ND Coaching Search Megathread

[NDRock]

I've got news for you: when Ok St tightened coverage we weren't going to do shit regardless. We weren't opening holes against their front 7 for the running game, and Lenzy/Austin weren't beating the coverage to get open. Styles was the only WR that still consistently was pulling down his targets 2nd half, the Senior leaders disappeared. That's on them, they needed to step up, but they've struggled with tight coverage all season. It's one of the reasons, despite a thin WR group, I'd rather Lenzy would have moved on. He holds the offense back, he shouldn't be starting.

Good thing they didn’t open with that defense since there was literally nothing we could have done against it. Tommy got really lucky.

 

[1219Booopa]

I’m hoping for Belk at DC, hopefully he’s cool with the Washington hire.

Just heard about Taylor and that’s great for him and great for ND. Who do we like for RB coach?

 

[Rogue219]

The main reason I wouldn’t be optimistic on Alford is because they could have already done it. Alford RBs, Taylor WRs was the theoretical right? I guess Elston gone means more titles (and money) now but the opening isn’t actually new here

Lance Taylor was never going to be WR coach at ND. This was theoretical in the minds of a few fans. I don't think there was any legitimate thought of doing it within The Gug.

I don't know how plausible Alford coming back to ND is, but I've really moved on from him and haven't longed for him to return. I thought Denson and Taylor did well in the time since Alford left, which at the time was met with the same overreaction of concern and catastrophic panic as we have been seeing this week.

 

[Rogue219]

Old Elevenwarriors article said that he interviewed and actually turned down Tennessee for the DC position to return to pOSU.

Correct. I believe he also interviewed for the BC job as well.

 

[ulukinatme]

Good thing they didn’t open with that defense since there was literally nothing we could have done against it. Tommy got really lucky.

That's the gawd honest truth, although Ok St was clearly not ready for the Irish Air Raid 1st half so he caught them off guard. We need WRs to step up big next season. We need to lean on Styles, Mayer, and probably Diggs. Those are going to be our playmakers, although Colzie could continue to make strides too. If I'm Stuckey I put Styles, Colzie, and Davis/Merriweather out there next season. 2023 is probably our window, get those young guys reps and build.

 

[Irish#1]

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

My math comes out to 40.2 without Kirby. Am
I missing something?

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

My math comes out to 40.2 without Kirby. Am
I missing something?

Probably that he mentioned average age of defensive staff.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

At the first ND staff meeting, I picture Hiestand resembling Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

At the first ND staff meeting, I picture Hiestand resembling Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino.

Ahhhh, this would be sweet!

 

[Grahambo]

Listening to Bryan Driskell, he’s of the opinion the DC position will be the last to be filled. He expects the RB position to be filled before DC. He said MF is waiting on some things. There is some people he does like now. Doesn’t say what “things” are but then says “football is still being played if you get my drift”.

He also seemed to indicate that Heacock didn’t work out because Heacock wanted to bring some ISU staff with him and MF said no. (For the record, that’s me reading between the lines of what BD was saying)

BD went on to say that MF still wants his hand in the defense so he’s finding someone who is okay with that.

EDIT: Later in the show he flat out said it didn’t work with Heacock because Heacock wanted to bring his staff over. Regarding Belk, he said that Belk is a candidate that MF likes but he’s waiting to see who wins/loses today before more calls will be made. Driskell said to keep in mind that MF doesn’t have to hire a DC. He can simply hire a LB coach, name Mickens the pass game coordinator and MF can call the defensive plays himself.

EDIT 2: Regarding Alford, Driskell said he would be really surprised if MF doesn’t call Alford and kick those tires.

 

[NDRock]

My math comes out to 40.2 without Kirby. Am
I missing something?

I don’t see anyone over 40 on the D side.

 

[Dale]

If he’s waiting on the NFL, Al Golden checks the experience box many are wanting, coaches LBs, I posted earlier should at least be familiar with Washington from ACC play and played with McNulty

 

[T-Boone]

Listening to Bryan Driskell, he’s of the opinion the DC position will be the last to be filled. He expects the RB position to be filled before DC. He said MF is waiting on some things. There is some people he does like now. Doesn’t say what “things” are but then says “football is still being played if you get my drift”.

So an assistant for one of the NFL play off teams.

 

[irishog77]

Listening to Bryan Driskell, he’s of the opinion the DC position will be the last to be filled. He expects the RB position to be filled before DC. He said MF is waiting on some things. There is some people he does like now. Doesn’t say what “things” are but then says “football is still being played if you get my drift”.

He also seemed to indicate that Heacock didn’t work out because Heacock wanted to bring some ISU staff with him and MF said no. (For the record, that’s me reading between the lines of what BD was saying)

BD went on to say that MF still wants his hand in the defense so he’s finding someone who is okay with that.

Pretty obvious then that this means Mike Vrable as LB coach/DC and Eric Bieniemy as RB coach.

