Official Search for a New Defensive Coordinator Thread - Bush Hired!

da Bull · #1 01-08-2009, 09:40 AM

I'm sure Rick Smith has been on the phone whether Kubiak has or not. Also, most of the names with the exception of Marinelli have been somewhat rumored to be consideration for head coaching positions. As for McDermott, when Philly falls he may be the hottest name out there including head coaching rumors.

Joshua · #2 01-08-2009, 10:17 AM

I agree that McDermott appears to be a good candidate and if he ultimately gets the job, I'll be happy with the hire and all of my anxiety will prove to be unfounded. With any luck, this is what will transpire.

However, I really feel like the potential list of candidates is growing increasingly smaller. Looks like Nolan and Marinelli are gone. If either Williams or Gray were on the top of the Texans' list, I suspect we would have heard about it by now (I just don't recall coaching searches to have the level of secrecy as, say, draft boards). To me, it is looking more and more like we will go with Bush. Now, he may turn out to be a great D coordinator, but he simply does not have anything in his resume to suggest he will be (at least some of the other guys have proven themselves previously). If Bush gets the job, I think we're basically relying on Kubiak's belief that he will develop into a great coordinator, but there's not much else to suggest that. I like Kubes and he has done wonders with the offense, but the bottom line is during his tenure the Texans defense has been not only bad, but historically bad (Stephanie Stradley's blog on chron.com has some posts showing how the Texans' defense over the last 3 years has been one of the worst 3 year performances in league history).

Now, I'm hoping for the best and if Bush is the guy, I'll certainly give him a chance to prove himself. However, I can't help but be nervous if a self-admitted offensive coach who has presided over one of the worst defenses around simply elevates one of his buddies who, on paper, doesn't appear as qualified as numerous other candidates. In other words, I have no problem extending Kubiak a little blind loyalty when it comes to offensive decisions. However, defensively, his track record is terrible, no way around it, and thus, I can't blindly accept his choice if the candidate's resume doesn't match.

cadams · #3 01-08-2009, 10:27 AM

I think you have hit the nail on the head with this one. I think kubiak wants bush as DC and he is holding off for the big names to be gone so he can say that bush was the most qualified candidate interviewed.*

*hopefully i am way off on this

papabear · #4 01-08-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadams

I think you have hit the nail on the head with this one. I think kubiak wants bush as DC and he is holding off for the big names to be gone so he can say that bush was the most qualified candidate interviewed.*

*hopefully i am way off on this

Kubiak knows he's on a short leash. He's well aware that the strong finish saved his job this year, but he knows he needs to make the playoffs if he wants to stick around. I think he's going to get someone he believes will make an impact, and sooner rather than later.

cadams · #5 01-08-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papabear

Kubiak knows he's on a short leash. He's well aware that the strong finish saved his job this year, but he knows he needs to make the playoffs if he wants to stick around. I think he's going to get someone he believes will make an impact, and sooner rather than later.

I truly hope you are correct

bckey · #6 01-08-2009, 10:54 AM

I agree with Joshua on this whole week off thing. The Texans should have already done some interviews with available candidates. This would allow you to move quickly when someone like Sean McDermott becomes available. How many times have you seen a coach or free agent go to a team for an interview and never leave. Alot of times they get signed without ever making it to the other teams on their list. You snooze you lose in the NFL.

Joshua · #7 01-08-2009, 11:51 AM

Now we're talking. Marinelli is in town to interview for either the DC or D line position.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6200476.html

Whether he proves to be the guy or not, I'm just glad that there is some indication that the Texans search is moving forward.

On other fronts, the Saints fired their D coordinator yesterday and are interviewing Gregg Williams for the job today.

Arky · #8 01-08-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

..............
On other fronts, the Saints fired their D coordinator yesterday and are interviewing Gregg Williams for the job today.

I would put the Saints in with a whole bunch of teams like the Texans.... New Orleans, Houston, Denver, NYJ, Buffalo, San Francisco.... - a bunch of 7-9 to 9-7 teams with good offenses that could use better defenses. I think you could make a case for 6-10 Green Bay to belong in that group, too, as they lost a bunch of close games...

Keith · #9 01-08-2009, 01:50 PM

fyi - I renamed this thread to better encompass the conversation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

Marinelli is in town to interview for either the DC or D line position.

I think we can read this two ways. Either Marinelli is kicking our tires for a salary number he can take elsewhere to get more money from another team or the Texans are inclined to completely remake this into a cover-2 defense.

Regardless, I'm happy the team is talking to him, even if he isn't my first choice hire. It is a sign of progress, and a sign that Kubiak is willing to bring in a former HC to own that side of the ball here (assuming he's here to talk about the DC position... not sure why Kubiak would talk to DL candidates before DC ones).

Darn. Now I can't wait to see who else is interviewed next.

nero THE zero · #10 01-08-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keith

fyi - I renamed this thread to better encompass the conversation.

I think we can read this two ways. Either Marinelli is kicking our tires for a salary number he can take elsewhere to get more money from another team or the Texans are inclined to completely remake this into a cover-2 defense.

Regardless, I'm happy the team is talking to him, even if he isn't my first choice hire. It is a sign of progress, and a sign that Kubiak is willing to bring in a former HC to own that side of the ball here (assuming he's here to talk about the DC position... not sure why Kubiak would talk to DL candidates before DC ones).

Darn. Now I can't wait to see who else is interviewed next.

I think him coming in for the d-line position is a bunch of bull for 2 reasons:
1. He's already talked to 2 other teams that he has connections with (Chicago and Seattle) about a D-Line position

2. It's unlikely we would hire a d-line coach without our future DC's consent

So, in those ways, it wouldn't make sense for us to bring him in for a d-line position and it wouldn't make sense for him to come here for a d-line position.

Regarding our defense being remade to a Tampa-2, we're not far off are we? I was under the impression that our personnel on that side was due for a huge makeover regardless of who claims the DC post, but what do we really need to field a starting 11 for a Tampa-2? A speed rushing DE, another LB or 2 and another safety to pair with Wilson? Anything else? We have the penetrating DTs, we have Mario, we have the undersized LBs, we have the press CBs, and we have one safety with range and pop. Anything else?