New Miami Hurricanes DL Coach Todd Stroud has overcome life threatening illness

New Miami Hurricanes defensive line coach Todd Stroud can show his players the true meaning of perseverance. Stroud overcame a life-threatening illness in 2014.

New Miami Hurricanes defensive line coach and assistant head coach Todd Stroud will be able to teach his players about adversity from first-hand experience. In 2015 Stroud was diagnosed with the potentially fatal disease amyloidosis.

The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson described amyloidosis as “a cancer-like blood disease caused from a buildup of protein in his organs.” Stroud’s initial diagnosis was 24-36 months to live. The Mayo Clinic has a more detailed description of amyloidosis. 

"“Amyloidosis is a rare disease that occurs when a substance called amyloid builds up in your organs. Amyloid is an abnormal protein that is produced in your bone marrow and can be deposited in any tissue or organ.”"

Football Scoop detailed Stroud’s health problems before he received the tough diagnosis. Stroud would sit by the heater in his office because the air conditioner gave him chills according to Football Scoop. Stroud’s wife Marianne told the Akron-Beacon Journal that he had multiple symptoms indicating something was wrong.

"“All of a sudden, symptom by symptom would come up. He was swollen in the eyes…He had a cut on his lip that didn’t heal for over a year. The biggest thing was a persistent cough that progressively worsened. That was a great reminder because every day he would cough.”"

According to Football Scoop Stroud had also been constantly using disinfecting his hands and eventually had to have low doses of chemotherapy. He finally at the urging of Marianne visited a doctor. That’s when Stroud was eventually diagnosed with Amyloidosis.

Football Scoop quoted Stroud discussing the shock of the diagnosis.

"“I read it and I said, ‘Oh, [crap]. This is a bad scene…You get your life in order. You get yourself ready to die. That’s a tough thing to swallow when you feel pretty good. Then you meet with the doctors and you realize there’s a lot of hope and a lot to live for and you can extend your life a pretty good bit.”"

The extension of Stroud’s life came from a stem cell transplant during the summer of 2014. His life expectancy went from 24-36 months to 20-30 years. That provides the now 55-year-old Stoud a fairly normal life expectancy. Marianne discussed Stroud’s perseverance shortly after having the stem cell transplant.

"“After the stem cell chemo, he’d get up in the morning and he’d be puking…He’d continue on his [workout], get in the shower, go back and puke some more. When you’re going through it you think, ‘Can you make it another day?’ It took him to his knees, but he would stand straight back up every time.”"

Stroud was able to draw on all of his years in athletics, specifically football to help him get through his illness. He was an undersized nose tackle at Florida State where he won a courage award.

With what Stroud has been through now that’s not surprising. At the time of the Football Scoop article, Stroud faced the possibility of undergoing more chemotherapy. It’s not known whether he did or if he still has to have more chemo. He visualized getting better and how he would move forward.

"“You find out being in athletics, the biggest part of this whole situation is mental…You picture yourself where you want to be six months from now and how you want to do it and make it become reality, just like a player uses visualization. It goes back to what’s between your ears and your belief in God.”"

Stroud played for Bobby Bowden at Florida State and coached under his son Terry at three stops including Akron. His position coach at Florida State was Chuck Amato. Amato gave Miami head coach Manny Diaz his first full-time assistant coaching job at North Carolina State when he was the Wolfpack’s head coach.

The 2018 season was one full of adversity on and off the field for the Miami Hurricanes. Stroud’s illness should teach the Hurricanes’ players the importance of keeping a positive attitude. Stroud discussed his attitude with Ohio.Com.

"“The biggest thing is to keep a positive mental attitude and a belief you’re going to get healthy and being around a bunch of people who care.”"

The Miami Hurricanes enter the 2019 season with two defensive linemen who have proven themselves with the Hurricanes. With new faces on the roster and new coaches throughout the staff, the Miami players can learn a lot from Stroud.