USC has hired former Texas assistant coach Craig Naivar as their safeties coach. With the Longhorns, Naivar spent time as the co-defensive coordinator, safeties coach, and special teams coordinator. He had been on Tom Herman’s staff since he was hired as head coach in 2017.
After firing Todd Orlando after the season, Naivar took over as the defensive coordinator for the bowl game against Utah. It was the best performance of the season for the Texas defense, only allowing 11 points to a high powered Utes offense.
SOURCE: #USC is hiring former #Texas Co-DC/safeties coach/special teams coordinator Craig Naivar to the Trojans staff. He is expected to coach safeties.. Naivar was UT’s DC for the Alamo Bowl win when the Horns held Utah to 254 yards and 11 points.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 30, 2020
Naivar follows Todd Orlando to Southern Cal as he was hired as their defensive coordinator earlier this month. It will be the pair’s sixth consecutive season working together, going all the way back to their time at Houston.
The Trojan defense struggled last season, giving up nearly 30 points a game. The USC pass defense was the main issue as teams were able to throw for 246 yards per game against them. Orlando and Naivar will have a big task on their hand, trying to turn around a struggling defense in 2020.
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