The Houston Texans further bolstered their status as the New England Patriots of the South on Saturday, reportedly hiring Larry Izzo as their new special teams coordinator.
Multiple outlets reported the hiring, which came one week after the Kansas City Chiefs routed the Texans in an AFC Wild Card Game.
The 41-year-old Izzo was listed as a linebacker during his 14-year NFL career, but he made his greatest impact on special teams, where he earned three All-Pro selections. He played for the Patriots from 2001 to 2008, winning three Super Bowls during that span and playing in another, then spent five seasons as special teams coach of the New York Giants, earning fourth Super Bowl ring in 2011.
Izzo becomes the latest in a long list of ex-Patriots players and coaches currently employed by the Texans, including head coach Bill O’Brien, quarterback Brian Hoyer, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and linebackers coach Mike Vrabel.
Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@SBNationNFL
