VanGorder - New DC!

[Cackalacky]

Complicated defense? Great, another year with Farley>>Redfield.

Not necessarily, if they are both learning it for the first time. If there isn't a knowledge gap, you'd think the staff sides with athleticism and upside. Young guys are going to play, IMO.

Listening to BK answer a question yesterday about the kids coming in to play early, he specifically stated that the kids with the mental ability to pick up the playbook were going to have the edge, because kids coming in are more physically ready to play but may need mental time to prepare. He specifically said OL needed time to learn the position as well as develop strength at the D1 level, but the skill positions (with the players ND has) really just need the ability to pick up the play book.

I look at Brent and he is physically ready. His EE Status should give him an edge with the playbook relative to other incoming WRs and he may even push some of the upperclassmen out.


Defensively, and depending on how much BVG changes things up, we could see a total reset at defensive skill positions to include DBs and LB spots. I really can't wait for spring ball to see how things shake up.

 

[NDBoiler]

Not sure if this has been posted in another thread, but after watching the replay of BK's full length presser last night, I think BVG opened up BK's eyes a lot. BK made several references that seemed to imply Diaco had blinders on when looking for a certain DL size profile. It was almost as if he BVG opened up a whole new world for him, and I also thought it was a bit of a (albiet polite) slam of Diaco's philosophies. I was wondering if anyone else thought the same.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Yeah but how's it gonna work against the triple option?

 

[dublinirish]

Not sure if this has been posted in another thread, but after watching the replay of BK's full length presser last night, I think BVG opened up BK's eyes a lot. BK made several references that seemed to imply Diaco had blinders on when looking for a certain DL size profile. It was almost as if he BVG opened up a whole new world for him, and I also thought it was a bit of a (albiet polite) slam of Diaco's philosophies. I was wondering if anyone else thought the same.

yep i though the same, Bk talked about recruits who have the maturity, mental strength to play ND football that cant be judged by star ratings. I think this was a small jab at Diaco's preferences in recruiting

 

[NDBoiler]

yep i though the same, Bk talked about recruits who have the maturity, mental strength to play ND football that cant be judged by star ratings. I think this was a small jab at Diaco's preferences in recruiting

I remember that, but also when he was asked specifically about getting in late on the recruitment of Mokwuah and Cage, he made references to "expanding" or "casting a wider net" to encompass not just a narrow size profile for DL, as if BVG came in and influenced that way of thinking.

 

[Cackalacky]

I remember that, but also when he was asked specifically about getting in late on the recruitment of Mokwuah and Cage, he made references to "expanding" or "casting a wider net" to encompass not just a narrow size profile for DL, as if BVG came in and influenced that way of thinking.

I thought that referred to the types of players Diaco wanted (which appeared to be highly selective) as well. I guess I mean that a 3-4 front 7 has a much different look in measureables than a 4-3 front. BVG will be able to mix and match both as we have players to fit both. It will be interesting to see what he does scheme wise.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Not sure if this has been posted in another thread, but after watching the replay of BK's full length presser last night, I think BVG opened up BK's eyes a lot. BK made several references that seemed to imply Diaco had blinders on when looking for a certain DL size profile. It was almost as if he BVG opened up a whole new world for him, and I also thought it was a bit of a (albiet polite) slam of Diaco's philosophies. I was wondering if anyone else thought the same.

Not a DL, but look what he said about Tranquil too.

 

[Booslum31]

3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1...I just have had a hard time engaging in the conversation around defensive scheme. I guess I land happy that we will be playing a little of both and that may complicate the preparation our opponents will have to go through. I have paid more attention to the speed and motor of the guys we are bringing in, If we are fast and we have guys flying around smashing things then scheme shouldn't matter as much.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

The big point isn't how many have a hand in the dirt, it is how many gaps the big guys need to cover.

Predominantly two gapping at ND is dead. Mark it down.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

I personally think he meant being complex for offenses to scheme against, at least that's what I'm hoping. Certainly a lot of potential with this roster for BVG to be versatile with his different formations and player packages.

More importantly I'm looking to see a much more aggressive style of play that allows the players to react instinctively instead of looking like slow processing dial-up internet.

EXACTLY! Reference remarks about Ryan and Jets defenses, and the bad blood about it among offensive coordinators that have to deal with it.

 

[GATTACA!]

3-4, 4-3, 5-2, 6-1...I just have had a hard time engaging in the conversation around defensive scheme. I guess I land happy that we will be playing a little of both and that may complicate the preparation our opponents will have to go through. I have paid more attention to the speed and motor of the guys we are bringing in, If we are fast and we have guys flying around smashing things then scheme shouldn't matter as much.

9-2

 

[Praytorian]

So is this going to change us into a better defensive team? Was it the scheme and not the players?
Bend but don't break TO ME means let them drive down and score a field goal. Can his D stop them from driving?
I know not every time will everyone be stopped, but really the Bend-not-break D seemed to make about every qb that played against us look like a hiesman finalist. I'm sorry but for me, it was really disheartening.
If it plays out right I'm hopeing that we can score 30-40 and our d should hold all but 4-5 teams under 10. No reason with our talent that we should have close games against some of our competition.

 

[ryno 24]

From what I understand we will be a much more aggressive leaving corners and safeties with more 1 on 1 matchups. We will give up more big plays in this D (as Diaco's priority was to not give up big plays) but it will be a much more fun to watch. We will give up much more than 10 points a game in my opinion probably around 15 to 20 in most games, but we will probably score more points.

