Coaching Changes

[jakerbluegold]

I guess I'm i the minority in thinking that Martin might actually improve our offense?

On defense, it's been said a few times already, and I agree. I think we'll be just fine.

 

[NYMIKE6]

I look at it like this: A head coach has to oversee every minute detail during the process of a game even if he is the one calling plays on either side of the ball it is still a big bonus if the coordinator is on the same page. Who knows maybe he has enough faith in him to relinquish play calling duties to him.

 

[OCIrish]

Reading some stuff that says it's certain Alford will be RB coach and Recruiting Coordinator. That true?

God, I hope soo.

 

[BCSorBust]

I think Martin will be a significant improvement if nothing that Kelly trusts him implicitly and I think they will work better together. We'll never know though if it's him or personnel though because I think we'll have a more mobile QB next year but I hazard a guess that it will be a combo of both.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Wild guess: Kelly knew well what was in the wind and has prepared for it. Urban said just before Christmas that he knew who would be on his staff but would wait until the bowls were over to announce. If that's true, and if Hinton and Warriner are part of the Meyer crew, then Kelly already knew and was moving pieces [in his mind and in Notre Dame's pocketbook] for about a week or more.

And, I'd guess we'll hear an O-Line coach named quickly to head off any Stanley doubts, and hopefully any Decker doubts as well.

 

[NYMIKE6]

Old Man Mike,

I read Stanley already confirmed he isn't going any where.

 

[rtrn2glory]

booker will coach receivers no doubt and alford to RB's imo...makes too much sense

the real question is do we hire a QB coach or an o line coach? and what position does martin coach?

 

[NYMIKE6]

booker will coach receivers no doubt and alford to RB's imo...makes too much sense

the real question is do we hire a QB coach or an o line coach? and what position does martin coach?

Great question, IMO it is a bigger need to get our QB's up to speed right now.

 

[BCSorBust]

I thought Booker was a DB coach or does he have varied experience? I see Martin as a QB coach as he never specifically worked with the oline and I think it would be odd if he was the OC but a defensive position coach. Who knows though.

 

[NYMIKE6]

Remember everyone Coach Kelly was a defensive coach for a big part of his career....

87'-91' Db coach and Defensive coord.

 

[BeauBenken]

I thought Booker was a DB coach or does he have varied experience? I see Martin as a QB coach as he never specifically worked with the oline and I think it would be odd if he was the OC but a defensive position coach. Who knows though.

He was a very good DB coach, but he has been an Offensive intern the past two years. He should know his stuff.

 

[OCIrish]

He was a very good DB coach, but he has been an Offensive intern the past two years. He should know his stuff.

Judging by how the offense looked against good teams, this doesn't sound promising.

 

[jimmymac]

One of the guys on the team right now just IMed me bc he just found out Warriner left and he knew I'd have the scoop bc of this site haha, he was absolutely shocked to hear the news, they got no heads up at all.

 

[Rocky2820]

booker will coach receivers no doubt and alford to RB's imo...makes too much sense

the real question is do we hire a QB coach or an o line coach? and what position does martin coach?

Pretty sure Martin is going to coach the QBs.

 

[TerryTate]

Recruiting Coordinator: Martin

Offense:
OC: Martin (Chicago Area, Michigan, Former Recruiting Coordinator)
QB: Martin
RB: Alford (Southeast, Colorado, California)
WR:
TE: Denbrock (Assoc. HC at Indiana State, OL Coach at Washington, TE Coach at Stanford, West Coast)
OL: ?

Defense:
DC: Diaco (Northeast)
Co-DC: Cooks (Texas, Southwest, Maryland, Played at Iowa, Born in Texas, Coached @ Wisconsin)
DL: Elston (Indiana, Ohio, Carolinas)
LB:?
CB: Booker (Kent State Grad, Coached at Western Kentucky, Born in Pittsburgh)
S: ?

 

[Irish2015]

O Line most likely Denbrock.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Recruiting Coordinator: Alford

Offense:
OC: Martin
QB: ?
RB: Alford
WR: Booker
TE: Denbrock
OL: ?

Since Molnar was OC/ QB coach, I expect Martin will do the same. OL coach will be a new hire.

Defense:
DC: Diaco
Co-DC: Cooks
DL: Elston
LB: Diaco?
CB: Cooks?
S: ?

Since Diaco is now Assistant HC/ DC, I don't expect him to continue coaching the LBs.

