CLEANING HOUSE
Texans make difficult but necessary changes to coaching staff
Jan 24, 2025, 12:56 pm
OC Bobby Slowik will not be back with the Texans. Composite Getty Image.
After a historic rookie season for Texans quarterback CJ Stroud, many were expecting the rookie phenom to take another step in his sophomore campaign.
Sadly for Houston fans, that didn't happen. Stroud regressed in his second year, and many believed that OC Bobby Slowik was the main reason for the sophomore slump.
And it looks like the Texans felt the same way. According to sources, Bobby Slowik and the Texans are parting ways.
A major change in Houston: The #Texans are moving on from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, sources say, after an up-and-down offensive season.
Despite reaching the divisional round, coach DeMeco Ryans hopes for more. OL coach Chris Strausser is also out. pic.twitter.com/UYOdNiADAx
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 24, 2025
Offensive line coach Chris Strausser will not be returning either. Strausser's exit isn't nearly as surprising as Slowik's, KPRC2's Aaron Wilson reported earlier in the week that Strausser wasn't expected back.
But many didn't believe DeMeco Ryans would let Slowik go after one down season. However, the amount of hits Stroud was taking behind a leaky o-line that repeatedly was unable to pick up simple stunts certainly justifies the move.
Another year of that kind of abuse to Stroud just wasn't sustainable.
Now the team will have to turn their attention to finding a new coordinator and offensive line coaches. Ohio State's OC Chip Kelly is a name that has been discussed because of his past relationship with Ryans.
Aaron Wilson listed some potential internal candidates in the post below, which includes Jerod Johnson, Bill Lazor, and Ben McDaniels.
#Texans internal candidates to replace Bobby Slowik expected to be considered: Jerod Johnson, Bill Lazor and Ben McDaniels.
An outside candidate who makes sense: #Saints offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak
Would expect wide-ranging, thorough search@KPRC2 https://t.co/3RrkVVHVbr
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 24, 2025
The outside candidate (Klint Kubiak) he mentioned would make me the most excited!
Either way, the Texans have their work cut out for them in finding the next leader of the offensive staff.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.