Assume Minter leaves ND: Who replaces him?

[scooper]

I've got an "other." I thought it should be a realistic choice, not somebody who will be a head coach soon.

Pat Narduzzi, DC at Cincinnati. UC loads their defense with athletes and plays an aggressive, attacking style. In spite of being mostly sophomores and a few juniors this season, their D is very strong. They gave Louisville all they could handle.

Plus, that move would continue the recruiting ties to SW Ohio. Before coaching at UC, Narduzzi was at their rival Miami.

 

[LuckoftheIrish86]

Ive gotta go with Ronnie Tenuta. Brought some great defensive packages for the game against us and has looked impressive with his gameplans in the past.

 

[irish4life99]

Can John L Smith coach defense? Ok, I deserve a good slap in the face for that one.

 

[scooper]

Can John L Smith coach defense? Ok, I deserve a good slap in the face for that one.

Not as well as H.R, Puffinstuff.

 

[jiggafini19]

I think it is a stretch to assume a DC at another DI school or NFL takes the DC job at Notre Dame. Money or not, it is a lateral move to go from DC to DC.

Tenuta has got some nice recruits coming in at GT, Shannon and English could be head coaches and Crennel would probably go back to being a DC in the NFL.

Whoever this person would be, it is probably not a usual suspect and CW has him picked out already for when the time comes.

 

[scooper]

I think it is a stretch to assume a DC at another DI school or NFL takes the DC job at Notre Dame. Money or not, it is a lateral move to go from DC to DC.

Tenuta has got some nice recruits coming in at GT, Shannon and English could be head coaches and Crennel would probably go back to being a DC in the NFL.

Whoever this person would be, it is probably not a usual suspect and CW has him picked out already for when the time comes.

Isn't Minter one of those "assistant head coaches?" That title is usually thrown in as justification for a "lateral" move.

 

[jiggafini19]

I couldn't tell you where Minter was prior to this.

Those other guys have DC spots at some high profile schools. Two of them are African American candidates as well.

The next step for those three guys is head coach.

 

[scooper]

I couldn't tell you where Minter was prior to this.

Those other guys have DC spots at some high profile schools. Two of them are African American candidates as well.

The next step for those three guys is head coach.

He was DC at South Carolina with Lou. The timing was right.

 

[punishment]

I voted for Bunting. Not because he is the one I want, but because I think he would be the most probable option. Crennel will not go from being an NFL Head Coach to a DC in College, and the rest of the list would probably only leave for head coaching positions.

Bunting on the other hand, is already fired, and because his record was so poor at NC, that I think even some of the smaller D1 schools will be hesitant to pick him up. But Bunting was a great DC before becoming a head coach, so I think he would be a great option.

 

[ackirl]

1. Romeo Crennel, Cleveland (NFL)
2. Bo Pelini, LSU
3. Ron English, Michigan
4. John Bunting, North Carolina
5. Ron Tenuta, Georgia Tech
6. Other Coach - Who?

 

[jiggafini19]

Is it Jon Tenuta?

A defensive coordinator candidate should be someone young, fresh and fired up; on the cutting edge when it comes to X and O's, too. The defense will take on the personality of their DC, in my opinion.

Mattison and Strong would never come back to ND. Typical former Davie assistants with axes to grind...just like Urban.

 

[scooper]

Mattison and Strong would never come back to ND. Typical former Davie assistants with axes to grind...just like Urban.

Yeah. I wouldn't want them anywhere near South Bend.

 

[BGIF]

...Mattison and Strong would never come back to ND. Typical former Davie assistants with axes to grind...just like Urban.

Strong and Meyer were hired by Holtz. I don't think they would come back either but they're not typical former Davie assistants with axes to grind. They were retained by Davie and both left for other positions. Strong left to join Holtz at SCAR and Meyer left for his first head coaching job. Neither lost their job due to ND.

When Mattison came to ND a UM friend noted ND was getting a great recruiter but not a great DC. He pointed out the much of UM's defensive improvement came as a result of an assistant. I took it as sour grapes until the specifics he mentioned, DL style of play, pass rush, etc came to pass under Mattison at ND. He correctly predicated the style of play.

