Defensive Coordinator Search 2020

[Luckylucci]

I'd agree. Obviously there are a lot of logistics that we arent privvy too. ND likes to make there "splashes" it seems so could just be preparing for the right moment, perhaps once he has his staff locked down? Or if some of the upgrades are construction-type, they could be making sure they have bid selection before announcing anything.

They announced Kelly’s contract extension before the Duke game. The fact that we’re still waiting is the problem. But this is off topic so I’ll shut up on the matter.

 

[hungryhippo]

There is such thing as a UC fan boy? What a disappointing journey through life.

This cracked me up. If I understood reps, I'd send em.

 

[zelezo vlk]

This cracked me up. If I understood reps, I'd send em.

I got you

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

The report i read said that he would be here Thursday. Interesting.....

The article I read by Loy was that they were hoping to wait until later this week to have the last crack at him, but it worked better for his schedule to come mid-week. He is down in Baton Rouge today, apparently.

Sounds like Michigan, Auburn, LSU among others are all interested. Bodes well that both parties interviewed via webcast and set up an immediate in person interview, shows high mutual interest.

I think most would agree this is the best situation. He might be a one or two year rental at DC if the right job opens up, but the work he did at UC was tremendous and we have some turnover on defense.

 

[hungryhippo]

I got you

Appreciate it

 

[Irishize]

And also that fact that he turned down DC jobs in recent history such as MSU to stay at Cinci. I think the narrative became that he's too close to Fickell when in reality MSU is a fucking dumpster fire.

And MSU doesn’t seem like much of an upgrade as an ND or LSU as far as improving his stature.

 

[irishandy]

Besides going in house are there any other candidates they are going to interview after Freeman?

 

[benneboy]

What's the status with Elko? Is that not likely?

 

[Irish#1]

Was it the ND 247 guys saying that?

If so, their source is probably one of the UC 247 guys, who is a major UC fan boy, sometimes to a fault. He usually doesn't let it affect his reporting and projections, but sometimes it creeps in there.

I think his initial 'reporting' on Freeman's status was affected by his own wishful thinking that Freeman would stay, but he's also self-aware enough to word it so that he can cover his bases and say "it wasn't reporting, it was just speculation" down the road.

His tone was already kind of changing on Twitter last night when he got scooped about Freeman already being at ND, so we'll see what the UC side says over the next few days.

TBH, I didn't pay attention to who wrote the article, but what you're saying makes sense with what was reported.

 

[Luckylucci]

247 seems to be really pushing Zach Arnett from Miss. St. as an option if Freeman doesn't work out.

And Rivals had a very positive update regarding Freeman earlier today.

Both 3-3-5 DC's.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

247 seems to be really pushing Zach Arnett from Miss. St. as an option if Freeman doesn't work out.

And Rivals had a very positive update regarding Freeman earlier today.

Both 3-3-5 DC's.

I would not mind using a more multiple front approach. The trend in college offenses continues to put a premium on defending the perimeter but you'd still like to be able to move to 4 DL schemes when the situation demands.

 

[Luckylucci]

I would not mind using a more multiple front approach. The trend in college offenses continues to put a premium on defending the perimeter but you'd still like to be able to move to 4 DL schemes when the situation demands.

Agreed. And my personal feeling is this notion of a grave difference between a 3 man front versus 4 is overstated. There is a 4th defender on the LOS as a stand up end. Base 3-4's and 3-3-5's have them just the same. They're just called ROLB's versus WDE's but the job is the same. The only real difference is gap integrity/responsibility and a guy with his hand down or up. I'm actually partial to 3 down fronts because I think it's easier to teach guys how to pass rush out of a two point stance.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Agreed. And my personal feeling is this notion of a grave difference between a 3 man front versus 4 is overstated. There is a 4th defender on the LOS as a stand up end. Base 3-4's and 3-3-5's have them just the same. They're just called ROLB's versus WDE's but the job is the same. The only real difference is gap integrity/responsibility and a guy with his hand down or up. I'm actually partial to 3 down fronts because I think it's easier to teach guys how to pass rush out of a two point stance.

Great point. To add to that, any Division 1 DC who can't teach both probably shouldn't be a DC. It's not a huge difference.

