FIU close to hiring Todd Orlando as new defensive coordinator

By: Igor Mello / Asst. Sports Director

After organizing a long extensive search, Mario Cristobal may have found his guy.

According to numerous publications, Todd Orlando has emerged as the top candidate to take over FIU’s defensive coordinator position. The school expected an announcement on a new hire as early as Jan. 21.

If hired he will replace Geoff Collins, who left FIU on Jan. 12 to become the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Mississippi State University.

Orlando, 39, served as a member of the University of Connecticut’s defensive coaching unit for 12 years. He began his career at UConn in 1999 as the inside linebackers coach and got promoted in 2006 to defensive coordinator.

A Pittsburgh native, Orlando was hired at UConn by Randy Edsall who recently left the Huskies to become the head coach at the University of Maryland. Paul Pasqualoni has since replaced Edsall as the head coach at UConn.

Orlando led the Huskies to 48th best defense in the nation (slightly ahead of FIU) and sixth in the Big East conference. His defense helped the Huskies reach the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl last season where they fell short to Oklahoma.

If hired, it would be the first time that FIU has selected a coordinator who has coached in a BCS bowl game the season prior. In his first season as defensive coordinator in 2006, Orlando turned UConn’s defense around when they became the top-ranked defense in the Big East and seventh in the nation.

Cristobal was unavailable for comment on the current coaching vacancy.

Anthony Gaitor to play in the NFLPA game

Senior cornerback Anthony Gaitor will get to showcase his skills at the collegiate level one more time.

The senior has been selected to play in the NFL Players Association game, formally known as Texas vs. The Nation game, set to take place at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on Feb. 5.

Gaitor, a four-year starter, had two interceptions, one of them returned for a touchdown in 2010. The All-Sun Belt cornerback will play for team Nation, coached by former Houton Oiler and Atlanta Falcons head coach Jerry Glanville.

Gaitor is the second FIU senior to be selected to an all-star game this offseason. Center Brad Serini participated in the inaugural Eastham Energy College All-Star game in Tempe, Az. on Jan. 23.

Gaitor and Serini are one of the few Panthers being pursued by NFL scouts. Both have a possibility of being drafted come April.

Thorpe commits to FIU

Not only is Cristobal on the verge of making a big splash on his coaching vacancy, he’s also making a splash in recruiting.

Fletcher High School offensive lineman Derrick Thorpe has verbally committed to FIU.

The 6-5, 260-pound offensive tackle made his commitment to FIU on Jan. 20. Despite spending most of his high school career playing at offensive tackle, Thorpe has been recruited to play defensive end.

The Jacksonville product turned down offers from West Virginia and Arkansas, both BCS schools.

Thorpe, a member of the Florida Times-Union Super 24 team this season, will have some familiar faces in Miami.

He’s set to join quarterback Jake Medlock and kicker Dylan Lynch, who were recruited by Cristobal in 2010.

Thorpe is a three-star recruit, according to Rivals and Scout.com.