Texans defensive backs coach Dino Vasso garnered considerable attention for a defensive coordinator job in this year’s coaching carousel. The 38-year-old staffer has decided to remain in Houston, however.
Per Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Vasso has withdrawn from consideration for DC jobs. It sounds as if the Texans may have given him a raise to stay, as Rapoport adds Vasso has secured a contract extension.
Vasso initially joined the Texans as a cornerbacks coach in 2021 and held that role for three years. His duties were expanded slightly in 2024, when his title was upgraded to defensive backs coach. The Texans’ defense has certainly benefited from strong secondary play in recent seasons, and we previously heard that former Browns DC Jim Schwartz and current Texans DC Matt Burke have offered endorsements for Vasso.
Vasso’s work earned him recent DC interviews with the Titans and Cardinals, and he was also named as a legitimate contender for the Browns’ DC job (which recently became available upon Schwartz’s resignation). Even though Vasso did not take a Cleveland interview, he was a top candidate for that role, as Rapport notes. Shortly after the Vasso news broke, Rapoport’s colleague, Tom Pelissero, reported that the Browns have interviewed internal candidates Ephraim Banda (safeties coach) and Jason Tarver (linebackers coach) for the opening.
New Browns head coach Todd Monken has previously stated the team will keep Schwartz’s system in place, as Pelissero relays. As such, promoting an internal staffer would be a logical move, particularly since Cleveland’s defense was one of the league’s best in 2025. Banda interviewed for the Cowboys’ and Jets’ DC gigs this year, and Tarver worked as the Raiders’ DC from 2012-14.
According to Rapoport, Vasso would have been on the short list for the Raiders’ current defensive coordinator vacancy as well. Patrick Graham, who served as Las Vegas’ DC for the past four seasons, recently joined the Steelers in the same capacity. He will become an experienced voice for Mike McCarthy’s first staff in Pittsburgh, and the Raiders – who are planning to hire Klint Kubiak as their next head coach – will now have one fewer option to fill his spot.
The Titans ultimately hired Gus Bradley as their DC under new head coach Robert Saleh. The Cardinals’ and Browns’ searches will continue, and Vasso will remain a trusted advisor on the Texans’ defense for Burke and head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Houston led the league in both total defense and points per game in 2025. Although it will be difficult to replicate that performance in 2026, another strong showing will presumably keep Vasso’s DC stock high next year.