Vic So'oto Named USC Football Defensive Line Coach
February 18, 2020 | Football, Features
In his 3 years (2017-19) handling the Cavaliers' defensive line, So'oto helped Virginia's defense rank high nationally in several statistical categories. In 2019, UVA was ninth nationally in sacks (3.3) and 22nd in tackles for loss (7.1), and played in the Orange Bowl. In 2018, Virginia was 20th in the nation in total defense (330.5) and 21st in scoring defense (20.1), as well as 12th in passing efficiency defense (107.6) and 16th in pass defense (183.0), and its 28-0 win over South Carolina in the Belk Bowl marked the first time an SEC team was shut out in a bowl by a non-SEC squad since 1975. UVA's pass defense was seventh in the nation (165.8) in 2017 when the Cavaliers played in the Military Bowl.
The new defensive line coach has a clear and concise message. 🗣💪 #FightOn pic.twitter.com/L8evIPffOD
— USC Trojans (@USC_Athletics) February 19, 2020
He was selected by the American Football Coaches Association to its 2020 35 Under 35 Coaches Leadership Institute.
So'oto, 32, served as a defensive graduate assistant at Virginia in 2016. In 2015, he was a football intern at BYU, his alma mater, when the Cougars played in the Las Vegas Bowl.
So'oto was a 4-year (2005-07-09-10) letterwinner at BYU where he began his career as a tight end and played his final 3 seasons on defense (linebacker and defensive end). He made All-Mountain West first team as a senior in 2010. During his career, he suffered two season-ending injuries (in 2006 and 2008) and was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA. He had 12 receptions for 124 yards on offense for the Cougars in his career and tallied 65 tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 1 interception on defense.
He earned his bachelor's degree in geography from BYU in 2010.
So'oto played linebacker in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers (2011-12), Oakland Raiders (2012), Washington Redskins (2012) and Arizona Cardinals (2013). He also was picked up briefly by the New Orleans Saints in 2013 and Pittsburgh Steelers in 2014, but did not make the regular season roster.
He played football and volleyball at Carlsbad (Calif.) High.
So'oto was born on Aug. 19, 1987. He and his wife Ashley have five children: Fia, Ave, Tre, Samson and Mack. He is a second cousin of USC Athletic and Pro Football Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau.
