ND Coaching Changes 2016

[PANDFAN]

Alexander will be in southbend next week working

BREAKING: DelVaughn Alexander to Notre Dame as WR coach

 

[BGIF]

like rednecks to a bonfire.........

like West Virginia fans to a couch ...

 

[OCIrish]

Alexander will be in southbend next week working

BREAKING: DelVaughn Alexander to Notre Dame as WR coach

I can honestly say I REALLY like this hire

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

All of the change just makes me feel like we are going into 2017 blind. I could see a 10 win season and I could see a 6 win season. Hopefully it all pans out the way we want it to.

The necessity of brining in a DC like Elko and giving him input as to his assistants was necessary and appropriate.

The offensive shakeup, however, concerns me. It seems like change for its own sake which is unlikely to be any better than what we had (even without Sanford) and has the added bonus of an adjustment period and unknowns about whether the pieces can mesh.

I'm convinced this was foisted on Kelly which means the relationship between him and the school is untenable. And if you're going to do that, the administration should have just made a clean break, IMO.

 

[tussin]

Kelly isn't driving these hires.

Who is then? Does Kelly know he is a dead man walking? One would think that he is vetting and approving all of these candidates.

Assuming Kelly leaves next year, it's likely that most of these new guys are gone as well. Part of me feels like... what's the point of all this? Why even do all of this when we are apparently going to flip the whole script after next year anyway.

 

[RDU Irish]

The necessity of brining in a DC like Elko and giving him input as to his assistants was necessary and appropriate.

The offensive shakeup, however, concerns me. It seems like change for its own sake which is unlikely to be any better than what we had (even without Sanford) and has the added bonus of an adjustment period and unknowns about whether the pieces can mesh.

I'm convinced this was foisted on Kelly which means the relationship between him and the school is untenable. And if you're going to do that, the administration should have just made a clean break, IMO.

Make it so painful he leaves of his own accord - saving millions.

 

[irish o'phile]

If there really is an ND illuminati behind the scenes secretly orchestrating these changes and it is not Kelly it will be one of the more crazy things I have seen. Either way, the defense can only get better and the offense will be similar and maybe faster paced. Even though ND scored 30 pts a game last year I felt like the offense was stale and predictable at times.

 

[Southside Sully]

Who is then? Does Kelly know he is a dead man walking? One would think that he is vetting and approving all of these candidates.

Assuming Kelly leaves next year, it's likely that most of these new guys are gone as well. Part of me feels like... what's the point of all this? Why even do all of this when we are apparently going to flip the whole script after next year anyway.

Bogs has gone into detail a few times about what he is hearing is going on behind the scenes and Kelly's role.. look back a few pages.

 

[Meatloaf]

Assuming Kelly leaves next year, it's likely that most of these new guys are gone as well. Part of me feels like... what's the point of all this? Why even do all of this when we are apparently going to flip the whole script after next year anyway.

The only thing I can think of is that it was a combination of no NFL or respectable P5 teams wanting to hire Kelly and ND being unwilling to pay his large buyout and start over in a weak coaching market.

Another year gives Kelly a shot to leave on his own terms and makes his buyout a little more palatable should he fail.

 

[fightingirish26]

Who is then? Does Kelly know he is a dead man walking? One would think that he is vetting and approving all of these candidates.

Assuming Kelly leaves next year, it's likely that most of these new guys are gone as well. Part of me feels like... what's the point of all this? Why even do all of this when we are apparently going to flip the whole script after next year anyway.

This is how I feel. I like the hires, but what's gonna happen if we don't win 10 games next year? Kelly is gone, and all these guys are also gone after not getting much of a chance to prove their worth.

 

[ACamp1900]

If recruiting turns around (not that it's been bad but you know what I'm getting at) and the team shows real improvement (eye test AND record) I think BK and Co. get more time... say something like 9 wins plus a front seven that clearly looks more physical and plays with better fundamentals...

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I'm convinced this was foisted on Kelly which means the relationship between him and the school is untenable. And if you're going to do that, the administration should have just made a clean break, IMO.

The brass didn't feel like the available candidates were worth eating Kelly's buy-out for, and Kelly doesn't have a better option right now either. Thus this awkward situation heading into 2017. Seems the hope is that we do well enough for Kelly to leave on his own terms, thus saving us a huge chunk of change which we can then use to chase after some big fish. We'll see how that works out...

Who is then? Does Kelly know he is a dead man walking? One would think that he is vetting and approving all of these candidates.

