Chris "Belt To" Ash - Defensive Coordinator

[BleedBlueGold]

Ryan Walters? The guy who oversaw the worst defense Purdue has ever had?

Idk much about Walters, but probably fair to point out that Purdue's talent level was atrocious. I hate Purdue so I took pleasure in it, but I'd be interested in a breakdown of that roster and where those kids stack up compared to not only the B1G but also lower tier conferences as well.

My honest thoughts on a new DC hire in the off-season: Do what Penn State or OSU did and go get a splash hire. I can't stand the risks associated with up and comers.

 

[DONTH8]

Idk much about Walters, but probably fair to point out that Purdue's talent level was atrocious. I hate Purdue so I took pleasure in it, but I'd be interested in a breakdown of that roster and where those kids stack up compared to not only the B1G but also lower tier conferences as well.

My honest thoughts on a new DC hire in the off-season: Do what Penn State or OSU did and go get a splash hire. I can't stand the risks associated with up and comers.

Would that roster have beaten the High School All-State Georgia team?

 

[Dale]

Walters at Illinois and Purdue was staunchly committed to his defensive system. 5 man front, aggressive man defense. And it worked with the treasure of NFL talent Lovie Smith recruited but did nothing with. It failed miserably with Purdue talent. I have not tracked if he’s eased up on that at Washington yet. I guess we will see against the Buckeyes this Saturday.

 

[Old Man Mike]

A typical Purdue defense over the last decade or so has contained one fantastic-to-excellent D-Lineman or LB accompanied by a group of mediocre other guys who play hard and ineffectively. Result: not good, but one opposing OLineman has a tough day.

 

[FireJeffQuinn]

I get it's just one game, but Walters also lined Thieneman up comically far from the line of scrimmage when we played them last year.

 

[FireJeffQuinn]

My honest thoughts on a new DC hire in the off-season: Do what Penn State or OSU did and go get a splash hire. I can't stand the risks associated with up and comers.

Agreed. The defensive equivalent of Mike Denbrock (who himself was the "Al Golden of offense", to quote Pete Sampson)

 

[IRISHDODGER]

I get it's just one game, but Walters also lined Thieneman up comically far from the line of scrimmage when we played them last year.

Speaking of Theinemann (sp?), is it true MF was quoted as saying the kid wouldn’t start at ND when asked why they weren’t trying to get him to transfer? If true (hopefully it’s not), what led them to believe Jalen Stroman was the better option?

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Walters at Illinois and Purdue was staunchly committed to his defensive system. 5 man front, aggressive man defense. And it worked with the treasure of NFL talent Lovie Smith recruited but did nothing with. It failed miserably with Purdue talent. I have not tracked if he’s eased up on that at Washington yet. I guess we will see against the Buckeyes this Saturday.

The best coaches will adjust their schemes to the talent on the roster. Otherwise it's live by the sword, die by the sword. I recently heard Jamie U make this point about Ash and how so far, it appears that what's being asked of the players doesn't exactly line up with their strongest traits. You all know way more than I do when it comes to this stuff, but my gut was telling me something was off about Ash during the first half of the Miami game and I haven't been able to shake that feeling despite all the coach speak we're getting from Freeman.

 

[FireJeffQuinn]

Speaking of Theinemann (sp?), is it true MF was quoted as saying the kid wouldn’t start at ND when asked why they weren’t trying to get him to transfer? If true (hopefully it’s not), what led them to believe Jalen Stroman was the better option?

I also heard that on one of the podcasts (either II or the Independent). Not sure why the staff felt Stroman was better.

 

[Dale]

I think Stroman has some talent. He’s a good tackler and tbh he’s one of the few in zone coverage that does not seem lost. He’s just not a FS and I don’t really get any notion of why of they play him there. Objectively does not have the range to do what is asked. The only people playing single high should be Tae Johnson or Shuler if needed.

 

[ACamp1900]

Did the defense look better at all in the second half? I missed everything post delay

 

[tko]

Did the defense look better at all in the second half? I missed everything post delay

There was a moment where the energy was totally different, almost like Ass got his toys taken away.

 

[NDWarrior]

Fans are relentless in calling on Alvarez to fire Fickell, but he doesn't sound like he's looking to do that anytime soon.

Barry Alvarez says Wisconsin fans are ‘spoiled rotten’ after ‘Fire Fickell’ chants

His record at WI is not very good at this point:

"Since taking the reins in Madison after the 2022 season, Luke Fickell already has four unranked home losses — almost as many as predecessor Paul Chryst had in seven-plus seasons. Fickell is 0-7 in games against ranked opponents."

 

[2013Irish]

Man, that 2014 OSU defense was loaded (four first rounders) with talent and still gave up a fair amount of points in certain games. Make of that what you will.

 

[NDWarrior]

We're far from any firing of Ash happening, but just speculating, it would be nice for MF for once take a chance on a hot, up and coming DC.

This guy in his first season with Houston (came from FL) fits the bill:
Austin Armstrong, University of Houston DC

 

[ACamp1900]

There was a moment where the energy was totally different, almost like Ass got his toys taken away.

A moment? Like it regressed back later?? lol

 

[NDFAN2008]

We're far from any firing of Ash happening, but just speculating, it would be nice for MF for once take a chance on a hot, up and coming DC.

