Texas Tech Hires Todd Orlando as Assistant Head Coach, Linebackers Coach
As expected, former Texas Longhorns defensive coordinator Todd Orlando was not out of work for long.
Orlando, who was let go by Texas following the season, is staying in the Big 12, having joined the Texas Tech Red Raiders as the assistant head coach and the linebackers coach.
Texas Tech announced the news on Twitter on Wednesday.
Welcome to Lubbock, @CoachTOrlando!
— Texas Tech Football (@TexasTechFB) January 8, 2020
🔴#WreckEm⚫️ pic.twitter.com/d2jm2HuRQx
The move was part of other changes to the Texas Tech coaching staff today. Safeties coach Kerry Cooks will not return to the program for 2020 and with Orlando on board at Tech coaching linebackers, current DC Keith Patterson will shift to coaching safeties.Â
Orlando started off great at Texas. In 2017, Texas ranked second in the Big 12 in total defense, first in pass defense efficiency and second in rushing defense. But this year, even though there were some injuries, the unit was not nearly as strong. The Longhorns ranked eighth in the Big 12 in scoring defense, eighth in total defense, sixth in rushing defense, ninth in passing defense and eighth in pass defense efficiency.
Texas Tech capped off a 4-8 season, which was Matt Wells’ first year as head coach. The Red Raiders ranked ninth in rushing defense and tenth in passing defense this past season.
Texas Tech will open the 2020 season in El Paso against UTEP.
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