Assuming Kelly leaves next year, it's likely that most of these new guys are gone as well. Part of me feels like... what's the point of all this? Why even do all of this when we are apparently going to flip the whole script after next year anyway.

This is just my understanding, but: (1) These hires are being driven by higher ups in the Athletic Department, such as Swarbrick and the search committee that was formed but ultimately decided this wasn't the right time to fire Kelly; (2) Kelly obviously knows where he stands, and that his days are numbered; (3) Why would you think he's vetting and approving these candidates when they're getting multi-year contracts independent of him? (4) The most obvious explanation for why Kelly has lost so much control over the program is so Swarbrick et al can try to ensure a smooth transition leading up to and following his departure, so I don't think most of these guys will be gone when he leaves. Once we get our new HC, some of these guys may be replaced, but I'd be very surprised if the new guy cleans house.

If there really is an ND illuminati behind the scenes secretly orchestrating these changes and it is not Kelly it will be one of the more crazy things I have seen.

It's happening more and more often these days. Top coordinators are negotiating their deals separately from the HC to ensure job security. Makes a lot of sense.

 

[tussin]

The only thing I can think of is that it was a combination of no NFL or respectable P5 teams wanting to hire Kelly and ND being unwilling to pay his large buyout and start over in a weak coaching market.

Another year gives Kelly a shot to leave on his own terms and makes his buyout a little more palatable should he fail.

If that's the case then elevate Elston and Denbrock, maintain the other assistants, hope for the best next year, and fire Kelly when shit hits the fan. ND basically installed an entirely new coaching staff (each with their own buyouts) when the HC is thought to be a dead man walking. Bizarre IMO.

Bogs has gone into detail a few times about what he is hearing is going on behind the scenes and Kelly's role.. look back a few pages.

I don't doubt that ND administration wants Kelly out. But the theory that they are hiring a young staff for the next coach makes no sense to me... what administration hires assistants for a future coach that isn't even determined yet?

 

[tussin]

This is just my understanding, but: (1) These hires are being driven by higher ups in the Athletic Department, such as Swarbrick and the search committee that was formed but ultimately decided this wasn't the right time to fire Kelly; (2) Kelly obviously knows where he stands, and that his days are numbered; (3) Why would you think he's vetting and approving these candidates when they're getting multi-year contracts independent of him? (4) The most obvious explanation for why Kelly has lost so much control over the program is so Swarbrick et al can try to ensure a smooth transition leading up to and following his departure, so I don't think most of these guys will be gone when he leaves.

I just posted a similar response, but this tact makes zero sense to me.

What top level coach would come if administration basically said, "Oh yeah, forget about your staff... we have our own assistants already in place."

You think that's gonna get the Harbaugh's and O'Brien's of the world fired up to come to ND?

 

[connor_in]

Kelly isn't driving these hires.

I, too, am sure they all can afford their own vehicles.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

The brass didn't feel like the available candidates were worth eating Kelly's buy-out for, and Kelly doesn't have a better option right now either. Thus this awkward situation heading into 2017. Seems the hope is that we do well enough for Kelly to leave on his own terms, thus saving us a huge chunk of change which we can then use to chase after some big fish. We'll see how that works out...



This is just my understanding, but: (1) These hires are being driven by higher ups in the Athletic Department, such as Swarbrick and the search committee that was formed but ultimately decided this wasn't the right time to fire Kelly; (2) Kelly obviously knows where he stands, and that his days are numbered; (3) Why would you think he's vetting and approving these candidates when they're getting multi-year contracts independent of him? (4) The most obvious explanation for why Kelly has lost so much control over the program is so Swarbrick et al can try to ensure a smooth transition leading up to and following his departure, so I don't think most of these guys will be gone when he leaves. Once we get our new HC, some of these guys may be replaced, but I'd be very surprised if the new guy cleans house.



It's happening more and more often these days. Top coordinators are negotiating their deals separately from the HC to ensure job security. Makes a lot of sense.

I get that they may not have loved their options but kicking that can down the road for a full year is a pretty substantial cost. And I find it unlikely that another year will provide substantially better options.

 

[irish o'phile]

I can't imagine being essentially castrated and staying in a leadership position like that. Is anyone, coaches or players, going to respect his direction or instruction? How can they? He is basically just a prop if this is true.

 

[BGIF]

I, too, am sure they all can afford their own vehicles.

snicker

 

[Free Manera]

I just posted a similar response, but this tact makes zero sense to me.

What top level coach would come if administration basically said, "Oh yeah, forget about your staff... we have our own assistants already in place."

You think that's gonna get the Harbaugh's and O'Brien's of the world fired up to come to ND?

