Mark Orlando begins his third season on the Hornet coaching staff after spending four seasons at Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) member Prairie View A&M. The veteran assistant coach returns to the sidelines for Alabama State after missing the entire 2017 campaign battling throat cancer, but was diagnosed as cancer-free prior to spring practice in 2017.
Orlando served two stints with former head football coach Brian Jenkins, as Orlando served in the same capacity at Bethune-Cookman in 2010 in helping the Wildcats to the MEAC title; prior to joining Eley’s staff this spring.
In Alabama State’s first season under the guidance of Orlando, the Hornets offense averaged 25.5 points per game, sixth in the SWAC. The Hornets were also sixth in total offense averaging 373.5 yards per game. The Hornets showed a balanced attack as it finished with 2,104 yards passing and 2,005 yards rushing.
During his second year, the Hornets offense averaged 25.4 points per game and 386.3 total yards of offense. Alabama State totaled 2,245 yards on the ground and 1,824 in the air.
Orlando spent two stints as offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach at Southern (1993-2001, 2004-09), helping the Jaguars win four SWAC titles and four HBCU national championships. In between Southern stints, Orlando spent two seasons as offensive coordinator at Texas Southern (2002-03).
Orlando, who played quarterback at Florida State, began his coaching career at Lincoln High in Tallahassee (1976-77). He moved into collegiate coaching at Florida A&M (1978-83), winning the inaugural Division I-AA National Championship in his first season.
During his tenure at Tennessee State (1984-90), Orlando was running backs coach for the Tigers and was promoted to offensive coordinator in his final season. Orlando then spent two seasons at Winston-Salem State (1991-92).
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