Texans defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire not returning

Defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire’s contract has expired and he will not be returning for next season.

The Texans set a franchise record with 46 sacks this past season as they won the AFC South championship and a wild-card playoff game. They also finished sixth in run defense.

Cesaire coached Pro Bowl alternate defensive end Jonathan Greenard as he recorded a career-high 12 1/2 sacks.

Now, Cesaire, a former NFL defensive lineman originally hired by former coach Lovie Smith, is moving on.

“We did some great things over there,” Cesaire said in a telephone interview. “Got nothing but love for those guys. It’s all good.”

Former University of Miami defensive ends coach Rod Wright, a Houston native and assistant defensive line coach, is an internal candidate to replace Cesaire.

A former All-Big 12 and All-American selection at the University of Texas who was teammates with San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan with the Longhorns, Wright is a former Miami Dolphins seventh-round draft pick.

Wright grew up in Houston and was an All-American and all-district selection at Hastings.

Playing for Mack Brown, Wright was named Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and a first-team All-Big 12 selection.

Wright has coached at East Carolina, Sam Houston State, Texas San-Antonio.

At UTSA, he was co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.

He had Bill Walsh Diversity coaching fellowships with the Seattle Seahawks and 49ers. He was also a student assistant and defensive special assistant at Texas.

Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.