Landholm Joins Cougars as Special Assistant to the Head Coach
1/17/2024 1:03:00 PM | Football
40-plus year coaching veteran to support Willie Fritz, Houston Football
HOUSTON – A veteran of more than 40 years in the coaching ranks, Donn Landholm has joined University of Houston Football as its Special Assistant to the Head Coach, first-year Head Coach Willie Fritz announced Wednesday.
Landholm joins Houston following eight seasons as Director of Player Development at Tulane (2016-23) where he helped turn Tulane into a national power. The Green Wave won 10-plus games in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history and spent 19 weeks ranked inside the AP Top 25 in 2022-23, including topping out at #9 following a thrilling 46-45 Cotton Bowl victory against #8 USC on Jan. 10, 2023.
Prior to Tulane, Landholm spent three seasons at Tennessee Tech. He served as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach all three seasons for the Golden Eagles.
Before that, he was the defensive coordinator at Purdue in 2009, when the Boilermakers defeated Michigan and Ohio State in the same season for the first time since 1966. He coached the outside linebackers at Purdue for three seasons (2010-12) and was a part of teams that went to back-to-back bowl games in 2011 and 2012. Those defenses included future NFL players Ryan Kerrigan, Kawann Short and Ricardo Allen.
Landholm joined Purdue in 2009 from Eastern Kentucky, where he coached from 1997-2008. He served as linebackers coach from 1997 to 2004, defensive coordinator from 2005 to 2007 and linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator in 2008.
In 2005 and 2006, the Colonels ranked among the Ohio Valley Conference's top three in total defense, allowing 328.5 and 309.0 yards per game. The Colonels led the nation in turnover margin in 2007 at +18, with 35 takeaways (24 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries).
Landholm also oversaw Eastern Kentucky special teams from 2002-07. In 2003, the Colonels led the nation with a 16.5-yard punt return average and, in 2006, they were ninth with a 22.9-yard kickoff return average.
From 1993-96, Landholm was the offensive line coach at Blinn (Texas) Junior College. Blinn won back-to-back junior college national championships in 1995 and 1996, going 12-0 both seasons.
He was a defensive assistant at Arizona State from 1987-91, the first two years as a graduate assistant with the defense and the final three as a defensive analyst with the linebackers. The Sun Devils played in the 1987 Freedom Bowl.
Landholm served as the running backs coach at two stops – Montana State in 1986 and Central Missouri in 1984 and 1985.
His experience also includes coaching in the high school ranks at PSJA North Early College High School in in Pharr, Texas, in 1992 and serving as head coach at Plainview (Nebraska) High School in 1982 and 1983 after working there as an assistant coach for three seasons.
A native of Bristow, Nebraska, Landholm played outside linebacker at Wayne State College and earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and political science in 1979. He earned a master's degree in secondary education from Central Missouri State in 1985.
Landholm and his wife, Cindi, have three daughters: Kristen, Sarah and Kate. Kate graduated from LSU in December 2023. Sarah and husband Corey Neal have two daughters, Kylie and Norah. Kristen and her husband Shahar Zach have one daughter, Amalia.
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Landholm joins Houston following eight seasons as Director of Player Development at Tulane (2016-23) where he helped turn Tulane into a national power. The Green Wave won 10-plus games in consecutive seasons for the first time in school history and spent 19 weeks ranked inside the AP Top 25 in 2022-23, including topping out at #9 following a thrilling 46-45 Cotton Bowl victory against #8 USC on Jan. 10, 2023.
Prior to Tulane, Landholm spent three seasons at Tennessee Tech. He served as the defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach all three seasons for the Golden Eagles.Before that, he was the defensive coordinator at Purdue in 2009, when the Boilermakers defeated Michigan and Ohio State in the same season for the first time since 1966. He coached the outside linebackers at Purdue for three seasons (2010-12) and was a part of teams that went to back-to-back bowl games in 2011 and 2012. Those defenses included future NFL players Ryan Kerrigan, Kawann Short and Ricardo Allen.
Landholm joined Purdue in 2009 from Eastern Kentucky, where he coached from 1997-2008. He served as linebackers coach from 1997 to 2004, defensive coordinator from 2005 to 2007 and linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator in 2008.
In 2005 and 2006, the Colonels ranked among the Ohio Valley Conference's top three in total defense, allowing 328.5 and 309.0 yards per game. The Colonels led the nation in turnover margin in 2007 at +18, with 35 takeaways (24 interceptions and 11 fumble recoveries).
Landholm also oversaw Eastern Kentucky special teams from 2002-07. In 2003, the Colonels led the nation with a 16.5-yard punt return average and, in 2006, they were ninth with a 22.9-yard kickoff return average.
From 1993-96, Landholm was the offensive line coach at Blinn (Texas) Junior College. Blinn won back-to-back junior college national championships in 1995 and 1996, going 12-0 both seasons.
He was a defensive assistant at Arizona State from 1987-91, the first two years as a graduate assistant with the defense and the final three as a defensive analyst with the linebackers. The Sun Devils played in the 1987 Freedom Bowl.
Landholm served as the running backs coach at two stops – Montana State in 1986 and Central Missouri in 1984 and 1985.
His experience also includes coaching in the high school ranks at PSJA North Early College High School in in Pharr, Texas, in 1992 and serving as head coach at Plainview (Nebraska) High School in 1982 and 1983 after working there as an assistant coach for three seasons.
A native of Bristow, Nebraska, Landholm played outside linebacker at Wayne State College and earned a bachelor's degree in physical education and political science in 1979. He earned a master's degree in secondary education from Central Missouri State in 1985.
Landholm and his wife, Cindi, have three daughters: Kristen, Sarah and Kate. Kate graduated from LSU in December 2023. Sarah and husband Corey Neal have two daughters, Kylie and Norah. Kristen and her husband Shahar Zach have one daughter, Amalia.
SUPPORT YOUR COOGS
Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Football by purchasing season tickets, supporting LinkingCoogs – UH's very own NIL collective, giving to Houston Rise, and by joining 46ers and The Huddle which provides financial support directly to Houston Football for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarFB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at Houston Cougar Football. Fans can also follow the team on Instagram at uhcougarfb.
–– UHCougars.com ––
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