ND Coaching Search Megathread

[Irish#1]

 

[sportallyr]

So, if ND is down to Golden or Rossi, do we know what happened to Belk? Anyone know if he withdrew or did ND eliminate him from consideration?

 

[ThePiombino]

So, if ND is down to Golden or Rossi, do we know what happened to Belk? Anyone know if he withdrew or did ND eliminate him from consideration?

No source, But I can only assume it came down to the fact that Freeman didn't want a rental. Belk will probably be a head coaching candidate much sooner than later.

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[BoredIrish]

No source, But I can only assume it came down to the fact that Freeman didn't want a rental. Belk will probably be a head coaching candidate much sooner than later.

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I'm not sure I understand this logic. Rossi sounds like a climber and future HC as well.

 

[Free Manera]

I'm not sure I understand this logic. Rossi sounds like a climber and future HC as well.

Based on discussions Loy had with some sources, Rossi is perfectly happy being a DC4L.

 

[Rogue219]

No source, But I can only assume it came down to the fact that Freeman didn't want a rental. Belk will probably be a head coaching candidate much sooner than later.

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I fail to understand how Al Golden is guaranteed not to go anywhere in a few years if they're successful and P5 jobs open up where the ADs are not interested in him. Elko, Lea and Freeman all used the ND DC gig to better themselves into head coaching jobs. There is a very good chance this happens again with the next hire, be it Belk or Golden or Rossi.

Golden is 52 years old and has a college HC record of 59-59. He is .500 because it took him three years to pull Temple Football out of the shitter. I think when it comes to second chances, this is someone that is probably worth a look at, especially if you are a G5 program looking to get on your feet with minimal resources.

Winning a Championship should be the goal, and if Belk is the hire that can get them there the fastest, you get him and move on. This profession is literally called a CAROUSEL from the end of November until mid February because of the hirings, firings, coming and going that occurs. I fail to understand why so many people are not adult enough to handle that.

 

[ACamp1900]

THIS!!!

lol

 

[irishog77]

I fail to understand how Al Golden is guaranteed not to go anywhere in a few years if they're successful and P5 jobs open up where the ADs are not interested in him. Elko, Lea and Freeman all used the ND DC gig to better themselves into head coaching jobs. There is a very good chance this happens again with the next hire, be it Belk or Golden or Rossi.

Golden is 52 years old and has a college HC record of 59-59. He is .500 because it took him three years to pull Temple Football out of the shitter. I think when it comes to second chances, this is someone that is probably worth a look at, especially if you are a G5 program looking to get on your feet with minimal resources.

Winning a Championship should be the goal, and if Belk is the hire that can get them there the fastest, you get him and move on. This profession is literally called a CAROUSEL from the end of November until mid February because of the hirings, firings, coming and going that occurs. I fail to understand why so many people are not adult enough to handle that.

I think people understand that good (and bad, and even mediocre) coaches move on all the time. In fact, I think more people understand this facet of coaching than why you feel the need continually bring this up.

 

[chicago51]

So, if ND is down to Golden or Rossi, do we know what happened to Belk? Anyone know if he withdrew or did ND eliminate him from consideration?

I assume Freeman thinks Rossi and Golden are better.

I like Belk but Houston did struggle whenever they played a real offense; Texas Tech, Cincy.

 

[bumpdaddy]

I fail to understand how Al Golden is guaranteed not to go anywhere in a few years...

A few years is much better than 1 year and that's the concern with Belk. If ND has a top defense next year with Belk at the helm he could be gone the following year. There isn't that same concern with Golden. If after 3 or 4 years Golden decides to move on to take advantage of his success as ND DC, MF will have had time to grow into being a HC, so moving on to a new DC won't be as jarring.

 

[ThePiombino]

I fail to understand how Al Golden is guaranteed not to go anywhere in a few years if they're successful and P5 jobs open up where the ADs are not interested in him.

There is no guarantee, but I believe the prevailing thought here is that AG wouldn't be a one-year rental and would be around at least a couple/few years.

 

[Irish#1]

I assume Freeman thinks Rossi and Golden are better.

I like Belk but Houston did struggle whenever they played a real offense; Texas Tech, Cincy.

