Baylor Bears add Gush, Buckels to coaching staff

Published Jan. 12, 2011 10:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

Baylor has shaken up its defensive coaching staff after its first winning season in 15 years.

Coach Art Briles announced Wednesday the hirings of defensive assistants Jim Gush and Carlton Buckels. They will work under Phil Bennett, the defensive coordinator hired Friday.

''Both of these coaches have a wealth of experience and knowledge,'' Briles said. ''They both have extensive experience with coach Bennett, and we're excited about what they can bring to the table on the defensive side of the ball to help us continue our climb.''

While the Bears (7-6) had their first winning season since 1995, and first bowl appearance since 1994, they ranked 104th out of 120 FBS teams in total defense, allowing 436 total yards a game. They were 89th in scoring defense (30.5 points a game).

No longer on the Baylor staff are linebackers coach Larry Hoefer, secondary coach Kim McCloud and defensive ends coach Theo Young. Hoefer, who just completed his eighth season, was the longest-tenured Bears coach.

Gush, a 30-year coaching veteran who will coach linebackers at Baylor, spent the last two seasons as defensive coordinator at Stony Brook. He previously worked with Bennett at SMU, Kansas State and Iowa State.

Buckles will work with the secondary after spending the last two seasons at North Texas. He was a graduate assistant at LSU before working at Delta State, Southeastern Louisiana, New Mexico State and UNT.

Brian Norwood, previously Baylor's defensive coordinator, will be an associate head coach and work with the secondary. Defensive line Chris Achuff also was retained.