Crennel on retirement: 'Football has been my entire life and it's been a dream come true to coach for 50 years'

The Houston Texans have announced the retirement of its senior advisor for football performance and former coach, Romeo Crennel, a team-issued press release said.

Crennel, who turns 75 on June 18, walks away from a coaching career that spanned 50 years, with 39 of those years patrolling the NFL sidelines. 

"Football has been my entire life and it's been a dream come true to coach for 50 years," he said, per the release. "There are so many friends to thank who have helped me and supported me throughout my career."

According to the franchise, Crennel came to Houston in 2014 with a résumé that included five Super Bowl victories and 17 playoff berths, taking on the role of defensive coordinator (DC) under then-head coach Bill O'Brien.

In 2016, which was Crennel's last as DC, he helped the Texans become one of the top defenses in the National Football League (NFL) that season.

Crennel has also served as the Texans' assistant head coach from 2017 to 2019, as well as its associate and interim head coach in 2020, the release said.

Texans CEO Cal McNair congratulated Crennel on what he called a "historic coaching career."

"After 50 seasons, Romeo retires as one of the most respected figures in NFL history," McNair said in the release. "His incredible resume and contributions to the game of football will be difficult to duplicate."

According to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU, some of the accolades Crennel earned throughout his lengthy coaching career included the Pro Football Writers of America's (PFWA) Paul "Dr. Z" Zimmerman Award for 2020 and the PFWA's NFL Assistant Coach of the Year for 2003.

Arizona Cardinals defensive end J.J. Watt, who starred for the Texans from 2011 to 2020, saluted his former mentor on social media.

"Absolute legend of the game and even better man," Watt tweeted.