Ben Bolling enters his fourth season as a defensive assistant for the Houston Texans in 2024. Bolling initially joined the Texans after spending five seasons (2016-20) with his alma mater, Campbell University.
In 2023, Bolling contributed to the Texans significant improvement at each level of their defense. After giving up the most rushing yards per game in 2022, the Texans defense held their opponents to just 96.6 rushing yards per game, marking the sixth-lowest output in the NFL this season. Additionally, the team finished second in the NFL in tackles for loss (105). The Texans defense finished the regular season with 46.0 sacks, setting the new franchise record for most sacks in a season. Additionally, Bolling helped rookie DE Will Anderson Jr. earn AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors while also being named to his first Pro Bowl. Anderson finished the regular season with 29 tackles (16 solo), 7.0 sacks, 67 pressures, 22 quarterback hits and 10 tackles for loss and one blocked field goal. Anderson's 67 pressures led all rookies this season. He also set the new rookie franchise record for most sacks in a season (7.0).
In 2022, Bolling helped the Texans defense post the fifth-best interception rate (3.07 percent) and allowed the 10th-best passing yards per game (209.3). The Texans defense was energized by the performances of rookie S Jalen Pitre, who led the team in both tackles (147) and interceptions (5), and LB Christian Harris, who finished with 74 tackles (46 solo) and became the fourth rookie linebacker in franchise history to record an interception. Seven of the team's 16 interceptions were recorded by a rookie, which tied for most in the NFL. Bolling also helped veteran players like DE Jerry Hughes and DE Ogbonnia Okoronkwo reach 9.0 and 5.0 sacks, respectively, in their first season with the Texans.
In his first season with Houston, Bolling helped guide a defense that forced 25 takeaways, which tied for 10th-most in the NFL and marked a 16-takeaway increase from the team's 2020 takeaway total (9). The Texans defense also intercepted 3.1 percent of opponent pass attempts, the fifth-highest rate in the NFL. Bolling helped oversee the development of LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, the team's leading tackler (106 total, 70 solo), who set the single-game franchise record with 19 tackles vs. Indianapolis, and DE Jonathan Greenard, who led the team in sacks (8.0) and was the third-highest rated second-year defensive player in the NFL by Pro Football Focus with a grade of 82.9.
Prior to arriving in Houston, Bolling served as the wide receivers coach/offensive recruiting coordinator at Campbell during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Despite the Camels playing a shortened season in 2020, Bolling coached WR Jalen Kesley to a team-high 18 receptions for 221 yards (12.3 avg.) and one touchdown. In 2019, he guided one of the best and youngest wide receiver corps in Campbell's modern history, with sophomore Caleb Snead and freshman Kelsey combining for 1,091 yards and 13 touchdowns. The duo was named to Phil Steele's Big South all-conference teams, with Snead taking second-team honors and Kelsey claiming third-team accolades.
Prior to working with the offensive side of the ball, Bolling coached Campbell University's safeties from 2017-18. In 2018, Campbell led the FCS in fewest passing yards allowed, surrendering just 122.5 per game, and posted the seventh-best pass efficiency defense (103.27). The Camels also ranked 15th in red zone defense (72.4 percent), 25th in scoring defense (22.0 points per game) and 25th in total defense (335.4 yards per game).
In 2017, Campbell ranked among the nation's leaders in takeaways, posting a school record 19 interceptions. Bolling tutored DB Carlos Merritt, who was named first team All-Pioneer Football League (PFL) after tying Campbell's single-season record with six interceptions. Merritt headlined a group of 10 Camels that received All-Pioneer Football League recognition. In 2016, Bolling served as a defensive quality control coach and helped the unit allow only 193.1 passing yards per game on the season.
Bolling played four seasons as a wide receiver at Campbell University (2012-15) after redshirting his freshman year (2011). Bolling enjoyed a record-setting career, finishing as Campbell's all-time leader in receiving yards (1,329) and receptions (100) while also tying for the program lead in receiving touchdowns (8). He was a two-time CoSIDA Academic All-District 3 honoree, collecting accolades in 2013 and 2015, and made his third appearance on the Academic All-PFL team in 2015.
Bolling graduated from Campbell in 2015 with a degree in exercise and sports science. He is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist from the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
Prior to his collegiate career, Bolling was a four-year football letter winner at Knightdale (N.C.) High School. He was an all-conference selection as a junior and senior and is the school's all-time leader in passing yards (3,557), career touchdowns (40) and career total yards (5,191).
Bolling was born in Richmond, Va., and resides in Houston with his wife, Tayler, and their daughter, Kaja Rose.
