Todd Orlando
Current role: Defensive coordinator at Houston
The connection: There isn’t really a noticeable one, he’s just a hot name after the job he did at Houston this year
Pros: Orlando might be the “it” name at defensive coordinator right now after helping Houston, a school known for its offense, finish in the top three in defense in the AAC this year, on its way to a 13-1 season, an AAC title and a win over Florida State in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl – an especially impressive performance where Houston picked off Florida State four times and held star running back Dalvin Cook to just 33 yards on the ground.
Cons/Questions: There aren’t a ton – he looks like a solid candidate, though he does make a good salary in the $500,000 range and is on a very hot staff and might be rewarded if Tom Herman takes a major job next year, which seems to be a real possibility. Would he be interested or does he want to take that next step with Herman or possibly be in play for a head coaching job himself soon?
