HOUSTON – The Texans are promoting Cole Popovich to run game coordinator and head offensive line coach from assistant offensive line coach, according to league sources.
Popovich’s contract was expiring this offseason and now he’s back with the defending AFC South champions after they hired Nick Caley as offensive coordinator. Popovich and Caley were assistant coaches on Super Bowl winning staffs with the New England Patriots under coach Bill Belichick.
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Popovich’s primary tasks for next season will be upgrading the pass protection issues that the team dealt with last season as quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times, up from 38 sacks when he was NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year two seasons ago. The Texans dismissed offensive line coach Chris Strausser after the season, per sources.
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The running game should be a strength for the Texans with the return of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, who rushed for 1,016 yards and 11 touchdowns during his first season in Houston after a trade from the Cincinnati Bengals last year and was signed to a three-year, $27 million contract extension.
Popovich drew praise from Texans’ offensive linemen in his first season in Houston when the Texans improved to 12th in total offense after ranking 31st in 2022.
Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil was named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth time last season. The Texans are expected to address the offensive line in terms of protection and run blocking schemes as well as personnel this offseason.
Popovich was previously an offensive line coach at Troy University and is a former 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 three years ago.
Popovich, 39, 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 in New England, 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 previously at Utah State, Fresno City College and Los Angeles Valley College.
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