ND Coaching Changes 2016

[irishtrain]

The problem at Notre Dame is not offense. That's the one area of the team where the culture fits.

 

[ND Fan Vancouver]

The problem at Notre Dame is not offense. That's the one area of the team where the culture fits.

I agree. I LOVE our OL. I think we're in good shape at RB and I'm pumped to see Tony Jones. ESB has established himself as a solid #1 WR. My only concern is our depth at X WR - we don't have a lot behind Stepherson (McKinley, Finke,Pouncey). We also don't know what we have with Wimbush but I think he's gonna be awesome. We also have Alize back which brings another weapon to our O.
GO IRISH

 

[Irish#1]

My thoughts exactly.

With the advent of all of these "analyst" coaches, there is absolutely no reason to ever hire a field assistant or coordinator who cannot/will not recruit.

Want Borges as an analyst...I can see that, but NO MORE BVG nonsense...EVER.

BTW...BVG probably would have made a killer analyst because you could give him one defensive package within the scheme to scheme each week, and he'd likely come up with something really good. But you gotta keep that guy in the bumpers, so to speak.

So his defense gets simpler if he's an analyst? lol

 

[ScooterIrish]

The problem at Notre Dame is not offense. That's the one area of the team where the culture fits.

There is plenty of issues on offense, including our running game and red zone offense.

 

[koonja]

I can't embed from my phone so save your whining for another day.

https://twitter.com/realNotreTrump/status/810831206250139648

 

[Blaise]

The problem at Notre Dame is not offense. That's the one area of the team where the culture fits.

55th ranked in points a game and 63rd in total yards.. I think our offense needs improvement

 

[beryirish]

On the field and in recruiting, Notre Dame's staff improves

In the coaching industry, if you're not getting results people will question the job you're doing. That said, even if you get to the college football playoffs, but don't win the national championship, there will be those calling for change.

A 4-8 season at Notre Dame has caused people to question where things stand with this current coaching staff. Change has already taken place regarding the Fighting Irish coaching staff and more is likely coming.

There is a new defensive coordinator at Notre Dame. Wake Forest defensive coordinator Mike Elko will be in South Bend next season. This was a big-time addition to the Fighting Irish staff. According to a source connected with Elko, "the players at Notre Dame will tackle better, be in better position to make plays, and just play much better defense" than they did when Brian VanGorder was running that show. Elko also works hard on the recruiting trail and understands the importance of it. He's a no-nonsense recruiter and wants guys that want to play for him. He gets everything out of his players and has done so with athletes that aren't nearly as talented as the ones currently residing in South Bend.

As 247Sports national director of recruiting Steve Wiltfong reported in the past, there is a good chance Elko brings a coach with him. The most likely candidate, as we've mentioned, is Clark Lea. The Demon Deacons' linebackers coach came to Wake Forest in 2016 after three seasons coaching the same position at Syracuse. His group, along with the efforts of Dave Cohen's talented defensive line at Wake, helped the Demon Deacons rack up 37 sacks this year, which ranked 12th nationally during the regular season. Lea would be another quality addition to the program, especially since there is flexibility with another coach currently staff.

Linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator Mike Elston isn't going anywhere, as long as he wants to continue coaching in South Bend. The fact is, he is a major asset to this program, both in terms of coaching and expertise, as well as what he has done with Notre Dame recruiting. It's never easy leading a recruiting department, especially when you produce four wins in one season. However, Notre Dame is currently No. 8 in the 247Sports Composite team recruiting rankings. It's even more impressive when the average record of the seven schools above Notre Dame on the list is 9-3. Elston also has position flexibility. At Notre Dame, Elston previously coached the defensive line before Keith Gilmore joined the coaching staff. In the past, in addition to linebackers and defensive line, Elston has coaching experience at special teams and tight ends, in addition to his time as the associate head coach at Cincinnati at 2009. Moving him around to another spot if Notre Dame was to pursue Lea, wouldn't be an issue. Again, continuing to have him leading the recruiting department at Notre Dame is necessary to keep things moving in a positive direction.