 

[TerryTate]

And if it helps ease the pain a little Warinner primarily recruited OH, and Hinton primarily recruited Florida (Goes to Alford), and Ohio. So not really a huge loss in terms of recruiting coverage

 

[phgreek]

And if it helps ease the pain a little Warinner primarily recruited OH, and Hinton primarily recruited Florida (Goes to Alford), and Ohio. So not really a huge loss in terms of recruiting coverage

sounds a little like addition by subtraction when you lose Wariner/Hinton and add Alford to Ohio and Florida...

Changes my outlook on the impact...just not the conduct of the men.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

sounds a little like addition by subtraction when you lose Wariner/Hinton and add Alford to Ohio and Florida...

Changes my outlook on the impact...just not the conduct of the men.

That about sums things up nicely.

 

[irish o'phile]

So, the aftermath at this point is the loss of the two coordinators, and possibly one o-lineman. One coordinator we expected to leave, and one likely left because he was passed over for promotion. Also, it seems like BK may have been blindsided (just my opinion based on timing and posts on here). Sure this sucks, but it's not the end of the world. I think a major problem here is the defeatist attitude. I guess the years of mediocrity/losing have kind of traumatized/conditioned a lot of the fan base. The culture has become one of "oh ish, here we go again."

This is freaking Notre Dame. We should look at this as an opportunity to reload and improve. I have faith that Kelly will make good choices. We are going to hopefully add some youth vigor to the staff. Hopefully, the guys that are promoted find new inspiration. If it doesn't work, then I will judge. Until, then I refuse to catastrophize based on assumptions.

 

[Rhode Irish]

So, the aftermath at this point is the loss of the two coordinators, and possibly one o-lineman. One coordinator we expected to leave, and one likely left because he was passed over for promotion. Also, it seems like BK may have been blindsided (just my opinion based on timing and posts on here). Sure this sucks, but it's not the end of the world. I think a major problem here is the defeatist attitude. I guess the years of mediocrity/losing have kind of traumatized/conditioned a lot of the fan base. The culture has become one of "oh ish, here we go again."

This is freaking Notre Dame. We should look at this as an opportunity to reload and improve. I have faith that Kelly will make good choices. We are going to hopefully add some youth vigor to the staff. Hopefully, the guys that are promoted find new inspiration. If it doesn't work, then I will judge. Until, then I refuse to catastrophize based on assumptions.

Great post.

On a related note, I didn't make a New Year's resolution, so I'm going to try now: I'm going to try not to get bogged down responding to and arguing with people that have either flown off the handle or have not shown any ability to keep things in the proper perspective. That should cut down on my posts quite a bit. We'll see how long I can stick to this one. Some of you guys are going to make it difficult.

 

[SJIrish]

So, the aftermath at this point is the loss of the two coordinators, and possibly one o-lineman. One coordinator we expected to leave, and one likely left because he was passed over for promotion. Also, it seems like BK may have been blindsided (just my opinion based on timing and posts on here). Sure this sucks, but it's not the end of the world. I think a major problem here is the defeatist attitude. I guess the years of mediocrity/losing have kind of traumatized/conditioned a lot of the fan base. The culture has become one of "oh ish, here we go again."

This is freaking Notre Dame. We should look at this as an opportunity to reload and improve. I have faith that Kelly will make good choices. We are going to hopefully add some youth vigor to the staff. Hopefully, the guys that are promoted find new inspiration. If it doesn't work, then I will judge. Until, then I refuse to catastrophize based on assumptions.

Exactly, there seems to be panic over any little thing. People act like losing coaches is something new. I think Warriner is a good coach but everybody acts like the O-line was dominant all season. It's certainly better but far from great. ND had issues running the ball against every good defense they played.

 

[NDPhilly]

I heard Beau Benken is available. Not sure how great of a recruiter is though.

 

[irishog77]

I heard Beau Benken is available. Not sure how great of a recruiter is though.

Beau's been working k1ssme1mir1sh for about 6 months or so now.

How's that progressing, Beau??

 

[Grahambo]

I heard Beau Benken is available. Not sure how great of a recruiter is though.

 

[NDPhilly]

Beau's been working k1ssme1mir1sh for about 6 months or so now.

How's that progressing, Beau??

Well considering she has "Mrs. Blanton-Lynch" as her title, I think Beau takes the Ty Willingham approach to recruiting.

 

[irishog77]

Well considering she has "Mrs. Blanton-Lynch" as her title, I think Beau takes the Ty Willingham approach to recruiting.

Beau just a playa-- he let them shawties come to him!