 

[scooper]

Strong and Meyer were hired by Holtz. I don't think they would come back either but they're not typical former Davie assistants with axes to grind. They were retained by Davie and both left for other positions. Strong left to join Holtz at SCAR and Meyer left for his first head coaching job. Neither lost their job due to ND.

When Mattison came to ND a UM friend noted ND was getting a great recruiter but not a great DC. He pointed out the much of UM's defensive improvement came as a result of an assistant. I took it as sour grapes until the specifics he mentioned, DL style of play, pass rush, etc came to pass under Mattison at ND. He correctly predicated the style of play.

I wasn't crazy about some of Mattison's recruiting tactics after he left ND.

 

[BGIF]

I wasn't crazy about some of Mattison's recruiting tactics after he left ND.

I agree again but he still wasn't a typical former Davie assistant.

 

[UNTITLEDPROJECT]

English in a heartbeat.

BUT, If we could get Crennel I wouldnt be happier.

The only problem is; theyre going to have to fill big shoes.

A. Rick Minter puts the laughter in slaughter.
B. If Rick Minter was the warden on Prison Break, Mike Scofield would always be on lockdown.
C. Rick Minter is such a mastermind, O.J. wanted to hire him for his defense.
D. Offenses have to change the writing in their playbooks, because there are no Weak Sides in Rick Minter's defense.

 

[jiggafini19]

If they're associated with Urban Meyer, I'm willing to be they're a part of the negative recruiting that is going on.

In fact, I bet Florida is at the top of the mud slinging list.

 

[BGIF]

As for this thread, I voted Other, the coach - Minter. I don't expect him to be replaced anytime soon.

There was little material when he came here and little in the first Weis class to improve with. Defensive improvements can not be made as dramatically on as they can with a talented QB and skill players. ND has gotten and is getting prime time CB talent. No other defensive position has had that success - to date. And if they come next Feb it won't be any help to '05 or '06, and maybe not much to '07.

Minter's defense has only been on the losing end of one game. Remind me how many of those 5 turnovers his defense made?

Charlie has said many time that the Game Plan incorporates input from the entire coaching staff. The defensive guys comment on how they would attack the ND offense. The offensive coaches scheme on how they would attack ND's defense. They plan accordingly. Neither side of the ball operates in a vacuum. And Charlie Weis doesn't hestitate to tell an assistant where or when he wants a change made.

Don't like the Safeties playing up tight? Fire Weis not Minter. If Charlie didn't agree with Minter's style he have changed it by now. Don't like Minter's blitz? See Charlie. If Charlie thought the defensive would be more productive, he'd tell Minter. Do you really think Minter's been doing the opposite of what Weis wants?

The same people whining about the D are the same people whining about Walker getting most of the rushing attempts, or the other litany of offensive laments. Who's calling the plays? Who's keeping Walker in the game?

The position coach tells the OC/DC who's ready to play. The Coordinator picks the personnel he chooses to use. The Head Coach tells the Coordinators to use player "B" instead of player "A". Charlies says he's got the head set on for defensive calls. He's not making those calls but he KNOWS what they are before the play. He can and will overrule whomever and whenever he choses. They all work for him. And they all know that.

I think Weis recognizes the limitations as does his assistants. How many times have fans complained this season about ND's lack of explosive offense only to hear Charlie say in the post game interview, "the offense played a great methodical game this afternoon"?

 

[scooper]

I don't think he's gone, either. But was simply playing the what if game and talking up a DC that I've taken notice of.

 

[Clotho]

I agree with Jigga. I know this is mostly in fun, but still, it's pretty ridiculous. Romeo Crennel is an NFL head coach. Before that he was defensive coordinator for a 3 time Super Bowl winner.

Now, we're lucky to have Weis, who was three time offensive coordinator for the champion Pats. He's having to fight off offers. And he's the HEAD COACH at ND. A college d-coordinator is not going to be an ex-NFL head coach, or assistant, and probably not even an ex-major college NCAA head coach. It'll be someone like Jigga said. If from the NFL, a position coach.

 

[34Squire34]

George O'Leary.

We already have his resume on file...kind of.

 

[Irish Envy]

Rumblings coming out of Cleveland that Crennel is NOT happy AT ALL. If he gets fired, he would not be in line to get a head coaching job anytime soon. Would he be interested in the college game?

