This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Utah State's football staff is facing some major changes for 2015 as defensive coordinator Todd Orlando is leaving the Aggies to fill the same position at the University of Houston.

Last week, offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven left the Aggies to join Gary Andersen's staff at Oregon State.

Orlando was with the Aggies for two seasons, helping the team maintain a defense that ranked near the top of the national rankings in several categories.

The Aggies were 12th in scoring defense (19.7), 24th in rush defense (130.7), eighth with 19 interceptions, fourth in team sacks (3.57) and 30th in total defense (356.1) this year.

In 2013, the Aggies' defense allowed just 17.1 points per game and ranked eighth nationally in rushing defense (106.7) and 12th in total defense (330.9).

Orlando replaces David Gibbs, who stepped down after refusing a two-year offer worth $1.15 million to join Texas Tech's staff as its defensive coordinator.

"When you look at the success Utah State has had defensively over the last two seasons, we are excited to add Todd Orlando as our defensive coordinator," Houston coach Tom Herman said. "His defensive style is both aggressive, as evident by the sacks and tackles for loss number, and opportunistic, ranking among the nation's best in turnovers."

Orlando, who played at Wisconsin, previously served as the defensive coordinator at Florida International (2011-12) and Connecticut (2005-10).