Texans Fire John Pagano

John Pagano‘s Texans stay will be limited to two years. The team dismissed him from a role as outside linebackers coach and senior defensive assistant, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets.

Pagano formerly worked as a defensive coordinator for the Chargers and Raiders, with the former stint (from 2012-16) being his most notable NFL gig to date. He caught on with Houston in 2018.

The Texans did not generate a consistent pass rush after J.J. Watt‘s pectoral injury this season and will be looking for a new coach for this group. This also comes after the Texans could not deter Patrick Mahomes from a stunning fortune reversal in Kansas City last weekend. The Chiefs superstar directed seven straight touchdown drives, erasing the Texans’ 24-0 lead.

Pagano’s position group changed considerably from 2018-19, with the Texans trading Jadeveon Clowney just before the season. While Whitney Mercilus jumped out to a hot start in teaming with Watt, he went sackless in the first seven games in which the three-time defensive player of the year did not finish.

The younger brother of Chuck Pagano, John had not worked with O’Brien prior to arriving in Houston. John Pagano spent 15 seasons in San Diego before being fired as DC when the team relocated to Los Angeles. He spent one season in Oakland as defensive coordinator for Jack Del Rio‘s defense but was not retained when Jon Gruden came aboard.

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