Don Todd

{{Short description|American football player and coach (1941–2019)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox college coach

| name = Don Todd

| image =

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| birth_date = {{Birth date|1941|10|10}}

| birth_place = Plains, Texas, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2019|3|2|1941|10|10}}

| death_place = Katy, Texas, U.S.

| alma_mater =

| player_years1 = 1959–1962

| player_team1 = Hardin–Simmons

| player_positions =

| coach_years1 = 1964–1965

| coach_team1 = Atwell JHS (TX) (assistant)

| coach_years2 = 1966–1971

| coach_team2 = Carter HS (TX)

| coach_years3 = 1972–1986

| coach_team3 = Houston (DC)

| overall_record =

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}}

Donald Ray Todd (October 10, 1941 — March 2, 2019){{Cite web|title=Obituary for Donald R. Todd at Schmidt Funeral Home - Grand Parkway|url=https://www.schmidtfuneralhome.net/obituary/6725844?lud=B22D63562A5D45E71A977FE1A5C7B9ED|website=www.schmidtfuneralhome.net|language=en|access-date=2020-05-02}} was an American football player and coach.{{Cite web|title=Hall of Honor Inductees|url=https://uhcougars.com/sports/2018/6/12/trads-hou-trads-hall-honor-html.aspx|website=University of Houston Athletics|language=en|access-date=2020-05-02}}{{Cite book|last=Eatman|first=Nick|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dbewAAAAQBAJ&q=don+todd+houston&pg=PA55|title=Art Briles: Looking Up: My Journey from Tragedy to Triumph|date=2013-10-01|publisher=Triumph Books|isbn=978-1-62368-664-2|language=en}} He was the defensive line coach and defensive coordinator for the University of Houston from 1972 to 1986. He led the Cougars' "Mad Dog" defense to four top ten national ratings, while tutoring such talents as Lombardi Award winner Wilson Whitley and All-Americans Hosea Taylor, Leonard Mitchell and Mack Mitchell. His defenses were instrumental in the Cougars' achieving national rankings and victories over both Maryland in the 1977 Cotton Bowl Classic and Nebraska in the 1980 Cotton Bowl Classic.{{Cite web|title=UH can still point to defense in 1976 UT battle|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/college-football/article/UH-can-still-point-to-defense-in-1976-UT-battle-2017068.php|last=Barron|first=David|website=chron.com|date=21 September 2001 |language=en|access-date=2023-01-02}}

In 2012, Todd was inducted into the University of Houston Athletic Hall of Honor, making him the only assistant coach in school history to enter the Hall.{{Cite web|title=Six Individuals and One Team Inducted to Hall of Honor|url=https://uhcougars.com/news/2012/11/15/Six_Individuals_and_One_Team_Inducted_to_Hall_of_Honor.aspx|website=University of Houston Athletics|language=en|access-date=2023-01-02}}

A native of Plains, Texas, Todd played his college football for Sammy Baugh at Hardin–Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where he excelled on both sides of the line.