The New York Giants have been struggling with linebacker problems in the worst way. For the past decade-plus, it’s felt more like the “Poo Crew” than the Lawrence Taylor, Harry Carson, Brad Van Pelt, and Brian Kelley “Crunch Bunch” of the ’80s.
Someone must have told new head coach John Harbaugh that -- or maybe it was so obvious he already saw it from down I-95 while coaching the Baltimore Ravens -- because he finally took his first real step toward fixing it by hiring former Tennessee Titans linebackers coach Frank Bush to help put an end to the madness that is Big Blue’s linebacker room.
CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz reported the news on Monday:
The #Giants are expected to hire #Titans linebackers coach Frank Bush, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 10, 2026
Helped Cedric Gray rank fourth in the NFL with 164 tackles. Was previously LB coach for the Falcons, assistant head coach for defense with the Jets and assistant head coach and LB… pic.twitter.com/sLHmy3x8A8
The 63-year-old reunites with Dennard Wilson, his defensive coordinator in Tennessee the past two seasons and now the man running the show on defense in New York. New Titans HC Robert Saleh opted not to keep Bush on his staff for 2026.
Giants linebacker overhaul quietly begins with Frank Bush hire
Bush has been around forever. He’s coached linebackers in Denver, Houston, Arizona, St. Louis, Miami, Atlanta, New York, and most recently Tennessee, and he’s also run a defense as a coordinator in Houston and as the Jets’ interim DC in 2020.
Talk about a guy who’s seen every version of an NFL linebacker room.
For the Giants, it finally gives the room some structure. Bush joins assistant LB coach Matt Pees and OLB coach Charlie Bullen to round out the crew, assuming Bullen doesn’t land one of the open DC jobs in Arizona or Cleveland. For once, the linebacker group doesn't feel like an afterthought.
If anyone knows a defense needs a star linebacker to be successful, it’s Harby. Ray Lewis, C.J. Mosley, Roquan Smith, and Patrick Queen didn’t happen by accident.
That sort of talent isn't at his disposal in East Rutherford. At least, not yet. Which is exactly why this move feels intentional. Bush is just one season removed from helping rookie linebacker Cedric Gray (the 106th overall pick) finish top-four in the league in tackles with 164. The Giants just so happen to hold the 105th pick in the 2026 Draft... could be a little foreshadowing for what's to come in April.
With the Bush hire, here's how the rest of the staff is coming along:
Offense
- Offensive coordinator - Matt Nagy
- Running backs coach - Willie Taggart
- Running backs quality control coach - Adam Schrack
- Tight ends coach - Tim Kelly
- Wide receivers coach - Chad Hall
- Assistant offensive line coach - Greg Newsome
- Offensive line coach - Mike Bloomgren
- Senior offensive assistant coach - Greg Roman
Defense
- Defensive coordinator - Dennard Wilson
- Outside linebackers coach - Charlie Bullen
- Defensive line coach - Dennis Johnson
- Assistant defensive line coach - Matt Robinson
- Defensive backs coach - Donald D'Alesio
- Assistant linebackers coach - Matt Pees
- Defensive backs quality control coach - Brendan Clark
- Defensive backs coach - Addison Lynch
- Linebackers coach - Frank Bush
Special teams