Offensive Coordinator Search

[Irish#1]

I hope you're right, or there will be plenty of pissed off ND fans next year. If the Oline doesn't play better in 2020, ND will end up in another mid tier bowl game.

Whether the offense is structured like Washington St or Air Force, a Notre Dame offensive line should be physically dominating inferior opponents and tossing them around like rag dolls. That did not happen in 2019. 3rd and 1 may as well be 3rd and 10.

Going under center helps immensely when running, but like Lax, I also expect a switch back to zone blocking now that Long is gone.

Don't be surprised if TR is named OC.

 

[Irishize]

I personally think the OL will play better next year with a different blocking scheme. They need to be firing off the line, not dancing around like ballerinas. Two years ago I was (rightfully) very down on the offensive line. This past year they did some good things and some bad things, but were certainly good enough in pass protection despite losing their two best players.

Next year? With a shift to zone blocking I think they will be greatly improved and I am very confident in their upside.

The OC choice will be interesting, because while I think an internal hire would work I also think that ND could be looking at multiple external staff moves. The rumor that Helfrich could be interviewing for the job this week is certainly intriguing because 5 years ago that would've been considered a home run hire... but he ultimately failed to sustain post-Chip in Oregon and then was a disaster in the NFL. Still, an Oregon style spread would suit Book's skill set very well.

So is the change back to zone blocking a done deal or are you just hopeful it happens now that Long is gone?

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I personally think the OL will play better next year with a different blocking scheme. They need to be firing off the line, not dancing around like ballerinas. Two years ago I was (rightfully) very down on the offensive line. This past year they did some good things and some bad things, but were certainly good enough in pass protection despite losing their two best players.

Next year? With a shift to zone blocking I think they will be greatly improved and I am very confident in their upside.

The OC choice will be interesting, because while I think an internal hire would work I also think that ND could be looking at multiple external staff moves. The rumor that Helfrich could be interviewing for the job this week is certainly intriguing because 5 years ago that would've been considered a home run hire... but he ultimately failed to sustain post-Chip in Oregon and then was a disaster in the NFL. Still, an Oregon style spread would suit Book's skill set very well.

I would hate a Helfrich hire. His offense is for teams that cannot compete in a regular system. Something you run when you have inferior athletes. It works until you run up against a real defense that is disciplined. Look how Stanford always shut them down.
They need to take advantage of their recruiting strengths: O-line, 2 tight end sets, power football. I'm sick of the lateral running game and it felt like coach was moving towards this in the bowl.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Offensive Coordinator Search

I would hate a Helfrich hire. His offense is for teams that cannot compete in a regular system. Something you run when you have inferior athletes. It works until you run up against a real defense that is disciplined. Look how Stanford always shut them down.

They need to take advantage of their recruiting strengths: O-line, 2 tight end sets, power football. I'm sick of the lateral running game and it felt like coach was moving towards this in the bowl.

Helfrich was essentially in charge of the Oregon offense from 2009-2016. Their point totals against Stanford in that time frame:

42
52
53
*14*
*20*
45
38
27

His offense put up 4+ TDS 75% of the time against Stanford. Thats more than a lot of coaches can say, including our own, if we are looking strictly at points, and ignoring other factors that will drive up or down total points.


I cant say one way or the other if MH would be a good fit, but the thought is at least intriguing


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[Luckylucci]

Helfrich was essentially in charge of the Oregon offense from 2009-2016. Their point totals against Stanford in that time frame:

42
52
53
*14*
*20*
45
38
27

His offense put up 4+ TDS 75% of the time against Stanford. Thats more than a lot of coaches can say, including our own, if we are looking strictly at points, and ignoring other factors that will drive up or down total points.


I cant say one way or the other if MH would be a good fit, but the thought is at least intriguing


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A little OT but not sure how someone could give that type of credit to Helfrich. So you feel that when Helfrich was named OC he took over the offense from Chip Kelly? In fact, most feel that the only reason Helfrich was kept was to keep Chip's offense at Oregon. He just never ran it as well as Chip did.

 

[IrishLax]

So is the change back to zone blocking a done deal or are you just hopeful it happens now that Long is gone?

Ultimately, everything hinges on the OC hire. I know ND reached out to some big names, but whether they get one or go with an internal hire remains to be seen.

If they keep the same staff/system, I’d expect them to let Quinn coach how he wants which probably means more zone blocking. The pass blocking was fine all year so it’s really just about utilizing players correctly in the running game... that means letting them fire off the ball. It was always shocking to me how good Long’s red zone offense was but between the 20s the stuff rate in the running game is way too damn high.

 

[BGIF]

Bears Fire OC Helfrich

Bears Fire OC Helfrich

From a OneFootDown article on Hiestand being back on the market.

https://fightingirishwire.usatoday.com/2019/12/31/harry-hiestand-back-on-market/

Also worth noting is that the Bears let offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich go as well. Helfrich you may recall once helped direct Marcus Mariota to a Heisman Trophy and the Oregon Ducks to a national championship game appearance but was let go after going just 4-8 in 2016.