Rules of posting on IE.

#1. Never let common sense dictate what you say.
#2. If it makes sense, don't post it.
#3. The simplest answer can never be the right one.

 

[Rogue219]

I think people understand that good (and bad, and even mediocre) coaches move on all the time. In fact, I think more people understand this facet of coaching than why you feel the need continually bring this up.

Because people continually feel the need to overreact whenever assistant coaches leave.

I mean, would you rather they get fired or take other jobs, because if they're getting fired that's usually not a good thing.

 

[Henges24]

Al Golden would be a solid hire. HC experience, a big-named guy, SEC ties, and from the sounds of it he's a terrific recruiter. He's also a guy MF should feel comfortable letting do his own thing on the defensive side while he focuses on being THE MAN.
Get that sweaty dawg on the sidelines, pronto.

 

[Rogue219]

I assume Freeman thinks Rossi and Golden are better.

I like Belk but Houston did struggle whenever they played a real offense; Texas Tech, Cincy.

Good point. If you look at Rossi in 2021, however, he got lit up in Week 1 by Ohio State and gave up 27 points to that Iowa offense that was barf. The Illinois and Bowling Green losses were not on the defense.

The rest of the schedule didn't have what I'd call a real offense on it, though.

 

[Rogue219]

There is no guarantee, but I believe the prevailing thought here is that AG wouldn't be a one-year rental and would be around at least a couple/few years.

Belk could be too. So could Rossi.

On January 27, 2021 did anyone think Marcus Freeman would be HC of Notre Dame a year later? Of course not.

It just seems crazy to me that during the hiring process of a football coach, of all professions, you're thinking "this guy is good and probably will leave so we'd better not hire him."

At any rate, I suspect things didn't work out with Belk so they've all moved on and or Freeman likes Golden and Rossi better based on the interviewing process.

 

[ACamp1900]

Rules of posting on IE.

#1. Never let common sense dictate what you say.
#2. If it makes sense, don't post it.
#3. The simplest answer can never be the right one.

#4 Never advocate for deep frying chile rellenos

 

[chicago51]

Good point. If you look at Rossi in 2021, however, he got lit up in Week 1 by Ohio State and gave up 27 points to that Iowa offense that was barf. The Illinois and Bowling Green losses were not on the defense.

The rest of the schedule didn't have what I'd call a real offense on it, though.

Good points. I think MN had top 10 D in 2019 as well. So there is the doing it more than 1 good season thing.

I'm not saying Belk isn't the better choice nor am I saying he is. I do feel confident though Freeman will base this hire on who best for the role not who will stay the longest.

Everyone is looking at every factor he could base his decision on, except that he might actually pick the guy he simply thinks is the best.

I like Belk and think he'd do a fine job.

 

[Rogue219]

A few years is much better than 1 year and that's the concern with Belk. If ND has a top defense next year with Belk at the helm he could be gone the following year. There isn't that same concern with Golden. If after 3 or 4 years Golden decides to move on to take advantage of his success as ND DC, MF will have had time to grow into being a HC, so moving on to a new DC won't be as jarring.

Why isn't there that some concern with Golden, age?

These guys don't love Notre Dame the same way we do as fans. If opportunities come about, most guys are going to take them. Mike Elston is an exception not the rule. For him to have stayed at ND for as long as he did as an assistant is not the norm.

Al Golden never got another shot after he got fired at Miami after Clemson blew them out. The situation at Miami wasn't exactly ideal and he was fired with a winning record. He could come in and ND's defense could bust chops in 2022. Suddenly, come Thanksgiving, the jobs are opening up again and ADs decide to give Golden a call knowing he has all of the attributes we're discussing in this thread.

 

[Dale]

There are three possible versions of this hire IMO:

- Golden DC with heavy Freeman influence. Possible Freeman play calling even.
- Golden DC without heavy Freeman influence.
- Rossi DC

I think it’d go 1 - 3 - 2 in preference.

 

[Rogue219]

Good points. I think MN had top 10 D in 2019 as well. So there is the doing it more than 1 good season thing.

