Josh Aldridge

Josh Aldridge (born October 13, 1989) is an American college football coach known for his defensive leadership and development of physical, aggressive defenses. A native of Jackson, Tennessee, Aldridge played collegiate football at Harding University, where he was a four-year letterwinner, two-time All-Great American Conference honoree, and a William V. Campbell Trophy semifinalist, graduating in 2012 with a degree in social sciences. After starting his coaching career in 2013 with roles at Lindenwood and Ouachita Baptist, he spent four years at West Georgia as a defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator, helping the program to multiple playoff appearances. In 2018 he served as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Lenoir-Rhyne, where his unit posted a 12-2 record and ranked first nationally in turnovers caused and ninth in scoring defense. In 2019 Aldridge joined Liberty’s coaching staff under Hugh Freeze, serving initially as defensive line coach before being promoted to co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2022. His 2022 Liberty defense ranked among the nation’s best in tackles for loss, sacks, turnovers, and pass defense, and he earned recognition as a Broyles Award nominee for top assistant coach. After coaching linebackers and defensive ends at Auburn (2023–24) and then serving as defensive coordinator at East Carolina in 2025—where his defense topped the American Conference in seven key categories—Aldridge was named defensive coordinator at USF by head coach Brian Hartline. Widely respected for his tactical acumen and ability to mentor players, he brings 13 years of coaching experience to the Bulls while leading the defense and inside linebacker corps.