One thing on my mind is whether Clay Helton/Mike Bohn ever considered this when hiring a defensive coordinator: You need a good X’s and O’s guy who also is a good recruiter. A top defensive coordinator can recruit and scheme. That was what made Pete Carroll so tough during the glory days at USC. He had the defensive coordinator X’s and O’s stuff down and … Continue reading Did Clay Helton Or Mike Bohn Consider This When Hiring?

One question once Todd Orlando shows up is how much his defenses will be allowed to tackle in practices? Did he discuss this with Clay Helton? I doubt it because in the middle of last week, Helton was telling people Joe Barry was taking the job. After Barry turned it down, he spoke to Kris Richard and then apparently (was likely ordered) to interview Orlando. … Continue reading An Issue Todd Orlando Will Need To Confront

Vanderbilt is expected to hire former USC defensive line coach Kenechi Udeze, according to Al.com. Udeze spent the past season as a defensive analyst at LSU. He was fired by Clay Helton (and Clancy Pendergast) 14 months ago. Continue reading Kenechi Udeze Lands A Job

Now that Coach Bohn has hired Todd Orlando as defensive coordinator and given Graham Harrell a three-year contract, it raises an interesting question: Will he try to replace Clay Helton next season and tell him that Harrell and Orlando are included? That is not how things are usually done but USC has its coordinators, who presumably are not interested in staying for a single season … Continue reading Will Graham Harrell/Todd Orlando Outlast Clay Helton?

Todd Orlando has officially left Texas Tech, which means USC should announce his hiring in the day or two. I’ve heard from coaches that Orlando loves to blitz. Perhaps that explains why Texas ranked No. 127 in pass defense last season. Now, USC has an opening for a linebackers coach. Will Orlando hire his own guy or hire Chris Claiborne? The USC defensive staff, which … Continue reading Todd Orlando Leaves Texas Tech