Todd Lyght

Did You Know?

• Lyght donated $50,000 to the United Negro College Fund in 1995 as part of the NFL's Golden Circle.
• He established scholarships at St. Mary's Elementary, Powers Catholic High School, and the University of Notre Dame.

Early life

Todd Lyght came into the world on Kwajalein, an island in the Marshall Islands that was under U.S. administration at the time, because his dad was stationed there with the Army. He went to Powers Catholic High School in Flint, Michigan, where he earned varsity letters as both a wide receiver and cornerback. During his senior year, he captained the team, hauling in 38 catches for 877 yards and nine touchdowns, while also picking off 19 passes. He also lettered three times in track. According to his high school coach, Lyght was actually cut from the freshman football team.

College career

Lyght played at Notre Dame, where he was a two-time consensus All-American (1989 and 1990) and a three-year starter at cornerback, serving as team captain his senior season. As a freshman in 1987, he made 29 tackles, caused one fumble, broke up two passes, and made one interception. He led the team in tackles in the 1989 Fiesta Bowl win over West Virginia, capping an undefeated season that earned Notre Dame the consensus national championship. As a junior, he intercepted eight passes, registered 47 tackles, and was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. He finished his college career with 161 tackles, 11 interceptions, and one touchdown.

Professional career

Lyght was considered the top defensive back prospect in the 1991 NFL Draft, with most analysts projecting him to be selected second or third overall. The Los Angeles Rams chose him with the fifth overall pick. He signed a five-year, $5.45 million rookie contract on August 16, 1991, following a training camp holdout. His best professional season came in 1999 with the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams, when he intercepted six passes for 112 yards and one touchdown, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections. Over his 12-year NFL career, he recorded 37 interceptions and four touchdowns.

Coaching career

Lyght began coaching in 2009 as an assistant at Bishop Gorman High School in Summerlin, Nevada, where the team won back-to-back state championships in 2009 and 2010. In 2011, he became a defensive intern at the University of Oregon under head coach Chip Kelly. He was named assistant defensive backs coach for the Philadelphia Eagles in 2013, reuniting with Kelly. After the 2014 season, he was hired by Vanderbilt as cornerbacks coach. In February 2015, he became defensive backs coach at Notre Dame, where the Irish posted a 47–17 record during his tenure. In January 2021, Notre Dame was placed on one year of probation for recruiting violations involving Lyght's impermissible contact with a high school player and text messages to a recruit.