• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Cleveland Daily

Cleveland Sports News, Rumors & Highlights

  • Home
  • Guardians News
  • Cavs News
  • Browns News
  • Newsletter
  • Contact
  • About

3 Things To Know About Romeo Crennel’s Career

By Spencer Richardson June 7, 2022

Defensive coordinator Romeo Crenne of the Houston Texans waits in the bench area during their game against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium on August 22, 2015 in Houston, Texas.
(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

 

Longtime NFL coach Romeo Crennel announced his retirement from football on Monday.

The former Browns defensive coordinator and head coach was a mainstay of professional football over the course of his lengthy (more on that to come) career.

Crennel served as a head coach for 95 NFL games over the course of a career that began back in Ronald Reagan’s first term (1981).

Six Presidents and many teams later (more on that to come), Crennel is finally hanging up the clipboard.

Here are three things to know about the former Browns coach:

 

1. Oldest Head Coach In History

The last head coaching gig Crennel received was not a permanent one.

Back in October 2020, the Houston Texans fired Bill O’Brien after an 0-4 start to the season.

In O’Brien’s place, the Texans elevated Crennel to interim head coach.

The following weekend, in a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Crennel became the oldest head coach in NFL history.

Crennel took the honors from former Chicago Bears owner and coach George Halas, a pioneer of football from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Like Halas, Crennel’s career in the NFL spanned some four decades.

Crennel also has the honor of being the first Black head coach in Texans history and the first non-interim Black head coach in Browns history.

 

 

2. Coaching Tree of Knowledge

Crennel was coaching in the NFL back in the 80s.

Meaning he’s had the chance to work with some of pro football’s legends.

Including two of the most prolific head coaches in NFL history: Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick.

Crennel was an assistant to Parcells with the Patriots, Jets, and Giants.

He served under Belichick from 2001 to 2004 with the Patriots.

You might think Crennel learned a thing or two about being a head coach from the Big Bills.

Not so much.

In his 95-game career as head coach, Crennel went 32-63, or .337.

But Crennel was an excellent assistant coach.

With the Texans, Crennel developed the league’s best defense in the 2019-20 season.

In addition, Crennel appeared in five Super Bowls, all as an assistant.

Also to his credit, Crennel has established his own coaching tree.

Two current head coaches, Nick Sirriani of the Eagles and Brian Daboll of the Giants, worked under Crennel.

I was a huge Romeo Crennel fan and wanted it to work out with him so bad when he was in Cleveland. Used to listen to his weekly radio interview and he was such a likable guy, I couldn't help but root for him. Wishing him well in retirement.

— Ken Carman (@KenCarman) June 6, 2022

In his first season in Philadelphia, Sirriani took an expected rebuilding Eagles team to the playoffs.

And Brian Daboll had no shortage of suitors after developing an electric offense in Buffalo.

Oh and don’t forget Michigan State’s Mel Tucker, who led the Spartans to a strong season in 2021.

So it seems Crennel has left the league in a better place than he found it.

 

3. Coaching The Browns Was His Peak

Despite all that experience, Crennel’s head coaching peak actually came with the Cleveland Browns.

It was the only time in his career that Crennel led a team to more than seven wins.

Coincidentally, it was also something of Cleveland’s peak for over a decade.

In 2007, Crennel led Cleveland to a 10-6 record, good enough for second in the AFC North.

It was the last time Browns fans would taste a .500 or better record for some time.

The following season, 2008-09, Crennel’s Browns went a weak 4-12 (he was fired).

Then, over the next 11 seasons, the Browns would win more than six games just twice (2014-15; 2018-19).

The nadir came in a two-year stretch between 2016-17 and 2017-18, where the Browns won a combined one game.

But hey, at least they were able to draft a quarterback to lead them out of the funk.

Yes and no.

They did draft Baker Mayfield, who inaugurated the most successful Browns run since Crennel’s 10-6 season.

But the team is now trying to cut bait with Mayfield after trading for Deshaun Watson.

Love Romeo Crennel. Everything that is good about coaching. Congrats on a tremendous career. https://t.co/lBhZB1nD1W

— Dan Roche (@RochieWBZ) June 7, 2022

And Mayfield was one of a number of quarterbacks the Browns brought in to change the losing ways.

That list includes. . . *clears throat* Mayfield, Johnny Manziel, DeShone Kizer, Colt McCoy, Brandon Weeden, Seneca Wallace, Bryan Hoyer, Josh McCown, Cody Kessler, and Robert Griffin III.

