ND Coaching Search Megathread

[StPaul_Irish]

Of just the “realistic” guys I liked and we could’ve paid them more money than what they currently make:
Heacock
Tressel
Mason
Scalley
Ash
Woody

Some very good choices. However you said "realistic". If someone doesn't want to leave for whatever reason. Or if they wanted to bring xyz CB or DL coach, and MFMF has his guy, then thatbis NOT realistic.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

This is another horrible take. The 2023 class is number one because of Marcus Freeman not any other coach or any other reason. That’s why no one bolted when Kelly left. According to you then we would be better off with Kelly still. The old coach who didn’t do a very good job of recruiting. It’s been pointed out numerous times over the years Kelly barely interacted with recruits. Also Heacock might be good but if I’m a 18 year old kid a almost 70 year old guy isn’t going to get my juices flowing. Give me all the young guys who will recruit their butts off

With admissions standards already pinning us in a corner and the 'Southern Schools' throwing money around LEGALLY now. We need to recruit at a high level, sure. But we also need to develop what we get.

Its yet to be seen how well Freeman can develop underrated kids. I was never a Kelly fan, but its pretty undeniable that he could find a way to win a ton of games with sub par talent across the board.

We saw Freeman Blow a massive lead, that doesn't happen with Kelly. I'm not ready to kick MF out of town, but from far far away it looks like he is treading water at best, and his life jacket it floating way. I hope I'm wrong, be needs to land a big time hire or at least a hot name.

 

[Dale]

With admissions standards already pinning us in a corner and the 'Southern Schools' throwing money around LEGALLY now. We need to recruit at a high level, sure. But we also need to develop what we get.

Its yet to be seen how well Freeman can develop underrated kids. I was never a Kelly fan, but its pretty undeniable that he could find a way to win a ton of games with sub par talent across the board.

We saw Freeman Blow a massive lead, that doesn't happen with Kelly. I'm not ready to kick MF out of town, but from far far away it looks like he is treading water at best, and his life jacket it floating way. I hope I'm wrong, be needs to land a big time hire or at least a hot name.

“Sub par talent across the board”

While there was certainly a different gear of talent we didn’t recruit for the most part under Kelly, we were rarely the less talented team on the field and I certainly would not call it subpar. When we were the less talented team, we usually lost.

 

[IrishLax]

Here's the positive stuff that I have to say on Belk so you all don't think I'm being negative for the sake of being negative:
-The Houston defense got progressively better with him on staff and peaked this year when he was sole DC at a solid 27th in the country
-His scheme aligns well with our current personnel (4-2-5... let's edge rushers be edge rushers, and we have some solid candidates for that "5th" DB hybrid spot)
-He is philosophically aligned with Freeman, and there shouldn't be issues in collaboration
-By all reports, he isn't lazy or incompetent
-He might be a good recruiter because of personality but no one has any idea because he's only recruited at Houston

If we still had Elston on staff and more clarity with staffing that side of the ball, I would feel better about taking on an unseasoned DC. As is, our defensive staff average age is I think ~32 years old right now. So if it turns into a dumpster fire, I hope people aren't shocked. The only people who are *proven* are Mickens and Freeman. O'leary will be a second year coach, Belk will be a second year DC.

 

[NDIrish88]

Here's the positive stuff that I have to say on Belk so you all don't think I'm being negative for the sake of being negative:
-The Houston defense got progressively better with him on staff and peaked this year when he was sole DC at a solid 27th in the country
-His scheme aligns well with our current personnel (4-2-5... let's edge rushers be edge rushers, and we have some solid candidates for that "5th" DB hybrid spot)
-He is philosophically aligned with Freeman, and there shouldn't be issues in collaboration
-By all reports, he isn't lazy or incompetent
-He might be a good recruiter because of personality but no one has any idea because he's only recruited at Houston

If we still had Elston on staff and more clarity with staffing that side of the ball, I would feel better about taking on an unseasoned DC. As is, our defensive staff average age is I think ~32 years old right now. So if it turns into a dumpster fire, I hope people aren't shocked. The only people who are *proven* are Mickens and Freeman. O'leary will be a second year coach, Belk will be a second year DC.

One more thing about Belk. His main recruits come from Texas and Georgia. He is a Georgia native and coached, obviously, at Houston. Also not bad to have.

Who becomes the Polian of the group, i.e. the West Coast/Hawaii territory recruiter?

 

[IrishTusker]

With admissions standards already pinning us in a corner and the 'Southern Schools' throwing money around LEGALLY now. We need to recruit at a high level, sure. But we also need to develop what we get.

Its yet to be seen how well Freeman can develop underrated kids. I was never a Kelly fan, but its pretty undeniable that he could find a way to win a ton of games with sub par talent across the board.

Which games did Kelly win when he had subpar talent relative to the other team? Clemson 2020 (once)? I can think of plenty of games that we lost when we had better/similar talent.

 

[Armyirish47]

Georgia staff going into last year:

Kirby Smart (HC) - 45
Dan Lanning (DC)- 35
Todd Monken (OC) - 55
Scott Cochran (ST) - 42
Cortez Hankton (WR) - 40
Jahmile Addae (DB) - 37
Todd Hartley (TE) - 35
Matt Luke (OL) - 44
Dell McGee (RB) - 47
Glen Schuman (IL) - 31
Tray Scott (DL) - 36

Average age of defensive staff not including Kirby = 35

 

[NDFAN2008]

Well now we need a new RB coach

 

[IrishLax]

Well now we need a new RB coach

Big fan of Taylor. This is a loss, but not unexpected as he has HC potential + is very good at his job + had run game coordinator title.

