HOUSTON – Assistant offensive line coach Cole Popovich will remain with the Texans under a revamped contract, according to league sources.
Popovich had options with other teams, including the Washington Commanders’ offensive line coaching job he interviewed in person for with new coach Dan Quinn, according to league sources.
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Popovich drew praise from the Texans’ offensive linemen this season for his work in tandem with offensive line coach Chris Strausser as the Texans improved to 12th in total offense under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik after ranking 31st a year ago and quarterback C.J. Stroud was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. Strausser also will remain with the Texans, per sources, for a second season after the former Indianapolis Colts offensive line coach was hired last year,
The Texans want to upgrade the running game, which finished 22nd overall during the regular season and struggled in a playoff loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Devin Singletary, who’s an unrestricted free agent, led the team with 898 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
“Yeah, I think the running game will be significant for us to improve upon,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I think as you see as you go throughout this game, especially in the postseason, teams that win games, you’ve got to be able to run the football and sustain it. And we weren’t able to accomplish that versus the Ravens, and it showed up. So, we have areas to improve, many different areas, but the run game is one of those areas, for sure.”
Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil was named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth time and the Texans overcame multiple injuries and line configuration changes while winning the AFC South division title and winning a wild-card playoff game over the Cleveland Browns.
Popovich was previously an offensive line coach at Troy University and is a former New England Patriots co-offensive line coach.
“Great coach, great man,” a league source said of Popovich when he was hired by the Texans.
Popovich was hired by Troy two years ago.
Popovich, 38, is a former Patriots assistant running backs coach and coaching assistant who has also coached at the college level.
During Popovich’s season assisting with the running backs, Sony Michel rushed for 912 yards as the Patriots finished with a 12-4 record and won the AFC East. He helped coach the Patriots to a top-10 offense in four of his first five NFL seasons.
He coached at Minot State as an offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator and at Utah State, Fresno City College and Los Angeles Valley College.
He earned two Super Bowl rings with the Patriots.
He was a four-year starting offensive guard at Fresno State and a former freshman All-American.
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com