But before the latest iteration of the Browns, Crennel was the team’s peak.

It just so happened to also be a professional peak.

    Get ALL the latest Cleveland sports news straight to your inbox! Subscribe to the Cleveland daily newsletter here!    

Filed Under: Cleveland Browns Rumors And News Tagged With: cleveland browns

Reader Interactions

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Cleveland Browns News

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

NFL World Reacts To Deshaun Watson Suspension Settlement

7 months ago

A Cleveland Browns helmet lays in the end zone before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 21, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens defeat the Browns 23-21.

3 Browns Make The NFL's Initial Top-100 Release

7 months ago

The helmet of Damarious Randall #23 of the Cleveland Browns is shown before the Browns and Baltimore Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Browns O-Line Rocked By Another Season-Ending Injury

7 months ago

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns looks to throw against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a football game at TIAA Bank Field on August 12, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida.

Browns In Danger Of “Falling Behind” After Watson Trade?

7 months ago

Jerome Ford #34 of the Cleveland Browns scores against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a football game at TIAA Bank Field on August 12, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida.

What To Expect From Jerome Ford This Season

7 months ago

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns fumbles a snap against the Jacksonville Jaguars during a football game at TIAA Bank Field on August 12, 2022 in Jacksonville, Florida.

What's Next After Browns Center Nick Harris' Knee Injury?

7 months ago

The helmet of Damarious Randall #23 of the Cleveland Browns is shown before the Browns and Baltimore Ravens game at M&T Bank Stadium on September 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland.

What To Watch For In Browns Preseason Opener Against Jaguars

7 months ago

A Cleveland Browns helmet lays in the end zone before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 21, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens defeat the Browns 23-21.

2 Free Agent Targets After Jakeem Grant Injury

7 months ago

Kareem Hunt #27 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

Fans React To Kareem Hunt Holdout Report

7 months ago

A Cleveland Browns helmet lays in the end zone before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 21, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens defeat the Browns 23-21.

David Bell Heads To Camp After Clearing PUP List

8 months ago

nfl field goal post

2 Things To Know About Peter C. Harvey

8 months ago

Condoleezza Rice, former Secretary of State and member of Augusta National, watches play on the 18th green during the final round of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2019 in Augusta, Georgia.

Report: Condoleezza Rice Could Be Tabbed With Watson Appeal

8 months ago

Jacoby Brissett #7 of the Cleveland Browns throws a pass during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

Best And Worst Case Scenarios For Jacoby Brissett

8 months ago

Deshaun Watson #4 of the Cleveland Browns runs a drill during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 30, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

Report: Deshaun Watson Plans To Sue NFL If League Appeals Suspension

8 months ago

What's Next After The Watson Suspension?

8 months ago

Taven Bryan Warming Up To Cleveland

8 months ago

Head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns calls a play during Cleveland Browns training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on July 27, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

Fans React To Browns' First Week Of Training Camp

8 months ago

Denzel Ward #21 of the Cleveland Browns covers Anthony Schwartz #10 in a drill during the Cleveland Browns OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus on May 25, 2022 in Berea, Ohio.

Browns Receiving Woes Continue With Schwartz Injury

8 months ago

Grant Delpit #22 of the Cleveland Browns reacts after a defensive penalty during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Is A Big Year From Grant Delpit Coming?

8 months ago

A Cleveland Browns helmet lays in the end zone before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 21, 2014 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Ravens defeat the Browns 23-21.

Browns A Top-10 Team According To PFF

8 months ago

Anthony Schwartz #10 of the Cleveland Browns runs with the ball against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium on November 14, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.

Anthony Schwartz: Unfair To Take "All That Blame" For Mayfield's Injury

8 months ago

D'Ernest Johnson #30 of the Cleveland Browns carries the ball in the first half of the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 20, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Is D'Ernest Johnson On The Trade Block?

8 months ago

Cleveland Browns helmet rests on the field prior to the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on September 11, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Browns 29-10.

3 Browns Land In PFF's Top-50 List

8 months ago

Browns-bags-training-camp-1024x683

What David Bell's PUP Status Means For The Browns

8 months ago

Primary Sidebar

Search Cleveland Daily

Follow Cleveland Daily!

Footer

Privacy Policy

Terms And Conditions

Contact Us

Copyright © 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - ClevelandDaily.com is not affiliated with the Cleveland Indians or Major League Baseball.