I think that this will be a tougher fill for ND than DL coach.

 

[GoldenAura]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1482736924242685953?s=20[/TWEET]

 

[IrishRazor82]

Big fan of Taylor. This is a loss, but not unexpected as he has HC potential + is very good at his job + had run game coordinator title.

I think that this will be a tougher fill for ND than DL coach.

This is the only loss we don't upgrade IMO. I bet DL, OL, ST, and WR all end up as upgrades .

 

[NDFAN2008]

Big fan of Taylor. This is a loss, but not unexpected as he has HC potential + is very good at his job + had run game coordinator title.

I think that this will be a tougher fill for ND than DL coach.

One name I’m throwing out there is Justin Johnson from Baylor was previously at Houston.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

This is the only loss we don't upgrade IMO. I bet DL, OL, ST, and WR all end up as upgrades .

Eh,Heistand will improve the group alone. The talent in the room should still be great. Group did pretty mediocre last year (not Lances fault)

 

[NDdomer2]

Maybe it's just me thinking of recruiting differently but if we're not going to be buying players how are we going to convince them to come to ND without hiring good recruiters?

Even the best development coaches with a bunch of 3stars aren't ever going to compete with the bought classes full of NFL talent.

We need to play transfer portal? They are being bought too so again I don't see how a staff full of old dudes who are great teachers helps us here either.

Its all about acquiring talent and it would seem like we need all the firepower we can get if we're already disadvantaged.

Also why would Lea leave a power 5 HC gig after 1 year to return to coord?

 

[chicago51]

He also had one of the most mind numbing 2nd halves I've ever seen. His game plan was great, his adjustments were pee-wee. He got pantsed in the 2nd half.

What should he have done OkState basically went 6 in the box in the 2nd half and, Notre Dame still couldn't run the ball.

Notre Dame was even numbers blockers to defenders in the box, the adjustment was run the ball. They still couldn't do it.

Only adjustment was maybe bring in TB. Threat of QB running = 1 blocker if you run zone read option.

 

[Rogue219]

Turning out to be a rough week for the bedwetters.

 

[goooo_irish_beat....]

One thing Notre Dame needs to get proactive with is hiring staff for NIL and the transfer portal. Today there needs to be multiple individuals within the football office focusing on both, in addition to a coordinator. It is too much for one recruiting coordinator to fulfill. Not sure if they responsibilities we can add to current coaches for additional money, but it is something to consider.

 

[Grahambo]

Big fan of Taylor. This is a loss, but not unexpected as he has HC potential + is very good at his job + had run game coordinator title.

I think that this will be a tougher fill for ND than DL coach.

Hard not to be excited for him. Always love when a guy gets a promotion. This will be another interesting hire. Would think this would be a great opportunity to bring back Alford, if he’s open to it. Perfect type of veteran coach to add to the mix.

 

[Rogue219]

Nate Scheelhaase, Iowa State
Tyler Tettleton, Ohio
Elijah Brooks, Maryland
De’Rail Sims, Louisville
Cole Weeks, Troy

Put this in the Taylor thread as well. I didn't intend to post these in order of preference but I must have subconsciously.

Could Keenan Bailey be entrusted with his first actual assistant coaching job as ND RB coach? Quite an opportunity.

 

[Dale]

Football Scoop now reporting Georgia is pursuing Al Washington as well.

So that might be why a DL hire is getting pushed ahead of DC

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Not an issue if we get Belk and Early. Speaking of Belk, would that mean COL moves to LB?

 

[GoldenAura]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1482774672169177090?s=20[/TWEET]

 

[irishff1014]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1482774672169177090?s=20[/TWEET]

This hiring process is so confusing. Why hire another position coach before the DC?

I think we are seeing the inexperience.

Although he probably will be able to recruit well here.

 

[irishog77]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1482774672169177090?s=20[/TWEET]

Only has 2 kids. Not a fit for Freeman.

 

[NDdomer2]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1482774672169177090?s=20[/TWEET]

But we havent even heard he's been on campus for an interview

 

[Dale]

Football Scoop now reporting Georgia is pursuing Al Washington as well.

So that might be why a DL hire is getting pushed ahead of DC

Lol almost instantly. Freeman say you ain’t getting on that plane?

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/johndbrice1/status/1482776621656514564?s=21[/TWEET]

 

[GoldenAura]

Sampson says Washington was the #1 choice by Freeman for the position.

 

[irishandy]

I have to agree with Lax- with wanting a coaching staff with experience, but on the flip side is hiring a younger coaching staff better with recruiting?

I have no worries with HH- he is going to bring in top o-line, but will these younger coaches be able to build better rapport with the recruits?

Stuckey will be a 100% upgrade from Del...hell anyone would've been a 100% upgrade from Del.

Is Belk the new DC or the new DL coach?

 

[GoldenAura]

Is Belk the new DC or the new DL coach?

Belk would be DC. He's not taking a demotion back to position coach.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Not an issue if we get Belk and Early. Speaking of Belk, would that mean COL moves to LB?

Idiot, this didn't age well