Next ND Offensive Coordinator - the search

[GoldenAura]

Meet Eagles QBs coach Brian Johnson, the hottest non-head coaching name in the NFL

Johnson is primed to be an offensive coordinator, either in Philadelphia or elsewhere

www.cbssports.com

Sounds like he'll be an OC in the league soon according to this.

Yup. If Indy hires Steichen this is dead in the water. Johnson would definitely end up as Philly's OC or Indy's.

 

[Katzenboyer]

If the rumors about him are remotely close to being true, he's not making the vetting process step one at ND. Another guy I'm not worried about as a serious candidate.

This is what I keep telling myself when I worry he may get looked at. Because it would be a terrible, gawd awful, no good hire.

 

[Dale]

Sampson basically admitted on the podcast his list stunk.

 

[SoIll]

Sampson basically admitted on the podcast his list stunk.

Yeah he rushed the list. 247 waited until Sunday after they talked to sources to give dependable list. They are super confident in their names.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Probably an un-popular opinion on Leftwich, but I could've called plays for that Tampa Bay team the year they won it all. They were loaded and had the GOAT playing QB. You learn a lot about a coach when shit hits the fan and there's a little adversity. He didn't show out this year despite the challenges. Do we not think there's going to be challenges calling plays for ND? Still a very hard pass for me. Not to mention if he was any good as a playcaller/coach there's plenty of places in the league that would be knocking on his door, which right now does not appear to be the case.

This is where I'm at.

Johnson, even though an NFL guy, has me intrigued because of his work at the college level. Leftwich has never been a college coach, let alone an OC, and I'm simply not impressed with the work he did the year TB won the Super Bowl coaching the greatest of all time (when the evidence shows that Brady, towards the end of the season, was effectively acting as the de facto offensive coordinator on the field).

We need to bring in someone that will improve upon Rees' numbers. I don't think Leftwich does that.

 

[NDMatt91]

Yeah he rushed the list. 247 waited until Sunday after they talked to sources to give dependable list. They are super confident in their names.

I assume a VIP article, right?

 

[GrangerIrish24]

Prister just added that Johnson will be a strong candidate

 

[Irishjig78]

Cant the 3 time Heisman winner Ron Powlus be the QB coach? Who better to do it!

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Seems like Johnson is highly unlikely given how strong the NFL interest is in him. Would appear, at least from the optics, to be a home run hire.

If you guys were making a list, how would it look in terms of pecking order?

1. Johnson
2. Ludwig
3. Moorhead?
4. Sean Lewis?
5. Someone else?

I have no idea about these rankings, just guessing based on what I've read

 

[ColinKSU]

Sampson basically admitted on the podcast his list stunk.

First time I’ve heard self-reflection from anyone on the II or Athletic podcasts.

 

[NDdomer2]

any coincidence that the two names currently getting traction are both NFL guys who could be up for other NFL jobs/dominoes. Hopefully there is legit interest and it isnt all Agent pomp.

 

[Giddyup]

Not sure Leftwich is up for a job. He needs a job.

 

[IAIrish]

Well, I don't really know what you mean by sexy so instead of going back and forth on who is or is not sexy, I think the general point to make is there is a very real chance that we can get a very good coach to be ND's next OC and next years roster and winning should be the top priority with that hire, IMO. Therefore increasing the importance on factors like playcalling and coaching versus recruiting. I care very little about the recruiting chops of this OC hire.

Respectfully disagree LL. While coaching/ play calling is absolutely important, I'd wager Freeman is placing equal value on recruiting ability. They've already got a Golden on staff.
A mediocre recruiter may not be able to hang on to Carr and once Hartman leaves, ND could easily end up back to wher we'r were prior to the stretch of landing Carr, Minchey and Hartman.
I think Freeman sees the bama/dawg/ buckeye recruiting operation and knows a similar approach is required if the aim is to stay competitive. This means continuing to reel in top 100 Qbs and a bunch of top 250 skil talent in addition to our usual Oline/TE caliber.

 

[Irishdrunk]

Is it me but do any of you not like the optics of a possible OC candidate reaching out to ND instead of the other way around???

I am fine with most of the candidates being discussed. I think Freeman will make the right call based on insights he gets in his research and in discussions and interviews with the candidates themselves. Some candidates can look great on paper or in film but if they are arrogant, possibly lazy or otherwise not a good fit for Freeman, then I hope Freeman makes the decision that is best for him as ND's HC.

 

[Dale]

There is not a single OC candidate on the list that you can expect to recruit and develop a QB at a high level, long term at Notre Dame.

Freeman being able to hire a good OC/QB Coach is more important to recruiting than the recruiting ability of those hires.

 

[IrishSpartan]

thoughts on Sean Lewis?

 

[TheRealLynch51]

thoughts on Sean Lewis?

He just got hired by Deion. He's not moving.

 

[Free Manera]

thoughts on Sean Lewis?

He would be awesome but I can't see him walking out of Colorado after just getting there a few weeks ago.

 

[Free Manera]

There is not a single OC candidate on the list that you can expect to recruit and develop a QB at a high level, long term at Notre Dame.

Freeman being able to hire a good OC/QB Coach is more important to recruiting than the recruiting ability of those hires.

