Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans kept another member of his staff who was being pursued by another team.
Texans assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich will return to Houston on a new contract, according to KPRC 2’s Aaron Wilson. Popovich reportedly interviewed with the Washington Commanders this past week after one year with the Texans.
Popovich is the third coach Houston retained with a reworked deal. Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson both received new contracts to return to the Texans after being heavily courted by other teams. Linebackers coach Chris Kiffin also interviewed for the Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator job before Anthony Weaver was named and should now return to the team.
Houston didn’t keep all its coaches, though. Shane Day, the Texans’ senior offensive assistant in 2023, left to become the quarterbacks coach with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024.
Popovich will work once again with offensive line coach Chris Strausser. Their unit finished with a Pro Bowl tackle in Laremy Tunsil and played well despite major injuries across the position.