Next ND Offensive Coordinator - the search

[Irish#1]

I actually think he'll turn Miami around - IF he focuses on playing a more Dabo-esque role, rather than what he did last year at Miami.

He had some pretty good results at Oregon, and if he remains focused on culture and getting the right staff in place to handle the day-to-day football planning, the Canes should rise to the top of the ACC pretty quickly.

Sounds like the formula for every HC.

 

[Giddyup]

Do yourself a favor and don’t watch Tampa. That offense was atrocious.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

Do yourself a favor and don’t watch Tampa. That offense was atrocious.

That is what I thought, but last year they were okay I believe. I really have no knowledge of the NFL .

 

[Giddyup]

I wouldn’t mind Leftwich he is young, African American, and from Washington DC an area we haven’t had a lot of success recruiting. Tampa was the best offensive team in football in 2021.

Yeah when daddy Arians was there.

 

[Dale]

If you’re Freeman, I think it would be rather dumb if a former Super Bowl OC reached out to you and you didn’t at least have an initial conversation

 

[notredomer23]

So his 4 years as OC, the Bucs averaged 28.6 (4th), 30.8 (3rd), 30.1 (2nd), and 18.4 (24th). I am willing to throw out one bad year considering all the injuries and age the Bucs had on offense this year.

Seems weird to me that he would be interested in the first place unless he wants to get into college over NFL.

2019 was with Jameis Winston, too, so let's not just say the Tom Brady effect.

 

[Giddyup]

That was Bruce Arians offense.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

If you’re Freeman, I think it would rather dumb if a former Super Bowl OC reached out to you and you didn’t at least have an initial conversation

Yep, it is a smart call. I do not know enough about him, but I am curious to see where it goes.

 

[Fbolt]

​

Not one to trust Wiki however: Byron Leftwich - Wikipedia​

Coaching career​

Arizona Cardinals​

On May 9, 2016, Leftwich was hired by the Arizona Cardinals as a coaching intern during training camp. He was given the duty to help train the Cardinals quarterbacks.[29] On January 27, 2017, Leftwich was hired by the Cardinals as their quarterbacks coach under head coach Bruce Arians, who had been his offensive coordinator on the Pittsburgh Steelers.[30] Shortly after Bruce Arians retired as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals and Steve Wilks took his place. On October 19, 2018, after the Cardinals fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Leftwich was promoted to take over his role as interim offensive coordinator. On December 31, 2018, Leftwich was fired by the Cardinals, along with head coach Steve Wilks and the team finished 3-13, their worst record since 2000.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

On January 8, 2019, Leftwich was hired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as their offensive coordinator, reuniting with new head coach Bruce Arians.[31] Arians, who was returning from retirement, said in an interview with ESPN that he "wouldn't have taken the job if it wasn't for general manager Jason Licht, and probably wouldn't have taken the job if Byron Leftwich wasn't available".[32]

After the 2020 regular season, Arians stated that he had delegated the offense to Leftwich, and expressed frustration that the coordinator was not interviewed by other NFL teams for a head coaching position.[33][34] At the end of that season, their second with Arians and Leftwich, the Buccaneers won Super Bowl LV. After the 2021 season, Leftwich received multiple head coaching interviews but was never hired by any organization.

Leftwich was fired by the Buccaneers after the 2022 season.

 

[ColinKSU]

MEGA hard pass.

 

[rtrn2glory]

This would be an absolutely terrible idea..... Totally hate this

 

[KPENN]

If you’re Freeman, I think it would be rather dumb if a former Super Bowl OC reached out to you and you didn’t at least have an initial conversation

For real.

 

[Deirishpisser]

Xavier Worthy's mother would disagree...

she would agree with the ground and pound though

 

[Irishdrunk]

I am just happy - win, lose or draw - that Freeman gets to do a national search. He will figure it out.

 

[Katzenboyer]

I dont know a ton about Byron other than he was a backup for Big Ben. Why would it be bad?

His offenses struggled without Arians, and he's a purely NFL guy. I don't like how his concepts match to our personnel, nor the system I think ND wants to run. He's also never had to recruit on a day-to-day basis, and I'm not quite sure what he can sell to recruits after last year's pretty lackluster showing.

Worst case scenario is that this is a BVG-level hire. Best case is he does well, and then immediately jumps to the NFL next year, and we're in the same place we are now, except we spent a year running a different scheme that once again needs to change with a new hire.

 

[Ndaccountant]

If nothing else, I am glad that he is talking to people like Leftwich. Could be worse, he could just give it to Parker.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I am just happy - win, lose or draw - that Freeman gets to do a national search. He will figure it out.

