By: Brian Howard, Sports Information Director

GRAMBLING, La. | Grambling State University head football coach Broderick Fobbs announced on Friday that Mark Orlando will join the coaching staff as the new offensive coordinator/running backs coach.



"We are extremely excited to have Mark on our coaching staff," Fobbs said. "He is a veteran coach, who brings a lot of experience to our program. His track record of success guiding offenses speaks for itself from his time at Bethune-Cookman to his last three years at Alabama State.



Orlando, who spent three seasons as the offensive coordinator at Alabama State, is no stranger to Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) play as he was a member of the coaching staff at Prairie View A&M for four seasons prior to taking the offensive coordinator position in Montgomery, Ala. The veteran assistant coach returned to the sidelines last season after missing the entire 2017 campaign battling throat cancer, but was diagnosed as cancer-free prior to spring practice in 2018.



Orlando served two stints with former Alabama State head football coach Brian Jenkins, as Orlando served in the same capacity at Bethune-Cookman in 2010 in helping the Wildcats to the MEAC title.



In Alabama State's first season under the guidance of Orlando, the Hornets offense averaged 25.5 points per game, sixth in the SWAC. The Hornets were also sixth in total offense averaging 373.5 yards per game. The Hornets showed a balanced attack as it finished with 2,104 yards passing and 2,005 yards rushing.



During his second year, the Hornets offense averaged 25.4 points per game and 386.3 total yards of offense. Alabama State totaled 2,245 yards on the ground and 1,824 in the air.



Orlando spent two stints as offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach at Southern (1993-2001, 2004-09), helping the Jaguars win four SWAC titles and four HBCU national championships. In between Southern stints, Orlando spent two seasons as offensive coordinator at Texas Southern (2002-03).



Orlando, who played quarterback at Florida State, began his coaching career at Lincoln High in Tallahassee (1976-77). He moved into collegiate coaching at Florida A&M (1978-83), winning the inaugural Division I-AA National Championship in his first season.



During his tenure at Tennessee State (1984-90), Orlando was running backs coach for the Tigers and was promoted to offensive coordinator in his final season. Orlando then spent two seasons at Winston-Salem State (1991-92).



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