Notre Dame Coaching Changes

[china423]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hearing Keith Gilmore and Autry Denson will round out the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NotreDame?src=hash">#NotreDame</a> coaching staff: <a href="http://t.co/kAodqq5Zy3">http://t.co/kAodqq5Zy3</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/247Sports">@247Sports</a></p>— Steve Wiltfong (@SWiltfong247) <a href="https://twitter.com/SWiltfong247/status/567738808909975553">February 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[PANDFAN]

“He’s a very good coach,” a source that worked with Gilmore at a previous stop tells Irish247. “He can relate to the kids, coaches them hard. Doesn’t put up with any BS.

“A very personable good guy and he works those kids really hard.”

Gilmore is also a solid recruiter.

“In home he does a nice job,” our source said.

A South Florida native, Denson is Notre Dame's all-time leading rusher. He would join the Notre Dame staff after holding the same position at South Florida.

Denson would replace Tony Alford who took the same position earlier this month with Ohio State.

 

[NewBrunswickIrish]

I'm interested to see which territories each guy gets. I think it is fair to assume that Sanford concentrates in California right? Does that move Denbrock to Texas since he is supposed to be one of the best recruiters on the staff. It doesn't seem like anyone else has ties to the region like Cooks did and it would suck to lose the inroads that Cooks made for ND recently

 

[PerthDomer]

Sanford recruited Texas at Stanford. Maybe he and Denbrock split Cali and Sanford takes Texas?

 

[ThePiombino]

So we steal a guy who's put guys in the league from a weak school, is familiar with the current staff, is currently paid well by his current school, and can recruit an area that's rich with talent... why are you underwhelmed? He's also paid 240k now so we're not scrimping on pay.

Because at a glance it seems like ND could have done better. AGAIN, I'm hoping someone more educated can convince me otherwise. I like that he supposedly has an eye for talent. But what is his recruiting acumen? Is he going to hustle? Nationally? What about Xs and Os?

 

[IrishLax]

There's no way to look at this hire and think it isn't an upgrade over Elston, who I think has gotten flat out poor production from the DL on a number of levels.

At the same time, this clearly isn't an "ace" DL coach in the sense of being one of those renowned recruiters like a Tosh or Orgeron or Larry Johnson or whoever. But I think you didn't have the luxury to make that kind of move here, because you're effectively looking at brand new position coaches across the board on defense and we're in "win now" mode. So Kelly/BVG went out and got a guy who they know can coach the DL how they want it coached so that the best product will be on the field next fall.

 

[PANDFAN]

There's no way to look at this hire and think it isn't an upgrade over Elston, who I think has gotten flat out poor production from the DL on a number of levels.

At the same time, this clearly isn't an "ace" DL coach in the sense of being one of those renowned recruiters like a Tosh or Orgeron or Larry Johnson or whoever. But I think you didn't have the luxury to make that kind of move here, because you're effectively looking at brand new position coaches across the board on defense and we're in "win now" mode. So Kelly/BVG went out and got a guy who they know can coach the DL how they want it coached so that the best product will be on the field next fall.

couldn't agree more...hope this helps us in recruiting

 

[Grahambo]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I had 6 DL coaches in my 4 yrs at UNC so trust when I say Keith Gilmore was the best</p>— Tim Jackson (@TimTrizzy) <a href="https://twitter.com/TimTrizzy/status/567737224071225344">February 17, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Luckylucci]

Wiltfong loves Gilmore as a developer of talent and thinks he'll be a solid recruiter. He's hearing that Denson has all the tools to become a star.

Consensus at the UNC board is this as well. Great coach and developer solid/good recruiter.

 

[IrishLax]

Wait so who is coaching safeties? Lyght? Crum? Booker? No one?

 

[Luckylucci]

Gilmore was also the lead recruiter for Jaquan Yulee 2016 LB, we'll see if that interest carries over. We are currently in his top group.

