Defensive Coordinator Search 2020

[IrishLion]

LSU expected to finalize a deal with Freeman later today

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: LSU on verge of nabbing top DC <a href="https://t.co/NhWmBVUKeg">https://t.co/NhWmBVUKeg</a></p>— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) <a href="https://twitter.com/FootballScoop/status/1347606205334757376?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[StPaul_Irish]

If we lose our entire defensive staff, I hope we bring in Robert Steeples has our DB coach

Why do people keep talking about losing our entire defensive staff? Is their rumors or is this just typical ND message board teenage angst?

 

[IrishLion]

Sources confirmed to FootballScoop that Freeman’s new deal once finalized would take the coach from a roughly $600,000 salary at Cincinnati “far closer” to the $2 million range.

ND wasn't willing to match $2M for the hottest DC on the market?

It's more likely that LSU is sweetening the pot outside of the official offer (which ND does, as well, but probably can't compete with what he's getting from LSU boosters on the side).

 

[IrishLax]

I love Elston but we need a fresh face for DC

Can you explain why you think that?

Lea was a guy promoted from within who ended up being the best DC we have had in over two decades. He had no experience and was not a fresh face.

Elston is a top recruiter and has spent 4 years working within the system we've been recruiting to. The only reason not to hire him would be if you subjectively thought he didn't have the chops to be a coordinator.

 

[zelezo vlk]

ISD had been mentioning that if Elston is promoted, he might move to LB coach. That's no bueno for me, because his development along the D line is a big part of what made the defense great these past four years. Their reasoning was "D line coaches aren't normally coordinators", so I hope they're wrong on this. I think promoting Nick Leyz to LB coach and keeping Elston on the D line is a much better idea than trying to find another guy who recruits and develops the D line as well as Elston

 

[NDdomer2]

Lea as a hire from within is working the story in our favor. He had been here what, a year and half at that point? It might not be "fresh" but isn't from the freezer either.

I'm not saying I am against Elston as DC. But ND has subjectively said he didn't have the chops more than once, and that can't be ignored here either.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Can you explain why you think that?

Lea was a guy promoted from within who ended up being the best DC we have had in over two decades. He had no experience and was not a fresh face.

Elston is a top recruiter and has spent 4 years working within the system we've been recruiting to. The only reason not to hire him would be if you subjectively thought he didn't have the chops to be a coordinator.

I just believe the program is better suited for someone outside coming in. A young up and coming coach who can recruit their ass off. If Elston was so great why was he passed over twice now

 

[dublinirish]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Contrary to outside reports, sources indicate to <a href="https://twitter.com/BearcatJournal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BearcatJournal</a> that no decision has been made by Marcus Freeman. Process is still ongoing.</p>— Chad Brendel (@ChadBrendel) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadBrendel/status/1347610759187079169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The reports are he is LSU bound btw..

 

[Irishbounty28]

I’m sure it has been brought up already, but hasn’t Elston been passed up for the DC spot on other occasions? That leads me to believe Kelly hasn’t thought he would be a great fit for that spot. I am not sure why, but that by itself gives me pause in being excited about his potential promotion to DC.

Kelly hasn’t had a problem elevating other staff members after a short period of time, as shown with Tommy and Clark.

My hope is that it was never an issue with Elston that prevented him from getting the DC spot, and it was just that he hadn’t wanted the spot up until this point.

 

[Free Manera]

Whether Elton goes to DC or not, the new addition(s) needs to be an absolute monster recruiter. The D badly needs some gamechangers on the back end with JOK gone and Hamilton gone after next year.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

So we can't compete with LSU or TAMU for coordinators. I don't see how ND football takes the next step if we can't do this.

 

[IrishLion]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Contrary to outside reports, sources indicate to <a href="https://twitter.com/BearcatJournal?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BearcatJournal</a> that no decision has been made by Marcus Freeman. Process is still ongoing.</p>— Chad Brendel (@ChadBrendel) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChadBrendel/status/1347610759187079169?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 8, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[IrishLion]

LSU sources think he's locked up...

Is ND battling for him? Or are UC sources just pumping the brakes because they hope he stays in Cincy lol

 

[Dale]

This Elston has been passed over is overplayed. Passed over for what 2 or the top 5 DCs in football the last 3 years? What if they believe Elston would be a top 10 DC in the country to toss something out and Arnett, Bateman etc would be a top 15 DC? Him getting passed over for the elite does not make him worse than outside options

 

[PANDFAN]

This Elston has been passed over is overplayed. Passed over for what 2 or the top 5 DCs in football the last 3 years? What if they believe Elston would be a top 10 DC in the country to toss something out and Arnett, Bateman etc would be a top 15 DC? Him getting passed over for the elite does not make him worse than outside options

Dale, you haven't been around here for long....but THANK YOU for being a voice of reason around here in your short time

 

[TP81989]

This Elston has been passed over is overplayed. Passed over for what 2 or the top 5 DCs in football the last 3 years? What if they believe Elston would be a top 10 DC in the country to toss something out and Arnett, Bateman etc would be a top 15 DC? Him getting passed over for the elite does not make him worse than outside options

Lea was a LB coach with no experience running a defense when Elston was passed over for him.

