Cougars hire Utah State's Todd Orlando as new defensive coordinator

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The 'Help Wanted' sign didn't stay on the University of Houston football office door long Monday.

New UH head coach Tom Herman announced the hiring of Utah State defensive coordinator Todd Orlando to replace David Gibbs, who turned down a 'significant' salary increase earlier in the day, according to a source, and a hours later took the same position at Texas Tech.

The Orlando hiring completed a whirlwind day of comings and goings on Cullen Boulevard.

The school also announced three hirings that had been public for more than a week – Craig Naivar, who will serve as assistant head coach, co-defensive coordinator and safeties coach; special teams coordinator/cornerbacks coach Jason Washington; and wide receivers coach Drew Mehringer. Corby Meekins, one of the area's top high school coaches at Westfield, will become tight ends coach.

Herman, who remains with Ohio State through next week's College Football Player national championship game, still has four remaining spots to fill on his staff – offensive coordinator, defensive line, offensive line and running backs.

UH made a final attempt to keep Gibbs, the architect of one of the nation's best defensive turnarounds the past two seasons. The university's offer included a new two-year deal worth $1.15 million – which included a bump of $175,000 to $575,000 in base salary to keep him the highest paid assistant in the American Athletic Conference – the freedom to call plays and ability to retain one member of his current staff, a source with knowledge of the deal said.

Instead Gibbs took less money with Tech, signing a two-year deal worth $550,000 per year, according to the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Former UH defensive backs coach/recruiting coordinator Zac Spavital will join Gibbs at Tech.

Todd Orlando joins the Houston Cougars' coaching staff after two seasons overseeing the Utah State defense. (Eli Lucero / The Herald Journal) Todd Orlando joins the Houston Cougars' coaching staff after two seasons overseeing the Utah State defense. (Eli Lucero / The Herald Journal) Image 1 of / 383 Caption Close Cougars hire Utah State's Todd Orlando as new defensive coordinator 1 / 383 Back to Gallery

"It is time for a new challenge (and my family and I) are looking forward to the next steps in our journey," Gibbs said in an earlier statement released by the school.

Orlando spent the last two seasons at Utah State, where the Aggies ranked seventh nationally in scoring defense (17.1 points) in 2013 and 12th (19.7) this season. His attacking style also produced the second most tackles for loss (114) and fourth most sacks (49) in Football Bowl Subdivision.

A staple of the UH defense the past two seasons under Gibbs, Orlando's unit ranked eighth nationally with 59 turnovers the last two seasons.

"His defensive style is both aggressive ... and opportunistic," Herman said.

Orlando is an 18-year coaching veteran, including nine as a defensive coordinator. He's also been in charge of defenses at Connecticut (2005-10) and Florida International (2011-12).

A graduate of Wisconsin, Orlando was a member of the Badgers' 1994 Big Ten and Rose Bowl champion squad.

Herman tapped into his ties at previous coaching stops to land three of his initial hires.

Naivar, who spent last season as special teams coordinator/safeties coach at Kentucky, previously worked with Herman at Sam Houston State and Rice. Washington worked with Herman at Texas State and Rice, while Mehringer was a quarterback and later student assistant at Rice and joined Herman at Iowa State and Ohio State.

"All four have roots in Texas and extensive ties to high school and college football in the state that we know will help us in the recruiting process," Herman said.

Meekins went 114-27 in 11 seasons at Westfield, leading the Mustangs to 10 playoff appearances, one trip to the state championship game and three semifinal appearances. Westfield went 13-2 and reached the Class 6A Division II semifinals this season, earning Meekins the Touchdown Club of Houston's co-coach of the year award.

"It's a great opportunity. It's bittersweet being at Westfield for 15 years and pouring yourself into that job," Meekins said. "It's just the right time, and UH is the right place."

Also Monday, former UH defensive line coach Ricky Logo accepted the same position at Colorado State.

joseph.duarte@chron.com

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