Todd Bates serves as Associate Head Coach / Co-Defensive Coordinator / Run Defense / Defensive Tackles for University of Oklahoma's Football program in Norman, Oklahoma. Coaching Notes and Accomplishments • Named Oklahoma’s associate head coach and co-defensive coordinator/run defense on Jan. 4, 2022. He coaches OU’s defensive tackles. • Part of a defensive staff that helped the Sooners tie for fourth nationally in tackles for loss (104) in 2022, 11th (98) in 2023 and 14th (96) in 2024.
In 2024, OU ranked 19th nationally in total defense (318.2 ypg), 24th in rushing defense (115.1 ypg), 29th in scoring defense (21.5 ppg), 36th in takeaways (21) and sixth in fumbles recovered (12). • The only DL coach nationally since 2019 to produce at least three NFL Draft picks in each of three drafts (2019, '23, '24). • Rivals’ 2019 Recruiter of the Year who helped Clemson win a national title in 2018, Bates coached with Brent Venables and the Tigers from 2017-21. • His units were a major factor in Clemson leading the nation in sacks (235) and tackles for loss (565) during his five seasons. • Coached all four defensive line positions in 2017 (first Clemson coach to do so since 2004) before shifting focus to the defensive tackles in 2018. He added the title of recruiting coordinator following the 2019 campaign. • Mentored three first-round draft picks and nine All-Americans during his time at Clemson and Jacksonville State (2014-16). Every primary starter under his tutelage at those two schools earned all-conference honors. • Helped Clemson sign classes that ranked in Rivals’ top 10 four straight years: eighth in 2018, ninth in 2019, second in 2020 and seventh in 2021. The 2020 class was ranked No. 1 by ESPN. • Clemson’s 2021 defensive unit ranked second nationally in scoring defense (15.0 ppg), sixth in sacks (41.0; tied) and eighth in rushing defense (98.8 ypg). • His 2020 interior group helped the Tigers tie for the national lead in sacks (46) and rank second in tackles for loss (109).