 

[rtrn2glory]

sounds like it's a done deal that Freeman is going to LSU

 

[Irish YJ]

Am I dreaming.... I've though for a while now, that many have insinuated Elston didn't really want the DC job, and was happy with the AHC title and pay bump?

And yeah, Lea wasn't an elite can't miss top 5 guy when we promoted him, that some are acting like.

 

[Luckylucci]

sounds like it's a done deal that Freeman is going to LSU

Well, it's not a done deal as in he's signed a contract as is starting the move. But, to some folks it seems like a forgone conclusion because LSU basically offered him a blank check.

 

[NDdomer2]

Whether Elton goes to DC or not, the new addition(s) needs to be an absolute monster recruiter. The D badly needs some gamechangers on the back end with JOK gone and Hamilton gone after next year.

Yep. Especially if/when Mickens joins Freeman in LSU. Also potential fallout with Joseph remains right?

 

[irishff1014]

Can you explain why you think that?

Lea was a guy promoted from within who ended up being the best DC we have had in over two decades. He had no experience and was not a fresh face.

Elston is a top recruiter and has spent 4 years working within the system we've been recruiting to. The only reason not to hire him would be if you subjectively thought he didn't have the chops to be a coordinator.

I agree with what you are saying lax but he might be the only coach left. If that's the case I don't think Elston has the ability to hire the coaches needed or run a defense with all new coaches.

 

[MNIrishman]

I think my biggest concern with Elston is that a lot of BK's recent success has come from going outside his comfort zone to find good people for big roles. Elston+Rees feels like going back to the BK club. It's not necessarily bad, but it does feel like settling.

 

[IrishRazor82]

LSU did exctly what it should do and that just doesn't sit well with me if ND didn't.

 

[BeauBenken]

Man, what booster keeps fitting the bill for LSU. Cause I know that state sure as hell doesn't have the money to keep burning through all this cash for coaches.

I'd like to think that Freeman is just waiting to see what ND actually offers. We are slower getting everything approved than other schools. We do our due diligence.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

I think my biggest concern with Elston is that a lot of BK's recent success has come from going outside his comfort zone to find good people for big roles. Elston+Rees feels like going back to the BK club. It's not necessarily bad, but it does feel like settling.

This is where i am at. I know, he has gone outside with some success. But, I just don't know that a Marcus Freeman type could work for BK. Played at OSU continued to Coach With Fickell ( OSU Alum and Coach ) They just do things different. ED O seems to have some of that Ohio State(ness) about him.

I'm Just Soured on ND/BK at the moment. I'll get over it. Always been Die Hard and Always will be Die Hard but some of this is getting old.

 

[NDdomer2]

Man, what booster keeps fitting the bill for LSU. Cause I know that state sure as hell doesn't have the money to keep burning through all this cash for coaches.

I'd like to think that Freeman is just waiting to see what ND actually offers. We are slower getting everything approved than other schools. We do our due diligence.

we would all like to think some ND only excuse but fact of the matter is the delay is him getting his ducks in a row with LSU.

 

[Luckylucci]

Man, what booster keeps fitting the bill for LSU. Cause I know that state sure as hell doesn't have the money to keep burning through all this cash for coaches.

I'd like to think that Freeman is just waiting to see what ND actually offers. We are slower getting everything approved than other schools. We do our due diligence.

On this note, I don't know which site said it but one of them commented on the fact that he wasn't actually offered the job by ND and that might be on purpose. To gauge what LSU was going to do and have a chance to counter. And, that also might be why the report is LSU could be anywhere from 2.4-4M, which is absolutely absurd. I'd love to see ND call LSU's bluff at 3.5M then make LSU actually pay him 4M/year. I wonder what the optics are on that, lol.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

On this note, I don't know which site said it but one of them commented on the fact that he wasn't actually offered the job by ND and that might be on purpose. To gauge what LSU was going to do and have a chance to counter. And, that also might be why the report is LSU could be anywhere from 2.4-4M, which is absolutely absurd. I'd love to see ND call LSU's bluff at 3.5M then make LSU actually pay him 4M/year. I wonder what the optics are on that, lol.

Until LSU says, nah we will pass and ND just overpaid for their new DC lol. Would be very ND of them.

 

[Rogue219]

I think my biggest concern with Elston is that a lot of BK's recent success has come from going outside his comfort zone to find good people for big roles. Elston+Rees feels like going back to the BK club. It's not necessarily bad, but it does feel like settling.

This is a very valid concern. OC and DC are the top lieutenants, obviously, and their success or failure gets tied to the HC.

This is going to get very interesting.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Until LSU says, nah we will pass and ND just overpaid for their new DC lol. Would be very ND of them.

Accidentally ending up with the hottest coaching name on the market doesn't sound very ND to me.