 

[hungryhippo]

Agreed. And my personal feeling is this notion of a grave difference between a 3 man front versus 4 is overstated. There is a 4th defender on the LOS as a stand up end. Base 3-4's and 3-3-5's have them just the same. They're just called ROLB's versus WDE's but the job is the same. The only real difference is gap integrity/responsibility and a guy with his hand down or up. I'm actually partial to 3 down fronts because I think it's easier to teach guys how to pass rush out of a two point stance.

This reminds me of something I noticed a few times during the Rose Bowl. Foskey (I believe) was up in a 2-pt. Squared up with a playside TE or H-Back. When the TE motioned away, Foskey slightly changed his stance (one foot back) and turned his hips a bit, still standing (essentially) straight up.

I thought it strange at the time, and I don't know if he had some primary post-snap read or responsibility before go get the QB.

Here's the question: what is the 2-point stance and get-off supposed to look like in pass rush? I always envisioned it similar to a WR stance with some bend. But the little coaching I did was on the other side of the ball.

 

[allenm5333]

This reminds me of something I noticed a few times during the Rose Bowl. Foskey (I believe) was up in a 2-pt. Squared up with a playside TE or H-Back. When the TE motioned away, Foskey slightly changed his stance (one foot back) and turned his hips a bit, still standing (essentially) straight up.

I thought it strange at the time, and I don't know if he had some primary post-snap read or responsibility before go get the QB.

Here's the question: what is the 2-point stance and get-off supposed to look like in pass rush? I always envisioned it similar to a WR stance with some bend. But the little coaching I did was on the other side of the ball.

Okay...so here is how I view it. I coach HS football so I am not Clark Lea. But I am a firm believer that if you want to get a good pass rush. You should be in a 3 point stance. That way you your first step is the foot towards the ball and you can quicker bend the arc. Some teams will have the edge play in a 2 point stance and this will often let them set the edge, especially when defeating the blocks of the TE. Now if the TE motions away, he could have switched to inside foot back instead. This would allow him to get a clearer vision of the RB and QB. You will often see this especially if the RB is to the side of the DE and the team runs zone reads.

 

[Irish YJ]

From USA Today

If not #1, I'd love to see a combo of #3 and #4.
#2 isn't bad either. #5, I forgot his contract was up

1. Marcus Freeman - Defensive Coordinator, Cincinnati
-we all know the story here

2. Jon Heacock - Defensive Coordinator, Iowa State
-was a finalist before Lea go the nod

3. Tyler Stockton - Defensive Coordinator, Ball State
-was up for the Broyles award, and of course, x-ND player

4. Mike Elston - Defensive Line Coach, Notre Dame
-inside guy

5. Mike Elko - Defensive Coordinator, Texas A&M
-Contract is up

https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/lists/notre-dames-next-defensive-coordinator-5-candidates/

 

[NDRock]

From USA Today

If not #1, I'd love to see a combo of #3 and #4.
#2 isn't bad either. #5, I forgot his contract was up

1. Marcus Freeman - Defensive Coordinator, Cincinnati
-we all know the story here

2. Jon Heacock - Defensive Coordinator, Iowa State
-was a finalist before Lea go the nod

3. Tyler Stockton - Defensive Coordinator, Ball State
-was up for the Broyles award, and of course, x-ND player

4. Mike Elston - Defensive Line Coach, Notre Dame
-inside guy

5. Mike Elko - Defensive Coordinator, Texas A&M
-Contract is up

https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/lists/notre-dames-next-defensive-coordinator-5-candidates/

Stockton is a 3/4 guy. Would rather not go down that road again.

 

[ThePiombino]

From USA Today



If not #1, I'd love to see a combo of #3 and #4.

#2 isn't bad either. #5, I forgot his contract was up



1. Marcus Freeman - Defensive Coordinator, Cincinnati

-we all know the story here



2. Jon Heacock - Defensive Coordinator, Iowa State

-was a finalist before Lea go the nod



3. Tyler Stockton - Defensive Coordinator, Ball State

-was up for the Broyles award, and of course, x-ND player



4. Mike Elston - Defensive Line Coach, Notre Dame

-inside guy



5. Mike Elko - Defensive Coordinator, Texas A&M

-Contract is up



https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/lists/notre-dames-next-defensive-coordinator-5-candidates/

Elko"s contract is up? How the hell did A&M let that happen??!

