National Football League

Titans hire Bush as LB coach, McGinnis new title

Published Feb. 18, 2011 12:40 a.m. ET

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The Tennessee Titans have hired former Texans defensive coordinator Frank Bush as their new linebackers coach with Dave McGinnis moving from that job to a new spot as senior assistant coach.

The Titans announced the moves Thursday.

Bush spent the past four seasons with the Houston Texans, the last two as the defensive coordinator before being fired Jan. 3. He has coached 19 seasons in the NFL, working linebackers. He is another former teammate of new Titans coach Mike Munchak as a fifth-round draft pick in 1985 by the then-Houston Oilers. After he retired, he joined the Oilers as a college scout in 1987.

Bush replaces McGinnis who will work with Munchak and the defensive coaches.

Munchak said in a statement that he's always been impressed by how the physical style of Bush's players, and he thinks Bush will work well with new defensive coordinator Jerry Gray.

''He has done it all in this league - coordinated, linebackers, special teams, defensive line - so he will bring a lot to our staff,'' Munchak said. ''He should be a resource to Jerry as well, in terms of understanding the offenses in the division. Frank is a high-energy guy that I think guys will respond well to.''

Bush spent three seasons with Arizona where he was assistant head coach in his final season, and he coached Karlos Dansby with the Cardinals ranked eighth in 2005. Bush also coached in Denver working with linebackers between 1995 and 1999, 2000 coaching the secondary and the special teams between 2001 and 2003.

He moved from scouting to coaching linebackers for the Oilers in 1992, a job he held through 1994. He calls this a great opportunity.

''I am excited about it and looking forward to working with Mike because he has always been a winner,'' Bush said. ''It will be good getting back with the linebackers and I know I have something to prove. In talking with Jerry, there was a good fit and we see things in a similar way. I want my guys to play aggressively and with passion.''

A former head coach with Arizona, McGinnis also will handle personnel and administrative roles. McGinnis thanked owner Bud Adams, senior executive vice president Steve Underwood, general manager Mike Reinfeldt and Munchak for giving him a chance to use his 25 years' in the NFL and said he looks forward to this new role.

''Dave has a wealth of experience and he is going to be able help us in a bunch of different areas - so now we can make the best use of all his skills. I am grateful that he will be taking on this new role and he will be an important voice for me,'' Munchak said.

This moves Munchak closer to filling out his coaching staff. He still needs a wide receivers assistant and running backs coach along with two other assistants.