Clark Lea - Defensive Coordinator

[snoopdog]

So now that everyone knows we lost Elko over a few hundred thousand, our guy needs to be satisfied with less than that or its pointless to have let Elko go.

I'd take Hazleton based on performance and experience. Dont think Johnson is a fit. I am afraid of losing Elston and Lea though as well if someone from outside is brought in.

really don't think that's true.

TAMU was in a bidding war that would continue to escalate. Don't know how high they would have gone

 

[NDMIA]

1) Jim Leonhard - 35yo - $600,000
- Alma Mater: Wisconsin
- Position Played: DB
- Position: DC/DB
- Scheme: 3-4

2) Jimmy Lake - 42yo - $650,000
- Alma Mater: Eastern Washington
- Position Played: DB
- Position: Co-DC/DB
- Scheme: 3-4

3) Demetrice Martin - 44yo - Free Agent
- Alma Mater: Michigan State
- Position Played: DB
- Position: None
- Scheme: None

4) Orlondo Steinauer - 44yo - $310,000
- Alma Mater: Western Washington
- Position Played: DB
- Position: DC/DB
- Scheme: 4-3

5) Scottie Hazelton - 44yo - $230,000
- Alma Mater: Fort Lewis
- Position Played: LB
- Position: DC/LB
- Scheme: 4-3

6) Kevin Kane - 34yo - $170,000
- Alma Mater: Kansas
- Position Played: LB
- Position: DC/DB
- Scheme: 4-3

7) Andy Avalos - 35yo - $315,000
- Alma Mater: Boise State
- Position Played: LB
- Position: DC/LB
- Scheme: 3-4

8) Pete Kwiatkowski - 52yo - $875,000
- Alma Mater: Boise State
- Position Played: DL
- Position: Co-DC/DL
- Scheme: 3-4

9) Chad Glasgow - 45yo - ???
- Alma Mater: Oklahoma State
- Position Played: LB
- Position: DC/DB
- Scheme: 4-2-5

10) Jay Sawvel - 46yo - ???
- Alma Mater: Mount Union
- Position Played: LB
- Position: DC/DB
- Scheme: 4-3

I personally think the route of Co-DC's with Mike Elston & Clark Lea would be awesome and we hire Demetrice Martin as a DB coach (the dude is one of the best recruiters in the country). I think we could be in for an interesting ride this offseason, I hope we can keep some continuity in terms of scheme, but most importantly, I hope the outside hire at either DC or DB's can recruit and coach well.

 

[Wild Bill]

Unrelated article but it has a couple quotes from Leonhard that are interesting.

https://www.buckys5thquarter.com/2017/12/27/16822694/florida-state-defensive-coordinator-jim-leonhard-wisconsin-football

"I’m new to the coaching world,” Leonhard said, “ but I’ve obviously been in sports, and to say that you’re going to be in one place for your whole life or your career, that’s just generally not what football is. I’m very fortunate to be doing it here with Coach (Paul) Chryst right now, and I love everything about it. So I’m not in a hurry to get out of here, that’s for sure."

I think you see what opportunities are out there, but I’m not necessarily throwing my name all over the place,” Leonhard said. "I’m not necessarily looking for a lot of opportunities at this point, but I will listen when things come. I’ve put myself in a position to listen and see what’s out there, but I’m excited to be here. I love everything about it."

He seems open to leaving. If he's your guy, double his salary and go get him.

 

[EvilleIrish]

That's my beef. ND has the most reason to be the highest paying destination job. The school not only is where it is today because of the football program but it exists today because of the football program. Every dollar put into the program, reaps rewards.

The tremendous outreach that ND provides on its own and through the church nationwide is a priceless treasure. The fellowship, community and pride it promotes in MY daily life is amazing. I wear an ND polo most times to Mass. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't stop me to talk about the Irish, often times a group of us end up talking about some aspect of Notre Dame and how it's interwoven into our lives.

No matter if I'm in:

Chicagoland
The Region
Michiana
Evansville
Orange Co
San Diego
Scottsdale

The Notre Dame community is strong... and it's centerpiece is the football program.

They have the money, they have the reason, be the best. It's why you are who you are.

