BK is staying-what does the team need to PLAC?

[dublinirish]

I'll take the balance. I dont want a bunch of meaty power lifters who cant run either.

I would not... steal the bread. And I would not let my family go hungry...

 

[Rizzophil]

The reason why the defense looked so slow wasn't because of Longo. It's because the schemes are way to complex even for our students. We aren't a football factory. Our kids study and go to class.

They just need to keep things simply and make players play faster...by removing paralysis by analysis

 

[Free Manera]

The reason why the defense looked so slow wasn't because of Longo. It's because the schemes are way to complex even for our students. We aren't a football factory. Our kids study and go to class.

They just need to keep things simply and make players play faster...by removing paralysis by analysis

Agreed. The S&C program is to blame for the players losing weight during the season and for both lines being knocked off the ball against inferior talent.

There is also an eye test. Driskell talks about this. Our guys' body compositions just don't look right. Look at the D ends and linebackers at top 10 schools. Ours don't look like that. Understandably Bama gets men right out of high school that are just dudes. But MSU doesn't. They get them in and build them up so that when they're juniors, they look like NFL bodies.

 

[gkIrish]

I truly think this is a lame duck season for Brian Kelly barring a 10-2 record or better. I will be surprised if we hire a big name DC or even pay up for an up and comer like Lake. If I had to guess we are going to promote Elston or retain Hudson.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I truly think this is a lame duck season for Brian Kelly barring a 10-2 record or better. I will be surprised if we hire a big name DC or even pay up for an up and comer like Lake. If I had to guess we are going to promote Elston or retain Hudson.

I think he is lame duck regardless of record. If he goes 10-2, he gone on his own. If he goes 8-4, he gone via ND. That is why bringing him back makes no sense unless Jack wasn't ready to make move, despite the snowballing shitshow that was 2016, which means Jack needs to go too.

 

[Domina Nostra]

[I Wasn't paying attention. There is a thread already addressing this!!! I'm moving this post to the scheduling thread.]

 

[IrishLax]

I was very pessimistic about this year, and it was even worse than I could've fathomed in terms of record. Play on the field (34th in F/+) was about on par with what I expected.

I'm extremely optimistic about next year. If the team played the same caliber of football but simply closed the "normal" amount of one score games you'd expect 8 to 9 wins. But the team will for sure be much better on offense. The OL will go from being extremely mediocre to very good... because we will return 4 of 5 starters plus upgrade the RG spot with Eichenberg or Kraemer. They will be more dominant in the running game and have far less breakdowns in the passing game. So you're talking about (hopefully healthy) Adams plus Williams plus Wimbush running behind an OL that will be closer to the dominant one of 2015 instead of the porous one of 2016.

Pass catchers will be better, because you're talking about a year of development for Stepherson in a starting role + ESB + who really cares in the slot. Then you add in Alize Jones (and Chase Claypool) as huge matchup nightmares that will help in the run game. And I have tons of blind faith in Wimbush. No proof that he will be great, but I expect him to be a Heisman caliber player with a whole off season spent tailoring the offense to him instead of having a QB derby. In years without a QB competition, Kelly's teams have 12, 9, 8, and 10 wins. In years with QB competitions they have 8, 8, and 4 wins.

On defense, we are still bereft of talent and we lose a couple good players up front in Jarron Jones, Isaac Rochelle, and possibly Daniel Cage. If we don't figure out something up front that could really be our undoing... but the DBs will be MUCH better with some seasoning and the LBs will be just as good or better and we might be able to get some pass rush from Hayes/Okwara. So it's reasonable that with the right DC we might be decent on that side of the ball... but there is still a serious absence of developed "NFL" talent.

So to "play like a champion" and get to 10+ wins all that I think needs to be done is:
1. Replace/reassign Booker, fix special teams and TE.
2. Hire the correct DC and maximize the quality of play from a unit without stars.
3. Develop an identity on offense that fits Wimbush and carry that through the offseason.

 

[PANDFAN]

I was very pessimistic about this year, and it was even worse than I could've fathomed in terms of record. Play on the field (34th in F/+) was about on par with what I expected.

