Tag: defensive coordinator

Texas has fired defensive coordinator Todd Orlando

Texas has officially fired defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. After three seasons in Austin, the defense has regressed in all three years.

According to Pete Thamel, Texas has officially fired defensive coordinator Todd Orlando. There were rumors of this happening before the Texas Tech game, but it seems like it will be official.

The Longhorn defense has struggled this year, allowing 29 points per game. Allowing 21+ points in every single Big 12 and against LSU, the defense allowed 30 or more points in six different games.

Ranking second to last in the Big 12, Texas allowed 306 passing yards a game. The rush defense ranked well in the Big 12, only allowing 140 yards per game, but Big 12 offenses exploded in the air against the Longhorns.

Orlando had been the defensive coordinator for Texas since Tom Herman’s first season in charge. They have regressed every single year, allowing more and more points.

Even though Texas only returned three starters on defense, a lot more was expected from the unit. An injury-riddled season also contributed to the poor season, but it was not enough to save Orlando’s job.

Craig Naivar is expected to take over for the bowl game. Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods.com is reporting that former Rutgers head coach Chris Ash is the top candidate to take over the position in the future.

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Texas may make coaching changes as soon as this weekend

Texas has had a disappointing season and that may come at a cost to some coaches. Texas is expected to make some changes to the staff soon.

This season has been a disappointing one for the Longhorns, currently sitting at 6-5. While much more was expected of this team, it has failed to produce victories, let alone compete for a conference championship. Because of that, some changes may be made after the season finale.

According to Anwar Richardson of OrangeBloods.com, Texas could be making changes to the coaching staff as early as this weekend, no matter what happens in Friday’s game against Texas Tech.

While it seems like Head Coach Tom Herman is safe, members of his staff are in danger. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando have taken a lot of heat the past few weeks for the Longhorns’ performances.

While both coaches have stated that they are not worried about their future, their time may be coming to an end in Austin.

With the regular season ending on Friday, Texas must figure out their coaching situation as soon as possible. Since the early signing day for recruiting is on Dec. 18, Texas must have it all worked out by then.

First and foremost, Texas must focus on Texas Tech to finish their season out on a positive note. They will face the Red Raiders at 11:00 a.m. CST on Fox.

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Seattle Seahawks’ pass rush is finally coming together

The Seattle Seahawks’ pass rush efforts got off to a slow start this season but things are improving in the second half of the year.

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The Seattle Seahawks got off to a slow start this season as far as the pass rush is concerned despite the offseason additions of Ziggy Ansah and Jadeveon Clowney.

Things changed dramatically against the 49ers in primetime, when Seattle was finally able to make an impact.

Defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. isn’t worried about the Seahawks production going forward.

“You just know, any time you play this game for a while, at some point, it’s going to all come together,” Norton told reporters Wednesday. “The guys have been working really hard at it. Hard work pays off. The main thing you’ve got to do is just keep on hitting it. You don’t know when it’s going to happen, but all of the sudden, it comes in bunches and they really put it together. The guys, they played well.”

Clowney, in particular, had himself an impressive outing, logging five tackles, five hits on the quarterback, a forced fumble and a defensive touchdown – earning him the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week.

“He was disruptive,” Norton said. “You just want to see that on consistency. You don’t want to be one of those hash in the pan nights. You want to consistently effect the quarterback. Consistently make the guys around you better. Let’s bottle that up and do that every week.”

The Seahawks hit the road this weekend to face off against the Eagles and Carson Wentz – who Norton and the defense will be eyeing closely.

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