I'm not saying Belk isn't the better choice nor am I saying he is. I do feel confident though Freeman will base this hire on who best for the role not who will stay the longest.

Everyone is looking at every factor he could base his decision on, except that he might actually pick the guy he simply thinks is the best.

I like Belk and think he'd do a fine job.

I agree. I just don't think during the interviewing process they're going down the list of games coached and saying, "Yikes, Ohio State blew his doors off, so that counts for two strikes against him." You could find warts on every guy's resume if that was the case.

I don't think we should misinterpret Freeman's wanting Heacock initially as the favorite as the idea that Freeman wants someone he doesn't think is going to leave soon for another job or a head coaching gig, which I think could be what a lot of people are thinking. It just seems silly to hire someone with that at the center of the decision.

These guys know the unforeseen happens when it comes to this every year.

 

[Free Manera]

Freeman doesn't want a rental because he has seen how long ND takes to hire new coaches.

But for real, Loy has stated a few times that continuity/non-rental is a factor to Freeman, it's not just us guessing. He really does want to be confident that the new DC will stay a few years. I believe it is something actually coming up in conversations with the candidates and references.

There are never guarantees, someone could receive a godfather offer at any time and be gone. But I think Belk would be coming in with a foot out the door; he is basically the new Freeman. He will have a head job in 1-2 years tops.

I think Rossi and Golden are in a different situation. They aren't hot head coaching names right now at all, and both seem to be indicating they would be in it for the long haul.

 

[Rogue219]

Freeman doesn't want a rental because he has seen how long ND takes to hire new coaches.

But for real, Loy has stated a few times that continuity/non-rental is a factor to Freeman, it's not just us guessing. He really does want to be confident that the new DC will stay a few years. I believe it is something actually coming up in conversations with the candidates and references.

There are never guarantees, someone could receive a godfather offer at any time and be gone. But I think Belk would be coming in with a foot out the door; he is basically the new Freeman. He will have a head job in 1-2 years tops.

I think Rossi and Golden are in a different situation. They aren't hot head coaching names right now at all, and both seem to be indicating they would be in it for the long haul.

Fascinating. Wasn't aware those were the tea leaves Loy was reading.

Sounds like CMF wants to have his cake and eat it too. In this profession, asking for that kind of loyalty and continuity is a lot to ask. Doesn't mean he can't, but it's definitely not the norm to have a Bud Foster in your corner for years on end.

 

[bumpdaddy]

Why isn't there that some concern with Golden, age?

These guys don't love Notre Dame the same way we do as fans. If opportunities come about, most guys are going to take them. Mike Elston is an exception not the rule. For him to have stayed at ND for as long as he did as an assistant is not the norm.

Al Golden never got another shot after he got fired at Miami after Clemson blew them out. The situation at Miami wasn't exactly ideal and he was fired with a winning record. He could come in and ND's defense could bust chops in 2022. Suddenly, come Thanksgiving, the jobs are opening up again and ADs decide to give Golden a call knowing he has all of the attributes we're discussing in this thread.

Let me make 2 points to address your question:

1. Belk is a "hot" name for up-and-coming coaches. He is much more likely to attract enticing job offers over the next year or two than AG. That may not be fair but it is the nature of the business. It will likely take at least a few seasons of AG producing top defenses at ND for him to regain some of the college mojo he lost after his Miami gig.
2. Although AG hasn't been brought in for an interview, it's extremely likely MF has had some communication either with him directly or his representatives, and through those communications, MF has likely been assured AG would be willing to stick around for a while if given the job. It is my understanding that MF isn't guessing AG is more likely to stick around longer than Belk. He's asked some of the right people the right questions and that has given him more confidence AG will stick around longer.

 

[stlnd01]

Fascinating. Wasn't aware those were the tea leaves Loy was reading.

Sounds like CMF wants to have his cake and eat it too. In this profession, asking for that kind of loyalty and continuity is a lot to ask. Doesn't mean he can't, but it's definitely not the norm to have a Bud Foster in your corner for years on end.

Doesn't need to Bud Foster for "years on end," but having a guy you think will stick for, say, three years, versus someone rising so fast they could be gone in one, is a factor worth considering. For recruiting and scheme purposes if nothing else. Remember, this is our fifth DC hire in a little more than five years. When the Ademilolas committed to Notre Dame, Brian Van Gorder was the defensive coordinator.