.

The first and hopefully many more shout outs to the E-Ville on this site!

 

[NDMIA]

Offer Jimmy Lake (won't take it), Demetrice Martin, and then Kevin Kane the DB Position group. I would prefer Martin because he's one of the best recruiters in the country.

 

[TomHaverford]

Jim Leonhard from Wisky makes the most sense, and he is making $600k per year. Wisky is a school that will not engage in a bidding war either.

Nah. FSU couldn't pull him away.

Wisconsin is home. And he's got NFL coaching aspirations. He'll be in Wisconsin until he gets an NFL DC or HC opportunity.

 

[TomHaverford]

Notre Dame should just go the Mike Gundy route and just look online for a guy at a small school in the middle of nowhere.

they absolutely should. pretty astounding to me that more schools don't do this.

some of the best football coaches on earth are coaching small ball.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Nah. FSU couldn't pull him away.

Wisconsin is home. And he's got NFL coaching aspirations. He'll be in Wisconsin until he gets an NFL DC or HC opportunity.

The Pack are looking for a DC.

 

[TomHaverford]

This - or maybe Hazelton - seem like best bets to me.
Doesn't seem like the guy from U-Dub is ever going to leave Petersen. We need a hustler on the trail and I'd Johnson's too old for that. Sawvel seems like an interesting idea, I guess. Think we could snag Don Brown from Michigan?

think Don Brown will be there as long as Harbaugh is. Wouldn't be shocked if his next contract/raise pushes him to $2 million per year. He's already making $1.4 million. Worth every penny. That guy is the best DC that Michigan has ever had.

 

[TomHaverford]

The Pack are looking for a DC.

he'd be a great fit there. runs an NFL style defense with Wisconsin right now. Some of the crazy stuff he does with disguising coverages and pressures- don't see very many college teams run a lot of the stuff he does.

 

[TomHaverford]

Vic Fangio is available. ��

would be home run if ND can lure away from potential NFL suitors. He's one of the best DC's in football.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Nah. FSU couldn't pull him away.

Wisconsin is home. And he's got NFL coaching aspirations. He'll be in Wisconsin until he gets an NFL DC or HC opportunity.

Yea...they are going to pay him less than $1m annually, according to Pete Thamel. The numbers Elko made and stood to make at ND is a large % higher than that.

Do better Tom.

 

[Irish#1]

I think they should just promote Lea for continuity. Replacing two good coaches on that side of the ball and bringing in another new scheme (3rd in 3 years) is asking for Tillery and Coney to leave for sure, and even Tranquill to change his mind.

I think any outside hire is asking for trouble.

From the outside looking in, I agree. However, do we know if he is ready for that type of promotion? Will he have the respect of the other coaches? How well does he communicate? Is he a good organizer? Does he have the maturity to handle such a promotion and additional responsibilities? If yes, promote him. Title of DC at ND has to outweigh some of the money A&M would offer. Plus you've just taken your next step in the coaching evolution.

Given the early report that he was heading to A&M with Elko and now no announcement gives me reason to believe they may be working on something for Lea.

 

[Irish#1]

That's my beef. ND has the most reason to be the highest paying destination job. The school not only is where it is today because of the football program but it exists today because of the football program. Every dollar put into the program, reaps rewards.

The tremendous outreach that ND provides on its own and through the church nationwide is a priceless treasure. The fellowship, community and pride it promotes in MY daily life is amazing. I wear an ND polo most times to Mass. Not a day goes by that someone doesn't stop me to talk about the Irish, often times a group of us end up talking about some aspect of Notre Dame and how it's interwoven into our lives.

No matter if I'm in:

Chicagoland
The Region
Michiana
Evansville
Orange Co
San Diego
Scottsdale

The Notre Dame community is strong... and it's centerpiece is the football program.

They have the money, they have the reason, be the best. It's why you are who you are.

.

Hanging out in Paoli you vagabond? lol

 

[tko]

Funny how Haverford chimes in now.

 

[connor_in]

SIAP

Notre Dame DC Candidates - 18 Stripes

 

[Legacy]

I suppose Erik Chinander, former UCF DC, now Nebraska DC, could not be pried away for a second move within months.

