Reports: Virginia DL Coach, Former BYU LB Vic So’oto Hired As USC DL Coach
Feb 12, 2020, 6:50 PM | Updated: 6:51 pm
Defensive line coach Vic So'oto of the Virginia Cavaliers reacts after a defensive stop in the second half during the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field on August 31, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Former BYU linebacker and current Virginia defensive line coach Vic So’oto accepted the defensive line coach position with the Pac-12’s USC Trojans.
So’oto’s hire was first reported by 247Sports on Wednesday, February 12.
The former Cougar LB served as the Virginia Cavaliers’ defensive line coach for the last three seasons. Prior to that, he was a graduate assistant with the Wahoos.
SOURCE: #UVA defensive line coach Vic So’oto expected to join Clay Helton’s staff at #USC … https://t.co/2OK5Lndwy8 pic.twitter.com/PMRUJFyjiH
— Wahoos247 (@Wahoos247) February 12, 2020
So’oto played for former BYU and current Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall in Provo from 2005-2010. So’oto was one of Mendenhall’s first recruits after he took the head coaching position at BYU.
During his time at BYU, So’oto recorded 65 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 interception, 2 forced fumbles, 9 quarterback hits, and 1 pass breakup in 58 games.
After going undrafted in 2011, the former Cougar linebacker signed with the Green Bay Packers.
So’oto was with the Packers until 2012. Over the next two years, he spent time with the Oakland Raiders, Washington Redskins, Arizona Cardinals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Packers again.
During his NFL career, So’oto played in 13 games and posted 8 total tackles and 1.0 sacks.
So’oto retired from the NFL in and returned to BYU as an intern on Mendenhall’s staff in 2014. When Mendenhall took the head coaching job with Virginia in 2015, So’oto followed.
The defensive line coach is a native of Southern California.
