I think ND and CBK have entirely new perspectives of what they are looking for in staff and coordinators.
1. Interpersonal dynamics with other staff members. The Jeff Quinn - Chip Long conflicts can't happen anymore because that will hold a team back. Elston and Joseph have to work well with whoever is coming in. Elston seems like he would be accommodating to an outside entity because of his longevity in South Bend but the question always remains about his desire to be a DC and HC one day. Maybe he is a Bud Foster-type. Some aspirations but really content with his boss and his job that pays him well.
2. A teacher and role model for young men. If you listen to CBK's quotes about Clark Lea and Tommy Rees he always, always talks about how they are good teachers and care for the players. Notre Dame recruits mature young men who are bright, intelligent, and will naturally have a sense of curiosity. In short, they are NOT the type that will take to getting yelled at and "MF'd," so to speak, by coaches without a purpose. Clark Lea demonstrated that players will respond to you if you care about them individually - you can be a disciplinarian and demanding but it's a "you get what you give" scenario now. Again, don't expect more Chip Long personalities.
3. Recruiting - the defensive line depth is unlike any other time in the last 20+ years. The cornerbacks are being built up by Mickens. We have all of these linebackers who can just find ways to make plays. We talk regularly about the success of 5 or 6 different linebackers every week - it's crazy! Safeties need a little more depth but I am confident in that as well. Keeping the momentum will be especially important. Someone young, confident, energetic, and caring would be ideal. Notre Dame is really recruiting to certain "traits" in young men and you will absolutely need a defensive coordinator who is consistent in that.
4. Scheme: The 4-2-5 scheme has worked well for ND - but what has really made the difference is Clark Lea's ability to adapt game plans and schemes to the personnel, not the other way around. It's the Bill Belichick strategy that is so easy to talk about and makes so much sense but always loses out to coaching ego. It's important that the next DC can use a Junior Kyle Hamilton in 2021 but be able to adapt to protect the safeties when he's gone in 2022. Low ego adaptability is a must.
I don't know much about the personalities of these names being thrown about. But the defensive cupboard is pretty stocked. The improved depth of the DL will continue to reap rewards with more penetration/pressure which will in turn make the DB jobs easier and the LBs more able to fill gaps.
Thoughts on names I've heard:
- Mike Elko: consistency in scheme but bridge burned too badly when he left. Low likelihood but there is always a bygones-be-bygones possibility.
- Mike Elston: he's the longest tenured member of the coaching staff and passed over 3 times. Does he want the DC position or does he honestly, genuinely care for that DL role? He could be a Harry Hiestand like coach - only wants that one job (and his Associate HC role/pay).
- Marcus Freeman: young guy, energetic. Could potentially recruit to ND and build a scheme around the guys we have. No idea if his scheme would translate to a P5 level, but it did for Elko form BGSU to WF to ND.
- Charlie Strong: history with ND (and Urban Meyer!). Could recruit like crazy and was an excellent defensive coordinator. I don't know if he has been able to adapt his defenses over the years. I also don't know if he is still a good defensive mind and how much of the opinion on him is clouded because of the bad HC jobs at Texas and USF causing him to lose luster.
- Pat Narduzzi: We all read what he said about ND being a part member - but you also have to remember what he said when ND whooped on Pitt this year. He said they've played championship caliber teams before and ND is as good as any team they've EVER played. He can recruit the defense and his schemes can be good. Is he a teacher? Can he control his temper? I don't know.
I don't know enough to form opinions or to even have thoughts about some of the other names mentioned.
