New story by John McClain on chron.com/sports :
Arizona defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast was working on his game plan for Sundays NFC Championship Game against Philadelphia when he found out Frank Bush had been named the Texans defensive coordinator.
Jacksonville defensive coordinator Gregg Williams was at home with his family in Virginia when he learned Bush had been promoted from senior defensive assistant.
Bush was linebackers coach and assistant head coach during his three seasons (2004-06) with the Cardinals. He worked closely with Pendergast, who has been their defensive coordinator the last five years.
I think its a great hire, and Im so happy for Frank, said Pendergast, who has done an outstanding job with a Cardinals defense that has helped them come within one step of the Super Bowl for the first time. Im so happy hes finally getting this well-deserved opportunity.
I think Frank will be an excellent coordinator. Hes very organized. He has a great feel for the game. He knows what buttons to push to motivate his players.
In developing a philosophy that has been influenced by a lot of great defensive coaches, Bush said one of the many things he learned from Pendergast was how to think outside the box.
In other words, dont be afraid to experiment and take chances.
Playing safe can be dangerous.
Not afraid of new things
When Frank was here, we werent afraid to try different things different schemes and personnel groupings, Pendergast said. We didnt want to play it safe.
Frank helped me a lot. Hes creative. Hes got good ideas, and he knows how to implement them in a way the players understand.
When Williams followed coach Jack Pardee from the University of Houston to the Oilers in 1990, Bush already had been a player and scout with the Oilers for five years. When Bush left the personnel department to coach linebackers, he worked with Williams under defensive coordinators Jim Eddy, Buddy Ryan and Jeff Fisher.
Frank and I go way back, said Williams, who has interviewed for defensive coordinator jobs with New Orleans and Green Bay since the season ended. I watched him go from scouting to coaching, and Ive seen him rise through the ranks.
Im fired up for him. I know hes going to do a great job with that defense.
Williams has been a defensive coordinator with the Titans, Redskins and Jaguars and a head coach with the Bills.
With Jacksonville last season, he saw the Texans twice and watched a lot of tape to prepare for them.
Theyve got a good thing going there, and I think it was a good move for them to promote him, Williams said. Frank knows the players, and they know him. He knows their strengths and weaknesses.
A new coach coming in would have to learn everything that Frank already knows. Thats definitely an advantage for them.
Pressure in his blood
Williams is known as one of the most aggressive defensive coaches in the league.
Everything he does is built around pressuring the quarterback.
Im excited about the style Franks going to play because we both come from a pressure background, Williams said. Frank played that way as an outside linebacker (under Jerry Glanville). Then he coached that way as an assistant with the Oilers.
After spending 10 years with the Oilers, Denver coach Mike Shanahan hired Bush to coach linebackers.
In his nine years with the Broncos, Bush won two Super Bowl rings.
Frank understands every defensive position as well as special teams, Williams said. Hes played and coached in a variety of styles. Hes learned from a lot of outstanding defensive coaches.
Now its Franks baby, and hes going to do great. Let me tell you something: There are a lot of coaches around the NFL that are real happy that hes getting this opportunity.
john.mcclain@chron.com