There has recently been discussion about associate head coach and wide receivers coach Mike Denbrock and whether his job is safe or not. The fact is, like Elston, if Denbrock wants to continue coaching at Notre Dame, his job is secure. It's not in jeopardy at all. If he so chooses, Denbrock will return to Notre Dame in 2017. He means a great deal to this program and we're told that everyone in and around the program, from the higher-ups all the way to head coach Brian Kelly, all feel the same way. Whether he lands the offensive coordinator title or not, he'll at the least remain the associate head coach and wide receivers coach. Could he coach another position on offense? Absolutely. Denbrock has the experience to coach on either side of the ball. In the past, Denbrock has coached wide receivers, offensive line, tight ends, linebackers, special teams, and has been both an offensive and defensive coordinator. The current players love Denbrock, especially the wide receiver group. The Irish assistant coach gets after it on the recruiting trail as well. His ability to build relationships is second to none. The fact is, Denbrock has played a major role in Notre Dame's offensive success over the past few years. His job is not in jeopardy.

Notre Dame returns plenty of talented running backs next year and running backs coach Autry Denson will be back in 2017. There were some early offseason discussions about him being in the mix for the head coach position at Abilene Christian, but as we reported a week or two ago, Denson is coming back to Notre Dame. Keeping Denson is another positive for this staff. He recruits well, develops some incredible bonds with the prospects, and his players love playing for him. The fact that he played at Notre Dame and was successful only helps with his pitch that much more.

Offensive line coach Harry Hiestand will return to Notre Dame. There is talent all over the Fighting Irish offensive line and it will be one of the biggest strengths for Notre Dame in 2017. The job he has done with this unit, both on the field and in recruiting, is second to none. The young offensive line had some ups and downs this year, but questioning him isn't something people should be doing.

Defensive backs coach Todd Lyght has done a good job since arriving in South Bend. The team was forced to play a great deal of young talent this year and guys like Devin Studstill, Julian Love and others played well in their first action. A year from now they will look like different players. The expectations for the cornerbacks and safeties will be high heading into 2017 and according to a source who has worked with Elko in the past, "the defensive backs will learn a ton under [Elko]. His ability to get the defensive backs in position to make plays is impressive.' The combination of Elko and Lyght will allow for much growth this offseason with that unit.

Defensive line coach Keith Gilmore will look to get more out of his group in 2017. He has done well in recruiting, landing some really talented defensive linemen last cycle like Daelin Hayes and Julian Okwara. However, getting those guys to perform and create a legitimate pass-rush is something that is necessary next season. That's where Elko comes in. As noted above, Wake Forest got after the quarterback in 2016. The defense racked up 37 sacks in 12 games. On the flip side, Notre Dame totaled 14 sacks in 12 games. That number landed the Irish tied for No. 118 overall. That has to change next season. Things need to be different. The scheme needs to be adjusted. Elko will do exactly that. An improved pass-rush will help the defense play much better as a whole.

It was recently reported by Irish247 that Notre Dame is bringing in former Nevada head coach Brian Polian as an assistant coach. He will be the new special teams coordinator, as the Irish let go of Scott Booker this offseason. As it stands now, Polian will also have to coach a particular position, unless the rules change and its passed that each staff is allowed 10 full-time assistant coaches. Polian brings a ton of experience to South Bend and he is a terrific recruiter. On the field, he was most recently a head coach. Prior to that, Polian coached tight ends, running backs, special teams, linebackers, safeties and was a recruting coordinator.

As it stands now, there are openings at offensive coordinator, quarterbacks coach, tight ends coach and strength and conditioning coordinator. No, it's not likely that Baylor offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Kendal Briles is coming to Notre Dame. We're told that he stopped by campus to talk with a few coaches, but it wasn't anything planned. He was in the Midwest to interview for an open position at another university. Would he be a nice addition? Absolutely. However it's not expected according to a source around the program. That said, filling the remainder of the open spots remains a fluid situation. Look for things to get done quickly, but Brian Kelly is in no rush. The key here is to keep making the right, positive moves this offseason.

 

[ThePiombino]

Against my better judgement, let me give you a hand...

