University of the Incarnate Word Athletics

Recruiting Areas:  Greater North Houston

Todd Ivicic (Eye-vah-check) came to Incarnate Word in November of 2007 as the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator.  He remained in those roles until the final three games of the 2011 campaign when he was elevated to interim head coach status.
    
After Larry Kennan came on as head coach, Ivicic moved over to be the associate head coach with primary coaching duties involving the defensive line and as the staff contact for high school coaches.  In 2014, he took over the special teams as well. 

Ivicic was able to cobble together a productive defensive line in 2015 after losing preseason All-American Corey Lee to a season-ending injury.  His line helped the team finish fourth in the Southland in rushing yards allowed per game and first in Texas in total yards allowed per game.  His special teams units returned a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown while averaging 22.1 yards per kick return and 10.6 yards per punt return.  He had two returnmen earn all-conference honors.  His special teams unit was tops in the conference in kickoff coverage.

Ivicic's star pupil of 2014 was Lee who set a school record with 14.5 tackles for loss while earning second team all-Southland Conference honors.  The special teams was a strong point for the Cardinals overall.  They finished second in the conference in kickoff coverage and fourth in punt coverage.  They were also fourth in the league in kick returns at 21.0 yards per return.

Ivicic guided a defensive line that was a strong mix of veterans and rookies in 2013.  Senior defensive tackle Robby Horton earned College Sports Madness All-Independent Second Team honors after leading the team with 10.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks.  He finished his career with school records in both categories.  The line was also crucial to the program's first two shutouts and recorded 28.5 tackles for loss on the season.

In 2012, Ivicic worked with a solid group on the defensive line that had to go against some of the top offenses in Division II week in and week out.  They limited opponents to 4.3 yards per carry.
    
The 2011 defense under Ivicic’s tutelage proved to be an outstanding ballhawking unit.  They led the Lone Star Conference with 16 interceptions while adding four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.  Safeties Chaz Pavliska and Devin Haywood were each second team all-LSC.  Haywood finished seventh in the nation with a school record seven interceptions.
    
The Cardinals joined the LSC in 2010 and the defense showed its mettle.  They allowed 136.1 rushing yards per game and finished first in the LSC in opponent third down conversions and were second in opponent first downs per game.
    
In his first year as the defensive coordinator, the Cardinals finished 13th in the nation in tackles for loss and 33rd in sacks.
    
Ivicic began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Sam Houston State in 1991 helping the team win a Southland Conference title.  In his second year with the program he tutored a pair of defensive ends who were outstanding.  Greenwood Horn finished the year with 14 sacks and John Solomon became a fifth round draft pick of the Minnesota Vikings.
    
He received his first full-time coaching gig from Blinn Junior College where he was the defensive line/assistant special teams coach for two years.  The Bucs went 15-5-1 during his stay.
    
Ivicic returned to SHSU in 1995 under head coach Ron Randlemann as the defensive line/assistant special teams coordinator.  The special teams unit was one of the best in the nation from 1995-98.  They finished in the top 25 in net punting each year with a top finish of fourth in 1995.  They blocked four punts in 1995, five in 1996 and 1997.  They were also strong in the return game finishing sixth in the nation in kick returns in 1995.
    
In 1999, Ivicic became the defensive line/special teams coordinator at Stephen F. Austin.  His punt return unit led the nation with 19.1 yards per return and helped the Lumberjacks to a Southland Conference Championship.
    
He remained with SFA through the 2004 season and continued to produce top special teams play while adding the title of linebackers coach in 2001.  In 2002, the defense finished 13th in the nation in pass defense and 10th in run defense.  In 2003, they were sixth in pass efficiency defense and blocked six punts.
    
Ivicic moved on to Tarleton State in 2005 as the offensive line/special teams coordinator and was there for three years.  He tutored Sam Skidmore, the LSC Offensive Lineman of the Year, before transitioning back to Defensive Line Coach in 2006.  The Texans finished 19th in rushing defense and were co-champions of the LSC South.  In his final year, the Texans went 9-2 and his special teams were unbelievable finishing in the top 20 in net punting, kickoff returns and punt return average.
    
Ivicic played defensive end for Sam Houston State in 1989 and 1990 after transferring from Blinn Junior College.  He also played a year at Trinity Valley Community College.
    
A graduate of Taylor High School in central Texas, he earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from SHSU in 1991 and a master’s degree in kinesiology from SHSU in 1993.
    
Ivicic and his wife, Deborah, have twins, Lily and Logan and reside in San Antonio.