Todd played for in the during the 1950s and 1960s, and won the Sandover Medal in 1955 at just 17 years of age, but his playing career was cut short by a serious knee injury. He then became only the second coach to guide three WAFL clubs (, South Fremantle and ) to premierships, and led fledgling Australian Football League club to its first finals appearance in 1988. He is one of only four coaches in the major Australian football leagues to have coached over 700 senior games, and was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame for his coaching achievements.