ND Coaching Changes 2016

[Sherm Sticky]

You talking about one impossibly bad season or in general? Because even playing as bad as possible this year, in terms of efficiency on the field ND was 31st. Kentucky was 68th. And the SEC was atrocious OOC this year besides Bama. Florida, who won the east, was 38th.

ND played about as well as an 8-4 or 9-3 team... just managed to go 1-7 in 8 close games, because (inset long ass list of reasons).

As an aside, one of the main reasons I'm so optimistic for next year is that we'll obviously be a better team and a better team who just gets a normal amount of breaks to go their way is going to have a very good record.

Usually those close loses from the previous year turn into close wins the next year with young teams.

The problem is the ACC refs on the field and the review booth like to screw Notre Dame over. Especially on throw targeting or non targeting calls.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[OCIrish]

You talking about one impossibly bad season or in general? Because even playing as bad as possible this year, in terms of efficiency on the field ND was 31st. Kentucky was 68th. And the SEC was atrocious OOC this year besides Bama. Florida, who won the east, was 38th.

ND played about as well as an 8-4 or 9-3 team... just managed to go 1-7 in 8 close games, because (inset long ass list of reasons).

As an aside, one of the main reasons I'm so optimistic for next year is that we'll obviously be a better team and a better team who just gets a normal amount of breaks to go their way is going to have a very good record.

Lax, I'm glad you have that optimism working, the biggest issue I have from this past season, is this was quite possibly one of the easiest schedules we've had in some time, and yes, I know we lost a lot of close ones, but still......

 

[dad4aa]

Any insight on where Elko is interviewing and when a decision will possibly be made? I've heard a few different schools mentioned but then also read some contradictions to those reports so not really sure what is accurate.

 

[ThePiombino]

What about Vince Marrow for TE coach? As a bonus, he is a tremendous recruiter and has plenty of connections in the mid west, especially in Urban's back yard.

This is the 2nd time I've seen this name come up. Is there something to this? Smoke coming from anywhere? Or is it just such an painfully obvious choice for ND (or any school for that matter) to go after?

Any insight on where Elko is interviewing and when a decision will possibly be made? I've heard a few different schools mentioned but then also read some contradictions to those reports so not really sure what is accurate.

Pretty sure he interviewed on Tues. Initial reports were that he LOVED ND and really wanted an interview. Add'l reports were that an offer has been made, tho some sources refuted that. EIther way, it was also reported that Oregon and Florida were interested in him. Since then, Oregon has hired a DC (the DC from Colorado I believe?) and Florida insiders think they have a long shot at best. Some even think they just slide their co-DC into the spot. All signs point to us landing Elko. Don't think anyone knows timeline in terms of accepting said offer or an announcement, but I'd be surprised if we made it to the weekend without an announcement of some sort assuming all the former info is accurate.

 

[koonja]

With how silent nd is about things, do you think it's reasonable/possible elko and ND have made a deal, but elko asked for it not to be made public until after wake forests bowl game out of respect to his current players?

Seems stupid and unnecessary, and doesn't help nd recruit defense this year, but jw if that's ever the case in situations involving a bowl (I cannot think of any - typically it's announced and they either leave or do double duty, Ala lane kiffin).

 

[NDdomer2]

Elston interviewed yesterday. Doubtful they would have made a decision before granting him a fair chance.

 

[arrowryan]

With how silent nd is about things, do you think it's reasonable/possible elko and ND have made a deal, but elko asked for it not to be made public until after wake forests bowl game out of respect to his current players?

Seems stupid and unnecessary, and doesn't help nd recruit defense this year, but jw if that's ever the case in situations involving a bowl (I cannot think of any - typically it's announced and they either leave or do double duty, Ala lane kiffin).

Ever since that coach got caught lying on his resume AFTER he had been hired, Notre Dame has been very thorough in the background check when making a hire. So, maybe thats where they are at with the process.

 

[ThePiombino]

With how silent nd is about things, do you think it's reasonable/possible elko and ND have made a deal, but elko asked for it not to be made public until after wake forests bowl game out of respect to his current players?

Seems stupid and unnecessary, and doesn't help nd recruit defense this year, but jw if that's ever the case in situations involving a bowl (I cannot think of any - typically it's announced and they either leave or do double duty, Ala lane kiffin).

I don't see what the point of that would be in this case since his interview is not a secret and he's supposedly on record as saying he very much wants the ND job. If this was a back door deal, I would be more likely to think so, but not in this case.

 

[BobbyMac]

This is the 2nd time I've seen this name come up. Is there something to this? Smoke coming from anywhere? Or is it just such an painfully obvious choice for ND (or any school for that matter) to go after?

