Romeo Crennel life and biography

Romeo Crennel enters his first season as the Chiefs defensive coordinator in 2010. He begins his 29th year in the NFL ranks and his 40th season in the coaching profession. He comes to Kansas City after a four-year stint as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns (2005-08). He also served as the head coach of the East squad in the 2010 East-West Shrine Game.

In 2007, Crennel led Cleveland to a 10-6 record, the club’s best mark since finishing 11-5 in ’94. The Browns won a franchise-record seven consecutive home games in 2007 as six players were selected to the Pro Bowl. Crennel concluded his tenure in Cleveland with a 24-40 record.

Crennel resumes his familar role as a defensive coordinator after serving four seasons in that capacity with New England (2001-04), where he helped the Patriots win three Super Bowl titles. In total, Crennel owns five Super Bowl rings, has made six Super Bowl appearances and has been a member of teams that have reached the conference championship game on seven occasions.

During his four seasons in New England the Patriots registered a 48-16 (.750) regular season record and a 9-0 postseason mark. The Patriots registered 89 INTs during his tenure, the second-highest total over that span behind only Tampa Bay (95). Crennel’s defensive unit also returned an NFL-high 14 INTs for TDs from 2001-04.

In 2004, the Patriots defense tied for second in the NFL, allowing only 16.3 ppg. Crennel’s unit ranked third with 45.0 sacks, sixth against the run (98.3 ypg) and ninth in total defense (310.8). The Patriots allowed a mere 45 rushing yards in Super Bowl XXXIX victory vs. Philadelphia.

Crennel was named the NFL Assistant Coach of the Year by Pro Football Writers of America following the 2003 season. He led a defensive unit that allowed a league-low 14.9 ppg, the best single-season mark in team history. Remarkably, the Patriots defense did not allow an opponent to score a TD on 62 consecutive possessions over a five-game home span. New England led the league with 29 interceptions and six defensive TDs in the regular season, as the Patriots marched to an eventual win vs. Carolina in Super Bowl XXXVIII.

The Patriots ranked sixth in the NFL in 2001, surrendering just 17.0 points per game. During a five-game winning streak to conclude the regular season, New England allowed only one TD and seven field goals. St. Louis averaged an NFL-high 31.4 points per game in 2001, but Crennel’s unit limited the Rams to just 17 points in New England’s Super Bowl XXXVI victory.

Prior to a one-year stint as Cleveland’s defensive coordinator/defensive line coach in 2000, Crennel spent three seasons as the defensive line coach with the N.Y. Jets (’97-99). It was there that Crennel began his association with Chiefs General Manager Scott Pioli and Head Coach Todd Haley. His defense never allowed more than 20.0 ppg in any of his three seasons with that squad. The Jets ranked second in the NFL by permitting 16.6 ppg in ’98 as New York advanced to the AFC Championship Game for the first time since ’82.

Prior to joining the Jets, the Lynchburg, Virginia native served as the defensive line coach for four campaigns in New England (’93-96). The Patriots defense allowed 12.8 ppg during the final five contests of the ’96 season, helping to propel the club to a berth in Super Bowl XXXI.

Crennel began his NFL coaching career with a 12-year stint with the N.Y. Giants (’81-92), serving as the defensive line coach (’90-92), special teams coach (’83-89) and special teams/defensive assistant coach (’81-82). During his tenure with the Giants, the club qualified for the playoffs six times, claiming wins in Super Bowls XXI and XXV. While with the Giants, Crennel worked with Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin, as well as current Chiefs offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

Crennel began his longtime association with Parcells at Texas Tech (’75-77) where Parcells served as defensive coordinator. Crennel concluded his collegiate coaching career with a one-year stint at Georgia Tech (’80). He also spent two seasons at Mississippi (’78-79) coaching the defensive ends.

Crennel began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater of Western Kentucky in ’70 before enjoying a four-season stint as the club’s defensive line coach. A four-year starter on the defensive line at Western Kentucky, Crennel was elected captain as a senior. A rash of injuries during his senior season forced him to switch to offensive tackle where he earned team MVP honors.

Crennel was a prep star at Fort Knox High School in Fort Knox, Kentucky and Central High School in Amherst, Virginia. His brother, Carl, entered the NFL as a ninth-round draft choice (209th overall) of Pittsburgh in ’70, playing one season with the Steelers before enjoying an 11-year career in the Canadian Football League.

Education: ­Western Kentucky (B.A. ’70, M.E ’71). Born: June 18, 1947 Lynchburg, Virginia. Family: Wife - Rosemary; Children - Lisa Tulley, Tiffany Stokes and Kristin Cullinane. The Crennels also have eight grandchildren.

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