Quick hitter on firings and I'll bet I know who the replacements are

[LZ]

I just knocked out a quick hit blog entry on my thoughts on the firings and who I think will replace the coaches.

I was surprised by John Hoke's firing but I'm fairly certain I know who his replacement will be. Once you read the entry, you'll probably agree.

Richard Smith got whacked because Gary Kubiak wanted things to get better. Truth be told, I think Smith had to go. The fact that Frank Bush is already on the staff made it an easier decision in all likelihood.

As for Jethro, I was surprised he was let go too, but since he coaches a position with a ton of money invested in it, it isn't entirely surprising to see him gone. The Texans may have someone already in mind for his position as well.

Here is my blog entry. They just put it up.

[Kaiser Toro]

Thanks LZ.

Bio on David Gibbs - link

David Gibbs enters his third campaign as the Chiefs defensive backs coach in 2008. He owns six seasons of experience coaching in the AFC West after enjoying a four-year stint with Denver (2001-04). He joined Kansas City after serving as the defensive coordinator/secondary coach at Auburn in 2005.
Under Gibbs’ leadership a year ago, the Chiefs ranked fifth in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 188.9 yards per game. Kansas City permitted 17 TD passes in 2007, a mark that tied for fourth in the NFL and was the club’s lowest total since ‘98. Gibbs was instrumental in the development of second-year safeties Jarrad Page and Bernard Pollard, who both became full-time starters in 2007.

In his first season with the Chiefs, Gibbs led a Chiefs secondary that allowed only 208.4 passing yards per game in 2006. Kansas City also limited opponents to only 45 completions of 20+ yards as the Chiefs relinquished just one 300-yard passer.

Under his direction in 2005, the Auburn defense permitted 15.5 points per game to rank sixth in the NCAA. His squad also led the SEC with 39.0 sacks. The Tigers tied for second in the NCAA by allowing only eight touchdown passes on the season and 199.0 passing yards per game.

Prior to joining Auburn, Gibbs spent four seasons coaching the defensive backfield for the Broncos in his first NFL coaching stop. In his second season overseeing the enitre Denver secondary in 2003, the Broncos ranked fourth in the league in total defense, limiting opponents to 277.1 yards per game. Gibbs implemented a pair of first-year starters that season as Denver finished sixth in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 176.8 yards per game.

Gibbs spent 10 years at the collegiate level before entering the NFL ranks, including four seasons as the defensive coordinator/secondary coach at the University of Minnesota. In ‘97 he became the youngest defensive coordinator in NCAA Division I-A when the Gophers hired him to lead their defense. He oversaw a dramatic turnaround of a defensive unit that ranked last in the Big Ten prior to his arrival, but improved to fourth in total defense by ‘99. Minnesota led the Big Ten in pass defense (179.4) and ranked second in pass defense efficiency (98.3) and scoring defense (16.3), each figure ranking eighth in the nation that season.

[Hardcore Texan]

Sounds reasonable with Gibbs and Bush. I hope you are right about Marinelli, although I think he's more likely to be a DC somewhere instead of just coaching a line, hope I am wrong.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by Hardcore Texan

Sounds reasonable with Gibbs and Bush. I hope you are right about Marinelli, although I think he's more likely to be a DC somewhere instead of just coaching a line, hope I am wrong.

Marinelli has some re-inventing of himself to do. Here he could work with some of the best coordinators of his day on both sides of the ball with a fairly talented bunch of players at key positions. He could come here, work on his core competence, post some significant/tangible results and get back on the HC radar within two years.

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

Marinelli has some re-inventing of himself to do. Here he could work with some of the best coordinators of his day on both sides of the ball with a fairly talented bunch of players at key positions. He could come here, work on his core competence, post some significant/tangible results and get back on the HC radar within two years.

He is a classic example of the peter principle.

[Kaiser Toro]

Originally Posted by Vinny

He is a classic example of the peter principle.

I do not see him as HC material myself, but it certainly is a good value proposition for the Texans to be presenting.

[infantrycak]

With Shanny senior out, Gibbs may be looking for a job.

[Texan_Bill]

Good stuff LZ... Many here guessed about Bush, but I don't think anyone saw the David Gibbs deal.

