DeMeco Ryans was in high school when a coach told him if he wanted to make a career out of football, he’d have to show great energy on every single snap.

Romeo Crennel announced his retirement Monday, ending a 39-year NFL coaching career that included five Super Bowl titles.

Smith hasn't coached at the college level since he was a defensive assistant at Ohio State in 1995. HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have hired Lovie Smith as defensive coordinator, one of many new additions to first-year coach David Culley’s staff. Smith, who will also hold the title of associate head coach, coached at Illinois from 2016 until he was fired in December. The Texans also retained offensive coordinator Tim Kelly and running backs coach Danny Barrett from last year's staff. The Texans also added James Campen to coach the offensive line, Bobby King as the defensive line coach, Miles Smith to coach linebackers, Greg Jackson as safeties coach and cornerbacks coach Dino Vasso.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)HOUSTON – Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The same source who told The AP about the trade request said Watson made the request before Culley’s hire. Ad___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson speaks during a news conference following an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Jan. 12, 2020. Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga, File)HOUSTON – Star quarterback Deshaun Watson has requested a trade from the Houston Texans, a person familiar with the move told The Associated Press. The same source who told The AP about the trade request said Watson made the ask before Culley’s hire. The only other minority candidate who was hired as a head coach this offseason was the New York Jets' Robert Saleh, the league's first Muslim American head coach.

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)HOUSTON – The Houston Texans know Deshaun Watson is the quarterback they need to lead them next year and beyond. First on the list of priorities for the Texans is to hire a coach and general manager. That’s pretty obvious.”DECISIONS ON OFFENSEWhile the Texans are set with Watson, they have plenty of other decisions to make on offense. Star receiver Will Fuller is a free agent and Watson has been vocal about his desire for the Texans to re-sign him.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt leaves the field after a losing an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have been bad all season. Sunday was the third time in the past four games the Texans have had a chance to win or tie a game late but lost a fumble instead. “And in my mind, for me, he brings a high level of hope for us to be able to win a game. The Titans beat the Texans 42-36 in overtime in Week 6 behind a 212-yard rushing performance from Derrick Henry.

Houston Texans J.J. Watt sits on the bench during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)HOUSTON – Frustration boiled over for star J.J. Watt after the Houston Texans dropped their fourth straight game on Sunday. The Texans were driving after Perine’s second score when Deshaun Watson was sacked by Sam Hubbard, who forced a fumble that Margus Hunt recovered. After the game Watt, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, was asked if this was the most difficult season of his 10-year career. Watt responded with an impassioned and expletive-laced rant that lasted almost two minutes.

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans have placed running back David Johnson on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Johnson missed practice on Thursday and the report said his absence was not injury-related. On Friday morning, before Johnson was placed on the COVID-19 list, interim coach Romeo Crennel said Johnson missed practice a day earlier for a “personal issue." The 28-year-old has just 452 yards rushing this season in a year where the Texans rank last in the NFL, averaging 84.4 yards rushing a game. Johnson missed three games after suffering a concussion on Nov. 8 before returning last week in a loss to the Colts.

In 2002 the Houston Texans were an expansion team preparing for their first season and McCown had just wrapped up his college career at nearby Sam Houston State. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)HOUSTON – In 2002, the Houston Texans were an expansion team preparing for their first season and Josh McCown had just wrapped up his college career at nearby Sam Houston State. Nineteen seasons and nine teams later, the quarterback finally got his wish when he signed with the Texans this month to be their third quarterback behind Deshaun Watson and AJ McCarron. I followed it closely because it was another team in Texas,” McCown said. Since McCown has been in the NFL since the Texans became a team, it’s no surprise that at 41 he’s by far the oldest player on the team.

When the Rooney Rule was adopted by the NFL in 2003, Vincent was in his 12th of 15 seasons as an outstanding defensive back. He was soon to become the president of the NFL Players Association, an impactful position he held for four years. He was soon to become the president of the NFL Players Association, an impactful position he held for four years. Yet he knows the Rooney Rule, designed to advance opportunities for minorities in such areas as coaching and front office positions, hasn't been having the desired effect. Vincent makes note of the dozens of people who have pushed for diversity in the 17 years since the Rooney Rule was adopted.

