ND Coaching Search Megathread

[arrowryan]

Why? I like the idea of the DC having no position to have to focus on during drills/film/prep where he can move around and coach every part with no distractions. Probably part of why Heacock is so great.

Because if I'm Mickens/O'Leary/Washington, I don't want another coach stepping on my toes.

As far back as I can remember, Notre Dame's DC has always coached a position and it worked out well.

And isn't an official coaching staff limited to 10 coaches? Idk how that would even work.

 

[317Irish]

[/B]

That seems like a strange point of contention to lose a DC candidate over to me. If you put solid position coaches in place, then you need the DC to be in charge of creating a scheme that works, calling the plays, and overseeing defensive recruiting. He shouldn't have to coach a position group just for the sake of doing it. Maybe I'm missing something.

If freeman wants his say in the D and Heacock wants to roam from position to position then the defensive assistants might start feeling pretty micromanaged.

 

[Irish Cedar]

Why? I like the idea of the DC having no position to have to focus on during drills/film/prep where he can move around and coach every part with no distractions. Probably part of why Heacock is so great.

IMO it just has to do with the fact that NCAA is limited to 10 on-field assistant coaches. There simply is not enough fat to have a coordinator not also own a position.

Freeman might be willing to compromise on Heacock's lack of recruiting ability, but he can't compromise on this too.

 

[Dale]

[/B]

That seems like a strange point of contention to lose a DC candidate over to me. If you put solid position coaches in place, then you need the DC to be in charge of creating a scheme that works, calling the plays, and overseeing defensive recruiting. He shouldn't have to coach a position group just for the sake of doing it. Maybe I'm missing something.

I think the roaming no position group thing was a part of or example of an overall disagreement in approach was what Sampson was after there. Like they aligned schematically but not really on approach to coaching/coordinating in the end. So maybe MF said no you have the offer but this is how we’re gonna do it and Heacock declined?

 

[NDdomer2]

I think the roaming no position group thing was a part of or example of an overall disagreement in approach was what Sampson was after there. Like they aligned schematically but not really on approach to coaching/coordinating in the end. So maybe MF said no you have the offer but this is how we’re gonna do it and Heacock declined?

yeah ultimately it looks like this just wasn't going to work out.

Disagreement on level of input on staffing, disagreement on coaching duties/assignments, potential disagreement on ability to adjust scheme/vernacular.

Seems like if he would have took the job it wouldn't have worked out in the long run.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

BVG: "Hold my beer"

Please tell me you just made that in MS Paint.

 

[IrishLax]

Sampson article on the Athletic. "At least seven candidates for the defensive coordinator post at Notre Dame, according to sources, with various levels of interest."

Belk, Derek Mason, Al Golden have been mentioned here. Sampson also lists Tony Gibson (NCST), Tem Lukabu (BC), Phil Parker (Iowa), Joe Rossi (Minnesota).

Also mentioned Heacock didn't work out because he wanted to roam around and teach the whole defense, not be dedicated to a specific position. MF wants his DC to also coach a specific position.

I didn't think Phil Parker was a realistic option. He would be great IMO. His defenses are always tough and technically sound.

If true on Heacock, I don't know who is in the "right" but I doubt Freeman feels comfortable with a guy wanting that level of autonomy. Seems like at some point there would be serious friction.

 

[domer13]

Please tell me you just made that in MS Paint.

https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/02/...ll-in-past-tyrone-willingham-is-at-peace.html

 

[Dale]

With the Heacock thing, it’s not even mentioning it would result in either COL coaching safeties and linebackers, Washington coaching defensive line and linebackers or maybe Mason coaching not just ST and Rovers possibly, but linebackers or safeties completely. ISU has one coach for running backs and wide receivers I guess we know now because Heacock insisting on not coaching a position group.

They can’t just tell Stuckey to coach RBs. I guess Taylor could have theoretically but that’s not in the cards at this stage

 

[Rack Em]

Please tell me you just made that in MS Paint.

