[Houston Chronicle] Texans to hire Richard Smith as defensive coordinator

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/3629709.html

By JOHN McCLAIN
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Richard Smith, co-defensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins last season, is being hired as the Texans’ new defensive coordinator, a league official said today. Former Green Bay coach Mike Sherman is not expected to make a decision to join the Texans as assistant head coach/offensive line before next week.

Smith, who has 18 years of NFL coaching experience, was going to coach linebackers if new coach Gary Kubiak had been able to hire Arizona linebackers coach Frank Bush as defensive coordinator.

The Cardinals wouldn’t give the Texans permission to interview Bush. On Wednesday, Bush was given a promotion by Arizona to assistant head coach/linebackers.

Smith’s hiring could become official as early as Thursday, said the league official who asked not to be named.

He began his career as special teams coach with the Oilers in 1988 under Jerry Glanville. In five seasons of working with Glanville and Jack Pardee, Smith also coached linebackers, tight ends and the offensive line.

The Oilers made the playoffs in each of Smith’s five seasons. In 18 seasons as an NFL assistant, Smith’s teams have made 11 playoff appearances.

Smith bolted Houston for Denver in 1993, the first of his four seasons with the Broncos. In 1995-96, his last two seasons coaching Denver’s special teams and linebackers, Smith worked with Kubiak, the Broncos’ offensive coordinator.

In 1997, Smith went to San Francisco to work with his close friend, Steve Mariucci. Smith coached the linebackers for six seasons.

When Mariucci was hired by Detroit, Smith went with him as assistant head coach before moving to Miami last season.

Meanwhile, Kubiak denied a report out of Boston that Sherman had accepted his offer to join the Texans. Sherman, who was fired by Green Bay after the season, came to Houston last week to visit with Kubiak and owner Bob McNair.

“That story’s false,” Kubiak said about the report that Sherman had accepted his offer. “Mike hasn’t decided anything yet. I told him how much I’d like to have him, but I told him to take his time and let me know when he’d decided.

“I’ve known Mike a long time, and he’s a great coach who can really help us. I don’t mind waiting for someone like Mike.”

Kubiak coached running backs and Sherman the offensive line on R.C. Slocum’s Texas A&M staff in 1992-93.

 

Does anybody know if we will run a 4-3 or 3-4? ESPN said Richard Smith is know as a 3-4 guy.