When Bill O'Brien was Penn State's head coach, he got to know Matt Rhule, who played linebacker for the Nittany Lions under Joe Paterno.
Ruhle, who coached under Tom Coughlin with the New York Giants, left Temple for Baylor on Wednesday, and O'Brien sounded impressed after practice Thursday.
"Matt Ruhle's been an excellent coach wherever he's been," O'Brien said. "Tom Coughlin thinks very highly of him. I think it's a home run hire by Baylor."
Texans receivers coach Sean Ryan became friends with Ruhle when they worked together on Coughlin's staff with the Giants.
"We've stayed in touch," Ryan said.