I'll upload it again but the upload quota won't let me do that.

 

[Rasputin]

Sampson article on the Athletic. "At least seven candidates for the defensive coordinator post at Notre Dame, according to sources, with various levels of interest."

Belk, Derek Mason, Al Golden have been mentioned here. Sampson also lists Tony Gibson (NCST), Tem Lukabu (BC), Phil Parker (Iowa), Joe Rossi (Minnesota).

Also mentioned Heacock didn't work out because he wanted to roam around and teach the whole defense, not be dedicated to a specific position. MF wants his DC to also coach a specific position.

Typical Cyclone. Just wants to roam around wreaking havoc.

 

[Grahambo]

Pete’s article doesn’t indicate who leads and suggests this could take a minute. He does say MF has been “meticulous” in his search. He also says expect MF to value experience.

 

[bumpdaddy]

With the Heacock thing, it’s not even mentioning it would result in either COL coaching safeties and linebackers, Washington coaching defensive line and linebackers or maybe Mason coaching not just ST and Rovers possibly, but linebackers or safeties completely. ISU has one coach for running backs and wide receivers I guess we know now because Heacock insisting on not coaching a position group.

They can’t just tell Stuckey to coach RBs. I guess Taylor could have theoretically but that’s not in the cards at this stage

Of those options, I think Mason coaching LBs in addition to ST would make the most sense, and really, I don't think that's too big of an ask. Before Polian, Booker coached ST plus a position group (TEs).

And for those worried about Heacock micromanaging, I think that's a legitimate concern, but I also think if he is the guru some think he is then I would probably want him overseeing everything and making sure all the pieces are functioning and complimenting each other as they should. I think there's a way to do that without being too overbearing.

 

[Grahambo]

Of those options, I think Mason coaching LBs in addition to ST would make the most sense, and really, I don't think that's too big of an ask. Before Polian, Booker coached ST plus a position group (TEs).

And for those worried about Heacock micromanaging, I think that's a legitimate concern, but I also think if he is the guru some think he is then I would probably want him overseeing everything and making sure all the pieces are functioning and complimenting each other as they should. I think there's a way to do that without being too overbearing.

Pete suggests in his article that O’Leary would be the one to move to LB’s should a secondary minded DC be hired. That part of the hiring doesn’t seem to faze MF. The Heacock thing had the potential to become an unnecessary distraction. This is MF’s first season as HC. He doesn’t need to open the door to a possible issue down the line. Keep in mind, it’s also been reported Heacock wanted to bring defensive staff over with him which MF declined.

 

[BeauBenken]

ISD pointing out that they see this working a couple ways. Either a young guy who Freeman could help learn to become an even better D-Coordinator who would probably work with the safeties (I read that as Belk) or someone with more years under their belt who would coach the linebackers (that could be a handful of guys). And either way it sounds like Freeman would probably be a bit more hands on on that side of the ball which isn't surprising.

 

[irishog77]

ISD pointing out that they see this working a couple ways. Either a young guy who Freeman could help learn to become an even better D-Coordinator who would probably work with the safeties (I read that as Belk) or someone with more years under their belt who would coach the linebackers (that could be a handful of guys). And either way it sounds like Freeman would probably be a bit more hands on on that side of the ball which isn't surprising.

If true, I wonder if he did consider/is considering Mickens? He's obviously never been a coordinator before, but you would think he understands MF and his system better than anybody.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

He did spend 4 years and graduate from ND.

It ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish. Some guy named Holtz said so.

 

[Grahambo]

ISD pointing out that they see this working a couple ways. Either a young guy who Freeman could help learn to become an even better D-Coordinator who would probably work with the safeties (I read that as Belk) or someone with more years under their belt who would coach the linebackers (that could be a handful of guys). And either way it sounds like Freeman would probably be a bit more hands on on that side of the ball which isn't surprising.

