North Texas fired defensive coordinator Matt Caponi on Saturday, a day after the Mean Green gave up 681 total yards in a 48-27 loss to UTSA, their fourth straight defeat.
In that game, North Texas allowed its fourth consecutive opponent to rush for over 150 yards. Caponi had been with the team for two seasons as defensive coordinator. Linebackers coach Brian Odom will take over as interim defensive coordinator for the rest of the season.
North Texas (5-5) now needs to win one of its last two games to become eligible for a bowl game. The team has given up 159 points during its four-game losing streak, averaging nearly 40 points allowed per game. This includes a 14-3 loss at home to No. 16 Army last week.
“We believe a change on defense is needed at this point to help the team make a strong push toward earning a bowl game berth,” said Eric Morris, North Texas’ second-year head coach.
The Mean Green offense is one of the best in the American Athletic Conference, averaging 35.6 points and 498.4 total yards per game. However, their defense has been struggling, allowing the most yards (458.1 per game) and the second-most points (35.7 per game) in the conference.
North Texas will host East Carolina next Saturday in its home finale, then travel to Temple on Nov. 30.
Odom, who is in his first season at North Texas, previously served as associate head coach for defense and inside linebacker coach at USC. He also has experience as an interim defensive coordinator at Oklahoma and USC.