It started with this Wiltfong tweet a couple of days ago. He would fill a great need at ND, someone who's plugged-in in Ohio... and he's a TE coach of course.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> coach Brian Kelly should make Vince Marrow an absolute priority for his staff. Great TE coach and elite recruiter.</p>— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) <a href="https://twitter.com/SWiltfong247/status/808676365964808192">December 13, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Meacon Irish]

I really want Elko. I have a terrible gut feeling that Kelly gives the job to Elston though. This coaching staff needs new blood. Promoting from within is a-ok with me in certain situations, but we need someone to come in with a fresh and clear perspective to mix stuff up at this point.

 

[PANDFAN]

Notre Dame Mike Elko Mike Elston defensive coordinator
(MIKE ELKO)
expecting it to be done by today according to people inside the gug

 

[Meatloaf]

Notre Dame Mike Elko Mike Elston defensive coordinator

expecting it to be done by today according to people inside the gug

With Elko I hope?

 

[ab2cmiller]

Since the new Oregon DC got a 4 year deal, does that mean that it is likely that we are going to have to give a 4 year deal as well to whomever we hire?

 

[PANDFAN]

With Elko I hope?

YES

 

[phgreek]

Since the new Oregon DC got a 4 year deal, does that mean that it is likely that we are going to have to give a 4 year deal as well to whomever we hire?

I would think something like that. I would think he would also ask for an escape if they fire Kelly, and he doesn't want to stay. I think this contract might look pretty one-sided.

 

[Free Manera]

I would think something like that. I would think he would also ask for an escape if they fire Kelly, and he doesn't want to stay. I think this contract might look pretty one-sided.

That is the trend with defensive coordinators these days. Good coordinators have a lot of leverage. Look at the deal that Leavitt got at Oregon. 1.5 mil annual I believe which is the highest in the Pac now. Aranda has the deal that isn't tied to a coach.

(in John Malkovich's voice) Pay the man his money.

 

[PANDFAN]

Wiltfong has mentioned they would MOST LIKELY give him a 3-4 year contract in an effort to entice him to come

 

[ThePiombino]

Notre Dame Mike Elko Mike Elston defensive coordinator
(MIKE ELKO)
expecting it to be done by today according to people inside the gug

Yesssssssssssssssssss!!!

 

[IrishLax]

Lax, I'm glad you have that optimism working, the biggest issue I have from this past season, is this was quite possibly one of the easiest schedules we've had in some time, and yes, I know we lost a lot of close ones, but still......

It certainly seemed like it at the time and that's why I thought our floor was 7/8 wins heading into the season. Ultimately, by FEI, our strength of schedule was 65th. That's pretty darn easy.

Last year it was 3rd (despite Oklahoma and ESPN talking heads saying "ND ain't played nobodoy...") and we still managed 10 wins. In 2012 it was 10th, and we went 12-0. So at least there are data points that we actually seem to "play up" to the competition.

In other years we've had:
2014 - 54th
2013 - 14th
2012 - 10th
2011 - 27th
2010 - 40th

So yeah, it was the easiest schedule ND has played in Kelly's tenure by a pretty large stretch. The good news? The stats I was talking about are opponent adjusted so it already accounts for the easy schedule in the 31st ranking. And looking at the numbers, Kelly's 3 worst seasons were against his 3 easiest schedules.

 

[gkIrish]

Wiltfong has mentioned they would MOST LIKELY give him a 3-4 year contract in an effort to entice him to come

If we can't convince Wake Forest's DC to come without offering him a long-term contract then I don't know what to say. I'd rather have Elston on a 2 year contract than Elko on a 4 year. The last thing I want is to tie down more members of this staff long term because I sincerely think a HC change will be made after next year.

 

[Rack Em]

If we can't convince Wake Forest's DC to come without offering him a long-term contract then I don't know what to say. I'd rather have Elston on a 2 year contract than Elko on a 4 year. The last thing I want is to tie down more members of this staff long term because I sincerely think a HC change will be made after next year.

Elston for 2 years would all but sign the walking papers for Chubby Kelly. It's like Swarbrick is utterly tone deaf to anything football related.

 

[gkIrish]

Elston for 2 years would all but sign the walking papers for Chubby Kelly. It's like Swarbrick is utterly tone deaf to anything football related.

Elko is not going to save Kelly's job, no matter what people think. Well maybe he will if you think 8-9 wins is enough to save his job.

