James Liipfert is in his third season as assistant director of player personnel, and is working with a new coaching staff in as many seasons.
The challenge of acclimating to a new coach and the various assistants is not a burden for Liipfert as he puts the final touches on the Houston Texans’ preparations for the 2023 NFL draft.
“To me, it’s a challenge, but it’s also very fun,” Liipfert said. “Certain coaches are no longer here. It’s a new group. To me, it’s almost an invigorating element of it. Where have you been? Who have you been around? Who have you learned under? What type of players do you like?”
Liipfert has been with the Texans since 2018 after spending time with the New England Patriots as a scout. Liipfert became the Texans’ director of college scouting in 2019, and has maintained that role.
As Liipfert has had meetings with new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, defensive coordinator Matt Burke, and special teams coordinator Frank Ross, who returns for his third season, the focus has been “constantly learning.”
Said Liipfert: “Whether you’re working for the Houston Chronicle, working for the Texans PR, when new people come into your building, I’m a chatter box. I’m going to wear them out. I’m going to ask questions. I want to learn. It’s been great having a new staff. A couple of these guys coming from five, six, seven organizations. New coaches have come from the Vikings to the Colts, to the 49ers, to the Browns. It’s pretty awesome. That’s almost a fifth of the league.”
Liipfert believes that getting to know the assistant coaches so well will aide him when it comes to getting an idea for what type of players they want in the draft.
“Getting some knowledge from those guys about what they like, how they see certain players fitting, it’s honestly invigorating, and it helps me learn,” said Liipfert. “It helps me grow. It’s been great.”
