Bears sign Texans coach to direct defensive backs

The Chicago Bears' hiring of Jon Hoke as defensive backs coach Tuesday leaves linebackers coach as the only opening on Lovie Smith's staff.

Hoke, who played 11 games for the Bears in 1980 and had 7 tackles, spent the last seven seasons (2002-08) as the Houston Texans' defensive backs coach. But Texans head coach Gary Kubiak fired most of his defensive assistants after they finished 31st, 30th and 29th in yards allowed the past three seasons. Hoke replaces Steven Wilks, who coached the Bears' defensive backs the past three seasons.

Before coming to the NFL, Hoke was defensive coordinator/secondary coach at the University of Florida. He added the title of assistant head coach in his final two seasons at Florida.

Prior to his time in Gainesville, Hoke was the defensive backs coach at Missouri for five seasons (1994-98) after spending three years in the same capacity at Kent State (1989-93), adding the title of defensive coordinator in his final season with the Golden Flashes. He began his coaching career at Bowling Green in 1983, as the Falcons' secondary/special teams coach. He spent four seasons there before coaching the defensive backs and special teams at San Diego State from 1987-88.

Hoke, a Kettering, Ohio native, was a four-year letter winner at Ball State (1976-79).