 

[guff]

Couple questions if he's fired.

1. Would he take the ND gig? 2. How much loyality is there between Minter and CW?

I say if you can get Crennel you get him.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Rumblings coming out of Cleveland that Crennel is NOT happy AT ALL. If he gets fired, he would not be in line to get a head coaching job anytime soon. Would he be interested in the college game?

Haven't even heard a whisper of this here in Cleveland while you couldn't blame him if true. That being said, I'd LOVE to have him in SB. Cleveland is a fickel town and you never know what's gonna come down the pike around here. If he were to leave C-Town or was asked to leave, I'd hope that he'd take a hard look at South Bend.

 

[RichardRiot]

Although I'm not on the 'dump Minter' bandwagon, I will play anyhow.....

Trying to be somewhat realistic, my vote would be Greg Robinson-HC of the Orange. Was an NFL D-Coord, and the DC @ Texas. Took the Syracuse job, and has been 4-17 in his first 21 games. Hawks are starting to circle, so he may be out soon.

Might consider another NCAA DC role, esp. where he would have better talent coming in (with the last couple of classes) than what he had a 'cuse.

 

[mizzouirish]

What about Bill Lewis? Doesn't he have head coaching credentials. He's a weathered man who has been around the game for some time. Obviously, with the players he was given when he came here, the old saying goes, "you can't teach an old dog new tricks" (i.e. Richardson, Lambert, Wooden, Zbikowski). However, I like his attitude and tenacity.

Just a thought.

 

[goldenechoes]

Most complete list I've ever read.


1. Duane Akina (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs coach, Texas Longhorns): coached offense and defense with Rob Ianello at Arizona

2. Chris Ball (secondary coach, Alabama Crimson Tide): defensive backs and special teams coach under Gerry Faust at Akron

3. Greg Blache (defensive line coach, Washington Redskins): Notre Dame graduate; Notre Dame assistant coach/defensive line (1973-1975; 1981-1983)

4. Kevin Coyle (secondary coach, Cincinnati Bengals): college defensive coordinator, 1986-2000 (Holy Cross, Syracuse, Maryland, Fresno State)

5. Joe Cullen (defensive line, Detroit Lions): college defensive coordinator, 1997-98, 2000, 2002-04 (Richmond, Indiana)

6. Kirk Doll (linebackers coach, Denver Broncos): Notre Dame linebackers coach (1994-2001)

7. Mark Duffner (linebackers coach, Jacksonville Jaguars): college defensive coordinator, 1977-85 (Cincinnati, Holy Cross)

8. Ken Flajole (linebackers coach, Carolina Panthers): college defensive coordinator, 1980-85, 1994, 1996-97 (Montana, Richmond, Nevada)

9. David Gibbs (defensive backs, Kansas City Chiefs): college defensive coordinator, 1997-2000, 2005 (Minnesota, Auburn)

10. Jay Hayes (defensive line coach, Cincinnati Bengals): Notre Dame defensive line coach (1989), outside linebackers coach (1990-91)

11. Tom Hayes (defensive backs coach, New Orleans Saints): college defensive coordinator, 1979, 1982-88, 1991-94, 2001, 2005 (Cal-State Fullerton, UCLA, Oklahoma, Kansas, Stanford)

12. Chuck Heater (Recruiting Coordinator/Cornerbacks, Florida Gators): Notre Dame Secondary Coach from 1988-1990

13. Jim Herrmann (linebackers coach, New York Jets): college defensive coordinator, 1997-2005 (Michigan)

14. Pepper Johnson (defensive line coach, New England Patriots): New York Giants linebacker (1985-1992), New York Jets linebacker (1998-1999), New England Patriots assistant coach (2001-present)

15. Denny Marcin (defensive line coach, New York Jets): college defensive coordinator, 1974-87, 1992-96 (Miami of Ohio, North Carolina, Illinois)

16. Don Martindale (linebackers coach, Oakland Raiders): college defensive coordinator, 1987, 1999, 2003 (Defiance, Western Illinois, Western Kentucky)
- Notre Dame defensive assistant (1994-95)
- Rick Minter’s DE/LB coach at Cincinnati (1996-98)

17. Greg Mattison (Co-Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line, Florida Gators): Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach (1997-2004)

