Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Hurricanes name Stroud D-line coach
Former Akron coordinator, FSU player will also serve as assistant head coach
CORAL GABLES — With spring football practice scheduled to begin in two weeks, the Miami Hurricanes have named former Akron defensive coordinator Todd Stroud as defensive line coach and assistant head coach under Manny Diaz.
Stroud will replace former defensive line coach Jess Simpson, who has rejoined the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons as their defensive line coach. Simpson was a defensive assistant with the Falcons in 2017 before joining the Hurricanes last season. He helped Miami become one of the nation’s top defenses as UM had 40 sacks, the 11th-most in the country.
“We are excited to welcome Todd to ‘The U,’ ” Diaz said. “As we have built this staff we have emphasized continuity on the defensive side of the ball. Todd is a high energy teacher and motivator whose defensive philosophy aligns perfectly with ours. He knows exactly what a Miami defense looks like up front, from the weight room to the film room to the playing field.
“Todd’s varied background as a head coach, coordinator, position coach, strength coach and recruiter also gives him a unique, overarching perspective. We are fortunate to have someone with his knowledge, experience and character join our program.”
Stroud, with 33 years of coaching experience, most recently spent the last seven seasons at Akron, where he served as associate head coach and defensive line coach. He also coached at North Carolina State. With the Wolfpack, three of his defensive linemen — including No. 1 pick Mario Williams — were first-round NFL draft picks in 2016.
Last season, the Zips defense ranked third in the Mid-American Conference in third-down defense and in passing-efficiency defense. Akron, which forced 21 turnovers in 2018, returned two interceptions for touchdowns in a 39-34 win over Northwestern, the eventual Big Ten champion.
In 2017, while serving as Akron’s assistant head coach, defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, Stroud helped the Zips advance to the MAC championship game for only the second time in school history. That season, Akron finished seventh in the nation in interceptions (19), eighth in defensive touchdowns and 19th in turnover margin.
Before joining Akron, Stroud spent two years at Colorado State, where he worked with tight ends and fullbacks in 2017 before coaching the defensive line in 2011.
He has also coached at his alma mater, Florida State, where he served as the Seminoles strength and conditioning coach. He also has coached at Memphis, Auburn, Samford and UCF. He served as the head coach at West Alabama for three seasons from 1994-1996.
Stroud played nose guard for Florida State from 1983-1985.
One of his first challenges at Miami will be reshaping a defensive line that has, for the second straight year, undergone significant changes.
Defensive tackle Gerald Willis III and defensive end Joe Jackson participated in the NFL combine this past weekend, while fellow linemen Demetrius Jackson and Tito Odenigbo have exhausted their eligibility.
Stroud will be leading a group that includes a mix of veteran transfers, including defensive tackle Chigozie Nnoruka and defensive end Trevon Hill, and younger players, including defensive ends Jonathan Garvin and Greg Rousseau, along with tackles Nesta Silvera and Pat Bethel. Rising redshirt senior Scott Patchan, who has dealt with position changes and injuries throughout his Miami career, is also expected to play a significant role on the defensive line this season.
Stroud is the third defensive line coach Miami has had in recent years.
Craig Kuligowski joined the UM staff under former coach Mark Richt in late 2015 and coached the Hurricanes line in 2016 and 2017. He left for Alabama in 2018, a move which paved the way for Simpson — who led Buford High in Georgia to seven state titles in 12 seasons — to come to Coral Gables.
Now, Simpson’s departure has brought Stroud to Miami.