 

[BeauBenken]

I'd be a kick *** recruiter! haha If anyone can relate to the kids it's someone their age, right? bahaha Pay me and I'll fly anywhere at anytime for a recruit to play football at ND!

irishog77, I'm playing hard to get til NSD on her. lmao

Grahambo, I really want to see that pic, but can't. lol

 

[BGIF]

booker will coach receivers no doubt and alford to RB's imo...makes too much sense

...

He was a very good DB coach, but he has been an Offensive intern the past two years. He should know his stuff.

???

I don't understand either of these glib comments. Booker was a Safety in college. Then he coached DBs at kent St and Western Ky for 5 years. He ONLY played and coached DBs. His duties as an intern for the past two years, according to the ND Media Guide was " ... resposible for film breakdown, scouting reports, playbooks and other duties assigned by head coach Brian Kelly and the offensive staff."

Booker has NO coaching experience with receivers except for covering them as a Kent St player. With no clear cut replacement for Floyd and with ND's second leading receiver, a TE, possibly heading to the Draft, this is no time for OJT with a new position coach. Putting playbooks together inside going to mold Jones, Toma, Daniels, into prime time players nor serve as solid instructor for Greenberry et al to transition into Div 1 Football players. Booker's elevation is the similar to Powlus going from an office job to QB Coach under Weis after Cutcliff got sick and Vaas was sacked. Powlus had no coaching experience (but at least he played there) so Weis was the actual QB coach diluting his time for HC duties while Powlus was getting OJT.

Alford has already gone through the OJT at WR coach. I'd still rather have a prime time WR coach and have him at RBs but moving him back to RBs and throwing the WR corps to a Safety makes no sense. That cripples two positions. Better for Booker to replace Martin coaching the Safeties (under Cooks supervision/coordination). EITHER HIRE A WR COACH OR HIRE A RB COACH[/B].

BGIF Revisions in Bold and Italics.

Recruiting Coordinator: Alford - NO! Retain Martin. Minimize the upheavel not add to it with more changes.

Offense:
OC: Martin (Chicago Area, Michigan, Former Recruiting Coordinator)
QB: HIRE
RB: HIRE
WR: Alford (Southeast, Colorado, California)
TE: Denbrock (Assoc. HC at Indiana State, OL Coach at Washington, TE Coach at Stanford, West Coast)
OL: HIRE OR DENBROCK

Defense:
DC: Diaco (Northeast)
Co-DC: Cooks (Texas, Southwest, Maryland, Played at Iowa, Born in Texas, Coached @ Wisconsin)
DL: Elston (Indiana, Ohio, Carolinas)
LB: Diaco
CB: Cooks
S: Booker (Kent State Grad, Coached at Western Kentucky, Born in Pittsburgh)

This now has where they typically recruit. Where are the gaps?

Northeast coach?

Consensus so far?

Leave Martin as RC. Alford is more effective in the field building relationships with prospects and coaches. ND multiple Head Coaches over the past 15 years have cost enough problems with relationships. Changing Alford's title can dilute his effectiveness where it's needed most. Businesses frequently take great salesmen and promote them into lousy sales managers then wonder why there sales suffer.

I don't care about the geography exercise that can be worked out on the fly. ND needs POSITION coaches at a number of positions NOW. Denbrock has coached the OLine before. I don't know that he's a replacement for Warinner but he at least has been in that position.

Looking at that "Consensus" List of Coaches I can see why ND has a problem on Special Teams. Ala Charlie Weis, no ONE is in charge. IF Special Teams is Bookers forte put him there where he can't do more harm than was done in 2011.

Since Molnar was OC/ QB coach, I expect Martin will do the same. OL coach will be a new hire.

The effectiveness of the QBs, Crist, Rees, and Hendrix is probably more a result of Molnar's influence or lack thereof as QB. Now you guys want to take a lifetime Defensive Coach whose only Offensive experience was as Grand Valley's Head Coach? Why not just shoot all the QBs and same time?

HIRE AN EXPERIENCED QB COACH!

Since Diaco is now Assistant HC/ DC, I don't expect him to continue coaching the LBs.

Assistant HC is a titular title. It's a resume buzz word builder and a salary bump. Until Diaco fixes the problems at WILL and OLB he shouldn't be allowed to do anything else. His defense was the best in years but still wilted or got lost against UM and FSU in the 4th Q and got run over in the first half by USC. He handles DC and LBs and puts his stamp on rebuilding the Secondary.