 

[Irish#1]

Fascinating. Wasn't aware those were the tea leaves Loy was reading.

Sounds like CMF wants to have his cake and eat it too. In this profession, asking for that kind of loyalty and continuity is a lot to ask. Doesn't mean he can't, but it's definitely not the norm to have a Bud Foster in your corner for years on end.

There's nothing wrong in talking about being around for more than a cup of coffee when interviewing someone. If they have aspirations of moving on in a short period of time, it may make them rethink things before accepting the job which would save everyone some grief in the long run. For all we know Golden may be content to be a DC since he has already checked off the HC on his bucket list. Decent pay check without all of the HC headaches.

 

[Rogue219]

Doesn't need to Bud Foster for "years on end," but having a guy you think will stick for, say, three years, versus someone rising so fast they could be gone in one, is a factor worth considering. For recruiting and scheme purposes if nothing else. Remember, this is our fifth DC hire in a little more than five years. When the Ademilolas committed to Notre Dame, Brian Van Gorder was the defensive coordinator.

Right. Elko then Lea then Freeman and now. The wheels never fell off during that time. It's part of the business.

I would think that Belk would need at least two years as DC of ND to prove himself before someone hired him as an HC. Clark Lea did 3 at ND and was hired by his alma mater, a job that most people probably didn't want to begin with. Elko got his first HC gig after fifteen years of being a DC from Hofstra to TAMU with all the jobs in between.

Belk just had full control of the UH defense in 2021. He's garnered a lot of respect within the college football social circles, but it really seems odd that he would be given a pass because of his potential. In the end, that's all it really is. Potential.

I don't know, I think it would be funny if they hire anyone else but Belk and then two years later the guy skates for a head coaching job. Nothing surprises me anymore, and that certainly wouldn't.

 

[Irish#1]

Doesn't need to Bud Foster for "years on end," but having a guy you think will stick for, say, three years, versus someone rising so fast they could be gone in one, is a factor worth considering. For recruiting and scheme purposes if nothing else. Remember, this is our fifth DC hire in a little more than five years. When the Ademilolas committed to Notre Dame, Brian Van Gorder was the defensive coordinator.

We should have some type of penalty system to administer whenever someone mentions his name.

 

[Free Manera]

Doesn't need to Bud Foster for "years on end," but having a guy you think will stick for, say, three years, versus someone rising so fast they could be gone in one, is a factor worth considering. For recruiting and scheme purposes if nothing else. Remember, this is our fifth DC hire in a little more than five years. When the Ademilolas committed to Notre Dame, Brian Van Gorder was the defensive coordinator.

Right. Continuity is a relative term in this business. I think he is trying to land someone that will stay for maybe 4 years. With Belk it is totally reasonable if not probable that he would leave after 1 year. 2 would be like absolute tops unless he bombs. He's the next Freeman.

 

[Dale]

Right. Elko then Lea then Freeman and now. The wheels never fell off during that time. It's part of the business.

I would think that Belk would need at least two years as DC of ND to prove himself before someone hired him as an HC. Clark Lea did 3 at ND and was hired by his alma mater, a job that most people probably didn't want to begin with. Elko got his first HC gig after fifteen years of being a DC from Hofstra to TAMU with all the jobs in between.

Belk just had full control of the UH defense in 2021. He's garnered a lot of respect within the college football social circles, but it really seems odd that he would be given a pass because of his potential. In the end, that's all it really is. Potential.

I don't know, I think it would be funny if they hire anyone else but Belk and then two years later the guy skates for a head coaching job. Nothing surprises me anymore, and that certainly wouldn't.

I don’t think Elko - Lea - Freeman - XYZ in a 6 year span is a normal part of the business. Elko and Freeman were two very good hires and Lea was a stroke of luck with the way Elko left. The odds you can bank on replicating that is extremely low. If Lea was not as good as he was, it falls apart and probably don’t even get Freeman either (see LSU). I don’t know many other Playoff caliber programs having that type of turnover on the defensive side of the ball.