Rice’s football program is turning the defense over to a coach who once was the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.
Brian Stewart reportedly will be Rice’s next defensive coordinator. Stewart, regarded as a 3-4 defensive specialist, spent the last two years as Nebraska defensive back coach. He was the Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator from 2007-2008 and defensive coordinator at the University of Houston from 2010-2011.
Stewart will replace Chris Thurmond who retired as Rice defensive coordinator and cornerback coach at the end of the 2016 season.
Rice has not yet formally introduced Stewart’s hiring. Stewart told Nebraska coach Mike Riley he was leaving for a defensive coordinator job and several media outlets reported that Rice is that job.