University of Houston Athletics
Football
- Title:
- Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
- Email:
- football@central.uh.edu
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• Coach Mark D'Onofrio on Twitter
Coaching Accomplishments
• Mark D'Onofrio joined the Houston Football program as its defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach on Jan. 6, 2017 following five seasons as defensive coordinator at Miami.
• In his first season at Houston, D’Onofrio’s defense ranked second in The American in scoring defense at 23.8 points per game, despite facing four of the nation’s top 12 scoring offenses and five of the top 23. Houston also finished second in The American in rushing defense (147.9 yards per game), pass efficiency defense (121.5) and red zone defense (77.1 percent).
• Inside linebacker D’Juan Hines received first team all-conference honors as he finished third in The American with 110 tackles.
• Prior to UH, D’Onofrio had 18 defensive players from his tenure with Miami enter the NFL, seven drafted under his watch.
• His 2015 defense at Miami ranked third in the ACC with 25 turnovers gained.
• Linebacker Denzel Perryman was a Dick Butkus Award semifinalist in 2013 and 2014. Perryman was the first Hurricane player since 2007 to earn AP All-America honors.
• Miami’s 2014 defense was fourth in the ACC in total defense, holding nine opponents below 250 yards passing and five teams to less than 100 yards rushing.
• His 2013 defense was among the nation’s best in takeaways, finishing the year with 27.
• Miami’s 2011 defense finished the season ninth in the nation in red zone defense and 21st in scoring defense.
• Prior to Miami, D'Onofrio spent five years at Temple as assistant head coach and defensive coordinator.
• At Temple, he transformed a defense ranked last in the NCAA upon his arrival to 17th in 2010.
• Helped Temple become bowl eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time in program history.
• Developed 2011 NFL Draft first-round pick and 2015 Pro Bowler Muhammad Wilkerson along with NFL Draft second-round pick Jaiqwaun Jarrett. In all, three Owls were drafted during D’Onofrio’s tenure and five former players went on to play in the NFL.
• In addition, Temple won a single-season-record nine-consecutive games en route to a 9-4 overall record, a first-place tie in the MAC East and an appearance in the EagleBank Bowl in 2009. The 2010 Owls won eight games, finishing 8-4, and became bowl-eligible for the second-consecutive season and for the first time in school history. A school-record eight defensive players were named All-MAC, including five on the first team in 2009. Four student-athletes earned All-MAC honors in 2010. Sophomore Adrian Robinson earned 2009 MAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades and senior Andre Neblett became Temple’s first three-time All-MAC honoree.
• Spent two seasons at Virginia (2004-05). Tight ends/special teams coach in 2004 and inside linebackers/special teams coach in 2005.
• Helped develop NFL first round draft pick and two-time Pro Bowl tight end Heath Miller in 2004.
• Helped develop NFL Pro Bowl linebacker Ahmad Brooks in 2005.
• From 1988-91 D’Onofrio played at Penn State and served the Nittany Lions playing both inside and outside linebacker. He was elected team captain his senior year and was drafted in the second round (34th overall pick) of the 1992 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers. He earned a starting role as the Packers’ inside linebacker where he played for two seasons before injury prematurely ended his professional career in 1994.