 

[Grahambo]

So an assistant for one of the NFL play off teams.

Correct. He didn’t name who or from which teams. Just said MF is expected to make some calls tonight depending on who wins/loses. As for Belk, while he is a favorite, no contract talks have taken place and they aren’t in a rush to fill it.

 

[tko]

Would Al Golden wear a ND tie during games?

 

[irishog77]

Would Al Golden wear a ND tie during games?

We can only hope!

Would definitely look better than Burnt Ends Brian's sockless/pastel blazer he seemed to don in every pic with a recruit.

 

[GATTACA!]

Agreed. The Ohio State defense had a lot of issue which stemmed primarily from their DC in my opinion. Still, their linebackers were not assignment sound or tough. They flat out quit in the Michigan game. Regardless, he’s not being hired to coach LB, and I think this is about as good of a hire as they could make on the DL. He does not have the talent development track record of Elston but he was highly thought of by power programs across the country and we needed a guy with big time football experience.

Better recruiting and we won’t have to lean on developing as hard.

 

[irishog77]

Not sure if it was mentioned earlier, but what is connection between MF and Golden? Do they know each other from living in Cincinnati?

Dude has some great experience as a coach. Not sure why MF would be holding out for him as the man though.

 

[IrishRazor82]

Man, Al Golden would add some serious experience to the roster. But is he up for the nutty CFB landscape?

At first glance, I like Al Golden. Always seemed focused and a gentleman, but with fire.

 

[BleedingGold]

So, we are short LB, RB, and DC? So hard to keep up.

 

[317Irish]

Not sure if it was mentioned earlier, but what is connection between MF and Golden? Do they know each other from living in Cincinnati?

Dude has some great experience as a coach. Not sure why MF would be holding out for him as the man though.

So there might be a more direct connection, but Al Golden was hired to the Bengals in 2020 when Freeman was still with Cincinnati. Honestly, if I don’t hear about a DC being hired during the week it will start seeking more likely that Freeman and Golden already had a convo where freeman laid out his plans for a defensive staff and Golden was on board…

 

[drayer54]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/MalikZaire8/status/1482806041544847360?s=20[/TWEET]

 

[T-Boone]

Pretty obvious then that this means Mike Vrable as LB coach/DC and Eric Bieniemy as RB coach.

That would be okay

 

[chicago51]

If he’s waiting on the NFL, Al Golden checks the experience box many are wanting, coaches LBs, I posted earlier should at least be familiar with Washington from ACC play and played with McNulty

Driskell on his message board doesn't believe AL Golden is a candidate.

 

[Dale]

Driskell on his message board doesn't believe AL Golden is a candidate.

Loy has had him on his list is where I was drawing from

 

[PANDFAN]

Driskell on his message board doesn't believe AL Golden is a candidate.

Well then I guess its source vs source... Loser goes away

 

[chicago51]

Just throwing some names out there:

1. Billy Davis (Cardinals LB Coach) – He is from Ohio – He coached at OSU – coaches LB. Been DC in the past for multiple NFL teams.

2. Taver Johnson (Raiders offensive assistant) – Coached at OSU – Linked to ND in past per my understanding - Was ND GA in 99. - Was worked lots jobs in Indiana and Ohio. Until he moved to offense this season he coached defense entire career including both LBs and DBs, a few DC stints in college.

Not endorsing them. Just looking for some Ohio / Freeman connections with guys still coaching.

 

[Grahambo]

So, we are short LB, RB, and DC? So hard to keep up.

Technically, yes. RB coach should be the easiest to fill. It’s the position easiest to coach so what you really need is an excellent recruiter. You still want a good RB coach but definitely need them to be an excellent recruiter.

DC position has a lot of moving parts to it BUT, the trump card for MF is that MF is a defensive coordinator himself. So he doesn’t have to rush. He’s looking for a guy who doesn’t need his own staff, needs a guy to adapt to MF’s playbook language (that’s so the players don’t have to learn another new set of language), and the DC needs to be okay with MF having his input.

 

[Dale]

Just throwing some names out there:

1. Billy Davis (Cardinals LB Coach) – He is from Ohio – He coached at OSU – coaches LB. Been DC in the past for multiple NFL teams.

2. Taver Johnson (Raiders offensive assistant) – Coached at OSU – Linked to ND in past per my understanding - Was ND GA in 99. - Was worked lots jobs in Indiana and Ohio. Until he moved to offense this season he coached defense entire career including both LBs and DBs, a few DC stints.

Not endorsing them. Just looking for some Ohio / Freeman connections with guys still coaching.

Billy Davis is a funny name because I can’t imagine Al Washington would have much kind words for him. Billy Davis recruiting credits are the OSU LBs this year to start the year:

Teradja Mitchell
Dallas Gant
K’Vaughn Pope
Tommy Eichenberg

They weren’t “bad recruits” but that’s basically the upperclassmen that fell short this year. Pope the one that quit.