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By STEVE CAMPBELL Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle
Jan. 26, 2010, 12:25AM
The Houston Cougars reached to the NFL in hopes of repairing their tattered defense.
UH coach Kevin Sumlin announced Monday the hiring of former Texans assistant Brian Stewart, who spent this season as a special assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, as his defensive coordinator.
Stewart arrived in Philadelphia after a two-year stint as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, who finished among the top 10 in yardage allowed both seasons.
Stewart, 45, began his NFL coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Texans from 2002-03 under Dom Capers. A former cornerback and safety at Northern Arizona, Stewart worked as an assistant on the college level at Cal Poly (1993-94), Northern Arizona (1995), Missouri (1996, 1999-2000), San Jose State (1997-98) and Syracuse (2001).
“His prior experience as a defensive coordinator in the NFL and as a position coach at the collegiate level is exactly what we were looking for to elevate our defense to the next level,” Sumlin said. “Brian brings a combination of experience and energy to our staff, which is what separated him from all the other candidates.”
Among those in the candidate pool had been former Marshall coach Mark Snyder (hired as University of South Florida defensive coordinator), former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill (hired as East Carolina's coach) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton.
Stewart was secondary coach with the San Diego Chargers from 2004-06 before taking over the Cowboys' defense. The Cowboys were third in the NFL in sacks in 2007 and first in 2008. Stewart takes over a UH defense that was 111th out of 120 teams in total defense (451.3 yards per game), 95th in scoring defense (30.1 points per game) and 115th in rushing defense (226.6).
“I think coach Sumlin has done a great job at Houston, and I am glad to join his staff,” Stewart said. “Obviously, his offense is one of the best in the nation and scores a lot of points. What that does for the defense is that it puts us in a position to attack and put a tremendous amount of pressure on the quarterback.
“Plus, I am excited about coming back to the city of Houston. This city is a hotbed for talent with an opportunity for UH to be a consistent winner. I would like to be a head coach someday, so being a successful coordinator in a successful program in a large city like Houston will put me in line to do so.”
steve.campbell@chron.com
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/houston/6834732.html
Jan. 26, 2010, 12:25AM
The Houston Cougars reached to the NFL in hopes of repairing their tattered defense.
UH coach Kevin Sumlin announced Monday the hiring of former Texans assistant Brian Stewart, who spent this season as a special assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, as his defensive coordinator.
Stewart arrived in Philadelphia after a two-year stint as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys, who finished among the top 10 in yardage allowed both seasons.
Stewart, 45, began his NFL coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Texans from 2002-03 under Dom Capers. A former cornerback and safety at Northern Arizona, Stewart worked as an assistant on the college level at Cal Poly (1993-94), Northern Arizona (1995), Missouri (1996, 1999-2000), San Jose State (1997-98) and Syracuse (2001).
“His prior experience as a defensive coordinator in the NFL and as a position coach at the collegiate level is exactly what we were looking for to elevate our defense to the next level,” Sumlin said. “Brian brings a combination of experience and energy to our staff, which is what separated him from all the other candidates.”
Among those in the candidate pool had been former Marshall coach Mark Snyder (hired as University of South Florida defensive coordinator), former Texas Tech defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill (hired as East Carolina's coach) and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive backs coach Ray Horton.
Stewart was secondary coach with the San Diego Chargers from 2004-06 before taking over the Cowboys' defense. The Cowboys were third in the NFL in sacks in 2007 and first in 2008. Stewart takes over a UH defense that was 111th out of 120 teams in total defense (451.3 yards per game), 95th in scoring defense (30.1 points per game) and 115th in rushing defense (226.6).
“I think coach Sumlin has done a great job at Houston, and I am glad to join his staff,” Stewart said. “Obviously, his offense is one of the best in the nation and scores a lot of points. What that does for the defense is that it puts us in a position to attack and put a tremendous amount of pressure on the quarterback.
“Plus, I am excited about coming back to the city of Houston. This city is a hotbed for talent with an opportunity for UH to be a consistent winner. I would like to be a head coach someday, so being a successful coordinator in a successful program in a large city like Houston will put me in line to do so.”
steve.campbell@chron.com
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/college/houston/6834732.html
