Bill Kollar is in his third year as the Texans assistant head coach/defensive line. Kollar, who played eight seasons in the NFL as a defensive lineman, has 23 years of experience coaching in the NFL, including the last 22 as a defensive line coach. Prior to Houston, he spent the previous three years coaching the defensive line in Buffalo.
Kollar has directed Houston’s first line of defense to the two best season rushing defense performances in franchise history in his first two years with the team. In addition, the Texans defense recorded at least 30 sacks in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history (30 in 2009 and 2010) under Kollar’s tutelage. Houston’s 2010 rush defense held three opponents to less than 50 yards and set a franchise record by limiting Washington to 18 yards rushing in an overtime win.
Bill Kollar is in his third year as the Texans' assistant head coach/defensive line. Kollar, who played eight seasons in the NFL as a defensive lineman, has 23 years of experience coaching in the NFL, including the last 22 as a defensive line coach. Prior to Houston, he spent the previous three years coaching the defensive line in Buffalo.
Kollar has directed Houston’s first line of defense to the two best season rushing defense performances in franchise history in his first two years with the team. In addition, the Texans defense recorded at least 30 sacks in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history (30 in 2009 and 2010) under Kollar’s tutelage. Houston’s 2010 rush defense held three opponents to less than 50 yards and set a franchise record by limiting Washington to 18 yards rushing in an overtime win.
Several individuals posted personal bests on Kollar’s defensive line in 2010. Veteran defensive tackle Shaun Cody started all 16 games for the first time in his career and registered a career-high 38 tackles, while nose tackle Amobi Okoye also set a career high with 44 tackles. Defensive end Mark Anderson, who was claimed off waivers five games into the 2010 season, posted his highest sack total in four years, finishing second on the team with 4.0 sacks under Kollar’s guidance. Defensive end Mario Williams fought through injury the entire season to lead the team with 8.5 sacks despite spending the final three games of the season on injured reserve.
In his first season with the Texans, Kollar helped the defensive line improve throughout the season. Williams led the way once again with 9.0 sacks on the season, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl trip. Rookie defensive end Connor Barwin and free agent defensive end Antonio Smith tied for second on the team with 4.5 sacks apiece. The unit was a key on the defense’s overall improvement, helping hold opponents to a mere 84.3 yards per game on the ground over the last 13 contests.
Prior to his stint with Buffalo, Kollar coached the defensive line in St. Louis from 2001-05. In his five years coaching the defensive line in St. Louis, he helped defensive end Leonard Little emerge as a premier sack artist, with 57 sacks in that time. The Rams earned a trip to the Super Bowl in 2001, during Kollar’s first season with the team.
From 1990-2000, Kollar worked as the Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach. In 1998, the Falcons’ defensive line tied for the NFL lead by giving up only six rushing touchdowns and set a team record by allowing an average of 75.2 rushing yards as Atlanta won the NFC Championship and earned a trip to Super Bowl XXXIII.
Kollar, 58, began his coaching career as a defensive assistant/special teams for Tampa Bay in 1984. He spent a year as a graduate assistant at Illinois in 1985 following his year in Tampa Bay. He was promoted to defensive line/special teams coach for the Illini in 1986 and spent two years in that position. Kollar assumed the same role at Purdue from 1988-89 before returning to the NFL.
Kollar was an All-America defensive lineman at Montana State and earned the Most Valuable Player award at the 1974 Senior Bowl. He was selected in the first round (23rd overall) of the 1974 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals and played eight seasons for Cincinnati and Tampa Bay.
Kollar and his wife, Jan, have two sons, Chad and Clint.
KOLLAR’S COACHING LEDGER
2009-11: Assistant Head Coach/Defensive Line, Houston Texans
2007-08: Defensive Line, Buffalo Bills
2001-05: Defensive Line, St. Louis Rams
1990-2000: Defensive Line, Atlanta Falcons
1988-89: Defensive Line/Special Teams, Purdue
1986-87: Defensive Line/Special Teams, Illinois
1985: Graduate Assistant, Illinois
1984: Defensive Assistant/Special Teams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