The Houston Texans have struggled to run the ball all season long. The Texans finished with season lows of 153 yards passing and 243 total yards in their 10-7 loss to the Browns. Deshaun Watson, who entered Sunday averaging 280.8 yards passing, acknowledged that the weather conditions made things difficult on him. The Texans entered the game ranked 31st in the NFL with an average of 87.6 yards rushing per game. As bad as the Texans played offensively, they were in the game at the very end.

The Latest on Week 10 in the NFL (all times EST):___8 p.m.From Kyler Murray magic to Alex Smith’s latest milestone, it was quite the day for quarterbacks selected first in the NFL draft. The Cardinals beat Buffalo 32-30 on a 43-yard touchdown pass from Kyler Murray to DeAndre Hopkins with 2 seconds left, dropping the Bills record to 7-3. Brees was shaken up on a sack in the second quarter when Kentavius Street landed on him. 1 pick Joe Burrow, threw a 3-yard touchdown pass to Jakeem Grant with 58 seconds left in the first quarter. Cole had scored on a franchise-record 91-yard punt return in the second quarter.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Deshaun Watson might never lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars. All of them, including the team's only two wins this season, came with Watson at the helm. The Jaguars would have become the first to allow at least 30 points in seven consecutive games in a single season. Jaguars players screamed at officials as Watson snapped the ball, insisting the play clock was at zero, and Marrone was livid afterward. And that’s all I’m saying about that one.”KEY INJURIESTexans: Already down three linebackers to start the game, Houston lost another in the first quarter when Brennan Scarlett injured an arm.

“But the virus remains a constant challenge to our efforts to play this season.”___The Cincinnati Bengals closed their training facility after two players tested positive for COVID-19. Even with an off week, players had to remain in Cincinnati and are being tested for the coronavirus daily. The Bears canceled practice and closed their facility Thursday after another player tested positive. ___The Atlanta Falcons canceled practice and worked virtually Friday after a member of the football staff tested positive for COVID-19. “The whole reason we’re doing it is to get guys to the game,” coach Raheem Morris said.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) and quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (14) embrace after Tagovailoa throws his first touchdown pass during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Margaret Bowles via AP)When the Dolphins leave the oceanfront and head to the desert to play the Cardinals on Sunday, it will be about more than Tua vs. Kyler. Tua Tagovailoa, as touted as any signal caller coming out of college in years, will make his second start for Miami. Henry has eight rushing touchdowns, finding the end zone in five straight games. The Patriots will try to avoid losing five straight games for the first time since 1995.

The Houston Texans have closed their facility and will conduct all operations virtually after learning a player tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday night. The teams says the player is self-isolating and they have started contract tracing. Houston is scheduled to travel to play Jacksonville on Sunday. This positive test comes after they also had to shut down their facility during their bye last week after another player tested positive. Interim coach Romeo Crennel said that the facility underwent a deep cleaning after that test and that they resumed normal operations on Monday.

(Jose Sena Goulao, Pool via AP)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The Detroit Lions have put safety Jalen Elliott on the reserve/COVID-19 list. The list is for players who either test positive or have been in close contact with an infected person. ___UConn has suspended all men's basketball activities after a player tested positive for the coronavirus. The confirmation of a positive COVID-19 case occurs when a player receives two consecutive positive test results. He was placed on it because he had been in close contact with someone who had tested positive.

It also said there have been no positive tests “among players, coaches or staff members.”Cleveland lost 16-6 at home to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. ___The Green Bay Packers say one of their players has tested positive for COVID-19. ___The Houston Texans have had no other positive COVID-19 tests since one positive test forced their facility to close during last week’s bye week. “And I think our players are doing the right thing.”___Coach Kliff Kingsbury says the Arizona Cardinals had two unidentified positive COVID-19 tests over the weekend. ___Bayern Munich says defender Niklas Süle has tested positive for the coronavirus and is in isolation at home.

