Another reason for Wolfpackers to love the Houston Texans
Staying true to our recent NFL theme – we wanted to highlight the news that former NC State linebacker Frank Bush has been promoted to defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans.
Bush’s current biography can be seen by clicking here.
Bush, 46, was the lone candidate to interview for the job after the Texans’ request to interview Washington Redskins assistant Jerry Gray was denied last week. Texans beat writer John McClain referenced the league rule that states NFL teams are within their rights to deny permission for an assistant under contract unless the interview is for a head-coaching position.
If you followed Wolfpack football in the early 1980s you will remember that Frank Bush seemed to be a part of every single tackle on the field. Bush is an unheralded piece of a long term tradition of very good linebackers within the NC State program. His time in Raleigh was squeezed between NFL great, Vaughn Johnson and another great college linebacker, Pat Teague.
After an outstanding college career as a three year starter at North Carolina State, Bush was a fifth-round draft choice by Houston in the 1985 NFL Draft and earned all-rookie acclaim starting 11 of 16 games for the Oilers before a spinal injury prematurely ended his pro career a year later. After serving as a college scout for the Oilers for five years (1987–92), he was the team’s linebackers coach for three seasons, bringing his tenure with Houston as a player, scout, and assistant coach to 10 years. Bush’s linebackers continued to play an integral role the following two seasons with the Broncos. In 2002, his special teams ranked among the best in the league as Denver ranked third in the AFC in kickoff coverage and fourth in kickoff return average. Born in Athens, Ga., Bush and his wife, Stephanie, reside in Houston.
When asked to comment Lee Fowler said, “Yea, he’s definitely on our radar. He has no college coaching experience, but the game is pretty much the same game. I just wish he was more well-known to our fanbase.”
“I mean, the interweb will talk about who you can hire and who you can’t – and it’s tough. They’re mean out there. ECU was afraid to schedule us -and well, it’s just nice to have an alum to fall back on so the cougar hunt can resume.”
I had been looking for this to happen since it became likely the Richard Smith would be fired at the end of the season. Kubiak wanted Frank Bush as his DC when he took the Texans Head Coaching job, but Arizona denied the Texans request for permission to interview him at that time.
Having graduated in ’84 and moved to Houston, I remember Frank Bush as a player with the Oilers and the Pack. I also remember how quickly they put him on their scouting staff as soon as his playing career was ended suddenly. The only downside to this hire is that if the Texans don’t make the playoffs next year, or at least win 10 games, the entire staff will likely be fired. The draft and free agency will be critical. He says he’ll play defense the way Jerry Glanville played it which means lots of blitzing. If the Texans can’t get QB pressure they had better add a lot of talent to the defensive backfield or average 35 points a game because their current DB’s couldn’t cover Orson Wells on a five yard out route.
If Bush’s philosophy works and the Texans defense improves to a top 10-12 squad next year they should win 11 or 12 games and be the story of the year in the NFL.
I love it when you post, Texpack.
Always great stuff no matter what the topic.
Thanks so much!
Interestingly enough I have actually heard that one of the teams Peppers is looking into is the Texans. He has some relationship with the city and the style suits his talents. Now wouldn’t that be interesting?
Congrats to Frank Bush.
off-topic (please forgive) but did any of our players declare for the NFL draft? (Nate Irving?)
sam92,
i don’t think any of our underclassmen declared for the draft. Although i’ve heard a few people talking about Andre Brown, so hopefully he’ll have a good showing in the combine and make some noise in the NFL.
Go Pack!!
on another off topic note (sorry) Does anyone know of a place to watch the game on the internet.
Peppers on one side and Mario on the other? Doesn’t sound like a 3-4 to me!
Someone I work with is good friends with Andy(Linebackers coach). He stated that Irving has no intention to go pro. Also said that Beck’s scholy was not going to be renewed
Maybe Peppers is out now in Houston. Since Dom Capers who runs the 3-4 has moved to Green Bay, then the 3-4 may be out in Houston under Bush.