 

[NewBrunswickIrish]

There's no way to look at this hire and think it isn't an upgrade over Elston, who I think has gotten flat out poor production from the DL on a number of levels.

At the same time, this clearly isn't an "ace" DL coach in the sense of being one of those renowned recruiters like a Tosh or Orgeron or Larry Johnson or whoever. But I think you didn't have the luxury to make that kind of move here, because you're effectively looking at brand new position coaches across the board on defense and we're in "win now" mode. So Kelly/BVG went out and got a guy who they know can coach the DL how they want it coached so that the best product will be on the field next fall.

I agree completely. Plus, on these two points but I think that you have to look at this as an upgrade just based on the fact that BVG actually is able to bring in some of his own guys to coach the D his way. It has be hard to change the scheme completely but have the same coaches coaching the same positions from the last scheme.

 

[NewBrunswickIrish]

Wait so who is coaching safeties? Lyght? Crum? Booker? No one?

BVG? Maybe Elston takes over all the linebackers not just the outside linebackers like Elliot did.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Because at a glance it seems like ND could have done better. AGAIN, I'm hoping someone more educated can convince me otherwise. I like that he supposedly has an eye for talent. But what is his recruiting acumen? Is he going to hustle? Nationally? What about Xs and Os?

Why would a position coach need good schematic chops? He's not being considered for a coordinator job. We need, in order, two things from Gilmore: (1) player development; and (2) recruiting ability. Based on what we've seen from Elston, I'll be very surprised if he's not an immediate upgrade in both areas.

At the same time, this clearly isn't an "ace" DL coach in the sense of being one of those renowned recruiters like a Tosh or Orgeron or Larry Johnson or whoever.

You could have said the same thing about Hiestand right after his hire. Yet now he's arguably the best OL recruiter in the nation. And from what I've read about Gilmore thus far, it sounds like his coaching style is similar to Harry's. Odds are not good that we'll suddenly start recruiting DL as well as OL, but I'm cautiously optimistic that a similarly "old-school/ no nonsense" approach could produce major benefits for us.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Sorry if this is posted else where.

But, is there a list of coaches on the staff, including the new hires?

 

[heygipper]

Welcome back Autry Denson

 

[Whiskeyjack]

OFD likes the Gilmore hire:

Rumors had swirled for some time that Denson was a leading candidate, but new defensive line coach Keith Gilmore was not on the radar of most Irish fans. Maybe he should've been, though - he worked with Brian Kelly at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati, and with Brian VanGorder at Wayne State. Gilmore has a reputation as both an excellent defensive line coach and a tenacious recruiter, which should be music to Notre Dame fans' ears. He has also spent time as a recruiting coordinator and special teams coordinator and could no doubt add some expertise in those areas.

He also has a penchant for churning out NFL players - Kareem Martin at North Carolina, Akeem Spence, Mike Buchanan, Whitney Mercilus, and Corey Liuget at Illinois, Angelo Craig and Connor Barwin at Cincinnati, and Antoine Bethea at Howard. Player development? Yes, please. Gilmore has history as a recruiter in Florida, Michigan, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC - it wouldn't be surprising to see him share Florida with Denson and take some of the mid-Atlantic territory off Scott Booker's heavily loaded plate.

And the coaching staff as a whole:

What Does The New Staff Look Like?

Not all titles are official yet, but piecing together news, rumors, and the work history of the new hires, here's what we came up with:

• Brian Kelly - Head Coach
• Mike Sanford - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
• Mike Denbrock - Wide Receivers/Assistant Head Coach
• Harry Hiestand - Offensive Line
• Scott Booker - Tight Ends/Special Teams
• Autry Denson - Running Backs
• Brian VanGorder - Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
• Keith Gilmore - Defensive Line
• Mike Elston - Outside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
• Todd Lyght - Defensive Backs

That's the maximum number of coaches you can have in on-field positions per NCAA rules, which means Bob Elliott (as has been rumored for some time) will likely move to an off-field position and Jeff Quinn, if he is eventually hired, will be hired for an off-field position.