That is where I am at, he gets to choose and I get to Monday morning quarterback if he sucks.

 

[arrowryan]

His offenses struggled without Arians, and he's a purely NFL guy. I don't like how his concepts match to our personnel, nor the system I think ND wants to run. He's also never had to recruit on a day-to-day basis, and I'm not quite sure what he can sell to recruits after last year's pretty lackluster showing.

Worst case scenario is that this is a BVG-level hire. Best case is he does well, and then immediately jumps to the NFL next year, and we're in the same place we are now, except we spent a year running a different scheme that once again needs to change with a new hire.

Your best case scenario describes 98% of the potential candidates. If in 1-3 years our OC takes a HC job or a different step up in the coaching ranks, then that means our offense was good and probably won a lot of games. I’ll live with that.

 

[notredomer23]

I’m indifferent about Leftwich but the Bucs had way bigger issues on offense than Leftwich this year. Didn’t they lose 3 linemen to injuries early on? Godwin was never 100%. Running back room was a mess. Brady no where near his old self. Not to mention Todd Bowles is an elite DC but a shit HC.

How often is the first name we hear about the actual name too? Highly doubtful he’s the guy. Relax everybody.

 

[NDWarrior]

Mentioned before, Clint Trickett? (I forgot this is the QB from WVU from almost a decade ago). Could be interesting... And his team did beat ND at home. Notre Dame football: 3 potential offensive coordinator candidates to replace Tommy Rees

 

[CanadalovesND]

Mentioned before, Clint Trickett? (I forgot this is the QB from WVU from almost a decade ago). Could be interesting... And his team did beat ND at home. Notre Dame football: 3 potential offensive coordinator candidates to replace Tommy Rees

He’s not overly experienced, and Marshall was carried by their defense all season. I think he’ll be a hot name in a few years, but he’s green and his offense was less than average this year.

 

[Giddyup]

Marshall was 90th in scoring offense. Guy isn’t proven.

 

[arrowryan]

Wasn’t Trickett on Last Chance U? Lol

 

[NDWarrior]

Yeah, for me, if going with a young guy, I would be more in favor of taking a chance on Tulane's Nagle for sure.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

If Leftwich is the guy, maybe he could bring Arians? Arians seemed pretty upset with the firing of Leftwich. He's also in a consultant role with the Bucs, so he is still involved.

 

[stlnd01]

Can't say I really see the appeal of Trickett. He was a co-OC for some mediocre teams at Florida Atlantic, and then Marshall? He has never coached (or recruited) at a P5 level?

To me it's Ludwig, Moorhead, Brian Johnson. Then everyone else who has yet been mentioned.

 

[irishog77]

I think the ND OC gig will generate a lot of interest. The QB, RB, OL, and TE units will all be (should be) among the best in the country in '23. And there's the notoriety of ND. I think a lot of coaches will be interested.

As said before by others, if Leftwich reaches out, MF takes the call- 10 times out of 10. BL has enough clout as a former college player, pro playoff player, Arians understudy, and NFL OC. MF would be dumb as a MFer not to take the call. It doesn't mean he has to hire the guy.

You also have to wonder how the agents are handling the scene. Leftwich was the talk of the NFL and the next HC at some franchise. Now he's considered a bum by many. Maybe his agent is ginning up interest for his client? Maybe BL realizes he could shine in 1 year at ND and then certainly get another NFL OC job, or perhaps be back on track for a head job.

Whatever the case, I like MF talking to him. He's still so young and limited with other coaches that he's at least broadening his scope. I don't know about hiring him, seems like trying to force a square peg in a round hole, but at least guys like Hartman, Minchey, Carr, and other recruits are going to be intrigued about possibly playing for an NFL QB coach and OC.

 

[Huntr]

 

[WildMan1]

Tampa was banged up all over the place on the offensive side of the ball this year..

He had 3 top scoring years prior to that regardless of Arian’s influence.. It should have been great experience for him.

Even if he’s not the answer it’s great that an NFL OC is actively reaching out for the position as it adds legitimacy & might just add some pressure to other candidates MC wants to hear back from.

 

[zbikowski88]

Leftwich needs to rebuild himself after having the Jags HC job locked up but wanted to bring in his own GM, Bucs offense was atrocious given the injuries & Brady playing like garbage.

He’s not in any OC conversations in the NFL - next best thing is rebuilding himself at a prominent University. He wouldn’t stay long if the Irish offense is successful… not many coaches would.

Stated above Freeman should at least listen to hear what he has to say.