I think you're reading too much into the multi-year deals. The reason for the multi-year deals is that no decent coordinator would sign without one. It is not really setting the table for the next head coach (although these hires are all very good recruiters, so there is an eye towards filling the cupboards) but rather just filling coaching vacancies.

No one in their right mind would go to ND on a one year deal when it is almost certain that Kelly will be gone in 2018.

 

[NDohio]

I can't imagine being essentially castrated and staying in a leadership position like that. Is anyone, coaches or players, going to respect his direction or instruction? How can they? He is basically just a prop if this is true.

Close your eyes and think about this happening to you and you receiving $6 million...

 

[Meatloaf]

I think you're reading too much into the multi-year deals. The reason for the multi-year deals is that no decent coordinator would sign without one. It is not really setting the table for the next head coach (although these hires are all very good recruiters, so there is an eye towards filling the cupboards) but rather just filling coaching vacancies.

No one in their right mind would go to ND on a one year deal when it is almost certain that Kelly will be gone in 2018.

Also, should BK leave of his own volition, it's much cheaper to buy out assistants than the HC

 

[tussin]

I think you're reading too much into the multi-year deals. The reason for the multi-year deals is that no decent coordinator would sign without one. It is not really setting the table for the next head coach (although these hires are all very good recruiters, so there is an eye towards filling the cupboards) but rather just filling coaching vacancies.

No one in their right mind would go to ND on a one year deal when it is almost certain that Kelly will be gone in 2018.

I'm simply responding to the narrative that Kelly is not making these moves and administration is putting a staff in place for the next coach.

Multi-deals or not, if Kelly is fired, I suspect most of these new coaches will also be gone and the new coach will install his own guys. Given that likelihood, it's hard for me to get excited for these hires. They might be great coaches with bright futures, I just have no confidence that anyone on the staff will be at ND for more than one year.

 

[connor_in]

The brass didn't feel like the available candidates were worth eating Kelly's buy-out for, and Kelly doesn't have a better option right now either. Thus this awkward situation heading into 2017. Seems the hope is that we do well enough for Kelly to leave on his own terms, thus saving us a huge chunk of change which we can then use to chase after some big fish. We'll see how that works out...



This is just my understanding, but: (1) These hires are being driven by higher ups in the Athletic Department, such as Swarbrick and the search committee that was formed but ultimately decided this wasn't the right time to fire Kelly; (2) Kelly obviously knows where he stands, and that his days are numbered; (3) Why would you think he's vetting and approving these candidates when they're getting multi-year contracts independent of him? (4) The most obvious explanation for why Kelly has lost so much control over the program is so Swarbrick et al can try to ensure a smooth transition leading up to and following his departure, so I don't think most of these guys will be gone when he leaves. Once we get our new HC, some of these guys may be replaced, but I'd be very surprised if the new guy cleans house.



It's happening more and more often these days. Top coordinators are negotiating their deals separately from the HC to ensure job security. Makes a lot of sense.

AWKWARD PAUSES...to bring some levity to our day

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9HQj-G4F9OI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Kelly is fighting for his post-ND career it seems. Accept what the changes are, get back to winning, become a viable candidate for another job after next year and save face by leaving on his "own". No one will touch him right now, so there was no other option. . I'm not concerned with the contracts for coordinators, I'm sure the buyout should are not prohibitive and it also leaves options for next HC if they are, in fact, successful. This probably is completely wrong but what I've pieced together over the last few weeks.

 

[Irish#1]

I think you're reading too much into the multi-year deals. The reason for the multi-year deals is that no decent coordinator would sign without one. It is not really setting the table for the next head coach (although these hires are all very good recruiters, so there is an eye towards filling the cupboards) but rather just filling coaching vacancies.

No one in their right mind would go to ND on a one year deal when it is almost certain that Kelly will be gone in 2018.

It's a two edge sword and if this is Jack and others doing this, they are not thinking this through. I agree most coaches wouldn't want to come knowing they could be gone along with BK after next year if they didn't have their own deal, or they were a young coach who was willing to take the risk so he could have ND on his resume. However, having a staff already in place is going to turn off a lot of HC prospects if they can't hire their own staff. You'll lose at least a year while the staff tries to gel. If the new HC is allowed to hire his own staff, then ND is stuck with another big buyout for the assistants.

I still think BK is making the hires because he knows it's sink or swim, but if what Whiskey says is true, then next year is going to be very interesting. Everyone will know BK is a "Dead Coach Walking". Will the team really listen to him? The coaches will treat him with respect, but how will they act if BK keeps changing the play that's called?