I like all the new hires quite a bit. We've talked about Sanford and Lyght already. Huge, huge fan of both moves. Denson is a move in the same vein as Lyght, young hungry guy who's done it himself and can relate to kids, and he'll be in a position where being a new guy is okay. The more I think about the Gilmore hire, the more I like it - his coaching chops are unquestioned, his recruiting prowess is respected, and with big-time new blood in Sanford, Lyght, and Denson, he's a known quantity for Kelly and a nice balance to staff chemistry.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Confirmed: Bob Elliott to move into off-the-field coaching role, will be involved in recruiting efforts.</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/567757384522682368">February 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[ND NYC]

heard that elston is going to take alford spot as the recruiting coordinator now.
is this accurate?

if so...thoughts?

 

[ThePiombino]

Welcome back Autry Denson

Saw reference to this on Facebook. Is it a done deal anyone know?

 

[ryno 24]

Loy confirmed Denson and Gilmore from UNC

 

[heygipper]

Saw reference to this on Facebook. Is it a done deal anyone know?

lol that was probably me you saw.

 

[Irish#1]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Spoke with UNC defensive line coach Keith Gilmore on the report he’s headed to Notre Dame. “At this point I don’t want to comment on that."</p>— Irish Illustrated (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/567735710661103616">February 17, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

= Yes I'm going to coach at ND.

 

[ulukinatme]

Brian Kelly - Head Coach
Mike Sanford - Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks
Mike Denbrock - Wide Receivers/Assistant Head Coach
Harry Hiestand - Offensive Line
Scott Booker - Tight Ends/Special Teams
Autry Denson - Running Backs
Brian VanGorder - Defensive Coordinator/Inside Linebackers
Keith Gilmore - Defensive Line
Mike Elston - Outside Linebackers/Recruiting Coordinator
Todd Lyght - Defensive Backs

I like the looks of all that, except Booker.

 

[Big23Head]

= Yes I'm going to coach at ND.

The rest of the quote from Gilmore is...

"If and when anything comes out, I'd be happy to talk with you. Trust me, I'd be glad to help you if it goes in that direction."

 

[Grahambo]

BK has put together a very good staff this year. Like I've been saying, he's earned the benefit of the doubt since the great hire of Hiestand.

 

[IrishLax]

Only downgrade in coaching I see is in the secondary. Don't know enough about Lyght to say he'll be good and we KNOW Cooks was good, and at safety I don't see BVG being better than Elliot was in 2012, etc.

Linebacker will be... interesting.

DL = upgrade.

DC = static.

QB= upgrade.

OC = upgrade.

WR = static.

TE = static.

OL = static.

RB = sidegrade, probably (from a coaching standpoint)

ST = static.

So we certainly got better on the offensive side of the ball, IMO, from a coaching standpoint. And on defense, we probably we've got some question marks on the back end.

 

[PANDFAN]

Only downgrade in coaching I see is in the secondary. Don't know enough about Lyght to say he'll be good and we KNOW Cooks was good, and at safety I don't see BVG being better than Elliot was in 2012, etc.

Linebacker will be... interesting.

DL = upgrade.

DC = static.

QB= upgrade.

OC = upgrade.

WR = static.

TE = static.

OL = static.

RB = sidegrade, probably (from a coaching standpoint)

ST = static.

So we certainly got better on the offensive side of the ball, IMO, from a coaching standpoint. And on defense, we probably we've got some question marks on the back end.

just wonder how "fast" adams and williams pick up the pass-pro...obviously different guys than bryant/folston, but interesting none the less at least for ME

 

[BeauBenken]

Wait so who is coaching safeties? Lyght? Crum? Booker? No one?

No one! Safeties don't need any help! Didn't you watch any games this past season?!

 

[BeauBenken]

I LOVE the new staff hires. The only two guys I don't know much about are Denson and Lyght (from a coaching perspective. Otherwise, I think we did a damn good job here.

I hope this staff hits the recruiting trail HARD.