18. Joe Palermo (Defensive Line coach, Miami Hurricanes): Notre Dame Defensive Line Coach, 1988-89, defensive line coach under Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin

19. Fred Pagac (linebackers coach, Minnesota Vikings): college defensive coordinator, 1996-1999 (Ohio State)

20. Willy Robinson (secondary coach, St. Louis Rams): college defensive coordinator, 1988-93, 1999 (Fresno State, Oregon State)

21. Schottenheimer, Kurt (secondary coach, Green Bay Packers): Notre Dame outside linebackers coach (1986)

22. Randy Shannon (Defensive Coordinator, Miami Hurricanes): linebackers coach, Miami Dolphins, alongside then Dolphins DB coach Bill Lewis

23. Phil Snow (linebackers coach, Detroit Lions): college defensive coordinator, 1980-81, 1983-86, 1995-2004 (Laney College, Boise State, Arizona State, UCLA, Washington)

24. Richard Solomon (defensive backs, Arizona Cardinals): college defensive coordinator, 1973, 1980-86 (Dubuque, Illinois); New York Giants assistant coach (1987-1991)

25. Charlie Strong (Assistant Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers, Florida Gators): Notre Dame Defensive Line Coach (1995-1998)

26. Mel Tucker (defensive backs coach, Cleveland Browns): college co-defensive coordinator, 2001-04 (Ohio State)

27. Bob Trott (defensive assistant, Cleveland Browns): college defensive coordinator, 1989-90, 1996-2004 (Arkansas, Clemson, Duke, Baylor, Louisiana-Monroe); New England Patriots assistant coach (1993-1995)

28. Washburn, Jim (defensive line coach, Tennessee Titans): South Carolina assistant coach (1983-1988)

29. Keith Willis (defensive line coach, Boston College Eagles): defensive line coach under Rick Minter at Cincinnati

http://blog.uhnd.com/2006/notre-dame-football/52/

 

[Seymore]

Preferrably someone who brings the heat ! I love to see aggressive defense, regardless of giving up "the big play". Rutgers last week against Lousville was awesome, they gave up some big plays, but the constant pressure on Brohm forced big plays on defense for Rutgers. There's been alot of games this season, where we began blitzing alot, but after giving up a big play, seemed to shy away from it. Even when you give up big plays, eventually the pressure causes the opposing Os' to make mistakes, creating big plays for our defense. I wanna see more excitement among the players, guys smacking the shit out of each other, pumping up the crowd ! As bad as this may sound, Im tired of watching our defense play "good enough to win". Im fully aware of the talent issue, but honestly, the guys were starting on defense weren't exactly cream puffs out of high-school. They're capable of making big plays, unfortunately, they only show it when they have to. Minter !
So it doesn't really matter who we'd replace Minter with, as long as it's someone aggressive,energetic with recruiting who's not afraid of giving up "the big play" ! On that note, here's a few of my favorites:

1.Bud Foster (Virginia Tech DC & ILB coach)
2.Vic Koenning (Clemson DC)
3.Reggie Herring (Arkansas DC)

 

[Freeman Ara]

I don't know why any of these coaches on this list would a) be available or b) want to leave there current positions. I mean if your already a DC at a D1 school it wouldn't make sense to just switch jobs, if you have made OC or DC at any level your next position is as a HC. A far as Crennel, this is year two for him in Cleveland right? I can't see him being on the hot seat already, you have to give a guy time to get his players in his system and actually build something, which leads me to my next point. I don't see Minter leaving ND. Why would Charlie fire him? Weis knows the limitations that they are working with on that side of the ball. Why would Minter leave? Its not like he is a red hot DC candidate, and he has already had a HC position and kind of wore out his welcome at UC. Let's just all calm down and let Charlie and Minter get some more talent in here and see what happens.

 

[Seymore]

I don't know why any of these coaches on this list would a) be available or b) want to leave there current positions.

I agree, Im not suggesting they would leave. If you re-read my post, Im listing my favorites. Im not on the, "Fire Minter Bandwagon",though I tend to disagree with some of his defensive schemes sometimes, but if he ever does leave, or get replaced, Im hoping it's a DC in the mold of one that I listed as my favorites. Again, someone proven with a "not-so-dry personality" especially in regards to recruiting !