Mr. Romeo Crennel

(Inducted in 2009)

Romeo Crennel’s journey to NFL head coach began as a walk-on at WKU in 1965.

At WKU, much like his career in the NFL, Crennel worked his way into a prominent role.

Crennel, a native of Lynchburg, Va., who graduated from Fort Knox High School, was a redshirt in his first year at WKU but became four-year starter from 1966-69 seasons as the Hilltoppers went 25-11-3.

After three seasons as one of the Hilltoppers’ top tacklers, he was elected captain as a senior. When the offense struggled early, Crennel gave up a shot at all-conference honors as a defensive lineman to move to offensive tackle. The switch solidified the offensive line and earned Crennel team MVP honors.

Crennel served as a graduate assistant for WKU in 1970 before becoming the team’s defensive line coach from 1971-74. From 1975-80, Crennel was assistant coach at Texas Tech, Mississippi and Georgia Tech.

In 1981, the NFL called and Crennel’s reputation as a defensive coach grew. Crennel joined the New York Giants’ staff as a special assignments/special teams/defensive assistant coach. He became the special teams coach in 1983 and was assigned the defensive line in 1990. In 12 seasons (1981-92), the Giants made the playoffs six times, won three division titles and two Super Bowls (XXI and XXV).

In 1993, Crennel began the first of two coaching stints with the New England Patriots. His first tenure was a four-year assignment as defensive line coach, beginning in 1993 and ending with an AFC Championship and Super Bowl XXXI appearance in January 1997.

Crennel spent three seasons with the New York Jets (1997-99) and a season as the defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns (2000) before returning to the Patriots in 2001 as defensive coordinator. The defense helped propel the Patriots to victories in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX.

Crennel was honored by the Pro Football Writers of America as the NFL’s Assistant Coach of the Year in 2003.

Following the Patriots’ win in Super Bowl XXXIX – and after 24 seasons as an NFL assistant and five Super Bowl rings -- Crennel became a head coach when he was hired by the Browns in February 2005. In his four seasons as coach, Cleveland went 24-40 including a 10-6 record in 2007.

Crennel and his wife, Rosemary, have three daughters, Lisa, Tiffany and Kristin.