Nick Caley might be new to the Houston Texans, but one player has been close with the first-year offensive coordinator since his time in high school.

Before Caley became a fixture in the NFL with the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, he spent years in the college ranks, working on his craft as a play-caller and recruiter. While down in Boca Raton on staff at Florida Atlantic, he offered a linebacker who had few offers to continue his playing career after high school.

The name? Azeez Al-Shaair.

“Nick Caley is literally somebody who’s known me from the time I was a 16-year-old homeless kid,” Al-Shaair said. “He’s been to my motel that I lived in to now, you know, for both of us to be in the position that we’re in, you know, literally 10 years later, I’m 27 now. It’s just crazy, you know, because we kept up with each other.

“We always had a really close relationship, and he always kept up with me. So, I’m grateful to have him here. You know, he’s just an old friend that just reminds me of how far I’ve come as well.”

While Caley never coached Al-Shaair with the Owls (he left for the Patriots the same year), he made sure to put in a good word with the new staff that kept him on campus. From there, Al-Shaair went on to make the Conference USA All-Freshman Team in 2015. After college, he eventually proved his worth in the pros as a member of the San Francisco 49ers and later the Tennessee Titans.

Nick Caley on Azeez Al-Shaair:

“He’s a great human being. He’s a great person. I love Azeez. It’s just fate that we’re back here.” https://t.co/5YFFrlQG6ipic.twitter.com/QHsJgd6xjq

— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 25, 2025

One year after finishing top-five in tackles, Al-Shaair reunited with former 49ers linebacker coach DeMeco Ryans in Houston on a three-year, $34 million deal. Last season, he remained a focal point of the Texans‘ defense as an on-field playmaker and off the field with his vocal presence on current events in the world.

As for Caley, even though he never coached Al-Shaair, their bond has remained strong for over a decade.

“He had a fire about him,” Caley said Friday. “He played and gave you everything he had. He’s a great human being. He’s a great person. I love Azeez and it’s just fate that we’re back here and I’m really excited to be a part of the team with him.”

The Texans open the regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept. 7.

This article originally appeared on Texans Wire: Texans star LB breaks down relationship with new OC Nick Caley at FAU