INDIANAPOLIS -- The Texans have hired former Arizona Cardinals linebackers coach and defensive coordinator Billy Davis as their new linebackers coach, replacing Chris Kifffin, according to league sources.
Kiffin coached the Texans’ linebackers last season and is no longer working for the team after being requested for defensive coordinator interviews, including the Miami Dolphins, and not landing the job that went to Anthony Weaver.
The Texans also interviewed Detroit Lions assistant linebackers coach Shon Dion Hamilton and USC linebackers coach and assistant defensive head coach Roy Manning for the job before hiring Davis, per league sources.
Davis worked with Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke in Arizona, overlapping for one season before Burke was hired by Texans coach DeMeco Ryans.
Davis, 58, is a highly experienced coach who has been a defensive coordinator with the San Francisco 49ers, Cardinals and the Philadelphia Eagles. He has coached linebackers recently with the Cardinals, Ohio State and Cleveland Browns after previous stints with the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers.
Davis has coached in the NFL for 14 seasons, including outside linebackers and inside linebackers.
With the Texans, Davis will coach speedy linebacker Christian Harris. The Texans have had contract discussions regarding free agent linebacker Blake Cashman with no deal imminent, per a league source. Denzel Perryman is also a free agent.
The Texans are expected to explore the linebacker market in free agency, including Tennessee Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair.
“Sky’s the limit for Christian,” Ryans said of Harris, who has run the 40-yard dash in 4.44 seconds and emerged last season as a standout linebacker. “Christian is one of the fastest linebackers that I’ve had a chance to work with. Very explosive, instinctive player. I’m excited. I see last year was Christian’s rookie year. That was his first year and I’m excited to see him build off of what he did last year.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790
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