Next year's coach!

[koonja]

Andersen - Good defensive minded coach. I would be okay with him and I agree, I don't think he'd be a hard pull.

Wittingham - Not sure I would like him. Seems to have been pretty mediocre at Utah after Urbie's kids left. He had a good run from 2008-2010 but average since.

McElwain - I'm a McElwain fan. Would not mind him at all.

Addazio - Hmm..not really sure about him. He seems to be a good coach and has obvious ties to ND.

Johnson and Niumatolo - I highly doubt ND would bring them aboard.

Narduzzi - I would love Narduzzi to come aboard. Not sure what he's waiting for honestly. Also not sure ND is a place for a 1st year head coach but if he was able to bring in a strong OC, almost head coach type of an OC, then I could see it work.

I would add Bob Stoops to the reach candidates. His time at OU seems to be closer to the end and it might time up with BK heading to the NFL or getting canned if next season doesn't turn around. I want no part of Gruden and think he is overrated, not to mention how long he has been out of coaching. I also think he is waiting for an NFL gig like Oakland or one of the NY teams. I don't see Patterson leaving TCU.

I would not mind Malzahn just not sure why he would leave Auburn. Dan Mullen would be an interesting candidate. Offensively he is good and not sure how he would be with recruiting without having an open wallet. I want no part of Sumlin. I think he is highly overrated and think his system won Johnny Football the Heisman.

You could argue that BK fits in to the same tier as the realistic possibilities you had laid out as I do think he is a good coach. I believe next season is the season which will determine if Swarbrick keeps BK or let's him go elsewhere without a fight.

Sumlin can recruit and actually win big games. BK hasn't done shit against good teams since he's been here. I'll give you 2012 vs. Oklahoma with Weis's recruits. Sumlin stomped the Sooners in 2012 too, 41-13.

 

[ARALOU]

I hear Richt could be available if Ga fan gets his way. They aren't happy with his ten wins a year. Plus, they laughed at us when we got VanGorder. SMH, college football is going down the tubes. 2 loss teams called failures, one conference claiming to be far more elite than others. Yet when they play a decent out of conference team, they look average, not dominant. With the exception of Holtz's 3 year run in the early 90s, the Irish have had up and down periods, if I recall correctly. This ain't the 40s, 50s, 60s or even 70s or 80s anymore. Winning 40 or more games per class of recruits is gonna be contingent on schedule. Mixture of cupcakes and elite teams in a down year is what takes. Look at Bama and some of the other "powers". They still play full fledge cupcakes. ND does not. Northwestern is not a cupcake. Navy is not a cupcake. Syracuse or Rice is probably the closest thing to a cupcake that ND played this year. Rice was a conference champ last year.


ND has a tough time winning 12 with their type schedule. Face it, everyone brings their "A" game to the Irish also.

 

[irishff1014]

I hear Richt could be available if Ga fan gets his way. They aren't happy with his ten wins a year. Plus, they laughed at us when we got VanGorder. SMH, college football is going down the tubes. 2 loss teams called failures, one conference claiming to be far more elite than others. Yet when they play a decent out of conference team, they look average, not dominant. With the exception of Holtz's 3 year run in the early 90s, the Irish have had up and down periods, if I recall correctly. This ain't the 40s, 50s, 60s or even 70s or 80s anymore. Winning 40 or more games per class of recruits is gonna be contingent on schedule. Mixture of cupcakes and elite teams in a down year is what takes. Look at Bama and some of the other "powers". They still play full fledge cupcakes. ND does not. Northwestern is not a cupcake. Navy is not a cupcake. Syracuse or Rice is probably the closest thing to a cupcake that ND played this year. Rice was a conference champ last year.


ND has a tough time winning 12 with their type schedule. Face it, everyone brings their "A" game to the Irish also.

All the teams you mentioned aren't good teams

 

[ARALOU]

You probably are missing my point anyway.

 

[EuropeanDomer]

I was reading about Pelini getting fired and a lot of Nebraska fans want Brian Kelly.

 

[Irishbounty28]

I was reading about Pelini getting fired and a lot of Nebraska fans want Brian Kelly.

