General team info

[Luckylucci]

Wasn't exactly sure where to put this but a good/short read on Cooks from SI.

Assistant huddle

• Kerry Cooks tries to think like a player. After all, the Notre Dame secondary coach was once a star Dallas-area recruit faced with the dilemma of whether or not to stay in-state. He thought he would attend Texas A&M, but wound up choosing Iowa and later briefly played in the NFL.

“A lot of people who live in Texas think there’s no other state,” said Cooks with a laugh.

But since 2011 Cooks has convinced six Texas recruits otherwise in getting them to sign with the Fighting Irish, including emerging sophomore wide receiver Corey Robinson, the son of former NBA star David Robinson. He’s also got a pair of current Lone Star commitments in Dallas-area wide receiver Jaylen Guyton and safety Prentice McKinney.

Cooks has made the Fighting Irish perhaps the front-runner for Plano, Texas, running back Soso Jamabo, one of the nation’s best at his position. Cooks has also emerged as one of college football’s hottest recruiters with seven commitments, a group that has him ranked as the nation’s 12th-best according to one service.

“I love Texas, I think I’m going to end up retiring there, but there’s so much more out there,” Cooks said. “I’ve been exposed to so many other universities, people, cultures and ethnicities that for me right now, I’m enjoying living outside the state of Texas and the connections that I’m making.”

Besides Texas, Cooks also recruits Louisiana, New Mexico and defensive backs regardless of location. The 40-year-old has twice declined opportunities to return to his home state and work as co-defensive coordinator for Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, initially after Sumlin’s hiring in late 2011 and also following last season.
Cooks was Notre Dame’s co-defensive coordinator for two years prior to this season and was an assistant at Minnesota and Wisconsin before arriving at Notre Dame with coach Brian Kelly in 2010. “I love Sumlin, but for me where I’m at right now, it’s going to have to be something spectacular to pull me away from Brian Kelly and Notre Dame,” Cooks said.

Cooks maintains his next move would likely only be for a defensive coordinator gig at a major program or a job in the NFL, but doesn’t rule out an eventual return to Texas to coach. “I’m almost like a player,” Cooks said. “I’m still growing and developing.”

 

[Emcee77]

Wow, I didn't realize Sumlin had tried to hire him away. That would have sucked.

 

[Luckylucci]

Wow, I didn't realize Sumlin had tried to hire him away. That would have sucked.

Twice, I never heard about this either. Glad he is happy at ND because he's a clutch recruiter for us right now and seems to be one heck of a DB's coach.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Twice, I never heard about this either. Glad he is happy at ND because he's a clutch recruiter for us right now and seems to be one heck of a DB's coach.

This 100%. Pay the man!

 

[Old Man Mike]

In my opinion, Cooks is not only a good coach and recruiter, but unifying the coaching of the DBackfield under one coach is helping everything. The previous [strange] system of splitting up the corners and safeties [which had to have "communications" and "authority" issues even if both guys are great fellows] was not productively efficient, just as a certain DC coaching from the booth was not.

There are a lot of subtleties happening with this current staff that give me high if irrational hopes that we are really getting it together.

 

[Cackalacky]

In my opinion, Cooks is not only a good coach and recruiter, but unifying the coaching of the DBackfield under one coach is helping everything. The previous [strange] system of splitting up the corners and safeties [which had to have "communications" and "authority" issues even if both guys are great fellows] was not productively efficient, just as a certain DC coaching from the booth was not.

There are a lot of subtleties happening with this current staff that give me high if irrational hopes that we are really getting it together.

Agree, the cohesion/awareness of spaces in the secondary and LBs seems to be vastly improved.

 

[NDdomer2]

Also worth noting: he didn't say "away from Notre Dame." He said away from ND and Kelly. He not only appreciates how special the unversity is but how special BK is too.

 

[Luckylucci]

Also worth noting: he didn't say "away from Notre Dame." He said away from ND and Kelly. He not only appreciates how special the unversity is but how special BK is too.

Good point, I've noticed over the years that Kelly seems to give his coaches a lot of say in how they coach their position or he doesn't micro manage details unless it becomes a problem. He seems to give out a lot of trust and step in when necessary (really important characteristic for any boss). Therefore I think coaches like coaching for him.

 

[scUM Hater]

Nick Martin to left guard, steve Elmer to right guard, Lombard to right tackle, Hegarty to center. I can see a lot of runs to the left.