Bryan Driskell was alluding to the latter part during one of his YouTube shows yesterday. Just seems like MF is in absolute no rush to fill the position and has a number of suitors to choose from.

 

[Grahambo]

If true, I wonder if he did consider/is considering Mickens? He's obviously never been a coordinator before, but you would think he understands MF and his system better than anybody.

In my opinion, I believe there’s a scenario that exists where MM would be named passing game coordinator and combined with Al Washington as run game coordinator, MF would then call the plays.

 

[irishog77]

In my opinion, I believe there’s a scenario that exists where MM would be named passing game coordinator and combined with Al Washington as run game coordinator, MF would then call the plays.

Interesting.

Over the last month or so, I've viewed the non-promotion of Mickens to DC as more telling than the non-promotion of Elston.

I don't automatically assume Mickens to be Freeman's heir apparent, but as somebody that became a DC at a young age himself, I would think a guy that has worked with him and under him at multiple schools would get more consideration.

 

[GUknights75]

It ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish. Some guy named Holtz said so.

Well he's covering ND football on his own podcast. I don't blame him for leaving after the way he was treated by BK. He graduated and still loves ND. I don't see the issue.

 

[NDRock]

It ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish. Some guy named Holtz said so.

Holtz coached somewhere else after leaving ND.

 

[Southside Sully]

Holtz coached somewhere else after leaving ND.

South Carolina

 

[Free Manera]

Several highly sought after DC's are interested in the job. To elevate a position coach/friend would be a Kelly move, not a Freeman one. Freeman wants another impact hire that will lead to better recruiting classes. (Did you see Keeley's reaction to the Washington hire? Mike who?)

 

[Grahambo]

Interesting.

Over the last month or so, I've viewed the non-promotion of Mickens to DC as more telling than the non-promotion of Elston.

I don't automatically assume Mickens to be Freeman's heir apparent, but as somebody that became a DC at a young age himself, I would think a guy that has worked with him and under him at multiple schools would get more consideration.

I wouldn’t read in to that. In fact, I’d say it’s the opposite. MM isn’t ready to be DC at ND. He could give him more responsibility but that’s putting a lot on a good friend. It seems MF values experience for the position and isn’t looking for a 1st time DC.

 

[NDdomer2]

Several highly sought after DC's are interested in the job. To elevate a position coach/friend would be a Kelly move, not a Freeman one. Freeman wants another impact hire that will lead to better recruiting classes. (Did you see Keeley's reaction to the Washington hire? Mike who?)

Are we saying Washington, who was on staff with Freeman, isnt a friend of Freemans?

 

[Free Manera]

Are we saying Washington, who was on staff with Freeman, isnt a friend of Freemans?

Touche he is a friend. But he also happens to be a legit coach who was also wanted by Georgia and Florida. So it's a little different. Van Gorder and Quinn were wanted by maybe a CFL team or two? Not sure.

There's a difference between hiring the best candidate, who is a friend, and hiring a friend, who is a .... candidate.

 

[IrishRazor82]

I strongly believe MF needs to hire someone he's comfortable handing the reins to, even if MF doesn't realize it right now. Leading the charge in recruiting, managing the defense, the additional rigor that comes with being the face of ND football, all while doing it for the first time. Talk about burnout. I wonder if the bowl loss sting is causing him to press a bit.

I don't want him to lose his mind or become too stressed with the job, 6 kids, and smoking hot wife in 2-3 years. Hire someone you're comfortable letting run the show so you can step back and be strategic.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

It's gotta be Belk right? Then either he or COL move to LB?

 

[Irish Cedar]

In my opinion, I believe there’s a scenario that exists where MM would be named passing game coordinator and combined with Al Washington as run game coordinator, MF would then call the plays.

I dunno about that. He still has an assistant coaching spot available and probably like $2M to spend on salary to replace his own former salary as DC. Mason and O'Leary also have experience at LB and could split responsibilities there.