That's funny. The Nebraska fans I know and work with would lose their mind's after one game seeing Kelly throw multiple passes in a row. In Nebraska if they aren't running the ball 2 or even 3 out of 4 downs then they are doing something wrong.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Seriously no one thinks Paul Johnson would be a candidate?


Sent via tapatalk

 

[Chris P. Bacon]

All the teams you mentioned aren't good teams

But at least their Division 1 schools. When schools from the SEC and other Power 5 schedule their OOC games against D2 schools, it's like Kelly said, a glorified win, and it's basically another bye week they can put on their schedule. As good as we are, it shows if we don't put the effort in against teams like Navy and NW, you can find ways to lose and or come close to losing those games. D2 schools you can have a bad day, have injuries and depth problems and still pull out a win without blinking an eye.

 

[Bluto]

Amari Cooper's so good, Lane Kiffin knows this is a TD before it's even thrown - SBNation.com

I thnk I saw the entire ND bench do the same thing both times Fuller was wide open in the first half....oh well.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Seriously no one thinks Paul Johnson would be a candidate?


Sent via tapatalk

Does his 62.6 winning percentage at Georgia Tech excite you? Over a 12 game schedule that's an average of 7.5 wins to 4.5 losses. This is the first time he's won more than 8 games there since 2009.

 

[Irish Insanity]

I guess some people have forgotten the caliber of coach ND was able to attract for the 15 years prior to Kelly.

So we should settle because we have in the past? That's a pathetic approach.

 

[dmort]

We won the first six games and everyone was thinking national championship.Now you want to fire Kelly ? Did I log onto ND Nation by accident ?

 

[T Town Tommy]

This firing of BK is ridiculous. The man has done an amazing job for the Irish. Yes, this year hurts due to the injuries, suspensions, etc. But he consistently lands good recruiting classes, puts the Irish in the position to win more often than not ( don't count the last five or so games as no coach could win with the injuries, lack of experience , etc.).

Now, with that said, I do think he needs to take a look at his staff. Some on there may need to go and/or he needs to bring some more guys in that specialize in certain areas. An argument could be made that ND is lacking in the player development department, but when half your team basically gets baptized by fire due to injuries, maybe even that is a stretch.

I think it is appropriate to ask before any coach is let go, who is the likely candidates out there that the school COULD land. And that list is probably pretty short for ND right now, and probably no candidate any better than Kelly.

 

[jspags10pg]

This firing of BK is ridiculous. The man has done an amazing job for the Irish. Yes, this year hurts due to the injuries, suspensions, etc. But he consistently lands good recruiting classes, puts the Irish in the position to win more often than not ( don't count the last five or so games as no coach could win with the injuries, lack of experience , etc.).

Now, with that said, I do think he needs to take a look at his staff. Some on there may need to go and/or he needs to bring some more guys in that specialize in certain areas. An argument could be made that ND is lacking in the player development department, but when half your team basically gets baptized by fire due to injuries, maybe even that is a stretch.

I think it is appropriate to ask before any coach is let go, who is the likely candidates out there that the school COULD land. And that list is probably pretty short for ND right now, and probably no candidate any better than Kelly.

Agree with pretty much all of this. Good post TTown. And congrats on the big win last night. I would've liked to see an ND-Bama matchup at the beginning of the season...now, not so much haha. We've went in two completely different directions...unfortunately for us Irish fans.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Agree with pretty much all of this. Good post TTown. And congrats on the big win last night. I would've liked to see an ND-Bama matchup at the beginning of the season...now, not so much haha. We've went in two completely different directions...unfortunately for us Irish fans.

Thanks. Don't know why the Irish have been bit by the injury bug so much but it derailed an otherwise fantastic season starting out. I did see some hope for the future for the Irish coming out of the USC game - finally got around to watching it early this morning. Some of those young cats will benefit from playing early.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

But the injury excuse only works for the defense. That's what really gets me. Kelly was sold as an offensive "guru" and has turned out to be nothing of the sort.

 

[T Town Tommy]

But the injury excuse only works for the defense. That's what really gets me. Kelly was sold as an offensive "guru" and has turned out to be nothing of the sort.

