Sources: USC working toward hiring Todd Orlando as defensive coordinator
USC is closing in on a defensive coordinator hire.
The Trojans are working toward a deal to bring in Todd Orlando as their defensive coordinator, sources told Yahoo Sports’ Pete Thamel.
Sources: USC working toward a deal to make Todd Orlando defensive coordinator. Orlando was defensive coordinator at Texas, Houston, Utah State and FIU. He brings a history of strong performances/improvements in Year 1.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) January 20, 2020
Texas coach Tom Herman fired Orlando after three seasons as the Longhorns’ defensive coordinator. Orlando’s removal was part of an array of staff changes for Herman. From there, Orlando was quickly hired by Texas Tech as linebackers coach and assistant head coach. But with a more prominent role at USC available, Orlando’s time in Lubbock will likely be short-lived.
Orlando has a long track record as a defensive coordinator, dating back 15 years. His first defensive coordinator job was at UConn from 2005-10. From there, he had the DC jobs at Florida International and Utah State and then rose to prominence alongside Herman at Houston in 2015 and 2016. Orlando followed Herman from Houston to Austin to coach the Longhorns.
Should the hire come to fruition, Orlando would replace Clancy Pendergast as Clay Helton’s defensive coordinator. Helton fired Pendergast on Dec. 28 after the Trojans were blown out by Iowa in the Holiday Bowl. Pendergast had served as USC’s DC since 2016 when Helton was promoted from interim to full-time head coach.
USC reportedly retaining Graham Harrell as OC
Helton, after surprisingly being retained by new USC athletic director Mike Bohn, made a number of changes to his staff on the heels of an 8-5 record for the 2019 season. One assistant he was able to retain, however, was offensive coordinator Graham Harrell.
Harrell agreed to a new three-year contract to stay at USC last month, but later drew interest from the Philadelphia Eagles for their vacant coordinator position. Harrell reportedly interviewed with Eagles head coach Doug Pederson but is expected to stay with the Trojans, several outlets reported on Monday. The news was first reported by The Athletic.
SOURCES: #USC OC Graham Harrell, who was a candidate to be the offensive coordinator of the #Eagles, is expected to remain with the Trojans, sources tell me & @AntonioCMorales.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 20, 2020
Under Harrell, the Trojans moved toward an Air Raid-style offense and had significant passing success with freshman quarterback Kedon Slovis. The team finished sixth in the country in passing offense, averaging 335.8 yards per game.
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