Houston Texans: Important takeaways from Anthony Weaver’s video conference

The media got their first look at what coach Anthony Weaver will be as the new Houston Texans defensive coordinator.

The Houston Texans made a significant offseason change by promoting defensive line coach Anthony Weaver to defensive coordinator after their 2019 season came to a close in a disappointing 51-31 defeat against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Weaver is the third defensive coordinator in the Bill O’Brien era after having Romeo Crennel for two stints and Mike Vrabel before he took the head coaching position with the Tennessee Titans. Weaver met with the media through a video press conference set up by the Houston Texans and gave a lot of insight into how the defense would look moving forward

Weaver’s coaching influences before becoming Houston Texans defensive coordinator

Weaver has an interesting background being brought onto the NFL coaching scene as an assistant defensive line coach with the New York Jets under Rex Ryan’s tutelage. It’s fair to highlight that O’Brien’s choice in two of his defensive coordinator in Vrabel and now Weaver; both formed part of Urban Meyer’s coaching staff in college, and were former NFL players before taking up careers as coaches.

Weaver didn’t fail to mention the impact head coach Urban Meyer had in his start in coaching at the college level in Florida, and how it prepared him for the opportunity of becoming a defensive coordinator for the Texans.

"“I met with Coach Meyer, Urban Meyer, who’s been another influence on me. I’ve known Urban Meyer since 1996, 97. When he found out I had gotten this role he said, ‘Weave, you’re out of the suggestion business, and you’re into the decision business.’ Those words carried a lot of weight to me. So, that’s probably been the biggest transition; I just know that I have the final say and I’m always going to try to do what’s best for the team."

Weaver also spoke of the influence Rex Ryan had in his career as a player and as a coach.

"“As a very young player, he [Rex Ryan] always prompted us to learn the big picture and learn all of the stuff that was happening around us, just because he thought that would enable us to make some more plays. That’s something that I try to continue to convey to the players I have now. That obviously helped me in terms of once I got into coaching professionally, I was probably ahead of most players that jump into the coaching carousel.”"