I'm extremely optimistic about next year. If the team played the same caliber of football but simply closed the "normal" amount of one score games you'd expect 8 to 9 wins. But the team will for sure be much better on offense. The OL will go from being extremely mediocre to very good... because we will return 4 of 5 starters plus upgrade the RG spot with Eichenberg or Kraemer. They will be more dominant in the running game and have far less breakdowns in the passing game. So you're talking about (hopefully healthy) Adams plus Williams plus Wimbush running behind an OL that will be closer to the dominant one of 2015 instead of the porous one of 2016.

Pass catchers will be better, because you're talking about a year of development for Stepherson in a starting role + ESB + who really cares in the slot. Then you add in Alize Jones (and Chase Claypool) as huge matchup nightmares that will help in the run game. And I have tons of blind faith in Wimbush. No proof that he will be great, but I expect him to be a Heisman caliber player with a whole off season spent tailoring the offense to him instead of having a QB derby. In years without a QB competition, Kelly's teams have 12, 9, 8, and 10 wins. In years with QB competitions they have 8, 8, and 4 wins.

On defense, we are still bereft of talent and we lose a couple good players up front in Jarron Jones, Isaac Rochelle, and possibly Daniel Cage. If we don't figure out something up front that could really be our undoing... but the DBs will be MUCH better with some seasoning and the LBs will be just as good or better and we might be able to get some pass rush from Hayes/Okwara. So it's reasonable that with the right DC we might be decent on that side of the ball... but there is still a serious absence of developed "NFL" talent.

So to "play like a champion" and get to 10+ wins all that I think needs to be done is:
1. Replace/reassign Booker, fix special teams and TE.
2. Hire the correct DC and maximize the quality of play from a unit without stars.
3. Develop an identity on offense that fits Wimbush and carry that through the offseason.

mind blown! good stat

 

[PANDFAN]

One of the BIGGEST problems for his entire tenure has been the team playing good in all phases of the game....in EVERY game it was on the special teams, poor defense or the offense not clicking....we need to start being a COMPLETE team

 

[NDdomer2]

I was very pessimistic about this year, and it was even worse than I could've fathomed in terms of record. Play on the field (34th in F/+) was about on par with what I expected.

I'm extremely optimistic about next year. If the team played the same caliber of football but simply closed the "normal" amount of one score games you'd expect 8 to 9 wins. But the team will for sure be much better on offense. The OL will go from being extremely mediocre to very good... because we will return 4 of 5 starters plus upgrade the RG spot with Eichenberg or Kraemer. They will be more dominant in the running game and have far less breakdowns in the passing game. So you're talking about (hopefully healthy) Adams plus Williams plus Wimbush running behind an OL that will be closer to the dominant one of 2015 instead of the porous one of 2016.

Pass catchers will be better, because you're talking about a year of development for Stepherson in a starting role + ESB + who really cares in the slot. Then you add in Alize Jones (and Chase Claypool) as huge matchup nightmares that will help in the run game. And I have tons of blind faith in Wimbush. No proof that he will be great, but I expect him to be a Heisman caliber player with a whole off season spent tailoring the offense to him instead of having a QB derby. In years without a QB competition, Kelly's teams have 12, 9, 8, and 10 wins. In years with QB competitions they have 8, 8, and 4 wins.

On defense, we are still bereft of talent and we lose a couple good players up front in Jarron Jones, Isaac Rochelle, and possibly Daniel Cage. If we don't figure out something up front that could really be our undoing... but the DBs will be MUCH better with some seasoning and the LBs will be just as good or better and we might be able to get some pass rush from Hayes/Okwara. So it's reasonable that with the right DC we might be decent on that side of the ball... but there is still a serious absence of developed "NFL" talent.

So to "play like a champion" and get to 10+ wins all that I think needs to be done is:
1. Replace/reassign Booker, fix special teams and TE.
2. Hire the correct DC and maximize the quality of play from a unit without stars.
3. Develop an identity on offense that fits Wimbush and carry that through the offseason.