I think that's a little shortsighted. The Irish score enough points to win most games and have scored at a clip that is almost as good as any time in history. Their problems on offense is a turnover prone QB that hasn't learned from his mistakes thus far. Can't win games against the top tier programs turning the ball over.

 

[IrishinSyria]

Seriously no one thinks Paul Johnson would be a candidate?


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Nothing would do more to answer the question of "is Notre Dame still relevant" in the negative than bringing in an option coach. We'd basically be adopting the Navy approach of doing the best we can with inferior talent.

There might come a day when that's the direction I want to see the program go in. 2 years removed from a NC run is not the the day.

 

[jspags10pg]

Thanks. Don't know why the Irish have been bit by the injury bug so much but it derailed an otherwise fantastic season starting out. I did see some hope for the future for the Irish coming out of the USC game - finally got around to watching it early this morning. Some of those young cats will benefit from playing early.

Definitely. My favorite part was seeing Zaire play well and not turn the ball over. I realize it was after the outcome of the game was already decided so maybe USC wasn't playing with all out intensity but Malik made some great throws and I really like the way he runs the ball. Much more physical than Golson.

Like you said, the early playing time and experience for the young guys should pay off down the road.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Definitely. My favorite part was seeing Zaire play well and not turn the ball over. I realize it was after the outcome of the game was already decided so maybe USC wasn't playing with all out intensity but Malik made some great throws and I really like the way he runs the ball. Much more physical than Golson.

Like you said, the early playing time and experience for the young guys should pay off down the road.

Yep. Not quite ready to anoint MZ as the next Heisman candidate but he looked good enough at times yesterday for me to think he has a good future ahead of him. And you are right in the fact that USC had settled in on defense so the Irish faithful probably needs to temper their expectations of MZ a little bit. But he did show enough signs that say with another year of spring ball and the summer and he could develop in to a really nice QB. I did like his intensity. Showed me he cared.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I think that's a little shortsighted. The Irish score enough points to win most games and have scored at a clip that is almost as good as any time in history. Their problems on offense is a turnover prone QB that hasn't learned from his mistakes thus far. Can't win games against the top tier programs turning the ball over.

Think what you like, but it is what it is. Fact is, Brian Kelly was sold as a Chip Kelly/Dana Holgerson/Rich Rod/Urban Meyer. Someone with a unique and successful offensive philosophy. That simply has not materialized. And if 5 years is "shortsighted", then how long are we supposed to wait? (Didn't Mike Shula only get 4? I assume you considered that firing "short-sighted" as well?)

And at some point, when you're the HC and you keep putting the QB in a position to turn the ball over, some of that is on you. You're right that the team did put up some good numbers early on, against inferior opponents, but that hardly alone can make somebody a good HC.

 

[jspags10pg]

I think that's a little shortsighted. The Irish score enough points to win most games and have scored at a clip that is almost as good as any time in history. Their problems on offense is a turnover prone QB that hasn't learned from his mistakes thus far. Can't win games against the top tier programs turning the ball over.

Agree with all this as well. The only problem I have tho is that BK should have made the switch to Zaire a long time ago. Probably after the ASU game. He just couldn't let go of Golson's potential. Which I can see why that would be hard to do. He has an incredibly strong arm. And we don't know how Zaire was practicing. But saying the switch should have been made sooner is easy for us fans to say...hindsight is 20/20.

 

[Grahambo]

Yep. Not quite ready to anoint MZ as the next Heisman candidate but he looked good enough at times yesterday for me to think he has a good future ahead of him. And you are right in the fact that USC had settled in on defense so the Irish faithful probably needs to temper their expectations of MZ a little bit. But he did show enough signs that say with another year of spring ball and the summer and he could develop in to a really nice QB. I did like his intensity. Showed me he cared.

What better test then get 3 weeks of preparation and face a beatable SEC team like Tennessee.

 

[IrishLax]

Nothing would do more to answer the question of "is Notre Dame still relevant" in the negative than bringing in an option coach. We'd basically be adopting the Navy approach of doing the best we can with inferior talent.

There might come a day when that's the direction I want to see the program go in. 2 years removed from a NC run is not the the day.

Malzahn, Chip Kelly, Mullen, and Meyer are all "option" coaches.