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

Leonard, Hazelton and Lea for me.

 

[CIrishWin]

Defensive Staff

- Clark Lea – DC/ Linebackers coach
- Mike Elston – Defensive Line coach
- Todd Lyght - Cornerbacks Coach
- Derrick Ansley - Safties Coach

Lea recruiting the Maryland / Carolinas area (also keeps us in 4-2-5)
Lyght - has recruited some good corners the last two years
Ansley - Helps in Florida and Louisiana with ties in the south and has worked with Saban, Smart, and Pruitt

 

[OCIrish]

Let's drop that from the airing of grievances. They lost Elko over the difference in what they would have paid and what A&M would have paid, not did pay. A&M stopped at $2.5M for Aranda, where were they gonna top out at on Elko?

Absolutely agree with this......people keep whining that it was just a few hundred thousand. Aranda said no to 2.5M......how long was Elko gonna say no??? A&M was going to just keep upping the price till one of them said yes, unfortunately, Elko to the lesser offer. I think he could've gotten Aranda money if he told them no another time or two.

 

[OCIrish]

obvious when aranda got his new deal it was gonna kick off an arms race for DC's to demand bigger deals. Kinda sad ND didnt want to compete tbh..

Not so sure I blame them. I know ND has the money, but you know as well as I do that the BoT aren't going to enjoy spending the kind of money on staff that football factories are going to spend. Sorry, I just don't see it happening anytime soon. Sure , they'll pay a little more, but I don't see them ponying up $EC kind of money.

 

[Rogue219]

1. Jim Leonhard, Wisconsin
2. Jim Knowles, Duke
3. Chad Glasgow, TCU

Non Power Five Guys:

1. Andy Avalos, Boise State
2. Tony Pecoraro, Southern Miss
3. Kevin Kane, Northern Illinois

 

[Irishize]

Is there any merit to Lea vs. Elston other than "Elston has been here a while and is loyal", and "Lea knows Elko's system"?

Just wondering if there's any experience with either one, even if for a short time. Or if there's reason to believe one would be better/worse than the other? Or is it as simple as deciding between the two based on the above.

How well does Lea know a Elko’s system though? Hasn'the only coached with Elko for two years...one at WF & one at ND?

That said, I do think ND cannot afford another reset on the defensive side schematically.

 

[Wingman Ray]

Can whoever comes bring a real DB coach to replace Lyght please?

 

[Southside Sully]

Can whoever comes bring a real DB coach to replace Lyght please?

He has produced an All American in each of his first 2 seasons in Julian Love.

 

[IrishFanForever23]

Can whoever comes bring a real DB coach to replace Lyght please?

Wtf are you talking about? The corners, specifically Love, were good this year.

 

[dad4aa]

Can whoever comes bring a real DB coach to replace Lyght please?

Another typical dumbass comment. You really should stop posting. If you’re referring to the horrible safety play, Elko coached the safeties.

 

[NDRock]

Wtf are you talking about? The corners, specifically Love, were good this year.

He literally has no idea what he's talking about.

 

[EddytoNow]

Can whoever comes bring a real DB coach to replace Lyght please?

Let's give Coach Lyght some credit where credit is due. When he joined the staff the defensive backfield was depleted. He helped to bring in some young players that struggled when they had to play too early. They are now starting to make an impact. Next year, players like Julian Love will be seasoned veterans. Defensive backfield recruiting has been very good this year. Allen, Griffith, Bracey, and possibly Irvin and/or Boykin should help to solidify the defensive backfield. Since we are quick to blame him when recruiting doesn't go well, Lyght should be given credit when recruiting goes well.

Coach Lyght has earned the right to stay.

 

[IrishLion]

Can whoever comes bring a real DB coach to replace Lyght please?

Ray, this might be your worst post yet lol.

Julian Love is one of the best corners in the nation, and Troy Pride stepped in for Watkins and played pretty good football compared to how he looked last year. That’s pretty good development for Lyght to hang his hat on, especially since Crawford looked so good early on and since Watkins looked nice before his injury.

The safeties are a different story, but that’s not Lyght’s group.