Coaches | Houston Texans - HoustonTexans.com

Joe Danna begins his first season as the safeties coach for the Houston Texans in 2022.

Joe Danna begins his first season as the safeties coach for the Houston Texans in 2022. He joins the Texans after previously serving as the nickels coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, a position he held for the 2021 season after spending two years as the Jaguars' safeties coach (2019-20) and two years as the team's assistant secondary coach (2017-18). Danna boasts 14 seasons of NFL coaching experience and 23 seasons of coaching overall.

In 2021, Danna helped Jaguars rookie CB Tyson Campbell record 73 tackles and 10 passes defensed while becoming one of only five rookie cornerbacks in the NFL to record multiple interceptions on the season (two).

In Danna's first three seasons in Jacksonville (2017-19), the Jaguars allowed the NFL's fewest passing yards per game (200.2). In 2018, the Jaguars held opponents to 194.6 net passing yards per game, the league's second-lowest mark and fifth-lowest in franchise history, while allowing 17 passing touchdowns, the second-fewest in the NFL. CB Jalen Ramsey led the Jaguars with three interceptions, earning his second consecutive Pro Bowl berth. The Jaguars had six players from the secondary record at least one interception, including CB A.J. Bouye, S Barry Church, S Tashaun Gipson Sr., S Ronnie Harrison, CB D.J. Hayden and Ramsey.

In 2017, the Jaguars held opponents to a 68.5 passer rating, the lowest mark in the NFL that year. The team also allowed just 169.9 net passing yards per game, the fewest in the NFL. Bouye led the group with six interceptions and 19 passes defensed while Ramsey recorded four interceptions and 17 passes defensed as they both earned their first career Pro Bowl berths. Church and Gipson recorded four interceptions each, combined for 15 passes defensed and were third and fifth, respectively, on the team in tackles.

Before joining the Jaguars, Danna spent two seasons (2015-16) with the New York Jets as the defensive backs coach. In 2016, CBs Marcus Gilchrist and Marcus Williams tied for the team lead with two interceptions apiece. The unit also saw six players finish with at least five passes defensed, including Williams (six), S Calvin Pryor (six), CB Darryl Roberts (six), CB Buster Skrine (six), CB Juston Burris (five) and CB Darrelle Revis (five). In 2015, Danna helped Williams lead the team in interceptions, picking off six passes despite playing in fewer than 27 percent of the defensive snaps.

Prior to his time with the Jets, Danna started his second tenure with the Atlanta Falcons as the defensive backs coach from 2012-14. His return to Atlanta followed a two-year stint as the assistant defensive backs coach under Head Coach Tony Sparano for the Miami Dolphins (2010-11). In 2008, Danna secured his first coaching opportunity in the NFL with the Falcons, where he first served as a defensive assistant for two seasons (2008-09).

From 2006-07, Danna served stints at Georgia Southern (2006) and James Madison University (2007), serving as the defensive backs coach with both collegiate programs.

After his playing career, Danna served as a graduate assistant for two seasons at his alma mater, Central Michigan. As a graduate assistant, Danna spent the 1999-2000 seasons as the assistant defensive backs coach while also assisting with recruiting, scouting, weight training, conditioning and video coordination. In 2001, Danna served as a graduate assistant at Georgia, working with the Bulldogs' defense, before returning to Central Michigan from 2002-05, working in different capacities including wide receivers coach (2002, 2005) and safeties coach (2003-04).

As a player, Danna was a four-year letterman and two-year starter at wide receiver for Central Michigan. Danna earned several accolades during his time as a player, including Scholar Athlete of the Year, Special Teams Player of the Year, the team's Leadership and Motivation Award and First-Team Mid-American Academic recognition.

Danna earned his bachelor's degree in elementary education and social studies with a language arts minor from Central Michigan. The Midland, Mich., native and his wife, Nicole, have two sons, Luke and Zack, and a daughter, Lindsey.

Danna's Coaching Ledger

2022              Defensive Backs Coach - Nickels                            Jacksonville Jaguars

2019-20          Secondary Coach/Safeties                                       Jacksonville Jaguars

2017-18          Assistant Secondary                                                 Jacksonville Jaguars

2015-16          Defensive Backs                                                        New York Jets

2012-14          Defensive Backs                                                        Atlanta Falcons

2010-11          Assistant Defensive Backs                                        Miami Dolphins

2008-09          Defensive Assistant                                                   Atlanta Falcons

2007               Defensive Backs                                                        James Madison

2006               Defensive Backs                                                        Georgia Southern

2005               Wide Receivers                                                         Central Michigan

2003-04          Safeties                                                                      Central Michigan

2002               Wide Receivers                                                         Central Michigan

2001               Graduate Assistant                                                    Georgia

1999-2000      Graduate Assistant                                                    Central Michigan