One question I am asking to college football experts is this: Should Todd Orlando emphasize complexity of scheme or simplicity of scheme against Jayden Daniels and the Sun Devils on Saturday? Continue reading Attacking the Tite Front. But instead of sending four rushers, USC sent six (Figueroa, the four linebackers and Hufanga) on the final three plays, which forced Daniels, who rushed for 111 yards, to beat the Trojans with his arm. Senior middle linebackerGary Johnsoncame from a junior college in 2016 where the scheme was significantly less complex. It is not going to be participation awards. He spent the 2011 and 2012 seasons under Mario Cristobal and FIU, where he won a share of the Sun Belt title and a bowl game victory. From this ultra-quick 3-2-6 package, the Longhorns then unleashed a small part of Orlando's third-down package with such tremendous force that they started calling it every play against Oklahoma State and then expanded it over the rest of the season into a new base defense. Enter your email address to follow this blog & make sure to follow on MatchQuarters.substackcom. His defense consequently has two main types of base pass rush, one in which the B-backer works off the edge like in a normal 3-4 defense and another in which the B-backer drops into coverage while the rover blitzes suddenly through the interior. Lack of preparation, scheme and just overall performance is all tied in, but it hasnt been a good effort whatsoever. Those four-man fronts are great at plugging gaps and helping a team defend the run, but they also mean one less defender on the second level to stop the pass and run to the football. Lincoln RileyandKliff Kingsburycome from the Air Raid tree, but their systems look quite different in the same way Kansas States pro-style, option-heavy scheme varies from Oklahoma States spread. LOS ANGELES (AP) Todd Orlando has plenty of experience arriving at a new school and installing his defensive scheme for the first time. The pairing, if things break right, could bring Texas back to where it expects to be annually. Though Todd Orlando's (DC, USC) time at Texas came to a screeching halt after the 2019 regular season, one thing is clear, the man can create pressure. Its the reason one of the worst defenses in program history in 2016 transformed into one of the best with the same players in college football's most potent offensive conference. If you bring four and they have six back in there to block, its not good numbers for you especially if youre covering the heck out of everybody. Orlando, 48, spent the last three seasons as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Texas, where he was one of the highest paid assistants in college football. None of that stuff. - Darnold completed 57.1 percent of his passes against Texas (third worst of the year) and threw a season-high two picks. I think hes in line to have a terrific year and have one of those elite years, head coach Clay Helton said of Taylor-Stuart. They also began to move Hager into different alignments that made the most of his ability to drop into coverage or work around the edge in conjunction with his ability and willingness to crash into tackles from an inside alignment. Johnson and Wheeler added another 17 run stuffs combined as the linebacker position went from being a major deficit to a team strength. With his ability to teach fundamentals to raw athletes, train and equip defenders to attack offenses with disguise and pressure and adapt his tactics around the strengths of his roster, Orlando is proving to be a cutting-edge coordinator. Clancy Pendergast there wasnt a lot of mystery to his defense. But it can look that way. The result was a hurried throw from Daniels, an incompletion on fourth down, and a victory for USC. He finished with three tackles and one tackle for loss, which counts as a quiet night for the sophomore linebacker. Thats where our emphasis is going to be this week.. We need everyone to execute at the utmost level to make things work. We all saw how that worked. Tackling has been an issue, (as has) lots of defensive miscommunication. Is USC defense ready to take a leap in Year 2 under Todd Orlando? 20 Southern California, however, has been different because of the coronavirus pandemic. I let you guys down. Johnson said Orlando repeated these words for two days straight. * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). In 2021 most defensive coaches will tell you their defensive schemes are "multiple,'' which is true to a degree. We have the same mentality, Orlando said. He said of Orlandos teaching, He has one of those play calls where its constant blitzes. If you go out there and you dont know what youre doing after meeting with someone for seven months, that pretty much explains how much you care, Orlando said. At the three traditional LB spots, converted safety Raymond Scott has grabbed control of the outside backer spot while Kanai and Ralen Goforth return inside. But the concern with this unit is depth. You have pass rushers out there, TaQuon Graham, Marqez Bimage, Joe Ossai guys that can get after the quarterback. Arizona State still had some success against this front with a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the look. We see how he got his start c. The Longhorns were putrid in 2015 and 2016, allowing the third- and sixth-most rushing yards in school history. USC Mailbag: How much will new faces change the outlook for the Trojans Texas blows lead against Cal State Fullerton in 6-5 loss. In fact, they often had little to no idea how to defend the run in Texas' exotic defenses, and the Longhorns were regularly trashed by teams with multiple run games that could cause confusion. https://trojanswire.usatoday.com/2020/11/06/todd-orlando-vs-arizona-state-a-central-pregame-question-for-usc/. Gambling problem? The biggest breakthrough of the spread offense was in creating a clearer pre-snap picture for the offense and the QB in particular so that he had a narrower menu of options and threats to scan through after the snap. Last year, Orlando helped the Longhorns shed more than 10 points per game allowed on defense despite working with 10 of the 11 starters from2016's porous unit. Hands-on coaching was limited to distanced learning. Herman wanted a coordinator capable of calling a multiple defense, and Orlando fit that bill. But structurally, in our opinion, its still so sound.. After the second day of pads (last spring) we were like, Golly, we havent do this much hitting in a minute. Its just that mental toughness they instill in us. On several occasions, the Trojans walked a safety up into the box, mainly Talanoa Hufanga, in order to have seven players near the line of scrimmage for run support. In both cases, Orlando said, those defenses simply needed a kickstart., I think thats what [Ive done], the places Ive been coming into, is just to try to free these guys up, Orlando said. Players retained more than he expected, and coaches got to know players better than they would have otherwise. The only two Pac-12 schools behind them are Cal and winless Arizona. Orlando did present Arizona State with several different looks on Saturday. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. You hear about soggy eggs and burnt toast. Todd Orlando was announced as USCs defensive coordinator Friday, ending a lengthy search for Clancy Pendergasts replacement that had dragged into its fourth week. That wasnt happening before Hermans arrival in Austin. In 2019, that all fell apart. The rover is the tip of the spear for the Orlando defensive scheme, and he uses that position as a solution to the main problem for the 3-4 defense in the modern era: How to create a multi-pronged pass rush from a nickel package. Get full team. Of course, the weight loss and new position might cause some in the fan base to wonder if Jackson is being utilized incorrectly if his production dips, but for now, his responsibilities dont seem much different than last year. (Top photo: Jose Marin / MarinMedia Pool for USC Athletics). 2. As expected, USC hired Todd Orlando as its defensive coordinator on Friday. Figueroa served as the single down lineman and was joined on the line of scrimmage by Jackson, Echols and one USCs more traditional linebackers, either Ralen Goforth or Palaie Gaoteote. Then well get an idea of what the defense is truly capable of after losing contributors like DT Marlon Tuipulotu, CB Olaijah Griffin and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Talanoa Hufanga. He also coaches the linebackers. The Cyclones and Longhorns most notably did it while using a 3-safety Dime package for parts of the season. Preparing for his first season as defensive coordinator at No. By Coachlamons @nukeit1981 Dec. Its going to be real interesting to see how that unfolds in the Pac-12 with USC and everybody., Its a legitimate question in terms of how Orlando is going to play it early in the season, right? The beauty within Orlandos use of interchangeable players allows him to stay within packages, but get different pre-snap looks. Thats not to say those seven months were for naught. His defensive system poses an extreme challenge to offenses., You cant practice soft and play hard.New DC Todd Orlando is looking to up the physicality on the USC practice field. Saban has finally embraced the change as well, throwing the ball more than he ever has before with Tua Tagovailoa. The Trojans results against Arizona State were mixed. But when asked what separates Orlando from other defensive coaches, Herman pointed out a single aspect of Orlandos repertoire: Its just his creativity, his adaptability.. FAU brings back a solid core talented defenders in their front seven and have also added numerous former blue-chip transfers to solidify their front seven. It comes as no surprise that in a league that is at the forefront of the evolution of the Spread would feature unique defenses within the league to counter the offensive onslaught. But we understood why we were running it. Orlando walked into the interview room and saw his Aggie defensive film already on the screen. Their camp D was a 3-4, but once the season hit, the packages started to proliferate. They were delayed for two months from when they would normally have a camp. He has a system that allows his talented players to play freely, said Baylor head coachMatt Rhule. However, although Hill called Orlandos scheme gimmicky, thats not really true Baylor and Iowa State both had highly productive defenses in 2019 with similar schemes. But the play he makes at the end of the game, those are the two to three plays the really special players make. So no matter the look, USCs run defense needs to get better. In that game, the Longhorns consistently confused a seasoned and well-coached offensive line, garnering two sacks and seven tackles for loss (TFLs). At Texas, Orlando oversaw a defense that improved from 80th to 24th in points allowed. The "mac" or middle linebacker helps call the defense and serves as the "first responder" for the defense against the run, looking to plug gaps and spill blocks to the outside linebackers (or nickel and dime defenders as the case may be) and his partner the "rover" linebacker. Contact drills were reduced to virtual cues. The rotation should expand when Pili returns, but at the moment USCs defensive personnel is what it is. The Trojans didnt do it for every third-and-7 and longer, but in most of those obvious pass situations, Orlando employed a 1-4-6 look. He wants his defenders to fly to the football. It wont get any easier, either, with the trojans facing Notre Dame right after their bye and still have games against UCLA and Arizona State on the schedule. Orlandos defensive turnaround in Austin stems back to that interview in Columbus. Orlando is a linebackers coach in a defense that asks the linebackers to be the primary playmakers on the team. groupings are being countered by many defenses basing out of a Nickel defense. Weve changed that.. Orlando took a linebacker off the field, added a third safety and unveiled Texas lightning package.. Thats important to know, because Orlando turned down an opportunity to be Pittsburghs DC in his hometown that offseason. Orlando's 3-4/quarters defense had to be tweaked and altered to fit the 2017 Texas football roster and the demands of playing against Big 12 offenses, but in the process Orlando simply proved what makes him one of the top defensive coaches in the country: In particular, his effective teaching, aggressive philosophy and high capacity for adaptation. Todd Orlando, who has 16 years of experience as a collegiate defensive coordinator, was named USC's defensive coordinator in January of 2020. Theyve been physical in the run game but they all kind of complement each other.. The Longhorns tried a few different alignments in the secondary, ultimately reverting back to their standard starting group while inserting tweener senior Jason Hall, a 6'2", 220-pounder with physicality and some coverage ability, into the dime role and then expanding that role beyond the robber alignment based off his particular skill set. You look toward the tail end of the game, our intent was to bring enough guys we could go at least six (defenders) for six (blockers) on them and force them to throw the football.. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. One need only look at Texas Oct. 21 matchup with Oklahoma State for an example. For example, to counteract the speed of the Ravens Lamar Jackson, the San Diego Chargers went uber-small and put up to SEVEN DBs on the field at a time. Considering how long players have had to learn the scheme, Orlando made clear he wont be as forgiving when it comes to forgetting assignments. The goal of Orlandos defense is twofold: 1. This is where the separation begins.. Orlando's new USC defense set to debut after pandemic delays He brings a passion, energy, toughness and discipline to his coaching, Helton said, and those characteristics were evident in our discussions. #FightOn pic.twitter.com/Jorj04g0b6, Orlando will take over a talented Trojans defense that progressively declined over Pendergasts four seasons. This allows the B backer to be a free player and essentially go get the football! The Longhorns base with a true Nickel as well, and align him opposite the Jack, primarily with the passing strength. Even further, turn on a Cowboys or Seahawks game and you are likely to see multiple ways to run the Zone or Arc Read. After all, he fired Orlando and brought in Ash as an agent of change. Todd Orlando looks to bring more physicality to USC's defense this year. Hes got that mindset. The two DEs (4is) in the B gaps close off the lifeline for every Spread team, the conflict gaps. Defenses that base out of the Tite Front dont mind the bounce because their speedy (and usually free)LBs can now chase down the RB while its overhangs box everything back inside (think of them like the Double Eagles wide-9s). It rotated just one inside linebacker (Kanai Mauga) in, and that was only for a handful of plays. He would have. (Liberty vs Arkansas 22), Dec. 22 Blitz of the Month Georgias Pod Alignment, Blitzing from the Odd Stack vs a Pro Style offense (Ole Miss vs Kentucky 22). When youre giving up that many rushing yards, thats not a good thing with us, Orlando said. Orlando believes the only way a team will play fast and hard is if they do so in practice. Practices under Herman and Orlando are hard. Orlando will get his first chance to determine the impact of the tradeoff when the Trojans begin their truncated season . Spread offenses search for the B gap because that is where the conflicted player usually is for a defense. Feb 18, 2023 . Orlando is widely considered a fast-rising coach in the industry, and players, like Roach, say Orlando should be a head coach someday. Rigid positional structures are giving way to a more fluid style of play. Chase Williams has turned into a leader at the position while delivering physical blows when he attacks the ball. Before joining Tom Hermans staff at Texas, Orlando was viewed as a rising defensive mind in college football. The 2015 and '16 Texas defenses had been defined by what could be called "youthful" linebacker play from former five-star recruit Malik Jefferson and former four-star Anthony Wheeler. There has been a critical error on this website. Practice your tail off and youre going to be playing on Saturdays. Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress. Visit our online store to order your copy. Except Hermans questions were constantly put on pause so that he, still serving as Ohio States offensive coordinator, could run out of the room to take care of some crisis or another as the Buckeyes prepared for the 2014 College Football Playoff final against Oregon. It also gives him the ability to put players in situations to take advantage of deficiencies within an offensive scheme or weaker/slower players. Theres a little bit of schematics into it. Once at Texas, though, Orlando was inheriting a defense with great athletes but disparate pieces that hadn't been put together into a cohesive unit. Texas removed what would often be a disadvantaged linebacker in pass coverage and added a dime safety as a robber in the middle of the defense. Then, facing the ultra-explosive Oklahoma State offense, he made a big change to his defensive structure that probably revolutionized his own philosophy and perhaps changed prevailing best practices across the college game from here on out. Report: FAU to hire Todd Orlando as defensive coordinator - Owls247.com Thats certainly a way to end the regular season and enter March Madness. Or what type of player they would be getting because of the scheme we ran. Orlando served as Hermans DC for two years in Houston, coaching a pair of top 30 defenses. Its three starters (Marlon Tuipulotu, Tremblay and Figueroa) and two backups (Tuli Tuipulotu and Stanley Taufoou) were the only ones who saw action. You know, he was a linebacker previously, and hes really strong, so being able to move in this system is really a high priority, defensive line coach Vic Sooto said. He knows the tendencies of the receivers, the quarterbacks, the linemen, what they have to offer. Sign up for the Trojans Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Toughness is for naught if the player and coach relationship isnt strong enough to offset those consistent practice blows. Orlando now becomes the seventh defensive coordinator in seven seasons for FAU. Owl fans had seen this defensive scheme recently when defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer coached FAU in 2019 as part of the 11-3 Conference USA and Boca Bowl championship season.