[Texan_Bill]

LZ, could Mike Shanahan's firing in Denver affect the situation here in Houston? Bob Slowik?

[LonerATO]

You still have Nolan out there as well

[DiehardChris]

1. Will this affect Alex Gibbs' status with the Texans? The Broncos cleaned house, but they have GOT to bring in personnel to provide some offensive continuity. You just don't install a new offensive system when your offense is as elite as Denver's is.

2. Will this affect Kyle Shanahan? Could he and/or Gibbs be headed for Denver? Again - they're going to want to bring in a staff that can coach the same kind of offense they had in 2008.

[Texans_Chick]

Here's my viewpoint on the firings.

I have to say that I am completely meh on Frank Bush being the DC. What is the argument that would say that he would be anything better than what we have had?

Blog post: A Texan fan's plea for an experienced defensive coordinator

Here's Bush's background:

BUSH’S COACHING LEDGER
2007-08: Senior Defensive Assistant, Houston Texans
2006: Asst. Head Coach/Linebackers, Arizona Cardinals
2004-05: Linebackers, Arizona Cardinals
2001-03: Special Teams, Denver Broncos
2000: Secondary/Nickel Package, Denver Broncos
1995-99: Linebackers, Denver Broncos
1992-94: Linebackers, Houston Oilers
1987-92: Scout, Houston Oilers

Yawn.

There is no salary cap on coaches salaries. Give us a choice that gives us some hope.

[Thorn]

Originally Posted by Texans_Chick

Here's my viewpoint on the firings.

I have to say that I am completely meh on Frank Bush being the DC. What is the argument that would say that he would be anything better than what we have had?

Blog post: A Texan fan's plea for an experienced defensive coordinator

Here's Bush's background:



Yawn.

There is no salary cap on coaches salaries. Give us a choice that gives us some hope.

Long history with Houston and Houston North.

[LZ]

Originally Posted by LonerATO

You still have Nolan out there as well

Nolan is a 3-4 advocate so that knocks him out.

[Kaiser Toro]

I am not enthusiastic about Bush. Kubiak's original thoughts on who to lead the defense, the initial Carr debacle and Kubiak's in game management show me that his gut ain't a good place to find answers.

Staffs are being let go, left and right. I am sure he had a list of folks to interview immediatley and hopefully that list got incrementally bigger with the recent rash of transactions. Take it slow, get the right input and make an informed decision.

[LZ]

Originally Posted by DiehardChris

1. Will this affect Alex Gibbs' status with the Texans? The Broncos cleaned house, but they have GOT to bring in personnel to provide some offensive continuity. You just don't install a new offensive system when your offense is as elite as Denver's is.

2. Will this affect Kyle Shanahan? Could he and/or Gibbs be headed for Denver? Again - they're going to want to bring in a staff that can coach the same kind of offense they had in 2008.

If anything, I can see the addition of David Gibbs as a sign that Alex will be back another year (if it happened). I don't think Shanny's firing will have any impact on anything.

[b0ng]

Originally Posted by infantrycak

With Shanny senior out, Gibbs may be looking for a job.

He works one day a week to help set up the gameplan, and works during training camp. Does he want to be a HC and all of that stuff that entails?

[rollinstone18]

I like the idea of Marinelli as our d-line coach.

[DiehardChris]

Originally Posted by LZ

If anything, I can see the addition of David Gibbs as a sign that Alex will be back another year (if it happened). I don't think Shanny's firing will have any impact on anything.

Well, thank the gods for that. I hope you're right.

(I'm a worrier)

[LZ]

Originally Posted by Kaiser Toro

I am not enthusiastic about Bush. Kubiak's original thoughts on who to lead the defense, the initial Carr debacle and Kubiak's in game management show me that his gut ain't a good place to find answers.

Staffs are being let go, left and right. I am sure he had a list of folks to interview immediatley and hopefully that list got incrementally bigger with the recent rash of transactions. Take it slow, get the right input and make an informed decision.

In this business "who you know" is critical in many hirings. That isn't to say that those coaches aren't competent, it's just that head coaches like to have guys around them they know and trust and if Kubiak has shown anything it is that he likes to have a familiarity with players/coaches.