley was let go during the 2011 season.
Crennel would be named full-time head coach following the conclusion of the 2011 season. He only managed a 4-15 record throughout his time as head coach in Kansas City, but will always be remembered for upsetting the undefeated Green Bay Packers in 2011. In that game, he coached a Kyle Orton-quarterbacked Chiefs team to an improbable 19-14 victory over the Packers.
Crennel most recently spent 2014-2021 with the Houston Texans, serving in a number of different roles on the defensive coaching staff and also as an interim head coach in 2020.
