Playmakers wanted: Defending champ Alabama replacing stars
Saban and Alabama opened spring practice Friday, March 19, 2021l with an immediate goal. For now, they need to find replacements for three of college football's top offensive weapons. Patterson, File)Nick Saban and Alabama opened spring practice Friday with an immediate goal. He also didn't get a spring practice last year because of the pandemic. The Crimson Tide holds its spring game on April 17 and opens the regular season against Miami on Sept. 4 in Atlanta.
Worst to first: Alabama hires Doug Marrone as assistant
Saban announced Monday the hiring of ex-Jacksonville Jaguars and Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone to coach the offensive line. Marrone spent four years leading the Jaguars, taking them to the AFC Championship Game in the 2017 season. “He knows our new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien well and will do a fantastic job with our offensive line," Saban said. "He has extensive experience as not only an offensive line coach, but also as a head coach at Syracuse and in the NFL with Buffalo and Jacksonville. “Doug has an excellent track record for recruiting and developing players.”Before heading to the NFL, Marrone was head coach at his alma mater Syracuse for four seasons (2009-12).
Bama hires ex-Texans coach O'Brien as offensive coordinator
FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2020, file photo, Houston Texans coach Bill O'Brien watches during an NFL football training camp in Houston. Alabama has hired former Texans coach O'Brien as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – National champion Alabama has hired former Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. O'Brien also served as offensive coordinator for the Nittany Lions and won national coach of the year honors after going 8-4 in 2012. A 28-year coaching veteran and former Brown defensive player, O'Brien was also offensive coordinator at Duke.
Texans fire coach Bill O’Brien after 0-4 start
Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien, center, gives signals from the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)HOUSTON – The Houston Texans had faith that coach Bill O'Brien was the man to lead them to their first championship. O'Brien repeatedly thanked the McNair family for the chance to coach the Texans and apologized for falling below their expectations. Romeo Crennel, who was the team's assistant head coach, will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season. I think football is the ultimate team game, so I really there’s no doubt in my mind that I want to coach again."
Texans-Chiefs set to kick off NFL season unlike any other
Fans watch the Kansas City Chiefs during NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo. Chiefs coach Andy Reid no longer carries around the heavy and ignominious tag of best coach never to win a championship. This is the best opportunity you can have to start the season.That contract extension is the second largest in NFL history. Very, very dynamic players, Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. They also will miss cornerback Bashaud Breeland and defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who are suspended for the start of the season.
Watson agrees to 4-year, $160 million extension with Texans
Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) laughs with running back Duke Johnson (25) on the sidelines during NFL football training camp Thursday, Aug. 27, 2020, in Houston. (Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via AP, Pool)HOUSTON Deshaun Watson has agreed to a four-year, $160 million contract extension with the Houston Texans. As a child growing up in Georgia, it was always my dream to play in the NFL, Watson wrote in the post. In his post Watson thanked Texans coach and general manager Bill O'Brien and many members of the team's staff as well as his mother and other family members before sending a message to Texans fans. Now back to the work ..."Houston traded up to select Watson with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 draft.