Defensive Coordinator Search 2020

[Dale]

There was an article with I think a quote from Kelly saying the initial interviews would be over zoom, but the final ones would be in person. So the distinction does matter.

and since we can conclude this is likely not a final interview for Elko. It’s likely a Zoom meeting. Which is all I was trying to say. Y’all must hate the phrase Zoom meeting lol

 

[Rogue219]

Marcus Freeman wants to be a head coach before the DC of Notre Dame. It's a pipe dream as far as I'm concerned.

This has to be an external hire in my opinion. You just lost to Clemson and Alabama rather convincingly. Handing it over to Elston or Joseph makes zero sense. Elko, Bateman, etc.

It isn't going to be Freeman. I just don't see that happening.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Marcus Freeman wants to be a head coach before the DC of Notre Dame. It's a pipe dream as far as I'm concerned.

This has to be an external hire in my opinion. You just lost to Clemson and Alabama rather convincingly. Handing it over to Elston or Joseph makes zero sense. Elko, Bateman, etc.

It isn't going to be Freeman. I just don't see that happening.

Well, TBF, the defense isn't what killed ND.

 

[Free Manera]

Well, TBF, the defense isn't what killed ND.

Defensive recruiting is not close to where it needs to be though. So keeping the same recruiters doesn’t seem to make sense.

 

[Irishize]

Marcus Freeman wants to be a head coach before the DC of Notre Dame. It's a pipe dream as far as I'm concerned.

This has to be an external hire in my opinion. You just lost to Clemson and Alabama rather convincingly. Handing it over to Elston or Joseph makes zero sense. Elko, Bateman, etc.

It isn't going to be Freeman. I just don't see that happening.

I agree. I’ve felt he could do better from the time he was mentioned as a target. IF he wanted to be a DC at a P5 program, I suspect it would be LSU or a factory where he’d have the least past to resistance.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Defensive recruiting is not close to where it needs to be though. So keeping the same recruiters doesn’t seem to make sense.

The recruiting on offense at the skilled positions is much worse than what is going on on defense. Both need upgrades to beat Bama. But my point is that if think the scheme is at fault, it wasn't. If you think player development on defense was the problem, it wasn't. Recruiting can be fixed without having to adjust those things. The problem is that recruiting starts with the tone at the top and we all know that BK recruiting isn't on the same level as what Saban, Dabo. Day and others put in. It starts there.

 

[ThePiombino]

The recruiting on offense at the skilled positions is much worse than what is going on on defense. Both need upgrades to beat Bama. But my point is that if think the scheme is at fault, it wasn't. If you think player development on defense was the problem, it wasn't. Recruiting can be fixed without having to adjust those things. The problem is that recruiting starts with the tone at the top and we all know that BK recruiting isn't on the same level as what Saban, Dabo. Day and others put in. It starts there.

I actually feel that were about the see the inverse. Offensive recruiting has caught up and passed the D side IMO

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

1) How unhappy could Elko be in Aggie land???

2) No way ND pays a defensive coordinator $2m...right? Would this guy really take a pay cut to go back to ND?

3) Kelly's opinion aside, would Captain Jack and the admin have any pushback on this?

 

[Ndaccountant]

I actually feel that were about the see the inverse. Offensive recruiting has caught up and passed the D side IMO

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

That very well could be the case. But I feel like player development on defense has been superior.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

1) How unhappy could Elko be in Aggie land???

2) No way ND pays a defensive coordinator $2m...right? Would this guy really take a pay cut to go back to ND?

3) Kelly's opinion aside, would Captain Jack and the admin have any pushback on this?

1. He may not like his boss? He may realize that his team will never get to the top of the SEC and his HC ambitions will slowly die. Or, which if this is true, I’d bet maybe his family isn’t too happy where they’re at. If his wife and family are complaining, he may be really weighing his options.

2. If they do, that’s a massive step and a great sign that the school is serious about competing in football.

3. Probably depends on what the relationship was like when he left. I read an article, forget where, that the bidding more was a small fraction of what actually went down. So who knows.

 

[Gids]

Is it possible that the meeting with Elko is merely consulting and an exchange of ideas? What is Elko and A&M’s thoughts and processes on stopping teams like Bama (not that Elko did that at all this year) and discussing who is out there that could best run Elko/Lea’s scheme?