 

[Old Man Mike]

There could be more runs to the RIGHT [or both]. I say right because Kelly likes a trap play where the off guard pulls and goes through the area of his mirror side's T/G bull blocking assignment [often accentuated by the TE also being there]. If we remember, this pulling block was something that we were all surprised that Golic was good at. Though that featured a right-to-left pull, certainly the play can go either way, and NMart might well be able to do this pulling better than Big Steve.

I, of course, know nothing, but it will be interesting to see what works.

 

[scUM Hater]

There could be more runs to the RIGHT [or both]. I say right because Kelly likes a trap play where the off guard pulls and goes through the area of his mirror side's T/G bull blocking assignment [often accentuated by the TE also being there]. If we remember, this pulling block was something that we were all surprised that Golic was good at. Though that featured a right-to-left pull, certainly the play can go either way, and NMart might well be able to do this pulling better than Big Steve.

I, of course, know nothing, but it will be interesting to see what works.

When it comes to the O-line, you are probably the resident expert. You always seem to know. Don't take that as me being rude.

 

[50milesSE ND]

WOW that's quite a shake up for o-line.

 

[Old Man Mike]

If I'm the resident expert, then we're in trouble. All I can claim is to watch the OLine as much as I watch the fancy flyers and remember what they are doing. ... and remember everything that the coaches are saying about them. Any IEer can do a better job than I. All he needs to do is actually care about the linemen. As a brother of three D1 college linemen [VT, ECU, Cincy], I actually do.

Nothing happens without four things: BIG MEN in the trenches, a good QB capable of melding with the game seamlessly, SPEED on defense, and a pair of on-field coaching geniuses [HC&DC]. We're getting really close to having all four.

... maybe next year for complete "ones" and "two", we have "three" and "four". Maybe if we're lucky, "ones" and "two" smooth out in the second half of this season. We have a genuine chance at all of this.

 

[ulukinatme]

When it comes to the O-line, you are probably the resident expert. You always seem to know. Don't take that as me being rude.

No offense to OMM, he is a wealth of knowledge on the subject, but I'd like to point out I've been saying as early as last year and possibly once in 2012 that our run blocking has taken a few steps backwards under Harry (Despite the fact that pass blocking and recruiting has been exceptional). Those comments were always met with "Blasphemy!" and "Harry is a god among men and perfect in all things." I wasn't going just off stats, I was analyzing our OL blocking and the frequency that we were opening favorable holes for our backs to make plays.

Again, that was no knock on OMM, it's just a comment on how I've been accused of heresy for questioning our OL run blocking the last few years

 

[ndftbl]

Road trip?

Road trip?

This is classic, especially the tweet about the price of high school tickets:

Buy 2 Cokes, get 2 free Michigan tickets - SBNation.com

 

[Old Man Mike]

Heck, UlUk, I think that such an observation is completely reasonable. As a traditional-style run-blocking team, we're not horrible, but we're inconsistent and verging on mediocre. [we DO play some of the more physical opponents in the nation, though, so a little slack can be given there.]

But the reason why I believe that we're "eh!" much of the time on run blocking is not that Harry doesn't care about it, but Coach won't emphasize it --- not like pass blocking and "spread-out blocking". Very few teams can be REALLY good at both of these styles. And that is particularly true when one is always lining up a line with "underclass-age" semi-rookies.

I don't believe that we're ever going to be Wisconsin, or Stanford, or Auburn, or even a spread-to-run style like Oregon. What Kelly likes is a relatively good-on-their-feet OLine which can block in space, allows the QB to wing it all over the field, and then occasionally surprise the opponent by the RB suddenly bursting through their confused faces for twenty.

This vision has not worked so far because he hasn't had the QB, and the opponents rightly pay more attention to our run game than the Cincinnati run game. When we finally get a junior year Everett, the opposing DCs for at least the first three games still haven't been convinced that he could beat them, and conservatively stacked vs the run game. --- I actually believe that Kelly is teasing them into this mistake by running as much as he does, even knowing that the runs won't get that much. {he ran right off vs Mattison, and Mattison stuck with the run defense all night and gave up thirty.}

Once the DCs decide that Everett is for real, we should see "Isaiah Pead-like" surprise gashings of their not-so-loaded arrays. That's when we can decide if this strategy is a winner or not. Kelly has succeeded so far because, despite what we whine about, our receiving corps is DEADLY good. The different pieces that we have, plus Everett's wheels, mean any play at any time is a first down, and could run right into the endzone --- once Everett REALLY calms down out there I don't know how anyone will cover these air raiders.