I can't embed from my phone so save your whining for another day.

https://twitter.com/realNotreTrump/status/810831206250139648

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">If Kelly worked as hard on the running game as he does at protecting low energy Longo ND Football would be much better off. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/drainduLac?src=hash">#drainduLac</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ef6ythu6nq">https://t.co/Ef6ythu6nq</a></p>— Notre Dame Trump (@realNotreTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realNotreTrump/status/810831206250139648">December 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[calvegas04]

There is plenty of issues on offense, including our running game and red zone offense.

the OL coaching

 

[NDShark]

the OL coaching

cant tell if serious

 

[Wingman Ray]

cant tell if serious

Well OL play wasnt exactly breathtaking by any stretch of the imagination this year...

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Well OL play wasnt exactly breathtaking by any stretch of the imagination this year...

Just feelz or you have some stats?

 

[koonja]

Just feelz or you have some stats?

This is such a sub par QU. Much like 'how do you measure S/C coach and know if he's actually doing poorly'.

Not everything is objective, sometimes you just have the awareness and observation necessary to see something's amiss.

Regarding OL, when you false start on every drive, when you constently see only 4 of 5 of the OL getting their blocks on 80% of plays, something is wrong. When your starting OL is entirely 4/5 stars and you cannot push Duke off of the ball, something is amiss.

Harry recruits extremely well, and the OL in general is great in pass protection (no stats, but watch 5 minutes of ND football and you can tell). But the run blocking was poor this year, considering how good we were supposed to be at OL, how great of a QB we had, and how poorly skilled our opponets were, relatively speaking.

I by no means want to get rid of Harry because of recruiting + pass protection, but the OL underachieved this year and you don't need a stat sheet to tell you that.

 

[greyhammer90]

This is such a sub par QU. Much like 'how do you measure S/C coach and know if he's actually doing poorly'.

Not everything is objective, sometimes you just have the awareness and observation necessary to see something's amiss.

Regarding OL, when you false start on every drive, when you constently see only 4 of 5 of the OL getting their blocks on 80% of plays, something is wrong. When your starting OL is entirely 4/5 stars and you cannot push Duke off of the ball, something is amiss.

Harry recruits extremely well, and the OL in general is great in pass protection (no stats, but watch 5 minutes of ND football and you can tell). But the run blocking was poor this year, considering how good we were supposed to be at OL, how great of a QB we had, and how poorly skilled our opponets were, relatively speaking.

I by no means want to get rid of Harry because of recruiting + pass protection, but the OL underachieved this year and you don't need a stat sheet to tell you that.

So feelz then?

 

[koonja]

So feelz then?

If you want to call it that to undermine the fact that 80% of coaching moves are based on subkectivity/observation/common awareness rather than a stat, sure, use a funny sounding term but it's all the same.

Harry is doing pretty good at on the field production, but it could be better, specifically in the run game. He's an ace recruiter in that regard. Definitely keep him IMO, but he's far from hitting grand slams all over the place.

 

[dwshade]

Anyone questioning HH's ability to coach the O line doesn't know a damn thing about football.

 

[beryirish]

College coaches on the hotseat for the 2017 season

Eighty-two teams will play in bowl games this holiday season. As you might have heard, Notre Dame is not among the 82 teams.

Those close to the storied program expect Brian Kelly to survive the woeful 4-8 season - a year further complicated by myriad off-field hiccups. But there are no guarantees for 2017.

Kelly’s sizzling situation is where 247Sports begins a breakdown of the Power 5 hot seat top 10 for 2017.

(One note: Pay attention to the 247Sports’ Composite Ranking to see if there’s cause for hope for these staffs.)

1. Brian Kelly, Notre Dame

Record: 38-31* in seven seasons (*with 21 vacated wins deducted)

2016 season: 4-8

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 8 (18 commits)


About the only thing that didn’t go wrong for Kelly in 2016 was the six-year extension he agreed to in January. Since Notre Dame is a private institution, the buyout figure is not available via public record; assume, though, that it would be steep - upward of $15 million - to dismiss Kelly right now.

Those familiar with the program say Kelly still has the support of administrators such as AD Jack Swarbrick - but Swarbrick publicly demonstrating support, for whatever reason, irked the increasingly defensive Kelly.