 

[GATTACA!]

I agree. I’ve felt he could do better from the time he was mentioned as a target. IF he wanted to be a DC at a P5 program, I suspect it would be LSU or a factory where he’d have the least past to resistance.

If I was a DC I would pick ND over LSU. Yea recruiting is slightly easier at LSU, but then you're signing yourself up to play an SEC schedule every year. Also how confident are you that Ed turns it around and doesn't find himself on a hot seat sooner or later?

 

[Irishize]

If I was a DC I would pick ND over LSU. Yea recruiting is slightly easier at LSU, but then you're signing yourself up to play an SEC schedule every year. Also how confident are you that Ed turns it around and doesn't find himself on a hot seat sooner or later?

LSU is never without talent even in down years. Honestly, I don’t see Freeman leaving Cincy unless it’s for a HC job but if he did my money would be on LSU.

 

[Irish#1]

Again I would not overthink the word meeting. It’s a Zoom call. Freeman is having a preliminary meeting also, it is a Zoom call. The word meeting is I think having people images of a jet touching down in South Bend and going through the athletic offices today.

This makes more sense given COVID. Do the preliminary discussions via Zoom and if there is real interest from both parties, meet in person.

Well, I don't see how it could be categorized as just wishful thinking. Again, Lou S said that his best source on coaching hires said this indeed has legs. Though, that doesn't make it a done deal.

If you know much about Lou, he does not do the Loy speculation game with anything regarding the program. He only reports things that he is told directly by those he trusts. Very conservative guy when it comes to this stuff.



Can't both be true? Why can't we go aggressively after two candidates and take the one that wants it. Maybe they view it as a 1a/1b situation. Just like recruiting.

There's no reason you shouldn't be talking to more than one candidate. Kelly had his list of candidates in his desk drawer for a long time knowing this day would come. Elko a possibility is definitely something coming out of left field, but why not?

 

[beryirish]

Freeman is being interviewed for LSU DC.

 

[NDisme]

Did we have a call with Freeman or am I completely making that up.

 

[TorontoGold]

In terms of best "odds" of being the next DC is it?

1) Elston
2) Elko
3) Someone else
4) Freeman

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Is it possible that the meeting with Elko is merely consulting and an exchange of ideas? What is Elko and A&M’s thoughts and processes on stopping teams like Bama (not that Elko did that at all this year) and discussing who is out there that could best run Elko/Lea’s scheme?

While possible, the report was that the meeting was taking place on Sunday. That's the first off-day of the season (on a day with travel back from the bowl game) so it seems to have a higher priority to Elko than just doing his old boss a solid.

 

[dublinirish]

As reported about 3 weeks ago by II, Elko and BK have always been on good terms and there was never any hard feelings when Elko left for TAMU

 

[Irish du Nord]

Dan Mullen in the NFL?

Yes, please. Talk about a slow moving car crash.

Chip Kelly X1000

 

[RDU Irish]

I enjoyed trolling my family as Iowa State was winning over Oregon. Asking if the DC was traveling home with the team or heading straight to South Bend.

I'd take Elko in a heart beat. I think ND is ready to pay. Are buyout clauses no longer a thing or more of a lottery ticket for small schools?

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

If it does end up being Elko, I would assume he is the Safeties coach and that Joseph leaves. If that's the case, then I wonder who he brings in as LB coach. I know he has Santucci with him at A&M and Lezynski is well thought of here, but what do people think about bringing in Tyler Stockton from Ball State?

I suggest this because if Elko does come here, he will still likely be looking for a HC job, so we probably have him for two years, at best. In that scenario, we would basically be back here in two years trying to find another DC while also ensuring continuity, and unless two more years finally prepares Elston, it probably won't be him (and by that time he might even be gone for another job).

Maybe Santucci or Lezynski is the next Lea, who is a great mind who can take over as DC then, but considering both have a minimal amount of coaching experience, we probably shouldn't bet on lightning striking twice with young LB coaches.

On the other hand, Stockton is already a DC, has experience at ND, and seems to be a fast rising name in the coaching world. It might be a hard sell to take a step down from a DC to a position coach, but if Kelly is smart he can show Tyler the path to the DC job and prepare him for it when Elko eventually leaves.

