Texans coach Bill O'Brien gives up play-calling duties

PHOTOS: Each Texans player's contract heading into this offseason Texans head coach Bill O'Brien is handing over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tim Kelly (left). PHOTOS: Each Texans player's contract heading into this offseason Texans head coach Bill O'Brien is handing over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Tim Kelly (left). Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Photo: Brett Coomer/Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 83 Caption Close Texans coach Bill O'Brien gives up play-calling duties 1 / 83 Back to Gallery

INDIANAPOLIS — Texans coach Bill O'Brien disclosed Tuesday that offensive coordinator Tim Kelly will also coach quarterbacks and call plays next season.

Kelly, who’s been with O’Brien since he served as an intern at Penn State for two years, is in his second season as offensive coordinator and has been heavily involved in putting together the game plan.

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“Timmy’s done a lot of that,” O’Brien said at the NFL combine. “He’s a bright guy and an excellent coach, and the players really respect him. He has great knowledge of the whole offense from the passing game to the running game.

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“He and Deshaun (Watson) have a great relationship. Deshaun has great trust in Timmy, the work he puts in and what he brings to the table.”

In his first six seasons, O’Brien gave up play-calling once. In 2015, his second season, he promoted George Godsey to offensive coordinator and allowed him to call plays. Godsey was later stripped of play-calling duties and fired.

O’Brien also said offensive assistant T.J. Yates has been promoted to assistant quarterbacks coach. Carl Smith, who spent last season coaching quarterbacks, will become an offensive consultant.

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