University of South Dakota Athletics

Abdul Hodge was named South Dakota's outside linebackers coach and NFL liaison in February of 2019. Hodge was a three-time all-Big Ten linebacker for the Iowa Hawkeyes during a playing career that spanned 2002-05. He was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft and spent five years playing in the NFL for the Packers, Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers.
 
Following his career in the NFL, Hodge founded Professional Interactive Solutions in his hometown of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a company that helps businesses grow their online presence. In addition to running the business, Hodge served as an assistant coach for several high schools and was head coach and defensive coordinator at GAIN Sports in Sarasota, Florida, from 2013-16. Most recently, he served as a football consultant for Iowa and was a coaching intern for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

Hodge's first year in Vermillion was highlighted by a three-game win streak in the first half of the season in which the Coyotes held their three foes to a combined 745 yards and 16 points. It marked the first time since 2008 that USD held three consecutive foes to 16 points or fewer. USD went on to knock off fifth-ranked South Dakota State on Senior Day inside the DakotaDome when the Coyotes stopped three fourth-quarter drives to preserve a 24-21 victory.

Year two was truly unique in that it was reduced to four games due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was conducted in the spring of 2021. That proved plenty of time for the Coyotes to build accolades. Rush linebacker Jacob Matthew, who has grown the most under Hodge, led the team in sacks and tackles-for-loss for the second year in a row and was rewarded with honorable mention all-MVFC honors. South Dakota forced nine turnovers and produced seven sacks in those four games highlighted by a 27-20 upset of No. 7 Illinois State on the road in the season opener. Half of the team's four games were against FCS top-10 teams.

Hodge and his wife, Chabli, reside in Vermillion. They have a daughter, Amari, and a son, Abdul Jr.