Right now, the RBs [all three equally] are putting in lunchpail work according to Kelly's Mad Misdirection Mind Manipulation. They will, I believe, get their yards later when the DCs get really afraid of Everett and the Hands of Doom [Fuller/ Robinson/ Prosise/ Carlisle/ Koyack/ and the underused or underperforming Brown --- and I believe Smythe, Luatua even, and dare I say Daniels? are on the way.] We may not have All-Americans yet, but Lord are they together frighteningly impressive.

 

[connor_in]

No offense to OMM, he is a wealth of knowledge on the subject, but I'd like to point out I've been saying as early as last year and possibly once in 2012 that our run blocking has taken a few steps backwards under Harry (Despite the fact that pass blocking and recruiting has been exceptional). Those comments were always met with "Blasphemy!" and "Harry is a god among men and perfect in all things." I wasn't going just off stats, I was analyzing our OL blocking and the frequency that we were opening favorable holes for our backs to make plays.

Again, that was no knock on OMM, it's just a comment on how I've been accused of heresy for questioning our OL run blocking the last few years

 

[Bogtrotter07]

There could be more runs to the RIGHT [or both]. I say right because Kelly likes a trap play where the off guard pulls and goes through the area of his mirror side's T/G bull blocking assignment [often accentuated by the TE also being there]. If we remember, this pulling block was something that we were all surprised that Golic was good at. Though that featured a right-to-left pull, certainly the play can go either way, and NMart might well be able to do this pulling better than Big Steve.

I, of course, know nothing, but it will be interesting to see what works.

To cite the next example, last year Christian had trouble pulling from his right guard spot and making it to the left side, and trapping the correct guy. Last year he picked a guy in the hole, who was rightly someone else's responsibility, and he ended up plugging up the hole, instead of opening it wider. Maybe that is what they are looking at with Steve Elmer. He has better leg drive than originally expected, but he has the athleticism and vision to break off his original contact, and get around the center's but to get the first guy coming down to plug the hole.

This is a really stupid idea, but I will hang it out there : If Mike McGlinchey has the leg drive and athleticism everyone marvels at, (some say he could play tackle or tight end) why not give him a shot at guard? I understand the answer is the overall depth at all the line positions, but what the hey?

 

[Bogtrotter07]

No offense to OMM, he is a wealth of knowledge on the subject, but I'd like to point out I've been saying as early as last year and possibly once in 2012 that our run blocking has taken a few steps backwards under Harry (Despite the fact that pass blocking and recruiting has been exceptional). Those comments were always met with "Blasphemy!" and "Harry is a god among men and perfect in all things." I wasn't going just off stats, I was analyzing our OL blocking and the frequency that we were opening favorable holes for our backs to make plays.

Again, that was no knock on OMM, it's just a comment on how I've been accused of heresy for questioning our OL run blocking the last few years

The only thing not addressed toward your post is the running style/blocking scheme ND has chosen. An inside zone team is vulnerable to stacking the inside gaps. Usually, and like in years past, the offense will then bounce to an outside zone. Or use play action passing to force a defense to pull back from the middle. This year Kelly has been using Golson's arms and legs; and Golson has been doing it with quick, accurate, and efficient strikes. Therefore we can see two statistic anomalies. ND can beat teams handily, who have greater overall statistics, and they can do it without an efficient yard per carry rushing statistic.

Having a BVG defense actually helps too. It is no coincidence that ND lead the country in turnovers through week three, and has such a high, red zone efficiency rating.

 

[ulukinatme]

Heck, UlUk, I think that such an observation is completely reasonable. As a traditional-style run-blocking team, we're not horrible, but we're inconsistent and verging on mediocre. [we DO play some of the more physical opponents in the nation, though, so a little slack can be given there.]

But the reason why I believe that we're "eh!" much of the time on run blocking is not that Harry doesn't care about it, but Coach won't emphasize it --- not like pass blocking and "spread-out blocking". Very few teams can be REALLY good at both of these styles. And that is particularly true when one is always lining up a line with "underclass-age" semi-rookies.

I don't believe that we're ever going to be Wisconsin, or Stanford, or Auburn, or even a spread-to-run style like Oregon. What Kelly likes is a relatively good-on-their-feet OLine which can block in space, allows the QB to wing it all over the field, and then occasionally surprise the opponent by the RB suddenly bursting through their confused faces for twenty.