Bottom line: Kelly is unhappy. Fans are unhappy. No one is happy.

With both experienced quarterbacks leaving and two new coordinators for 2017, the setup does not project favorably for a turnaround. Another issue: Next season’s schedule features 11 bowl teams and Michigan State.

If it comes to it, the names we most commonly hear from coaches and agents are Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops, Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio and Pitt’s Pat Narduzzi. Two other Big Ten coaches - Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald and Wisconsin’s Paul Chryst - have also come up in coaching circles.

2. Butch Jones, Tennessee

Record: 29-21 in four seasons

2016 season: 8-4 (Music City Bowl vs. Nebraska)

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 11 (25 commits)


Frustration is mounting internally and externally after a talented, experienced team fell short of an SEC East title in 2016.

The Volunteers dealt with injuries, sure, but so did division champ Florida. For Jones, or anyone else, not to acknowledge the season as a disappointment is ignoring reality. Even a win against Vanderbilt would have put the Vols in the Sugar Bowl for the first time since 1990.

Instead, Tennessee is in the Music City Bowl. Win or lose against Nebraska, 2017 is a critical year for Jones - but particularly if the Vols lose the bowl and slip to 8-5.

Sources have told us that Jones will look to shake up the coaching staff in the New Year, including an overhaul of the program’s strength and conditioning department - a fundamental liability in 2016, according to those sources.

The impending AD hire is also key to Jones’ future. Sources close to Tennessee expect Chattanooga AD David Blackburn to be the choice in the coming days. The longtime UT administrator, we’re told, is the best-case scenario for Jones.

“He’ll give (Jones) the best chance to succeed,” one source close to the school said of Blackburn.

Really, 2017 will be as much about optics as results for Jones. The Vols could again go 8-4, but his future is dependent on the losses - who they were to, when and where - and the nature of them. If a young team, one that will have a new starting QB, shows promise and a chemistry that was lacking in ‘16, then Jones will probably get another season. If it’s another inconsistent year marred by head-scratching no-shows, a $7.5 million buyout will be exercised and Tennessee will again be on the hunt for a coach.

If there is a move, Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen, North Carolina’s Larry Fedora and Colorado’s Mike MacIntyre - a Tennessee native - are names that have been mentioned to us by coaches and agents.

3. Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M

Record: 44-20 in five seasons

2016 season: 8-4 (Texas Bowl vs. Kansas State)

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 7 (26 commits)


The Aggies might have made a move in November - they may have even pushed for Tom Herman - if Sumlin were not owed a $15 million buyout. That monstrous figure drops to $10 million after the 2017 season, which could prompt change if the team posts another eight-win season.

How the Aggies finish next season will likely determine Sumlin’s fate: The past four seasons, A&M has started a combined 21-1 only to finish 12-17. That anticlimactic sense of deflation is undermining any success the teams have had.

Corresponding with those finishes, A&M has not been above .500 in SEC play since Sumlin’s first season - when Johnny Manziel was the team’s quarterback.

That position post-Johnny continues to be an enigma. As of now, it seems as if Sumlin will lean on a freshman behind center in 2017. That’s not an ideal situation for a hot-seat staff. Neither is the Aggies’ defense losing All-America talent Myles Garrett and several other veterans.

A trip to UCLA in the season opener will be vital for two staffs feeling the heat.

4. Jim Mora, UCLA

Record: 41-24 in five seasons

2016 season: 4-8

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 58 (nine commits)


It is fitting that the Bruins and Aggies complete their home-and-home this fall.

A couple of years ago, Pac-12 coaches thought that the Bruins “by far” had the most talent in the league. A few things have changed since then: 1) injuries have hindered UCLA’s ability to capitalize on the talent; 2) rival USC is improving, getting further and further removed from the scholarship reductions that hamstrung the program; 3) Chris Petersen is proving at playoff-bound Washington that talent isn’t everything.

Regardless of circumstances, including injuries, Mora is running out of time to get it right. For now, he has appearances in the Holiday, Sun, Alamo and Foster Farms bowls to show for his success at the school. Is that the ceiling?