Great Post, reps. Dline is def. one of my concerns for next year. Wimbush is the biggest question mark on the season.

 

[phgreek]

Notebook: Next Notre Dame coordinator will have freedom to choose his staff | Notre Dame Insider Football | ndinsider.com

THANK GOD...now, don't eff this up BK...go get someone whose name does some recruiting...preferably a guy who can get Dline folks excited to play for him.

 

[Cackalacky]

We keep talking about fixing ST but even when BK got involved nothing improved. ST cost us several games this year. It has to be corrected though BK is not going to do it. Why would we think he could do it this year relative to any other year? My hope is that Booker let go but a minimum should be removed from ST duties.

DLine is a major worry for me. Still have zero pass rushers and it seems we may miss again this year. We need more than a serviceable defense if we want to compete with the elite. Winning 9-10 games is ok I guess but if we want to win a playoff game we need more depth and better play along the DL.

The Goddamned TEs have to get involved.

 

[irishff1014]

We keep talking about fixing ST but even when BK got involved nothing improved. ST cost us several games this year. It has to be corrected though BK is not going to do it. Why would we think he could do it this year relative to any other year? My hope is that Booker let go but a minimum should be removed from ST duties.

DLine is a major worry for me. Still have zero pass rushers and it seems we may miss again this year. We need more than a serviceable defense if we want to compete with the elite. Winning 9-10 games is ok I guess but if we want to win a playoff game we need more depth and better play along the DL.

The Goddamned TEs have to get involved.

Also needs to have a QB that looks for a TE as well.

 

[Dizzyphil]

I think he is lame duck regardless of record. If he goes 10-2, he gone on his own. If he goes 8-4, he gone via ND. That is why bringing him back makes no sense unless Jack wasn't ready to make move, despite the snowballing shitshow that was 2016, which means Jack needs to go too.

Scary scenario:

ND hires Strong as DC, ND fires Kelly 4 or 5 games in....

Strong interim HC.... thinking about what to wish for or not....

 

[stlnd01]

Scary scenario:

ND hires Strong as DC, ND fires Kelly 4 or 5 games in....

Strong interim HC.... thinking about what to wish for or not....

Why's that scary? To me the opportunity to have Strong in position to potentially succeed BK may be the best argument for hiring him as DC. Not saying you hand him the reins automatically, but he's not a bad insurance policy.

 

[stlnd01]

Also needs to have a QB that looks for a TE as well.

Yeah. Kizer has always struggled with the short middle of the field. He just doesn't look comfortable throwing it there. That takes our TEs out of the game. Same reason we so rarely throw slants.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

Scary scenario:

ND hires Strong as DC, ND fires Kelly 4 or 5 games in....

Strong interim HC.... thinking about what to wish for or not....

Strong as DC is best case scenario. He is a very good coordinator, can recruit Florida and Texas, understandss ND and could be a fallback option for 2018 if has some time as interim coach and/or we miss out on top targets. The scary (and more likely imo) scenario is hiring a DC from BK's coaching tree.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Why's that scary? To me the opportunity to have Strong in position to potentially succeed BK may be the best argument for hiring him as DC. Not saying you hand him the reins automatically, but he's not a bad insurance policy.

Because the system swallows itself again - vacating the DC position that has been strongly missed since Diaco's exit.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Strong as DC is best case scenario. He is a very good coordinator, can recruit Florida and Texas, understandss ND and could be a fallback option for 2018 if has some time as interim coach and/or we miss out on top targets. The scary (and more likely imo) scenario is hiring a DC from BK's coaching tree.

I have been an intense proponent of Strong as DC. The backing is proficient in other posts. I am not a proponent, however, as Strong for HC.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I have been an intense proponent of Strong as DC. The backing is proficient in other posts. I am not a proponent, however, as Strong for HC.

Fair enough. Strong would certainly not be my first choice but ha ing him on staff to possibly steady the ship on an interim basis and if successful to be given consideration if Peterson, Fleck, etc. don't pan out seems like a positive.