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[rtrn2glory]

Stockton is a 3/4 guy. Would rather not go down that road again.

The only guy that's not a 3 man guy on that list is Elko

 

[ThePiombino]

The only guy that's not a 3 man guy on that list is Elko

Freeman ran a 4-2-5 prior to his current base D, no?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[irishff1014]

IMO Stockton needs to move up another level before I would offer him

 

[Irish YJ]

Stockton is a 3/4 guy. Would rather not go down that road again.

I don't want to go to a full 3-4 base either, but I'm not afraid of some blend. We already have some of that.

And that's why I said a combo with him. I think it would benefit him greatly to have experience with both bases.

Elko"s contract is up? How the hell did A&M let that happen??!

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

I'm sure he's using some of the buzz to get himself a raise lol. I read an article not to long ago about him not being interested in a HC position. As far as him returning to ND, I don't see it happening. I'd stay where it's easier to recruit. Bama should have a bit of a down year, at least on O next year, and could be TAMU's chance to win the west.

 

[Irish YJ]

IMO Stockton needs to move up another level before I would offer him

I wouldn't mind him as a Co-DC with Elston, who is also AHC. Keep the current system with a few tweaks, and let Elston mentor him on the nuances and soft skill stuff. Not sure Elston wants the DC position, and honestly I'd prefer he stay where he's at. I'd be fine with a temp one year hand hold though.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I don't want to go to a full 3-4 base either, but I'm not afraid of some blend. We already have some of that.

And that's why I said a combo with him. I think it would benefit him greatly to have experience with both bases.




I'm sure he's using some of the buzz to get himself a raise lol. I read an article not to long ago about him not being interested in a HC position. As far as him returning to ND, I don't see it happening. I'd stay where it's easier to recruit. Bama should have a bit of a down year, at least on O next year, and could be TAMU's chance to win the west.

Wasn't that what everyone thought this year after losing Tua?

 

[Irish YJ]

Wasn't that what everyone thought this year after losing Tua?

Sure Bama will reload. But they literally have one of the best Os ever right now, so very hard not to take a significant step back. They are losing Sark too.

I've never been enamored with Tua to be honest.

 

[Luckylucci]

I think the 3 down has gotten a little bit of a bad rap around here, which is why I posted above. Not all 3-4's are two gaps systems like Diaco ran. And, another thing that people seemed to hate was this thought that we had to have this massive NT to play head up on the C or 0T. A 3-4 Under, for example, isn't a 2 gap system and the NT is a 1T. The base also includes a 5T and a 3T. Sound familiar?

 

[Dale]

Wasn't that what everyone thought this year after losing Tua?

I don’t know many who thought Bama would have a down year this year on O. We knew they returned Smith, Waddle and Harris. Known stars. Everyone expected a good O due to that. Forward looking to 2021, you’d say they have Metchie and Billinsgley I guess, not quite the same. Of course they likely will still average 40/game.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I don’t know many who thought Bama would have a down year this year on O. We knew they returned Smith, Waddle and Harris. Known stars. Everyone expected a good O due to that. Forward looking to 2021, you’d say they have Metchie and Billinsgley I guess, not quite the same. Of course they likely will still average 40/game.

They also ended up having maybe their best OL ever.

 

[Irish YJ]

I think the 3 down has gotten a little bit of a bad rap around here, which is why I posted above. Not all 3-4's are two gaps systems like Diaco ran. And, another thing that people seemed to hate was this thought that we had to have this massive NT to play head up on the C or 0T. A 3-4 Under, for example, isn't a 2 gap system and the NT is a 1T. The base also includes a 5T and a 3T. Sound familiar?

LL, know anything about the 3-4 D that Stockton ran at Ball State?

 

[Luckylucci]

LL, know anything about the 3-4 D that Stockton ran at Ball State?

Not at all. Never seen them play.

My comments weren't directed at his scheme specifically just that not all 3-4's are created equal.