After signing an extension earlier this year, Mora would be owed about a $12 million buyout after the 2017 season.

The school’s record-setting Under Armour deal, reportedly worth $280 million, could be an asset if the administration is ready to make a change. As it stands, the buyout would have to be considered a deterrent in Mora leaving for an NFL job; the money to stay is too good, even if things do not end well.

Maybe UCLA’s brass could trade Mora to the Niners for Chip Kelly ...

5. Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech

Record: 24-26 in four seasons

2016 season: 5-7

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 31 (19 commits)


Kingsbury’s program was already trending the wrong way - and then a 66-10 loss at Iowa State changed the mood entirely. Defeating Baylor the next week was a pacifier, but those close to the school have indicated that a $9.4 million buyout is what ultimately headed off a move.

The figure drops to a more manageable $6 million next December, meaning Kingsbury’s team has to produce in 2017.

It’s no secret; the defense continues to hold back the program. The Raiders allowed an FBS-worst 43.5 points per game and they were No. 126 in yards per play allowed (7.05).

The logical reaction would be to replace defensive coordinator David Gibbs, but there’s important context: Gibbs is the first Tech DC since Ruffin McNeill (2008-09) to complete consecutive seasons in the role. So stability is key, even if Gibbs’ 2016 plan to slow-build and develop high school prospects has been nuked for patchwork success.

Including six midyear enrollees, the Tech staff has to nail its JUCO targets in order to earn more time. In the coaching world, that’s never the sturdiest branch on which to stand.

Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley is the name you’ll hear most if Kingsbury is out. The 33-year-old Riley has turned down other offers in hopes of eventually landing a Power 5 job, and his alma mater certainly makes sense - but perhaps it isn’t that easy.

Perhaps Riley’s resume, in fact, looks quite similar to Kingsbury’s when he was hired. (TCU OC Sonny Cumbie, another former Tech QB, would have another similar resume.) Given the program’s glaring weakness, would it make more sense for Tech to seek a coach with a defensive background?

One example: LSU DC Dave Aranda has a degree from the school.

6. Dave Doeren, North Carolina State

Record: 24-26

2016 season: 6-6 (Independence Bowl vs. Vanderbilt)

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 53 (15 commits)


Questions about Doeren’s future are more tied to this question than anything: What’s fair to expect at N.C. State? It’s a good-but-not-great job with solid resources and an above-average recruiting base - but it also shares a division with Clemson, FSU and upstart Louisville. What’s the case for upward mobility among that group?

Some fans believe that State should at least be comparable to Louisville. Doeren had better go find a Lamar Jackson, then. Until then, various coaches and agents feel as if 6-8 wins should be considered an acceptable window.

7. Steve Addazio, Boston College

Record: 23-27 in four seasons

2016 season: 6-6 (Quick Lane Bowl vs. Maryland)

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 55 (19 commits)


The Eagles had to win three of five down the stretch this fall, beating bowl-bound N.C. State and Wake Forest, to get to .500. But considering BC didn’t win an ACC game in 2015, these were steps in the right direction. Defeating former ACC foe Maryland in the bowl game would be another.

It’s Addazio’s third bowl trip in four seasons, but the program has no more than seven victories in a season in that time. Patience is wearing thin - especially for an offense that was again ranked worst in the ACC.

8. Sonny Dykes, Cal

Record: 19-30 in four seasons

2016 season: 5-7

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 50 (15 commits)


After reaching a bowl in 2015 with No. 1 pick Jared Goff and a number of experienced offensive skill players, a step back this fall wasn’t altogether surprising.

Allowing 12 more points per game - a Pac-12-worst 42.6 ppg - was, though, and it prompted Dykes last week to dismiss veteran coordinator Art Kaufman.

Goff’s final season is beginning to look like the aberration. Friction between the football office and the athletic department continues to be a factor in the situation. After next season, Dykes’ buyout drops to $3.9 million. The staff needs a solid defensive hire and a bowl game in ‘17 to regain equilibrium.

