Doug Belk, architect of Houston's Third Ward Defense, the next big name in college football

SAN ANTONIO -- The usual suspects rolled through the 90th Annual Texas High School Coaches Association Convention and Coaching School over three days in San Antonio. Each of the head coaches from the 12 FBS programs in Texas stopped by the press area to do a laidback, semi-informal conference with the media. Well, 11 of the 12. Houston’s head coach Dana Holgorsen called an audible and sent Cougars defensive coordinator Doug Belk to talk about the 2022 season and his path to the doorstep of coaching stardom. 

This isn’t new for Belk. He routinely talks to the press during the season. Holgorsen hopes it helps Belk, 34, prepare for life as a head coach. There’s no question that the architect of the Third Ward Defense is destined for a spot leading a college football program. It is only a matter of time. Practice makes perfect, even for coaches hoping to rise up the ranks.