| Houston Texans | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Offensive line coach/run game coordinator |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1985-02-15)February 15, 1985 (age 40) Monterey Park, California, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Yosemite (Oakhurst, California) |
| College: | Fresno State |
| Career history | |
As a coach: | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Cole Popovich (born February 15, 1985) is anAmerican football coach who is the offensive line coach and run game coordinator for theHouston Texans of theNational Football League (NFL).
Popovich was a four-year starter as left guard on theFresno State Bulldogs football team from 2004 to 2007. He was also named a unanimous FreshmanAll-American in 2005.[1]
Popovich coached at the collegiate level for 5 seasons, working in various colleges such asLos Angeles Valley,Fresno City,Utah State, andMinot State[2] before joining the Patriots' staff in 2016.[3] He was part of the Patriots coaching staff that wonSuper Bowl LI. In the game, the Patriots defeated theAtlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.[4] Popovich won his second Super Bowl title when the Patriots defeated the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LIII.[5] In 2020 it was announced that he would become the co-offensive line coach withCarmen Bricilloin order to replaceDante Scarnecchia.[6][7]
On July 23, 2021, despiteBill Belichick desiring to keep Popovich on his offensive staff, it was reported that Popovich would not be coaching for the Patriots in 2021 due to reasons relating to the COVID-19 vaccine.[8][9] Upon departing from the Patriots, Popovich instead spent the 2021 season as the offensive line coach forFranklin High School in nearbyFranklin, MA.[10]
Popovich was hired by Jon Sumrall atTroy in January, 2022 to be the offensive line coach for the Trojans.
On February 23, 2023, Popovich was hired by theHouston Texans to be their assistant offensive line coach.[11] He was promoted as offensive line coach and run game coordinator on February 4, 2025.[12]
Popovich is married to his wife Jessica, and they have two sons.[2] He is distantly related toNBA coaching legendGregg Popovich.[13]