9. Todd Graham, Arizona State

Record: 39-26 in five seasons

Season: 5-7

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 51 (11 commits)


Following a fast start in Tempe, Graham’s teams are 11-14 the past two seasons. This is his first season to miss a bowl at ASU. Coaches and agents feel as if the thud has not been given an appropriate amount of attention due to coaching changes at USC (2015) and Oregon (2016) dominating the Pac-12 news cycle.

Coaches tell us that Graham’s loyalty to defensive coordinator Keith Patterson could eventually become problematic. Patterson’s defense finished 127th in yards per play defense (7.07). The low point was giving up 511 rushing yards to what was then a two-win Arizona team. And yet no one anticipates a change there entering 2017.

An exorbitant buyout - ASU would still owe about $10 million after the 2017 season - is one thing keeping the administration’s patience relatively high.

10. Rich Rodriguez, Arizona

Record: 36-29 in five seasons

2016 season: 3-9

2017 247Sports class ranking: No. 29 (23 commits)


Regression was expected in 2016 - but not a three-win season that included an eight-game losing streak. A 56-35 rout of Graham’s Sun Devils in the Territorial Cup rivalry kept the season from being a total disaster.

As he actively sought an East Coast-based job a year ago, Rich Rod surely realized a dip in the team’s talent was coming. Now he’s going to have to commit to a full rebuild, and a decent 2017 class would be helpful. Rodriguez’s buyout is around $6 million after next season. For now, AD Greg Byrne and the school’s leaders will remain supportive and write off 2016 as a blip.

 

[koonja]

Anyone questioning HH's ability to coach the O line doesn't know a damn thing about football.

I'd say anyone who thinks our OL's run blocking this year makes any questions about it untouchable doesn't know a damn thing about football.

Take out runs over 20+ yards from the equation. Did you see how many times Duke/Navy/a shitty MSU/shitty Stanford team absolutely stoned us at the LOS? Or do we not pay attention to things that are observable but unquantifiable (aka, stats)?

 

[kmoose]

Anyone questioning HH's ability to coach the O line doesn't know a damn thing about football.

I have some questions about it. I sat at the 50 yard line and watched the OL struggle to open holes against NAVY. And it wasn't because smaller, quicker guys were shooting gaps on them; smaller guys were standing our players up and holding their ground against them. It was ridiculous. I'm not knowledgeable enough to say that Heistand is, or isn't, doing his job............ but I know a fair amount about football, and I have some questions about the OL.

 

[koonja]

I have some questions about it. I sat at the 50 yard line and watched the OL struggle to open holes against NAVY. And it wasn't because smaller, quicker guys were shooting gaps on them; smaller guys were standing our players up and holding their ground against them. It was ridiculous. I'm not knowledgeable enough to say that Heistand is, or isn't, doing his job............ but I know a fair amount about football, and I have some questions about the OL.

Hell hath frozen over, Kmoose and I have identical perspective on a topic. And he's 100% right.

 

[bkess8]

Anyone questioning HH's ability to coach the O line doesn't know a damn thing about football.

Are you saying that the O line met expectations for the season then?

 

[beryirish]

Stats to look over:

Harry came to ND in 2012:

2008: ND 101st Rushing Offense (1426) Attempts: 436
2009: 84th (1539) Attempts: 401
2010: 92nd (1646) Attempts: 414
2011: 55th (2085) Attempts: 433
2012: 38th (2462) Attempts: 506
2013: 81st (1962) Attempts: 440
2014: 70th (2073) Attempts: 484
2015: 27th (2703) Attempts: 480
2016: 80th (1960) Attempts: 438

And for me - i'm all for HH.

 

[NDShark]

There are a number of factors that could have impacted the line's play this year: CBK's scheme, losing Nick Martin and Ronnie Stanley, breaking in players to new positions, Longo being a terrible S&C coach, Harry not being a good OL coach, the players not being good enough, etc...

Maybe Harry had a down year coaching (I don't agree with this), but there sure seemed to be a lot of other factors at play as well which could be stronger contributors to poor play.

