The New York Giants are wasting no time building out John Harbaugh’s new coaching staff, and their latest reported addition brings a wealth of experience to the defensive side of the ball. Veteran linebackers coach Frank Bush is expected to join the staff, reuniting with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson.
Bush, 63, is no stranger to NFL sidelines. He’s been around the league since 1987, when he got his start as a college scout with the Houston Oilers.
By 1993, he was coaching linebackers, and he’s been a steady presence in that role across multiple franchises ever since. Most recently, he spent the past two seasons coaching linebackers for the Tennessee Titans-where Wilson was calling the shots on defense.
The two also crossed paths with the New York Jets in 2019 and 2020, so there’s a clear history and familiarity between them.
While Bush has primarily been a linebackers coach, his resume includes stints as a defensive coordinator as well. He ran the Houston Texans’ defense in 2009 and 2010, and served as the interim DC for the Jets in 2020. That kind of versatility and leadership experience is exactly what Harbaugh seems to be targeting as he assembles his staff.
Bush’s coaching journey has taken him all over the league, with stops at the Oilers, Broncos, Cardinals, both versions of the Rams (St. Louis and Los Angeles), Jets, Dolphins, Falcons, Texans, and Titans-twice. That kind of league-wide experience gives him a broad perspective and a deep understanding of defensive schemes and linebacker development, something the Giants could certainly use as they look to tighten up that side of the ball.
Meanwhile, the Giants may not be done making changes. Outside linebackers coach Charlie Bullen has drawn interest from around the league, with both the Arizona Cardinals and Cleveland Browns requesting interviews for their defensive coordinator openings. If Bullen does move on, it could open up another spot on Harbaugh’s staff-and potentially another opportunity to bring in a coach with a strong defensive pedigree.
For now, the addition of Frank Bush signals a clear direction: Harbaugh and Wilson are surrounding themselves with experienced, trusted voices who know how to develop talent and manage a defense. It’s a foundational step as the Giants look to reset and rebuild under their new leadership.