Special teams coordinator Seely retires
Assistant coach Smith a potential candidate to replace 31-year veteran
One of the top specialteams coordinators in league history, Texans assistant coach Brad Seely retired Friday after 31 NFL seasons.
Seely, 63, earned three Super Bowl rings, coached in nine conference championships and coached 10 different players to 17 Pro Bowl selections on special teams.
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to spend over 30 years in the NFL coaching the game I love,” Seely said. “I want to thank each and every coach, player and staff member I worked with from when I entered the league in 1989 until now. I’ve been blessed to be a part of some of the best organizations in professional sports, and I will forever cherish the friendships and memories I’ve made around the league.”
The Texans have a wellrespected assistant special teams coordinator in Tracy
Smith who’s regarded as a strong internal candidate. Under the recently upgraded Rooney Rule, NFL teams are now required to interview at least two minority candidates are interviewed.
Texans coach and general manager Bill O’Brien saluted Seely for his contributions to the game. They worked together under Bill Belichick on the New England Patriots’ coaching staff before Seely joined the Texans’ staff in 2018.
Seely also coached for the Indianapolis Colts, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, and San Francisco 49ers.
“Brad Seely is one of the best special teams coaches in NFL history, and his contributions to the game have been unparalleled,” said O’Brien said. “I first met Brad when we were both assistant coaches in New England and immediately recognized his ability to connect with his players and teach them about the game in his own unique way. Brad has won at every stop in his 30-year career, and his résumé of three Super Bowl victories and five conference championship appearances speaks for itself.
“It was an honor and privilege to coach alongside Brad, and I will always consider him a friend. On behalf of the entire Texans organization, we wish him and his family the best in his retirement.”
Also on Friday, O’Brien returned to work at NRG Stadium during the first day that NFL coaches were allowed back at their respective team facilities.
The Texans plan to ultimately have all of their coaches back at their team facility.
The NFL had closed team facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic, and the league has been wanting to get coaches back to their offices when it was safe to do so. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell informed all 32 teams in a memo Thursday that coaches will be allowed to return to team facilities on Friday, provided that it was allowed under state and local governments.