 

[koonja]

Stats to look over:

Harry came to ND in 2012:

2008: ND 101st Rushing Offense (1426)
2009: 84th (1539)
2010: 92nd (1646)
2011: 55th (2085)
2012: 38th (2462)
2013: 81st (1962)
2014: 70th (2073)
2015: 27th (2703)
2016: 80th (1960)

And for me - i'm all for HH.

So if you want to go the stat route... So we average 60th in rushing offense over Harry's 5 years.

We recruit the OL at a top 5 level, and have sent MANY RBs to the league while BK has been here. Theo Riddick, Jonas Gray, CJ Proisise, and soon to be Folston and Josh Adams.

If you think 60th is cutting it with top 5 talent at OL, and top 15 talent at RB, we are not speaking the same language.

 

[beryirish]

So if you want to go the stat route... So we average 60th in rushing offense over Harry's 5 years.

We recruit the OL at a top 5 level, and have sent MANY RBs to the league while BK has been here. Theo Riddick, Jonas Gray, CJ Proisise, and soon to be Folston and Josh Adams.

If you think 60th is cutting it with top 5 talent at OL, and top 15 talent at RB, we are not speaking the same language.

I'm not "going the stat route..." for sake of argument.

These are stats...stats don't lie. My post was an objective post for people in the argument could perhaps view.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Isn't the scheme predicated more on combo blocks and the like, which take time to master by experienced linemen? As opposed to straight mauling, which even Q Nelson could've done his first year. Let the guys get more experience so they know how to block for the scheme. Though the S&C must improve regardless.

 

[arrowryan]

So if you want to go the stat route... So we average 60th in rushing offense over Harry's 5 years.

We recruit the OL at a top 5 level, and have sent MANY RBs to the league while BK has been here. Theo Riddick, Jonas Gray, CJ Proisise, and soon to be Folston and Josh Adams.

If you think 60th is cutting it with top 5 talent at OL, and top 15 talent at RB, we are not speaking the same language.

Thats not true considering Brian Kelly and this offense is pass happy. Looking at our total rushing yards to see how good our o-line is isn't fair. Looking at the total amount of sacks given up is a better stat to look at.

But if we are looking at rushing stats, Josh Adams averaged 5.9 yards per rush in 2016. How is that not a sign of a good o-line? Dexter Williams averaged 5.1 ypc and Folston averaged 4.3 ypc, also.

 

[koonja]

I'm not "going the stat route..." for sake of argument.

These are stats...stats don't lie. My post was an objective post for people in the argument could perhaps view.

I wasn't necessarily posting towards you, but anyone who thinks that stats are what you must rely on (wrong IMO), they're not necessarily favorable to HH.

 

[beryirish]

I wasn't necessarily posting towards you, but anyone who thinks that stats are what you must rely on (wrong IMO), they're not necessarily favorable to HH.

This is what it points out:

HH has been here since 2012. EVERY SINGLE YEAR up until 2016, we have been singing high praises of HH. He was never on the radar for negative comments. Now this year from what people are saying about his product on the field, you would think we are talking about Booker and that he will get canned this year.

Where in reality, in his five years of being here, 2 other years aside from 2016, they have been horrible - 2013/2014 if you say 2016 was horrible.

So what has changed that we are arguing about HH's ability to coach the OL now, that we haven't mentioned it in years past? Because ND was winning? Do you want him gone? You may not think stats can be relied on, but they play a part in if people still have a job or not.

 

[koonja]

Thats not true considering Brian Kelly and this offense is pass happy. Looking at our total rushing yards to see how good our o-line is isn't fair. Looking at the total amount of sacks given up is a better stat to look at.

But if we are looking at rushing stats, Josh Adams averaged 5.9 yards per rush in 2016. How is that not a sign of a good o-line? Dexter Williams averaged 5.1 ypc and Folston averaged 4.3 ypc, also.

I don't care about individual YPC's. Dexter carries like 4 times a year so his YPC is meaningless. I also don't care if Adams averages 5.9 per carry. He breaks off an 80 yard run, then gets stoned at the line 4 straight times. So if you MUST look at stats, look at total team YPC and compare it to the country.

What actually matters: Can you push the ball down Duke's throat when you're in the red zone? That's the shit I care about, and the answer this year was 'not even close'.