 

[BobbyMac]

If I'm BK, I don't hire someone who would be a no brainer interim coach if ya smell what I'm cookin'.

Charlie Strong makes = great interim coach.

Jimmy Lake, not so much.

 

[Meacon Irish]

I agree that DC is a huge issue on the docket this offseason, but almost as important is the status of our (lack of) strength and conditioning.

Our O-Line, our D-Line, our linebackers, everyone just get pushed around way too much for my liking. In almost every single game our defense was pushed wherever the hell the opposing O-Line wanted, and I can count on half of one hand the amount of games our O-Line actually looked like the dominating line that the TV commentators swore they were.

But Kelly admitting that something needs to change in that regard is highly unlikely, as many of you have already pointed out. Coach K isn't too keen on the whole "taking accountability and making changes accordingly" thing. Which is a shame, because I really think a few changes here or there could make a world of difference.

 

[Dizzyphil]

If I'm BK, I don't hire someone who would be a no brainer interim coach if ya smell what I'm cookin'.

Charlie Strong makes = great interim coach.

Jimmy Lake, not so much.

The problem is - anyone hired, or existing for that matter, is interim 'material'.

The first six games of the 2017 schedule is tough - (solely my impression based on this year's results including the competition). The Irish will be facing 5 'Bowling' teams out of the first 6 games.

If BK is 3-3 for instance, going into the bye is he still around? After the bye - U$C.

So with the current staff - minus an unknown DC - who is highly touted to be the interim?

 

[Free Manera]

I agree that DC is a huge issue on the docket this offseason, but almost as important is the status of our (lack of) strength and conditioning.

Our O-Line, our D-Line, our linebackers, everyone just get pushed around way too much for my liking. In almost every single game our defense was pushed wherever the hell the opposing O-Line wanted, and I can count on half of one hand the amount of games our O-Line actually looked like the dominating line that the TV commentators swore they were.

But Kelly admitting that something needs to change in that regard is highly unlikely, as many of you have already pointed out. Coach K isn't too keen on the whole "taking accountability and making changes accordingly" thing. Which is a shame, because I really think a few changes here or there could make a world of difference.

I just listened to the ISD podcast. They, like everyone else, realize S&C is a huge problem. (McGlinchey is 6'7 and ended the season under 300 lbs. That is pathetic.)To add fuel to the fire, apparently it has leaked that the players are criticizing Longo during their exit interviews.

 

[stlnd01]

The problem is - anyone hired, or existing for that matter, is interim 'material'.

The first six games of the 2017 schedule is tough - (solely my impression based on this year's results including the competition). The Irish will be facing 5 'Bowling' teams out of the first 6 games.

If BK is 3-3 for instance, going into the bye is he still around? After the bye - U$C.

So with the current staff - minus an unknown DC - who is highly touted to be the interim?

Also anyone hired externally is walking into a tremendous amount of uncertainty. If that person is a plausible candidate for the head job - or could jump to a different head job with a good year or two - they might see it as a potential opportunity as well.

 

[Dizzyphil]

Also anyone hired externally is walking into a tremendous amount of uncertainty. If that person is a plausible candidate for the head job - or could jump to a different head job with a good year or two - they might see it as a potential opportunity as well.

yep - agreed

 

[ND Fan Vancouver]

I just listened to the ISD podcast. They, like everyone else, realize S&C is a huge problem. (McGlinchey is 6'7 and ended the season under 300 lbs. That is pathetic.)To add fuel to the fire, apparently it has leaked that the players are criticizing Longo during their exit interviews.

Interesting...where did you hear this?

 

[NDdomer2]

I just listened to the ISD podcast. They, like everyone else, realize S&C is a huge problem. (McGlinchey is 6'7 and ended the season under 300 lbs. That is pathetic.)To add fuel to the fire, apparently it has leaked that the players are criticizing Longo during their exit interviews.

Interesting...where did you hear this?

 

[gkIrish]

We are slow. Longo must go.

 

[dad4aa]

Damnit I couldn't rep you. Guess I do it too much