This guy in his first season with Houston (came from FL) fits the bill:
Austin Armstrong, University of Houston DC

The same guy who in 2023 gave up 33 to Kentucky, 39 to South Carolina, 39 to Arkansas, 52 to LSU, 33 to Missouri? or how about 2024 41 to Miami, 33 to A&M, 34 to Georgia, 49 to Texas?

 

[PutuporShutup]

A moment? Like it regressed back later?? lol

Purdue's first 5 possessions of the 2nd half they had a total of 35 yards, and 2 first downs (obviously didn't score any points with those stats).

They scored late against some of NDs starters due to a personal foul penalty on ND and then an amazing throw and catch with actually solid coverage.

The formula in the 2nd half was more faraimo, let bryce young eat, shuler and tae johnson at the back end.

If ash lets the best players play, and we get moore/smith back, I think this can be a solid defense even with Ash as coordinator. Possibly good enough to go 10-2 (if the offense keeps improving).

 

[General Colon Bowel]

A moment? Like it regressed back later?? lol

The second half was good. Purdue had a TD drive on their final drive with all our 2nd/3rd stringers playing.

Before that the D had 5 drives in which they gave up 35 yards, zero points, and got a pick. There were glimpses of pressure and aggression that we hadn't seen much of this year. Looked like a defense that is capable of much more than what they'had otherwise shown thus far.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I don't think he would come but I'd want Bryant Haines as my somewhat realistic first choice

 

[PutuporShutup]

The second half was good. Purdue had a TD drive on their final drive with all our 2nd/3rd stringers playing.

Before that the D had 5 drives in which they gave up 35 yards, zero points, and got a pick. There were glimpses of pressure and aggression that we hadn't seen much of this year. Looked like a defense that is capable of much more than what they'had otherwise shown thus far.

Not quite true. For the TD, 4 of our 5 starting secondary players were in. It definitely was 3rd string DL and 2nd/3rd lbs. It was just a great pass and catch vs good coverage. QB was actually under some pressure too.

 

[GreenGemsOmally]

Not quite true. For the TD, 4 of our 5 starting secondary players were in. It definitely was 3rd string DL and 2nd/3rd lbs. It was just a great pass and catch vs good coverage. QB was actually under some pressure too.

There were two TDs that I was like "damn that's good coverage but a better throw. Just perfect bucket placement, can't really be that mad about it tbh".

 

[2013Irish]

Not quite true. For the TD, 4 of our 5 starting secondary players were in. It definitely was 3rd string DL and 2nd/3rd lbs. It was just a great pass and catch vs good coverage. QB was actually under some pressure too.

Two of those four starters were freshmen filling in.

 

[pumpdog20]

Fans are relentless in calling on Alvarez to fire Fickell, but he doesn't sound like he's looking to do that anytime soon.

Barry Alvarez says Wisconsin fans are ‘spoiled rotten’ after ‘Fire Fickell’ chants

His record at WI is not very good at this point:

"Since taking the reins in Madison after the 2022 season, Luke Fickell already has four unranked home losses — almost as many as predecessor Paul Chryst had in seven-plus seasons. Fickell is 0-7 in games against ranked opponents."

Remember the spoiled rotten theme when you go calling for NIL/donations, Barry.

 

[Domina Nostra]

Two of those four starters were freshmen filling in.

3 of the 5 were in their first career starts. Two of those 3 had played 5 combined snaps in the two previous games. No bueno.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I'm looking up stats from 2021-2025 and how many sacks we had
2021 Freeman DC- 41 Sacks
2022 Golden 1st year 38
2023 GOLDEN 2nd year 31
2024 Extra 3 games 40 Sacks

 

[BeatSC]

It’s not MF’s style to make rash in-season coaching firings (at least so far), but I think as a team culture guy, he’s very sensitive to when a coach and behavior becomes a cancer for the team (think Chansi Stuckey, altho’ that was offseason). Ash is not Porker who MF protected until end of season because he was a nice guy trying (unfortunately, failing). Plus in this case, MF and Mickens could handle DC duties for rest of season, no need to find a new hire. So circumstances could be different this time; you never know…

UCLA canned their HC, the legend Gundy is canned at 1-2 why can’t we can a hack and just take accountability and elevate Mickens to the delight of the players? Why wait? Great leaders don’t sit in decisions they make them. Look at Trump. This guy would be gone Johnson by now and would have to sue to get paid.

 

[BeatSC]

We don’t have the dudes to rush only four consistently. I don’t get it. We went from the best pass defense in the country to near the worst. ND is best on the attack, but they are playing passive and reactionary. Very disappointing.

The D that played USC last year looks like the D this year.

 

[SoIll]

UCLA canned their HC, the legend Gundy is canned at 1-2 why can’t we can a hack and just take accountability and elevate Mickens to the delight of the players? Why wait? Great leaders don’t sit in decisions they make them. Look at Trump. This guy would be gone Johnson by now and would have to sue to get paid.

Maybe, we’re talking about elevating the wrong guy….

 

[Me2SouthBend]

The same guy who in 2023 gave up 33 to Kentucky, 39 to South Carolina, 39 to Arkansas, 52 to LSU, 33 to Missouri? or how about 2024 41 to Miami, 33 to A&M, 34 to Georgia, 49 to Texas?

Hey buddy, there’s a list of candidates for replacing Gundy at Ok St. Why don’t you float the up and coming DC from ND as a possibility. Seems plausible, right?