HOUSTON --- University of Houston head football coach Kevin Sumlin announced on Monday that he has hired Brian Stewart as his defensive coordinator.

“We are excited about Brian joining the University of Houston as our new defensive coordinator,” Sumlin said. “His prior experience as defensive coordinator in the NFL and as a position coach at the collegiate level is exactly what we were looking for to elevate our defense to the next level.

“Brian brings a combination of experience and energy to our staff, which is what separated him from all the other candidates. Also, he and his family are familiar with Houston, having been here when he coached for the Texans, and they are looking forward to returning to Houston.”

Stewart comes to Houston after spending last season as defensive special assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he coached the NFL’s top cornerback interception tandem of Asante Samuel (9) and Sheldon Brown (5). Samuel led the NFL in interceptions in 2009 and was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl.

Stewart joined the Eagles after a two-year stint as the defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys. During his two years in Dallas, he guided the Cowboys to two top-10 rankings in terms of yardage allowed. In 2008, the Cowboys led the league with 59 sacks and ranked third in that category in 2007 (46). In 2007, an NFL-best five Cowboys defenders (DeMarcus Ware, Roy Williams, Greg Ellis, Ken Hamlin and Terence Newman) earned Pro Bowl selections.

“I think Coach Sumlin has done a great job at Houston, and I am glad to join his staff,” Stewart said. “Obviously, his offense is one of the best in the nation and scores a lot of points. What that does for the defense, is that it puts us in a position to attack and put a tremendous amount of pressure on the quarterback.

“Plus, I am excited about coming back to the city of Houston. This city is a hotbed for talent with an opportunity for UH to be a consistent winner. I would like to be a head coach some day, so being a successful coordinator in a successful program in a large city like Houston will put me in line to do so.”

From 2004-06, Stewart served as the secondary coach with the San Diego Chargers, where he coached former Cougar standout Hanik Milligan. During his final season in San Diego, the Chargers ranked first in sacks (61) and seventh in scoring defense (18.9 points allowed per game). In 2006, Chargers cornerback Quentin Jammer set a career high with four interceptions.

Stewart began his NFL coaching career as an assistant defensive backs coach with the Houston Texans (2002-03). He also worked at training camps with both Seattle and Washington as part of the league’s minority coaching fellowship program.

Stewart worked as an assistant coach on the collegiate level at Cal Poly (1993-94), Northern Arizona (1995), Missouri (1996, 1999-2000), San Jose State (1997-98) and Syracuse (2001).

A former college cornerback and free safety with Northern Arizona and Santa Monica City College, Stewart earned his degree in criminal justice from Northern Arizona.

He attended Nogales High School in La Puente, Calif., and annually conducts a free, one-day football camp for kids 7-19 in his hometown and hosts ASR – a sports retreat for minority coaches and administrators.