Houston Texans Coaching Changes: Several Assistants Will Not Be Back

Houston Texans head coach Bill O’Brien wasn’t among the coaches axed on “Black Monday,” but his coaching staff won’t remain intact for the 2018 season.

Special teams coordinator Larry Izzo, along with assistant special teams coordinator Doug Colman will not return. Secondary coach John Butler, running coach Charles London, and Director of Football Research Jim Bernhardt are also done in Houston.

Izzo and Colman both joined the Texans’ staff in 2016 after Houston fired special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky.

Izzo, 43, was named special teams coordinator in 2016 after holding the position of assistant special teams coordinator for four seasons (2011-15) with the New York Giants. Izzo, a local product from The Woodlands High School and Rice University, played 13 seasons in the NFL.

Houston finished 28th in kick return yards (558 yards) and 12th (296) in punt return yards in 2017. The Texans finished dead last in punt return yards allowed in 2017 (608) and the highest average yards per return (12.4).

The Texans’ special team units continue to be among the worst in the NFL during Bill O’Brien’s tenure. Izzo was supposed to be an upgrade from Bob Ligashesky, who served the Texans’ special teams coordinator from 2013-2015. But Izzo wasn’t an improvement over Ligashesky.

Butler and London joined the Texans with O’Brien after coaching at Penn State for two seasons. Butler served as the Nittany Lions’ defensive coordinator in 2013, while London was the running backs coach and recruiting coordinator.

Bernhardt assisted O’Brien in all aspects of game preparation, management, and review both on and off the field in his four seasons with the Texans.

Good luck to all of them as they move on from Houston.