 

[IrishLax]

If we can't convince Wake Forest's DC to come without offering him a long-term contract then I don't know what to say. I'd rather have Elston on a 2 year contract than Elko on a 4 year. The last thing I want is to tie down more members of this staff long term because I sincerely think a HC change will be made after next year.

I mean, LSU did the exact same thing with Aranda and it worked out super well for them because it ensured he stayed put when they moved on from Miles. The more money and years the better for Elko, IMO*.

*Should not be more than a 4 year deal, and 3 would be preferable, in terms of guaranteed money.

 

[Free Manera]

If we can't convince Wake Forest's DC to come without offering him a long-term contract then I don't know what to say. I'd rather have Elston on a 2 year contract than Elko on a 4 year. The last thing I want is to tie down more members of this staff long term because I sincerely think a HC change will be made after next year.

It's Notre Dame. They should be handling this like the Yankees, not the Rays. Pay him and if it doesn't work, pay his buyout. No top 10 coordinator is coming for a 2 year deal. Look at what Oregon just did with Leavitt.

 

[BobbyMac]

If we can't convince Wake Forest's DC to come without offering him a long-term contract then I don't know what to say. I'd rather have Elston on a 2 year contract than Elko on a 4 year. The last thing I want is to tie down more members of this staff long term because I sincerely think a HC change will be made after next year.

They can stroke a check out of petty cash to get rid of Elko in a heartbeat.

Lets say they give Elko 3 years at $3.6M and then Fleck hires Jimmy Lake next year instead. Here's your $2.4M, Have a nice day.

 

[Rack Em]

Elko is not going to save Kelly's job, no matter what people think. Well maybe he will if you think 8-9 wins is enough to save his job.

I unfortunately do think that's enough to save his job.

After watching Catholics vs. Convicts, there is ABSOLUTELY ZERO to retain Kelly. Like none. Guys like Tony Rice, Pat Eilars, and Pat Terrell literally would have murdered someone for Holtz and the University. "You save Jimmy Johnson's ass for me!" is the type of attitude we need coaching at ND. It's a tough place for student-athletes because of the competing demands of academics and athletics. Which is all the more reason to get someone like Holtz who recruits would go to war for.

If Swarbrick doesn't understand that by now, he never will. Instead we have a fat turd of a general counsel/head coach who passes blame on everyone else.

I hope I'm wrong and a 9 win season would bring about change next year. But hiring an outside DC buys him extra time I believe (hopefully enough for Sanford to take WKU to a NY6 bowl game and become our next HC).

 

[rocket66]

If we can't convince Wake Forest's DC to come without offering him a long-term contract then I don't know what to say. I'd rather have Elston on a 2 year contract than Elko on a 4 year. The last thing I want is to tie down more members of this staff long term because I sincerely think a HC change will be made after next year.

None of this point makes any sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Rack Em]

None of this point makes any sense.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He thinks the additional improvement the D will see from Elko will be enough to keep Kelly's job next year. If Elston got the job, the marginal improvement would be less and Scared Swarbrick would be less likely to retain Kelly.

Addition by subtraction.

 

[Free Manera]

I unfortunately do think that's enough to save his job.

After watching Catholics vs. Convicts, there is ABSOLUTELY ZERO to retain Kelly. Like none. Guys like Tony Rice, Pat Eilars, and Pat Terrell literally would have murdered someone for Holtz and the University. "You save Jimmy Johnson's ass for me!" is the type of attitude we need coaching at ND. It's a tough place for student-athletes because of the competing demands of academics and athletics. Which is all the more reason to get someone like Holtz who recruits would go to war for.

If Swarbrick doesn't understand that by now, he never will. Instead we have a fat turd of a general counsel/head coach who passes blame on everyone else.

I hope I'm wrong and a 9 win season would bring about change next year. But hiring an outside DC buys him extra time I believe (hopefully enough for Sanford to take WKU to a NY6 bowl game and become our next HC).

I actually think Kelly is all in on this year because it is going to be his last one way or another. I think he wants to prove he can turn it around, then jump to another P5 or the NFL. If he doesn't have a major turnaround, i.e. playoff contention, I think he is bounced. The administration is going into the season with eyes open wide and can conduct a coaching search in the shadows.

 

[Rack Em]

I actually think Kelly is all in on this year because it is going to be his last one way or another. I think he wants to prove he can turn it around, then jump to another P5 or the NFL. If he doesn't have a major turnaround, i.e. playoff contention, I think he is bounced. The administration is going into the season with eyes open wide and can conduct a coaching search in the shadows.

I can see that too. I just think he's damaged goods at this point and isn't a hot commodity for the NFL.