The Houston Texans are tapping into some familiar NFL DNA as they continue to build out their coaching staff. According to reports, the team is bringing in former offensive lineman James Ferentz, and he’s expected to work with the tight ends unit.
Ferentz, who spent eight seasons in the league as a center, is best known for his time with the New England Patriots from 2018 to 2023. While he wasn’t a full-time starter, he carved out a solid role in a crowded offensive line room, appearing in 40 games and starting 10. That kind of experience-especially in a system as detail-oriented as New England’s-tends to translate well to the sidelines.
After hanging up his cleats in 2023, Ferentz quickly made the move into coaching. He joined the New York Giants as an assistant offensive line coach, spending two seasons there. But with the Giants undergoing a major shakeup-firing Brian Daboll mid-season and bringing in John Harbaugh-Ferentz became a coaching free agent, opening the door for a return to Houston.
And yes, it’s a return. Ferentz actually got his NFL start with the Texans back in 2014 as an undrafted free agent.
He went through two training camps and spent a year on the practice squad. Now, over a decade later, he’s back in Houston-this time with a headset instead of a helmet.
Football runs deep in the Ferentz family. James played his college ball at Iowa under his father, Kirk Ferentz, who’s been the head coach of the Hawkeyes since 1999. That kind of lifelong exposure to the game-combined with his own NFL experience-gives James a unique perspective as he transitions into a more prominent coaching role.
While he’s stepping into a new position group with the Texans, working with tight ends instead of the offensive line, Ferentz brings a deep understanding of blocking schemes and line mechanics that should be a valuable asset in developing Houston’s young talent. For a team that’s building something intriguing under head coach DeMeco Ryans, adding a coach like Ferentz-who's seen the game from the trenches and the sidelines-could be another step in the right direction.