Carl Torbush was named head coach of the East Tennessee State University football program on June 21, 2013, and tasked with resurrecting a program that kicked off a new era in Fall 2015.
Torbush, whose career includes head coaching positions at North Carolina and Louisiana Tech (1987), built a strong reputation as a defensive strategist after having served as a defensive coordinator at six Football Bowl Subdivision programs, including Alabama (2001-02), Mississippi (1983-1986), Mississippi State (2009), Kansas (2010), Texas A&M (2003-2005) and University of North Carolina (1988-1997).
The most notable coaching position on Torbush’s resume was when he served as defensive coordinator from 1988-97 at the University of North Carolina before being promoted to head coach for three seasons (1998-2000).
Torbush’s defenses led the Atlantic Coast Conference in 1995, 1996 and 1997 and he was named National Defensive Coordinator of the Year in 1996. As head coach of the Tar Heels, Torbush guided UNC to two bowl wins – the 1997 Gator Bowl and the 1998 Las Vegas Bowl. He has been a part of 11 teams that have made bowl appearances.
During his time at Alabama, Torbush helped guide the Crimson Tide to a No. 3 final national ranking in total defense during 2002 and he was named SEC Assistant Coach of the Year in 2002.
Torbush served as assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Carson-Newman for three seasons (2006-08). Carson-Newman posted a 25-8 record, spotlighted by a 10-1 record in 2007.
In 2010, Torbush worked under head coach Turner Gill as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Kansas. He then became the linebackers coach in 2012 at Liberty University under Gill’s direction.
Torbush got his coaching start at Carter High School in Knoxville in 1974 before joining Baylor University’s staff as a graduate assistant in 1975.
He received his first full-time coaching position in 1976 at Southeastern Louisiana, where he spent four years as a linebackers and defensive ends coach (1976-79). He also served as the head baseball coach at the school from 1976-1979. His teams won a Gulf South Conference Championship and he was named the league’s coach of the year in 1978.
Following a three-year stint at Louisiana Tech (1980-82), Torbush was named the defensive coordinator at Mississippi for four seasons (1983-86). During his final year, the Rebels led the SEC in total defense.
Prior to starting his football coaching career, Torbush played one year of minor league baseball in the Kansas City Royals organization (1975).
He earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Carson-Newman College in 1974 and a master’s degree in physical education from Baylor University in 1976. During his playing days at Carson-Newman College, Torbush was a letter winner in both football and baseball, earning NAIA All-America first team honors in both sports. The success of his collegiate playing days earned him a spot in the Carson-Newman and the Knoxville Sports Halls of Fame.
Welcome to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020, Carl Torbush.