I also think we've reached that point where we may have too many new faces on staff.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Kelly isn't driving these hires.

So, your saying it is all becoming clear now?

The necessity of brining in a DC like Elko and giving him input as to his assistants was necessary and appropriate.

The offensive shakeup, however, concerns me. It seems like change for its own sake which is unlikely to be any better than what we had (even without Sanford) and has the added bonus of an adjustment period and unknowns about whether the pieces can mesh.

I'm convinced this was foisted on Kelly which means the relationship between him and the school is untenable. And if you're going to do that, the administration should have just made a clean break, IMO.

Well, I think it is actually change for necessities sake.

Guys, Brian Kelly isn't getting it done, won't be getting it done, doesn't want to get it done. All good 'ol Brian Kelly wants is as much money as he can get, and to land on his feet.

On the other had, ND wants to avoid a huge payout.

And by the way, since Kelly refused to give his best effort, (not handling the BVG situation is all the PROOF you need,) why should the school pay an exorbitant amount of money for such a do nothing loser. If you need look any farther, check and see how many members of the 2017 class he has contacted.

Pardon me if I respectfully disagree with the idea of putting any more money in his pockets!

No, I think ND should just use him to resolve the heat until they can get a better coach in the next cycle.

 

[Free Manera]

It's a two edge sword and if this is Jack and others doing this, they are not thinking this through. I agree most coaches wouldn't want to come knowing they could be gone along with BK after next year if they didn't have their own deal, or they were a young coach who was willing to take the risk so he could have ND on his resume. However, having a staff already in place is going to turn off a lot of HC prospects if they can't hire their own staff. You'll lose at least a year while the staff tries to gel. If the new HC is allowed to hire his own staff, then ND is stuck with another big buyout for the assistants.

I still think BK is making the hires because he knows it's sink or swim, but if what Whiskey says is true, then next year is going to be very interesting. Everyone will know BK is a "Dead Coach Walking". Will the team really listen to him? The coaches will treat him with respect, but how will they act if BK keeps changing the play that's called?

I also think we've reached that point where we may have too many new faces on staff.

I don't think they would force the coaches on the new head guy. The new guy would probably have the option to retain them or else ND would buy them out. That is just a necessary evil and the assistants' buyouts pale in comparison to what a head coach buyout would entail.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I just posted a similar response, but this tact makes zero sense to me.

What top level coach would come if administration basically said, "Oh yeah, forget about your staff... we have our own assistants already in place."

You think that's gonna get the Harbaugh's and O'Brien's of the world fired up to come to ND?

Unless you're trying to hire a Jim Harbaugh, Urban Meyer or Nick Saban, I don't think having some successful coordinators in place already is a downside. If they get the right guy and he wants to clean house, they'll surely eat the coordinator buyouts and call it a learning experience. But I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the next guy retain Hiestand, Elko, etc. Having to build an entirely new staff from scratch can be a daunting task.

 

[tussin]

Well, I think it is actually change for necessities sake.

Guys, Brian Kelly isn't getting it done, won't be getting it done, doesn't want to get it done. All good 'ol Brian Kelly wants is as much money as he can get, and to land on his feet.

On the other had, ND wants to avoid a huge payout.

And by the way, since Kelly refused to give his best effort, (not handling the BVG situation is all the PROOF you need,) why should the school pay an exorbitant amount of money for such a do nothing loser. If you need look any farther, check and see how many members of the 2017 class he has contacted.

Pardon me if I respectfully disagree with the idea of putting any more money in his pockets!

No, I think ND should just use him to resolve the heat until they can get a better coach in the next cycle.

None of this provides a reasonable explanation for why ND essentially hired BK an entire new staff. If they wanted to send Kelly to pasture then they would support him publicly to keep the recruiting class together, keep the same staff, and then fire everyone when next year inevitably becomes a dumpster fire.

Under that scenario, next year would result in less buyout money for Kelly, less buyout money for his assistants, and a totally clean slate for a new HC to build upon.

 

[greyhammer90]

Unless you're trying to hire a Jim Harbaugh, Urban Meyer or Nick Saban, I don't think having some successful coordinators in place already is a downside. If they get the right guy and he wants to clean house, they'll surely eat the coordinator buyouts and call it a learning experience. But I wouldn't be surprised at all to see the next guy retain Hiestand, Elko, etc. Having to build an entirely new staff from scratch can be a daunting task.

So we're not trying to hire a top tier coach? Greeeeeeeeeeeat.