Donald Ray Todd (October 10, 1941 — March 2, 2019)[1] was an American football coach.[2][3] He was the defensive line coach and defensive coordinator for the University of Houston from 1972 to 1986. He led the Cougars' "Mad Dog" defense to four top ten national ratings, while tutoring such talents as Lombardi Award winner Wilson Whitley and All-Americans Hosea Taylor, Leonard Mitchell and Mack Mitchell. His defenses were instrumental in the Cougars' achieving national rankings and victories over both Maryland in the 1977 Cotton Bowl Classic and Nebraska in the 1980 Cotton Bowl Classic.[4]
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 10, 1941 Plains, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | March 2, 2019 (aged 77) Katy, Texas, U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1959–1962 | Hardin–Simmons |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1964–1965 | Atwell Jr. HS (TX) (assistant) |
| 1966–1971 | Carter HS (TX) |
| 1972–1986 | Houston (DC) |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| University of Houston Hall of Honor (2012) | |
In 2012, Todd was inducted into the University of Houston Athletic Hall of Honor, making him the only assistant coach in school history to enter the Hall.[5]
A native of Plains, Texas, Todd played his college football for Sammy Baugh at Hardin–Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where he excelled on both sides of the line.
References
edit- ^ "Obituary for Donald R. Todd at Schmidt Funeral Home - Grand Parkway". www.schmidtfuneralhome.net. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ "Hall of Honor Inductees". University of Houston Athletics. Retrieved May 2, 2020.
- ^ Eatman, Nick (October 1, 2013). Art Briles: Looking Up: My Journey from Tragedy to Triumph. Triumph Books. ISBN 978-1-62368-664-2.
- ^ Barron, David (September 21, 2001). "UH can still point to defense in 1976 UT battle". chron.com. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
- ^ "Six Individuals and One Team Inducted to Hall of Honor". University of Houston Athletics. Retrieved January 2, 2023.
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