Agree. There is no such thing as a long term assistant coach in college, period. They are all striving for something more.

The best way for a coordinator to attract recruits is to put guys into the league through his development and scheme.

 

[IrishSpartan]

He would be awesome but I can't see him walking out of Colorado after just getting there a few weeks ago.

He would be awesome but I can't see him walking out of Colorado after just getting there a few weeks ago.

True but I think it’s possible. It’s not like he has truly began coaching anyone. Happens every year one coach goes to on place then they get the big offer a week or two later and end up taking it.

 

[Luckylucci]

Respectfully disagree LL. While coaching/ play calling is absolutely important, I'd wager Freeman is placing equal value on recruiting ability. They've already got a Golden on staff.
A mediocre recruiter may not be able to hang on to Carr and once Hartman leaves, ND could easily end up back to wher we'r were prior to the stretch of landing Carr, Minchey and Hartman.
I think Freeman sees the bama/dawg/ buckeye recruiting operation and knows a similar approach is required if the aim is to stay competitive. This means continuing to reel in top 100 Qbs and a bunch of top 250 skil talent in addition to our usual Oline/TE caliber.

Putting together a prolific offense, on the field, next year will do more for recruiting that the recruiting chops of the person being hired.

 

[NDohio]

True but I think it’s possible. It’s not like he has truly began coaching anyone. Happens every year one coach goes to on place then they get the big offer a week or two later and end up taking it.

It's interesting. He was making around $500K at Kent State and got a raise to $750K - $1 mil to go to Colorado. ND would probably double + that salary.

 

[IAIrish]

There is not a single OC candidate on the list that you can expect to recruit and develop a QB at a high level, long term at Notre Dame.

Freeman being able to hire a good OC/QB Coach is more important to recruiting than the recruiting ability of those hires.

While i agree it isn't realistic looking term, there should absolutely be the mandate the oc should be able to meet this criteria in the short term, say 2 years.
All due respect due to those players, but the days of landing the Pyne's/Angeli's need to be a thing of the past. Otherwise, we'll continue to light candles in the grotto for the next Hartman, year over year. That simply isn't a sustainable model for ND given their current transfer policy.

 

[NDRock]

Is it me but do any of you not like the optics of a possible OC candidate reaching out to ND instead of the other way around???

I am fine with most of the candidates being discussed. I think Freeman will make the right call based on insights he gets in his research and in discussions and interviews with the candidates themselves. Some candidates can look great on paper or in film but if they are arrogant, possibly lazy or otherwise not a good fit for Freeman, then I hope Freeman makes the decision that is best for him as ND's HC.

Depends. Did his daddy reach out to ND or did he?

 

[IAIrish]

Putting together a prolific offense, on the field, next year will do more for recruiting that the recruiting chops of the person being hired.

A high scoring offense will absolutely help, but if they aren't consistently on those top QB prospects and other skill talent, they aren't coming to ND, particularly now that nil is a factor. The days of "ND recruits itself" for those skill positions were over 30 years ago.

It's my second biggest critique of Golden, next to the putrid red zone D. We simply haven't heard enough of him making an impact on the trail for difference makers. It was possible to an extent, due to the MF being a defensive guy and having established relationships with the '23 class, but certainly needs to improve.

 

[Dale]

While i agree it isn't realistic looking term, there should absolutely be the mandate the oc should be able to meet this criteria in the short term, say 2 years.
All due respect due to those players, but the days of landing the Pyne's/Angeli's need to be a thing of the past. Otherwise, we'll continue to light candles in the grotto for the next Hartman, year over year. That simply isn't a sustainable model for ND given their current transfer policy.

My statement is not a prediction or endorsement of poor recruiting and development.

Example, Brian Johnson I think would absolutely land a top recruit, like he did with Anthony Richardson. He won’t be here to develop him though.

Ludwig has no history of landing and then developing QBs. Does that mean he can’t (with help from Freeman and company)? No I just don’t necessarily see it as something I would expect from him. So when folks say well Ludwig will be here longer possibly as a positive - is it?

There is nothing wrong with Brian Johnson being someone who can work with Kenny Minchey and company, land one QB and then the next guy keeps that cycle going.

 

[Crimson streak]

Brian Johnson would be a home run hire. Excellent at developing QB’s. The only downside is he would more than likely only be here for a year 2 max


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[Jiggafini19Deux]

Doubt that happens. If he was good he would be hired. I doubt he gets another OC job in NFL.

So he became a complete idiot in one season and it was discovered three weeks ago.

Count your blessings I guess. I might be living under a viaduct by the end of the week.

 

[irishog77]

My statement is not a prediction or endorsement of poor recruiting and development.

Example, Brian Johnson I think would absolutely land a top recruit, like he did with Anthony Richardson. He won’t be here to develop him though.

Ludwig has no history of landing and then developing QBs. Does that mean he can’t (with help from Freeman and company)? No I just don’t necessarily see it as something I would expect from him.

Yep. Ludwig doesn't strike me as a guy who's going to want be snap chatting 16 year olds on the reg.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

This is what I keep telling myself when I worry he may get looked at. Because it would be a terrible, gawd awful, no good hire.

That Broyles Award may as well not be worth the clay they molded it out of.