The Texans have hired former Illinois All-Big Ten Conference linebacker Dele Harding as a defensive assistant, according to league sources not authorized to speak publicly.
Dele played for Texans head coach Lovie Smith at Illinois and was a team captain.
The Texans also hired former Illinois defensive tackle and Miami Dolphins coaching assistant Kenyon Jackson as assistant defensive line coach, per sources.
He led the Big Ten Conference in 2019 with 153 tackles, 14 1/2 for losses, three interceptions, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
He returned an interception for a touchdown against Rutgers.
He had another interception return for a touchdown against Minnesota.
He had a career-high 17 tackles against Eastern Michigan.
He was a special-teams captain as a junior.
The Maryland native was a two-time all-state selection and team captain. He originally committed to Michigan and also had scholarship offers from Rutgers, Tennessee and USC.
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