HOUSTON (AP) -The Houston Texans promoted Frank Bush to defensive coordinator Tuesday.
Bush replaces Richard Smith, who was fired along with two other defensive assistants after the Texans finished 8-8 for the second consecutive season.
Houston ranked 22nd in total defense (336.6 yards per game) and 23rd against the run (122.6 yards per game). The Texans also finished minus-10 in turnover margin after forcing only 22 turnovers, third lowest in the AFC.
The 46-year-old Bush just finished his second season as the Texans’ senior defensive assistant, working mostly with the line. He joined coach Gary Kubiak in 2007 after serving three seasons as linebackers coach in Arizona. Before that, Bush spent nine seasons in Denver, when Kubiak was the offensive coordinator there.
on five of their last six games in 2008, allowing only 18 points per game in that span. They held Tennessee to 281 total yards in a 13-12 win Dec. 14, and allowed only 294 yards against Chicago in the season finale, knocking the Bears out of playoff contention.
But two days after the finale, Kubiak fired Smith, secondary coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin. Smith lasted three seasons, but Kubiak said he was dissatisfied with the defense’s progress over that span.
Bush briefly played linebacker for the Houston Oilers before a spinal injury cut short his career in 1986. He worked as a scout for the Oilers from 1987-92 and coached their linebackers from 1992-94.
Denver’s defense improved from 28th in the league to 15th in 1995, Bush’s first season there. The Broncos ranked fourth in total defense in 1996 and first against the run.
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