Oh, and it should probably be a raise because it looks like he made less than $100k last year.

 

[Irishbounty28]

If it does end up being Elko, I would assume he is the Safeties coach and that Joseph leaves. If that's the case, then I wonder who he brings in as LB coach. I know he has Santucci with him at A&M and Lezynski is well thought of here, but what do people think about bringing in Tyler Stockton from Ball State?

I suggest this because if Elko does come here, he will still likely be looking for a HC job, so we probably have him for two years, at best. In that scenario, we would basically be back here in two years trying to find another DC while also ensuring continuity, and unless two more years finally prepares Elston, it probably won't be him (and by that time he might even be gone for another job).

Maybe Santucci or Lezynski is the next Lea, who is a great mind who can take over as DC then, but considering both have a minimal amount of coaching experience, we probably shouldn't bet on lightning striking twice with young LB coaches.

On the other hand, Stockton is already a DC, has experience at ND, and seems to be a fast rising name in the coaching world. It might be a hard sell to take a step down from a DC to a position coach, but if Kelly is smart he can show Tyler the path to the DC job and prepare him for it when Elko eventually leaves.

Oh, and it should probably be a raise because it looks like he made less than $100k last year.

I don't think it happen's often where a guy takes a demotion after having a successful coordinator year. By all account's Stockton is flourishing in his roll at Ball State, and if the trend continues he will likely have DC offers at the P5 level in short order. Would love to have him though.

 

[Dale]

Interesting perspective from Barton Simmons actually on Lea, the traits he has that make him a great DC our HC quality traits. Elko IMO too. Freeman obviously also. So you have these guys that are exceedingly good DCs but inevitable that they become HCs. Would we rather keep turning through that or find the unicorn (Venables) that seems content being a DC?

 

[BeauBenken]

Interesting perspective from Barton Simmons actually on Lea, the traits he has that make him a great DC our HC quality traits. Elko IMO too. Freeman obviously also. So you have these guys that are exceedingly good DCs but inevitable that they become HCs. Would we rather keep turning through that or find the unicorn (Venables) that seems content being a DC?

If we have three or four straight DCs parlay the job into a HC position, I don't think we would ever have to worry about finding a quality coordinator again.

 

[Rogue219]

Well, TBF, the defense isn't what killed ND.

That might be the case, and I don't disagree, but they certainly didn't contribute much to the prevention of these losses:

541 total yards allowed to Clemson in the ACC Championship.

437 total yards allowed to Alabama in the National Semifinal.

These two programs are at the top of the mountain ND is trying to get to. With Lea leaving, this being what it was, you should probably hire outside this time. Replacing Elko with Lea was one thing. At this juncture, they're going to need to bring in a fresh mind and set of eyes, and even if that is Elko for a second go around I think that's better than promoting from within.

 

[BleedBlueGold]

That might be the case, and I don't disagree, but they certainly didn't contribute much to the prevention of these losses:

541 total yards allowed to Clemson in the ACC Championship.

437 total yards allowed to Alabama in the National Semifinal.

These two programs are at the top of the mountain ND is trying to get to. With Lea leaving, this being what it was, you should probably hire outside this time. Replacing Elko with Lea was one thing. At this juncture, they're going to need to bring in a fresh mind and set of eyes, and even if that is Elko for a second go around I think that's better than promoting from within.

Defense also gave up 414 yards to a terrible Syracuse team. What the hell changed on defense post UNC? Honest question, because the last three games this team played, the defense didn't look anywhere near as dominant as they did the games prior.

 

[Dale]

If we have three or four straight DCs parlay the job into a HC position, I don't think we would ever have to worry about finding a quality coordinator again.

I agree, just a interesting question to pose and means BK needs to be on the money on his hires. Similar to Saban’s OC rehabilitation program, you’d have basically this idea of, I’ll get reign over what should always be a competitive D.

 

[NDdomer2]

I agree, just a interesting question to pose and means BK needs to be on the money on his hires. Similar to Saban’s OC rehabilitation program, you’d have basically this idea of, I’ll get reign over what should always be a competitive D.

ehh when you get the best players in the country it tends to make your coordinator hires look really damn good.

 

[Dale]

ehh when you get the best players in the country it tends to make your coordinator hires look really damn good.

Georgia’s offense would show that can still be dampened by poor coaching.