USC hires Houston DC Doug Belk as DB coach
USC has hired Houston defensive coordinator Doug Belk as the new defensive backs coach for the Trojans, the program has announced. Belk has spent the past three seasons coordinating the Cougars’ defense.
Doug Belk is another tremendous addition to our staff,” said Lincoln Riley. “His impressive body of work and reputation as a high-level coach and recruiter speak for themselves. I’m excited to welcome him to USC.”
Prior to his five year stint at Houston, Belk coached cornerbacks at West Virginia, was a graduate assistant at Alabama, and was the secondary coach at Valdosta State, where he was a player.
In four seasons as a defensive or co-defensive coordinator at Houston, Belk has mentored 13 All-American Athletic Conference honorees including five first-team selections with four coming over the final two seasons.
Five players from Belk’s “Third Ward” defenses have been selected in the NFL Draft over the last two years including defensive lineman Payton Turner who was taken in the first round (28th overall pick – 2021) by the New Orleans Saints and defensive end Logan Hall who was chosen in the second round by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
In 2022, Houston’s defense ranked 11th nationally with 7.2 tackles per game
In 2021, during his first season as defensive coordinator, Belk oversaw a unit that ranked 19th in points allowed per game (20.4) and sixth in total yards allowed (302.2).
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Belk led one of the best pass defenses in the nation, allowing only 194 yards per game through the air, ranking 18th in the nation. Houston’s 55.2 completion % allowed ranked eighth nationally.
While at West Virginia in 2018, Belk’s cornerbacks played a pivotal role in West Virginia ranking second in the Big 12 and No. 20 nationally with 15 interceptions. In Big 12 play, WVU hauled in 12 interceptions, ranking No. 1 in the conference.
Belk is reportedly coming in to replace outgoing defensive backs coach Donte Williams.
The well-respected assistant coach posted a goodbye message to his Twitter account on Saturday after four years working with the Trojans. He is expected to be hired on Georgia’s staff.
“I would like to thank coach (Clay) Helton, coach (Lincoln) Riley, and all the amazing coaches I was able to work with and learn from these past four years at USC,” Williams wrote. “I am also thankful for Mike Bohn, Brandon Sosna, President (Carol) Folt, and the administration who were welcoming and extremely easy to work with throughout my time here. I am grateful for all of you. Thank you to the Fans, Donors, Rick Caruso, and the incredible alumni that looked after me and my family. Most importantly, thank you to the players for the memories and allowing me to coach you. When one Chapter closes another one Begins.”
