Todd Orlando Named USC Football Defensive Coordinator
January 24, 2020 | Football, Features
"We are excited to have Todd join our Trojan football program," said Helton. "He is an experienced and successful defensive coordinator who has made an impact everywhere he has coached. He brings a passion, energy, toughness and discipline to his coaching and those characteristics were evident in our discussions. His defensive system poses an extreme challenge to offenses."
Orlando, 48, has been a defensive coordinator at Houston, Utah State, Florida International and Connecticut in addition to Texas. At each of his stops, his aggressive, blitzing defense has made an immediate impact.
"You can't practice soft and play hard."
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) January 24, 2020
New DC Todd Orlando is looking to up the physicality on the USC practice field. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/Jorj04g0b6
He spent the past 3 seasons (2017-19) as Texas' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. His defense forced 65 turnovers during his time in Austin, among the best in the Big 12. In 2017 in his first season, the Longhorns improved 61 spots in the national rankings in scoring defense and 53 spots in total defense from 2016. Texas was in the national Top 10 in rushing defense , third down defense, fourth down defense, defensive touchdowns and interception TDs in 2017. Linebacker Malik Jefferson was the 2017 Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Year, defensive lineman Poona Ford was the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and safety DeShon Elliott was a unanimous All-American and Thorpe Award finalist. UT played in the 2017 Texas Bowl.
In 2018, the Longhorns allowed just 131.4 rushing yards per game. Defensive end Charles Omenihu was the 2018 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and safety Caden Sterns was the Defensive Freshman of the Year. They joined cornerback Kris Boyd as All-Big 12 first teamers. Texas played in the 2019 Alamo Bowl.
In 2015 and 2016, Orlando was the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Houston. The Cougars' 2015 scoring defense was 20th nationally, as 12 of their 14 opponents were held under their scoring average, and UH's rushing defense was eighth. Houston topped the nation in takeaways in 2015. Linebacker Elandon Roberts was ninth in the nation in solo tackles that season, made the All-American Athletic first team and was an NFL draftee. Houston was the 2015 AAC champion, won the Peach Bowl, posted 13 wins and finished eighth in the AP poll. The Cougars then played in the 2016 Las Vegas Bowl.
Check out our new Defensive Coordinator by the numbers ✌️#FightOn | @CoachTOrlando pic.twitter.com/ITTHAf1cX4
— USC Football (@USC_FB) January 24, 2020
Then in 2016, UH was fourth nationally in rushing defense and 13th in total defense, as well as 14th in sacks and tackles for loss. Defensive tackle Ed Oliver was a 2016 All-American first teamer as a true freshman and linebacker Steven Taylor was an All-AAC first team pick.
Orlando spent 2 seasons (2013-14) as Utah State's defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. In 2013, his defense was in the national Top 20 in total, scoring defense, rushing defense and pass efficiency defense. The Aggies played in the 2013 Poinsettia Bowl.
Then in 2014, Utah State was in the nation's Top 20 in scoring defense, pass efficiency defense, sacks and tackles for loss. Four defensive players made the 2014 All-Mountain West first team, including MWC Defensive Player of the Year linebacker Zach Vigil. The Utes were in the 2014 New Mexico Bowl.
As the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Florida International for 2 years (2011-12), the 2011 Golden Panthers defense improved 51 spots nationally in scoring defense from 2010 and 31 spots in total defense. Two FIU defensive players made the All-Sun Belt Conference first team during his tenure, safety Jonathan Cyprien (an NFL draft pick) and defensive lineman Tourek Williams. FIU appeared in the 2011 Beef O'Brady's Bowl.
Orlando spent the previous 12 years (1999-2010) at Connecticut, the first 6 seasons as the inside linebackers coach and the last 6 adding the defensive coordinator role. In 2005 in his first year as the defensive coordinator, the Huskies were seventh nationally in total defense. They were in the national Top 20 in scoring defense and pass efficiency defense in 2007 and in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense in 2008. Linebacker Alfred Fincher was a 2005 NFL draft selection. UConn won the 2007 and 2010 Big East titles and played 5 bowls during his time there (2004 Motor City Bowl, 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl, 2009 International Bowl, 2009 Papa John's Bowl, 2010 Fiesta Bowl).
Prior to Connecticut, Orlando spent 3 seasons (1996-98) as the inside linebackers coach at Pennsylvania.
He began his coaching career as the defensive coordinator at Central Catholic High School (1994) and Fox Chapel Area High School (1995), both in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Penn.
Orlando was a 3-year (1991-93) letterwinner at inside linebacker at Wisconsin and a member of the 1993 Big Ten Championship team that defeated UCLA in the Badgers' first Rose Bowl appearance since 1963. He earned his bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from Wisconsin in 1994.
He was born on March 24, 1971. He and his wife, Amy, have two daughters, Taylor and Addison.
