Texans dismiss Smith, two other defensive assistants

<em>Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky</em> <p>The Texans just announced that three defensive coaches have been dismissed: Coordinator Richard Smith, defensive backs coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.</p> <p>Smith was under fire for most of the season, though, his unit played better late in the season when the Texans played less conservatively.</p> <p>Coach Gary Kubiak once wanted Frank Bush, a senior defensive assistant for the Texans, to be his coordinator. But there will be a great pool to choose from as several former head coaches are available or believed to be on their way to being available.</p> <p>Rod Marinelli, Eric Mangini, Mike Nolan, Romeo Crennel are already out of work and Gregg Williams worked under a one-year deal as coordinator in Jacksonville. Jim Haslett and Herm Edwards could also become part of the available coordinator pool.</p> <p>Kubiak is scheduled to talk to the Houston press at 2:30 p.m. and we'll check back once we see what he says.</p>

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