Evaluation of Longo

[koonja]

I'd like to premise by saying that I don't know squat about Longo or his track record, but on this site, everyone seems to think he's one of the best trainers (?) in the county. Recent example is in Isaac Rochel's profile.

I'm just wondering why everyone thinks so highly of him? I'm not hating at all, like I said, I'm uneducated about him or his past results or even his results with the current ND team.

I can't name a player who has become an athletic freak on this team. The first person who comes to mind would actually be Flemming from last year (judging by his combine testing).

Thanks in advance!

 

[clashmore_mike]

I don't think you can turn someone into a freak. He just does a good job of getting guys in the proper shape to play the style of football that Kelly likes. offensive line is the best example of how he transforms bodies into more mobile and agile frames while still being around 300.

 

[jmurphy75]

You can't just make people "athletic freaks" but just looking at our players they look to be in much better football shape. They also look better on the field in my opinion.

 

[ryno 24]

I don't know if he is considered one of the best trainers but he is different. He trains players differently getting them bigger while getting them in better cardiovascular shape. The players have become bigger and faster. He is known for getting average players into the NFL and making BCS caliber players.

 

[koonja]

Fair enough. And he's doing this better than our past trainer? Who would be?

 

[koonja]

Nobody seems to get winded, even on defense. I'll definately give him that.

 

[NDinFL]

IMO, another great way to evaluate Longo would be to compare the team's 4th quarter stamina.

Under the Weis regime, our D was gassed in the 4th quarter.

Under Kelly (Longo) we have the stamina necessary to play 4 equal quarters

 

[koonja]

Fair enough guys, thanks for the info. And I agree, haven't seen guys tired out on the field.

 

[ryno 24]

Our former trainer is Mendoza who works for Florida now. He was a good trainer but had a different attitude. More personal freedom for workouts. And more straight bulk training.

 

[Buster Bluth]

A lot of the competency on the OL and DL can be attributed to him. You don't see dudes getting out-muscled anymore, or dominated physically. Same goes for the LB corp too, as well as the RB's.

Look at Theo Riddick's transformation:

 

[clashmore_mike]

Fair enough. And he's doing this better than our past trainer? Who would be?

Much better than under Weis. Ethan Johnson had never lifted legs until Kelly/Longo. Some of that was due to injury in high school I believe, but that's still ridiculous.

Another thing that Longo does, with a great helping hand from training table, is maintain player weight throughout the season so they aren't wearing down. I don't know the exact numbers but I want to say the offensive and defensive lines list something like 15 pounds per man during Weis' last season. its no wonder November was such a bad month for him.

 

[koonja]

Riddick does look good. Like he's been shoveling rocks in the Arizona heat all year.

Edit: no homo.

 

[NDPhilly]

Kona also had a huge transformation. He came on campus at like 230.

 

[Irish YJ]

IMO, another great way to evaluate Longo would be to compare the team's 4th quarter stamina.

Under the Weis regime, our D was gassed in the 4th quarter.

Under Kelly (Longo) we have the stamina necessary to play 4 equal quarters

YUP, all about the 4th.
I also read somewhere he's also considered an extension of the coaching staff during the off season when the position coaches are prohibited from holding organized meetings/practices. Keeps them on their game I guess.

 

[scUM Hater]

That Riddick transformation is RIDDICKULOUS!!!!!!!!!

 

[NDhoosier]

A lot of the competency on the OL and DL can be attributed to him. You don't see dudes getting out-muscled anymore, or dominated physically. Same goes for the LB corp too, as well as the RB's.

Look at Theo Riddick's transformation:

wow, good comparison, that is a pretty dramatic transformation!

 

[Kak7304]

Along with his S&C duties, Longo is also Kelly's right-hand man when it comes to evaluating potential. Longo advises Kelly on the potential of a kid and how he can shape him. Have you all noticed, that under Kelly, our 3-star and lower ranked recruits in each class are the biggest athletic freaks w/ the highest ceiling? Longo helps evaluate these guys for what they all can be, rather than just making judgments on what they are.

As far as Longo vs. Mendoza, Longo has our guys much leaner. With Mendoza, everyone could bench an incredible amount, but couldn't run because of the bad weight they carried. Hell, Golden Tate had 14% body fat (WR should be 6 to 10 at most). Longo is very unconventional by S&C standards, but has a focus on functional strength/speed rather than traditional exercises.

 

[TerryTate]

I think Longo and the training table have had some really dramatic effects on the players.

Lots of kudos go to Mr. Longo.

My only criticism would be the injury plagues we seem to get every year. That hamstring epidemic was brutal.

 

[scUM Hater]

If I remeber reading/hearing right that hamstring injurys are due to some other muscles being underdeveloped. Can't quite remember what one(s). Gotta thank Weis for the training table?

 

[TerryTate]

If I remeber reading/hearing right that hamstring injurys are due to some other muscles being underdeveloped. Can't quite remember what one(s). Gotta thank Weis for the training table?

 

[scUM Hater]

Yeah, I am serious, I believe Weis brought the training table to ND. I may be wrong, but I thought I was wrong once.

 

[TerryTate]

Yeah, I am serious, I believe Weis brought the training table to ND. I may be wrong, but I thought I was wrong once.

Notre Dame Adds Training Table - Notre Dame Football | UHND.com

 

[scUM Hater]

Notre Dame Adds Training Table - Notre Dame Football | UHND.com

Thanks......my bad

 

[koonja]

Along with his S&C duties, Longo is also Kelly's right-hand man when it comes to evaluating potential. Longo advises Kelly on the potential of a kid and how he can shape him. Have you all noticed, that under Kelly, our 3-star and lower ranked recruits in each class are the biggest athletic freaks w/ the highest ceiling? Longo helps evaluate these guys for what they all can be, rather than just making judgments on what they are.

As far as Longo vs. Mendoza, Longo has our guys much leaner. With Mendoza, everyone could bench an incredible amount, but couldn't run because of the bad weight they carried. Hell, Golden Tate had 14% body fat (WR should be 6 to 10 at most). Longo is very unconventional by S&C standards, but has a focus on functional strength/speed rather than traditional exercises.

Do tell?

 

[NDPhilly]

Do tell?

2011:

Councell
Josh Atkinson
Jalen Brown
Farley
Grace
Martin


2012:
Barrati
Brown
Okwara
Turner
(maybe) Prosise

2013:
Kinlaw
Robinson

 

[koonja]

2011:

Councell
Josh Atkinson
Jalen Brown
Farley
Grace
Martin


2012:
Barrati
Brown
Okwara
Turner
(maybe) Prosise

Not to be a dick, but I'm not sure you have one tackle combined among your list. Isn't it a little early to label these guys athletic freaks?

 

[NDPhilly]

Not to be a dick, but I'm not sure you have one tackle combined among your list.

All right I guess you could add Harrell. We added Hanratty and Hegarty a long with Martin in 2011. Hegarty is 4 stars and Hanratty isn't a "freak". In 2012 besides Harrell we only added Stanley who is 4 stars. In 2013 I consider all of our OL commits 4 stars.

 

[clashmore_mike]

I think he meant tackle as in taking the ball carrier to the ground. None of the guys on your list have played much if at all.

 

[TerryTate]

lol.

 

[Who'saWildManNow]

Good stuff here.... I did laugh out loud.