This vision has not worked so far because he hasn't had the QB, and the opponents rightly pay more attention to our run game than the Cincinnati run game. When we finally get a junior year Everett, the opposing DCs for at least the first three games still haven't been convinced that he could beat them, and conservatively stacked vs the run game. --- I actually believe that Kelly is teasing them into this mistake by running as much as he does, even knowing that the runs won't get that much. {he ran right off vs Mattison, and Mattison stuck with the run defense all night and gave up thirty.}

Once the DCs decide that Everett is for real, we should see "Isaiah Pead-like" surprise gashings of their not-so-loaded arrays. That's when we can decide if this strategy is a winner or not. Kelly has succeeded so far because, despite what we whine about, our receiving corps is DEADLY good. The different pieces that we have, plus Everett's wheels, mean any play at any time is a first down, and could run right into the endzone --- once Everett REALLY calms down out there I don't know how anyone will cover these air raiders.

Right now, the RBs [all three equally] are putting in lunchpail work according to Kelly's Mad Misdirection Mind Manipulation. They will, I believe, get their yards later when the DCs get really afraid of Everett and the Hands of Doom [Fuller/ Robinson/ Prosise/ Carlisle/ Koyack/ and the underused or underperforming Brown --- and I believe Smythe, Luatua even, and dare I say Daniels? are on the way.] We may not have All-Americans yet, but Lord are they together frighteningly impressive.

Well said, OMM, all great points. I worry a bit that we stick with the run as much as we do when it doesn't prove to be successful. I realize it's an attempt to keep the defense honest, but as you pointed out some DC's like Mattison are content to leave the box stacked regardless of how they're being destroyed through the air.

My biggest concern though is that our run game is somewhat weak and inefficient, and that will hurt us in the future in a big bowl game or against tougher competition. It's great if you have an explosive passing offense, but historically it seems teams with a strong run game to back it up are the ones winning championships. If we can't find yards on the ground against the Michigan's and the Purdue's of the world, how do you plan to run the ball against Alabama again, or FSU, or Auburn, etc?

 

[Old Man Mike]

Any reasonable analyst would worry about that, but Coach has this vision that he is absolutely convinced of: He can move the ball against anyone with his spread if he has the right personnel [they don't have to be All-Americans] and they're enough of disciplined footballers that they don't beat themselves --- i.e. like Charlie he feels he has a "systematic advantage", and unlike Charlie, he's correct.

People might disagree with Kelly but I don't. I think that unless he's playing against pros or semi-pros [where athleticism/talent can overwhelm scheme] opponents can't stop the Kelly offense when he has the right personnel. To focus on the issue of the run game, Kelly really believes that he only needs it a). to worry the opposing DC enough that he's not dropping seven, and b). it [like Barry Sanders when the Lions were spreading the field with the Silver Stretch] occasionally bursts right through scattered, pass-worried "front sevens" and, if the receivers block, might run right into the endzone --- a la {as said before} Isaiah Pead, who was the perfect example of a Kelly RB.

We might think that Kelly is nuts to commit to this vision so strongly, but the "other Kelly", with a different plan but definitely NOT a muscle-run philosophy either, could score against almost anybody, and maybe even lay a 60 on them. MSU just found that out. Coach thinks that even against the Stanfords, Alabamas, MSUs he can score 40. And he thinks that is true whether the RBs are getting "conventional" yards or not. When Everett calms down just a little more, and the OLine learns to dance like a five-person Rockettes group [and the RBs regularly block their assignments], I believe that we'll see that 35-50ppg offense.

 

[PANDFAN]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> and Texas A&M announce home-and-home for 2024 and 2025.</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/515214547762700288">September 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[tko]

I'll refrain from excitement. It's 10 yrs out.

 

[ProdiGOL5ON]

Love it. Glad we will have a presence in Texas with UT and TAMU. Maybe we can get Baylor too... But I am really happy with the opportunity ND is giving itself to remain not only relevant nationally, but also that it is going to recruiting hot spots: Texas, Ohio, Cali, Georgia, and Florida (Fl. St and Umiami) within the next decade.

 

[GoIrish41]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> and Texas A&M announce home-and-home for 2024 and 2025.</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/515214547762700288">September 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

With any luck, I'll still be alive to see it.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Man that's really far away. I'll be old by then.

 

[Cali_domer]

Man that's really far away. I'll be old by then.

46 for me

 

[Booslum31]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> and Texas A&M announce home-and-home for 2024 and 2025.</p>— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) <a href="https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/515214547762700288">September 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Does Texas A&M realize they just eliminated their chances for playoff births in those two years?

 

[zelezo vlk]

46 for me

No comment. Although I'll still probably try to go to these games.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

Does Texas A&M realize they just eliminated their chances for playoff births in those two years?

It'll be 64 teams by then.