Football
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator
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• The 2023 season will be the fifth for Doug Belk at Houston after being promoted to defensive coordinator on Jan. 19, 2021, and associate head coach in January 2020.
• 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.
• Six Cougars mentored by Belk have appeared on NFL rosters and five have appeared in a game over the past two seasons including Hall (Buccaneers), Marcus Jones (Patriots), Damarion Williams (Ravens), David Anenih (Titans/Steelers), Turner (Saints) and Grant Stuard (Buccaneers/Colts).
• In 2022, Houston’s defense ranked 11th nationally with 7.2 tackles per game. Defensive lineman D’Anthony Jones led the nation in forced fumbles and Jayce Rogers finished second in the conference in interceptions. The Cougars blanked Louisiana in the second half of the Independence Bowl on Dec. 23 to earn the program’s second straight bowl win.
• Four Houston defenders earned all-conference honors during 2022 including D’Anthony Jones as a first-team honoree. Senior defensive backs Art Green and Gervarrius Owens earned second-team recognition and fellow senior defensive back earned return specialist honors.
• 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).
• 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.
• Belk’s defensive line was dubbed “Sack Ave” as the Cougars racked up 45.0 sacks, good for fifth nationally. For his efforts, Belk was recognized as a semifinalist for the Broyles Award.
• Belk joined Houston as the Co-Defensive Coordinator and Safeties coach at Houston on Jan. 11, 2019 after two seasons as cornerbacks coach at West Virginia.
• The 2018 season saw Belk's cornerbacks play a pivotal role in West Virginia ranking second in the Big 12 and No. 20 nationally with 15 interceptions. Cornerback Keith Washington Jr. tied for fifth in the Big 12 with three interceptions on the year.
• In Big 12 play, WVU hauled in 12 interceptions, ranking No. 1 in the conference
• The 2017 defense ranked No. 16 nationally in most defensive three-and-outs per game and No. 24 in best third-down defense.
• Prior to his time at West Virginia, Belk served as the defensive graduate assistant coach at Alabama for two years, working with the defensive backs. He worked directly with Head Coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinators Kirby Smart and Jeremy Pruitt, assisting with all aspects of the defensive secondary as well as with special teams.
• During his tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide was 40-4, earning three College Football Playoff appearances, winning the 2015 National Championship, finishing as national runner-up in 2016 and winning three Southeastern Conference titles (2014-16).
• The 2016 defense was No. 1 nationally in scoring defense and No. 2 in total defense. The unit also was No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the SEC in pass efficiency defense, No. 14 in interceptions and No. 24 in passing yards allowed. Belk helped develop cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, who earned consensus All-American honors, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who earned All-America First-Team honors and safety Eddie Jackson, who was an All-SEC First-Team member.
• The 2015 defense was No. 3 nationally in scoring defense and total defense, No. 10 in interceptions and No. 30 in passing yards allowed. Jackson earned All-America honors, while Fitzpatrick and Humphrey were named to freshman All-American teams. Cornerback Cyrus Jones was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants.
• The 2014 defense was No. 6 nationally in scoring defense and No. 12 nationally in total defense. Belk helped develop Landon Collins, who finished his senior season as a unanimous All-American selection and was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round.
• Prior to Alabama, Belk was the defensive secondary coach at Valdosta State in 2012-13. He was a defensive assistant and worked with special teams in 2011. During his tenure, Valdosta State produced a 24-10 record and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2012. Belk helped develop two All-Americans, two Academic All-Americans and three All-Gulf South Conference selections. Cornerbacks Dominique Wheeler and Matt Pierce signed free agent contracts in the NFL with Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, respectively.
