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A snapshot of the Houston Texans defense during the playoffs against the New England Patriots.
The New York Jets have announced a flurry of coaching hires on the defensive side of the football.
One of the most notable names is linebackers coach Ben Bolling. Bolling has spent the last five years with the Houston Texans.
The first four years of that run were spent as a defensive assistant. This past season, he was promoted to assistant linebackers coach.
Houston had the No. 1 defense in the NFL in 2025. They were No. 1 in total net yards per game (277.2). The Texans had the third most takeaways in the league (29)
“He got his coaching start at Campbell University as a defensive assistant/safeties coach in 2016-18 before transitioning to wide receivers coach and offensive recruiting coordinator in 2019-20. Bolling played WR at Campbell, redshirting in 2011 before hauling in 100 receptions for 1,329 yards and 8 TDs in 44 games from 2021-15. The North Carolina native lettered in three sports at Knightdale HS and became the school’s all-time leader in passing yards (3,557), career touchdowns (40) and career total yards (5,191),” Jets senior reporter Eric Allen wrote in a press release.
Jets Are Smart to Kick Tires on Coaches From Great Defenses
The green and white snagging a coach from the best defense in the NFL is sound thinking.
On Thursday, February 12, the Jets announced that they have “filled out” their defensive coaching staff.
The rest of the group included Collin Bauer as a defensive assistant, Bolling as the LBs coach, Ronald Booker as a defensive assistant and nickels coach, and safeties coach Ryan Slowik, the brother of Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
NFL analyst Will Parkinson said, “Feels like a pretty massive upgrade staff wise on defense. [Karl] Dunbar and Bolling are very exciting hires imo.”
Top Social Media Reactions to New Jets Defensive Staff
Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic wrote, “I think Aaron Glenn did a really good job with his defensive staff. Key now is how his playcalling looks.”
“Agree with [Zack Rosenblatt], I think the defensive staff is objectively much better on paper … offense is just different, TBD if better. We know ST is set/good,” Jets analyst Joe Caporoso responded.
This is a developing story and we’ll provide new details as they become available.