Chris "Belt To" Ash - Defensive Coordinator

[GrangerIrish24]

I see he’s still thought of fondly in New Brunswick

Let it go, my man. He is the coach.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I see he’s still thought of fondly in New Brunswick

Because they're so used to winning. Nothing says rich football tradition like Rutgers.

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

Regardless of the coaching quality, the defense will/should be very good at defensive backs and linebackers BUT (and hopefully someone can apprise me differently) I see no real obvious solution to the thin defensive line situation. How will we survive that at highest competition levels?

I think the DL might actually be better next year. Cross was playing injured, so Dawson should be able to at least match that level according to advanced stats. Mills pass rushing can't be replaced, but Rubio was similarly good against the run. And what Rubio and maybe Dawson lack in pass rushing should be made up for by the fact that our two best pass rushers will be back and Young will have another year of development.

As for depth, the interior will also have Hinish who played lots of snaps this year, Onye and Hughes who both have game experience, and then Mukam seems like he was close to getting snaps too. That would be a three deep for the interior. The edges will have Botelho, Traore, Burnham, Tuihalamaka, Young, and even Thomas got reps.

 

[IrishTusker]

I see he’s still thought of fondly in New Brunswick

Who is thought of fondly there? What are their former HCs doing?

 

[FOTY977]

Who is thought of fondly there? What are their former HCs doing?

HC Virgina Armada, OC Texas, Director of Player Development Minnesota, DC ND, HC Rutgers

 

[IrishTusker]

The list of coaches who are good coordinators but didn't succeed as HCs is very, very long.

 

[GrangerIrish24]

ND just officially announced the hire. On to GM!

 

[Fbolt]

Ash hired-und.com

 

[T-Boone]

Any chance he becomes a good recruiter at least? Has any coach ever “turned it around”. That is, had a reputation as a crap recruiter then decided to get better and did so?

 

[NDFAN2008]

The one thing going for Ash is he’s a hell of a safety coach

 

[IrishTusker]

Any chance he becomes a good recruiter at least? Has any coach ever “turned it around”. That is, had a reputation as a crap recruiter then decided to get better and did so?

Was Golden a good recruiter? Is Knowles? I've heard neither really recruited much.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

Son named Brady. I'm 10000% in now. Let's kick some Ash!

 

[T-Boone]

Was Golden a good recruiter? Is Knowles? I've heard neither really recruited much.

Seems like Knowles didn’t have to recruit - ND needs to get get better in that department so it would be good if he didn’t bludge.

 

[NDPhilly]

Would be a weird hire

 

[The Backer]

Would be a weird hire

Obviously comparative “W” for ND by comparison

 

[ulukinatme]

Bates probably makes sense from a scheme standpoint. I think Knowles liked to put his CBs on an island like we do. Narduzzi has been known to do the same. Ohio State probably wants to continue bringing pressure or using their Safeties elsewhere.

 

[Pete]

Can’t wait to hear the shit Narduzzi says about OSU. Or does he just do that with ND 😂

 

[zelezo vlk]

Can’t wait to hear the shit Narduzzi says about OSU. Or does he just do that with ND 😂

“I know this is somehow ND’s fault”

 

[NDWarrior]

One guy's opinion. He was a DB during OSU's CFP Championship years and speaks highly of Ash. He says Ash is definitely not a soft-spoken or touchy feely, kind of guy, but also says: “He was one of the best coaches I’ve ever had. Coach Ash is one of those coaches who helped me understand the game.” I guess we need to give him the benefit of the doubt. 'A-hole' new Notre Dame football DC called a 'home run hire' by former player

 

[Rockin’Irish]

I’d expect Ash will take the a-holery down a notch while at ND but that doesn’t mean he won’t be tough on his players.

 

[Bane]

Tough, but fair is ideal. Doesn't have to be a prick. If that was his reputation before, I have to trust that Freeman asked him about that, and laid out his own personal philosophy, and his vision for the team culture.

 

[Free Manera]

Any chance he becomes a good recruiter at least? Has any coach ever “turned it around”. That is, had a reputation as a crap recruiter then decided to get better and did so?

This doesn't matter as much as it used to, especially with a guy like Blanchard running the show. The coordinators need to be x's and o's guys first and foremost, and then ideally be able to sell recruits during their campus visits. Golden barely recruited at all.

 

[Dale]

Interesting.

 

[zelezo vlk]

So then Biagi will help a little at Safeties again?

 

[IrishSpartan]

I actually enjoyed his pc

 

[Irish#1]

Interesting.

I think it's a plus the coordinators don't coach a specific group. More time to get better acquainted with the players.

 

[PolishDomer]

Interesting.

"Do not question my methods"

 

[GrangerIrish24]

"Do not question my methods"

This just caused my computer screen to crack

 

[IAIrish]

Well, shit. File this under, exactly what I wanted to hear Ash say at his intro:

On his defensive approach and the coaches from his past who’ve influenced his philosophy…​

"Yeah, so just overall philosophically as we approach this situation here, I look at it, if it's not broke, don't fix it. And that was really the conversation that Coach Freeman and I had about this situation. There has been really good football play here on defense. There's been standards, there's been accountability, they've been well coached and we're just looking at ways that we can try to enhance it and make it better. "

On how much the players will have to adapt to his terminology and coaching philosophies…​

"Yeah, I'm here to become one of them, and they're not here to adjust to me. I'm here to adjust to them. The staff, the players, the scheme, the whole overall culture of the organization. That's what I'm coming to be a part of. This is Notre Dame's defense. This is not my defense. This is Notre Dame's, and I'm coming here to try to help continue the success that they've had on defense and find ways to try to make it better. That's it."

Everything New Notre Dame Defensive Coordinator Chris Ash Said During His Introductory Press Conference

On Wednesday, new Notre Dame defensive coordinator Chris Ash addressed the media at his introductory press conference. Here is everything he had to say.

247sports.com

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

And Al Golden was here to play Marcus Freeman's defense....

which lasted all of about one spring.