 

[T Town Tommy]

What better test then get 3 weeks of preparation and face a beatable SEC team like Tennessee.

Yeah and get a little more healthy. Most lose sight of the fact that getting to a bowl game gives a team another three or so weeks to work on things. Huge advantage going in to the "offseason" and spring ball. And a game against UT is very winnable for the Irish.

Question is, does Kelly go with MZ or EG at this point? That decision will be very important IMO. I would not want to have to make that decision either as going with MZ may mean the end for EG. But that's why coaches get paid the big money.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Malzahn, Chip Kelly, Mullen, and Meyer are all "option" coaches.

Mullen got owned yesterday. Posted in a thread a few weeks back that Freeze is such a better in game coach than Mullen. And it showed yesterday.

As far as P. Johnson to ND. I would think that the Irish faithful would not want that. Now... if Patterson were to pick up the phone.....

 

[Jerry]

Think what you like, but it is what it is. Fact is, Brian Kelly was sold as a Chip Kelly/Dana Holgerson/Rich Rod/Urban Meyer. Someone with a unique and successful offensive philosophy. That simply has not materialized. And if 5 years is "shortsighted", then how long are we supposed to wait? (Didn't Mike Shula only get 4? I assume you considered that firing "short-sighted" as well?)

And at some point, when you're the HC and you keep putting the QB in a position to turn the ball over, some of that is on you. You're right that the team did put up some good numbers early on, against inferior opponents, but that hardly alone can make somebody a good HC.

Part of the problem with the sample size is Tommy Rees was the QB for 3 of the 5 years. So basically you learned a player with a low skill set could be ok in Kelly's system and win 8 games. '12 showed us they could control the ball and score enough to win with great defense. This season showed that the offense doesn't work when you turn the ball over ( like every offense) and that they aren't going to out score teams if they have zero defense. So basically we know nothing.

 

[IrishLax]

Sumlin can recruit and actually win big games. BK hasn't done shit against good teams since he's been here. I'll give you 2012 vs. Oklahoma with Weis's recruits. Sumlin stomped the Sooners in 2012 too, 41-13.

Yeah, beating 13-1 MSU Big Ten and Rose Bowl champ LAST SEASON wasn't a big win at all. Nor was beating PAC12 and Rose Bowl champ Stanford in 2012.

 

[CarrollVermin]

I am not surprised this thread is still going. Not one of the coaches mentioned here would consider ND. Want proof, let the job open up. Money does not talk anymore...period. ND is not going to back up the truck and let the cash flow.

ND is not a top five job. The facilities are ok, at best, the academic requirements will always handcuff your coach, and the lack of consistency between administration and athletics will leave this program in the dark ages. You think Nick Saban would put up with this shit? Heck no.

I don't want to hear about other people doing more with less. They don't play a national schedule. Duke has been blessed with a weak ACC; Stanford was set up perfectly with an elite QB and pieces around him to make them successful; Paul Johnson...give me a break. Mullen...seriously? One great season and you want to act like the second coming of Charlie Weiss?

You want to win? Recruit the south. Period. You have to win in Louisiana, Georgia, Florida, Texas, and Alabama. ND has not done with with the TOP talent in that state. Think Landon Collins versus Austin Collinsworth. And guess what Collins would have NEVER qualified at ND - he didn't qualify at LSU and ended up at Alabama after someone spelled his name for him.

While you are at it...Michigan is a shitty job too. The only thing that will save them is that they play in the Big Ten. Wisconsin and Ohio State are great stories. Put them against the SEC and you find out what they are all about. Heck, LSU beat Wisky at the beginning of the season with a QB who is one of the worst in the SEC.

Just stop the nonsense. ND is a 7,8,9 win place. It will remain that way until they join either the Big 10 or the ACC. ND cannot continue to play the schedule it wants and be successful year in and year out.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Someone mentioned playing a "beatable" SEC team like Tennessee in the bowl game...let me just put this out there. Two things would happen:

a) Every Irish fan would finally get to see how weak our recruiting classes have been when you compare them to a "beatable" SEC team like UT. The talent gap for that young team would be very, very apparent.

b) They would smoke our ass. Not even close.