Former Jets, Giants coach Romeo Crennel retires after 50-year coaching career

Romeo Crennel, who served as a coach for the Jets and Giants, announced his retirement after a 50-year coaching career on Monday.

After spending 10 years coaching various college football teams, Crennel debuted in the NFL as the Giants’ special teams coach in 1981, and has gone on to lead an illustrious career behind him as he sets off into the sunset.

Since his time in the pros, Crennel has had stints with the Giants, Jets, New England Patriots, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans.

The 74-year-old NFL legend has been on the coaching staff of 5 Super Bowl champions, including 3 times with New England.

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“Football has been my entire life and it’s been a dream come true to coach for 50 years,” Crennel said in a statement announcing his retirement. “There are so many friends to thank who have helped me and supported me throughout his retirement. I especially want to thank the fans and owners of the New York Giants, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans for allowing me to contribute to the game that I have loved so much for so long.”

After taking the reins of the Browns between 2005–2008 and the Chiefs in 2012, along with a stint as interim coach of the Texans in 2020, Crennel has boasted a .337 winning percentage as the top dog on an NFL team, going just 32–63 across 7 seasons.

He now heads into retirement having coached both Big Apple teams, and thanked his family in his retirement announcement.

“My goal was to put every player and coach in the best position to succeed and I consider every guy I coached or worked with a part of my family,” he said. “I would also want to thank my wife Rosemary and my three daughters, Lisa, Tiffany and Kristine, for all of their support over the years. Because of their love and selflessness, I have been able to live out my dream. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to spend more time with my grandchildren while staying around the game of football.”