 

[Praytorian]

1. Florida State
2. Stanford
3. USC
4. Louisville
5. ASU
6. Purdue
7. Northwestern
8. Navy
9. Michigan
10. Syracuse
11. Rice
12. North Carolina

Ok this was bobd's list of ranking opponents. I just used it as a quick reference on who we are playing this year.
I see numbers 1,2,3,5, and MAYBE 9 that should give us a push for over 10 maybe 14 points. the others should ALL be under that, with out talent differnce. I think under the bend-not-break we would have given up 20-24.
Prove it to me Coach VG show you are better.

 

[chubler]

1. Florida State
2. Stanford
3. USC
4. Louisville
5. ASU
6. Purdue
7. Northwestern
8. Navy
9. Michigan
10. Syracuse
11. Rice
12. North Carolina

Ok this was bobd's list of ranking opponents. I just used it as a quick reference on who we are playing this year.
I see numbers 1,2,3,5, and MAYBE 9 that should give us a push for over 10 maybe 14 points. the others should ALL be under that, with out talent differnce. I think under the bend-not-break we would have given up 20-24.
Prove it to me Coach VG show you are better.

It's just too hard to hold anyone to 10 points, unless you're elite and playing wildly inferior competition every week a la FSU.

I'm more interested to see how this affects the offense- despite giving up more points, theoretically a more aggressive defense should get more 3 and Outs, meaning better field position for the Offense.

 

[ryno 24]

I like your enthusiasm and hopefulness, but I see us giving up 10+ to 1,2,3,4,5,8,9 and possibly 7. We are going to push on offense much more hoping to score 30 to 40 regularly which will give the defense more time on the field. I think it will be a successful defense, but it will give up points.

 

[irishff1014]

One thing with a aggressive defenses is you will give up some big plays. However at the same time you can create a big play. Kinda a double edged sword there. This might take time due to this being the first season with this scheme.

 

[stlnd01]

Yeah, no matter the DC we're going to have to flat outscore some teams.
Russell and maybe Redfield aside, I don't think we have the talent in the defensive backfield to shut down good teams one-on-one, and frankly I don't see the experienced talent (yet) up front to bring the necessary heat. We lost five starters in the front seven, two first round draft picks. That's not going to come back overnight.
Good news is we should have our best offense of the Kelly era.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

This should be interesting.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotreDame&src=hash">#NotreDame</a> defensive coordinator Brian Vangorder (<a href="https://twitter.com/CoachVanGorder">@CoachVanGorder</a>) is now on Twitter. Shoot him a follow! <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23IRISH&src=hash">#IRISH</a></p>— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) <a href="https://twitter.com/TomLoy247/statuses/434011173684379648">February 13, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[tko]

Fear the stache

 

[ryno 24]

I gave him the follow, also interesting he only follows one recruit.... Justin Hilliard...

 

[ResLife Hero]

.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Defensive scheme, check!
Common sense approach, check!
Sense of humor, check!

 

[ryno 24]

There is a fake Van Gorder account on twitter right now. It IS Awesome!

 

[ulukinatme]

There is a fake Van Gorder account on twitter right now. It IS Awesome!

Is it as good as the fake Charlie Strong and Faux Pelini accounts?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I have opened six drawers on Mack's old desk and there's sticks of butter in all of them. No pens or paper. Just butter.</p>— Charlie F'n Strong (@ChuckFnStrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckFnStrong/statuses/420199287490768897">January 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>There's just one giant fat guy sitting in the weight room. I think he's asleep.</p>— Charlie F'n Strong (@ChuckFnStrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckFnStrong/statuses/420200025503723520">January 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/FauxPelini">@FauxPelini</a> What's up my ninja.</p>— Charlie F'n Strong (@ChuckFnStrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckFnStrong/statuses/420204537064869889">January 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I thought the workout equipment here was new. It's not. Just never been used. Guess I'll give it a go. See y'all in three hours.</p>— Charlie F'n Strong (@ChuckFnStrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckFnStrong/statuses/420205872648708098">January 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hey someone should get to the weight room the fat guy with the mustache is still there. I think he's dead.</p>— Charlie F'n Strong (@ChuckFnStrong) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChuckFnStrong/statuses/420246150524858368">January 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[PANDFAN]

Dee Ford from Auburn was just on the svp show...he talked up BVG, saying he learned so much from him in his 1st year under him and then russillo said something like yeah his stache is legendary...said he was an awesome coach

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

In an effort to get inside his the man's head, I present the best I've been able to dig up:


VanGorder directs stingy UGA defense | savannahnow.com | Savannah Morning News

Old article from his Georgia days

Another Article after hiring at Auburn

 

[returnofthemack]

Just read Eric Hansen's chat transcript and I thought it was interesting that Eric thinks there was some tension behind the scenes as far as Diaco's reluctance to play the younger players. He says, "I think one of Brian Kelly's frustrations last year was Max not getting more opportunities last year. He felt the young man was putting the effort in and was talented and yet was relegated to such a minor role, so he started Max in the bowl game." Hopefully he can tear it up for us this season. Chat Transcript: Talk Notre Dame football with Eric Hansen - South Bend Tribune: Live Chats

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Boy that tracks!

 

[koonja]

Just read Eric Hansen's chat transcript and I thought it was interesting that Eric thinks there was some tension behind the scenes as far as Diaco's reluctance to play the younger players. He says, "I think one of Brian Kelly's frustrations last year was Max not getting more opportunities last year. He felt the young man was putting the effort in and was talented and yet was relegated to such a minor role, so he started Max in the bowl game." Hopefully he can tear it up for us this season. Chat Transcript: Talk Notre Dame football with Eric Hansen - South Bend Tribune: Live Chats

So during the season, when some of us said we wanted Max to play more, and were told to stuff it because he wasn't, therefore Farley was clearly the best option, weren't actually wrong? At least according to BK?

We need to give ourselves as fans a bit more credit in our analysis .