HOUSTON – Interim coach Romeo Crennel was asked what’s next for the Houston Texans after yet another loss this weekend dropped them at 1-6. Houston held the Packers to 96 yards rushing with Aaron Jones out with an injury a week after allowing a season-high 263 yards rushing in an overtime loss to Tennessee. “You are what your record says you are.”WHAT’S WORKINGQuarterback Deshaun Watson continues to make the team’s passing game the bright spot in this dismal season. He ranks second in the NFL with 2,095 yards passing and hasn’t thrown an interception in two games. Johnson managed just 42 yards rushing and lost a fumble after a reception in the fourth quarter.

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy)Cleveland receiver Odell Beckham and Washington safety Landon Collins will have more tests Monday to determine the extent of what could be season-ending injuries. Beckham injured his left knee while attempting to make a tackle after Baker Mayfield threw an interception on the team's opening pass play. Collins injured his left ankle/Achilles tendon in noncontact fashion early in the second quarter. Phillips was carted off the field early in the second quarter. — Carolina left tackle Russell Okung (calf) left in the second half against New Orleans and did not return.

On Monday, interim coach Romeo Crennel said he appreciated Watt’s sentiment, but that the loss was not on him. The Titans finished with 263 yards rushing, the most yards rushing the Texans have allowed this season. He had just 57 yards rushing against the Titans to leave the Texans ranked 31st in the NFL in yards rushing with just 85.8 a game. KEY NUMBER1 — Bradley Roby intercepted Tannehill in the fourth quarter on Sunday to give the Texans their first interception of the season. He had a season-low 15 yards rushing on Sunday in a loss to Tampa Bay, but could still challenge Houston’s struggling run defense after running for a career-high 168 yards in Week 2.

Henry took a direct snap and ran 5 yards for a touchdown 3:30 into overtime and the Titans remained undefeated, rallying to beat the Houston Texans 42-36 on Sunday. “Obviously, we all witnessed somebody taking a game over,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said of Henry. Watson's final TD pass put Houston (1-5) up 36-29 with 1:50 left, but his pass to Randall Cobb on the 2-point conversion attempt failed. Coach Romeo Crennel, in his second game since replacing the fired Bill O'Brien, said he went for the conversion in a bid to put the game out of reach. Watson answered two plays later with a 53-yard TD pass to Will Fuller for a 30-29 lead with 8:37 left.

HOUSTON – The Houston Texans finally picked up a win this weekend in their first game since coach Bill O’Brien was fired. Now the Texans are looking to build on what they did in the victory over the Jaguars with interim coach Romeo Crennel and improve this week when they are scheduled to visit the Titans. “I saw the fight during the course of the game,” Crennel said. They held the Jaguars to just 75 yards rushing after entering the game allowing 181.8 yards a game. He has 319 yards rushing in just three games and ran for 211 yards in his previous game against Houston.

Deshaun Watson threw for a season-high 359 yards and three touchdowns in a 30-14 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was recovered by Whitney Mercilus, who fumbled on the return, but the Texans pounced on the ball to keep it. Houston (1-4) pushed the lead to 30-14 when Watson found Brandin Cooks on a 28-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-4 with about five minutes remaining. The Texans were able to overcome two interceptions by Watson by taking advantage of two fumbles by the Jaguars. EJECTEDFor the second week in a row a player was ejected for targeting after a hit on a Texans player.

HOUSTON – The Bill O’Brien era is over in Houston, and now it’s up to Romeo Crennel to help the Texans try to turn around this dreadful season. Along with improving their mindset, Crennel believes the biggest problem for the Texans this season has been inconsistency, something he’s focused on improving this week. Then we look bad.”“My goal is to try to get us to look good on a more consistent basis,” he said. But he believes the winless Texans will have a chip on their shoulders in the wake of O’Brien’s firing. STOPPING THE RUNIf the Texans hope to get a win on Sunday, they’ll have to find a way to stop the run.