Dare I start to think aloud and wonder about what Notre Dame’s offense could look like if they hired a couple of recently fired Chicago Bears assistants?

I don’t know how it’d all work out with Helfrich but I’m certain if interested that Hiestand would continue to do exactly what he’s already done at Notre Dame if given the chance.

Something to ponder for you all as we approach 2020.

Bearwire article notes Helfrich didn't call the plays for Chicago ... HC Matt Nagy did. Helfrich put the game plans together.

https://bearswire.usatoday.com/2019/12/31/chicago-bears-dismiss-offensive-coordinator-mark-helfrich-offensive-line-coach-harry-hiestand-tight-end-coach-kevin-gilbride/

While Helfrich didn’t call plays for the Bears — that was Nagy — he was responsible for the install and execution of the offense. He also appears to be the fall guy for the offense’s struggles, and the Bears will look to fill the holes on Nagy’s coaching staff.

 

[Irish YJ]

Ultimately, everything hinges on the OC hire. I know ND reached out to some big names, but whether they get one or go with an internal hire remains to be seen.

If they keep the same staff/system, I’d expect them to let Quinn coach how he wants which probably means more zone blocking. The pass blocking was fine all year so it’s really just about utilizing players correctly in the running game... that means letting them fire off the ball. It was always shocking to me how good Long’s red zone offense was but between the 20s the stuff rate in the running game is way too damn high.

On the bolded above, doesn't man blocking allow guys to fire off the ball more than zone (blocking and area).

 

[IrishLax]

On the bolded above, doesn't man blocking allow guys to fire off the ball more than zone (blocking and area).

In assignment blocking, when you pull guys as often as Notre Dame did in short yardage situations, it takes time to get to your spot and find your guy. While you’re running laterally you are susceptible to teams shooting gaps. Imagine 8 in the box with the opponent attacking the line of scrimmage and trying to block that with 3 OL while the other 2 pull across the formation. That’s why plays on 3rd and 1 so often got blown up in the backfield.

When zone blocking, you fire off the ball. Either you’re trying to get up to the second level as quickly as possible an block/cut block a linebacker, or you’re trying to maul the guy in front of you on the line of scrimmage. Then it’s up to the RB to read the blocks and find the hole, whereas assignment blocking tries to open up a hole in a specific spot.

I am not an OL expert. This is just (roughly) how it was explained to me by someone who was, and then when I watched for it on the field it seemed to add up.

 

[Irish YJ]

In assignment blocking, when you pull guys as often as Notre Dame did in short yardage situations, it takes time to get to your spot and find your guy. While you’re running laterally you are susceptible to teams shooting gaps. Imagine 8 in the box with the opponent attacking the line of scrimmage and trying to block that with 3 OL while the other 2 pull across the formation. That’s why plays on 3rd and 1 so often got blown up in the backfield.

When zone blocking, you fire off the ball. Either you’re trying to get up to the second level as quickly as possible an block/cut block a linebacker, or you’re trying to maul the guy in front of you on the line of scrimmage. Then it’s up to the RB to read the blocks and find the hole, whereas assignment blocking tries to open up a hole in a specific spot.

I am not an OL expert. This is just (roughly) how it was explained to me by someone who was, and then when I watched for it on the field it seemed to add up.

Man/power doesn't always have to be a pull heavy O. It can also be a smash your guy downhill scheme. Just depends on the plays called. Sounds like Long was just to too complex.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Man/power doesn't always have to be a pull heavy O. It can also be a smash your guy downhill scheme. Just depends on the plays called. Sounds like Long was just to too complex.

IMO, it's also why those runs from under center were so effective. It created more of the downhill style, with less side to side running and pulling. Either way, I think we can all agree that aggression is the most important thing, whether that be zone or man.

 

[stlnd01]

Aside from maybe Mark Helfrich, and Rees, are we hearing any actual names anywhere?
(And were we in at all on the guy from Minnesota who got hired by Penn State? He's done OK.)

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Any interest from ND fans with Joe Moorehead being let go at Miss St? Guy is from the northeast, coached at Fordham, and did a great job at PSU with McSorley.

 

[Free Manera]

Any interest from ND fans with Joe Moorehead being let go at Miss St? Guy is from the northeast, coached at Fordham, and did a great job at PSU with McSorley.

Everyone is having at it in the coaching carousel thread.

 

[ThePiombino]

Any interest from ND fans with Joe Moorehead being let go at Miss St? Guy is from the northeast, coached at Fordham, and did a great job at PSU with McSorley.

Supposedly has "baggage", but not sure if enough to scare away ND admins. I would hope he at least gets a call.

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[Dizzyphil]

<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I have no great insight on Moorhead, but in terms of a veteran innovator who could collaborate with Tom Rees, this seems like an idea worth exploring. <a href="https://t.co/kgnjg1aIoZ">https://t.co/kgnjg1aIoZ</a></p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1213183467602743299?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>

 

[BobbyMac]

I've always been a fan of Moorhead.

 

[BobbyMac]

That goes without saying, I wear a 7 3/4 hat

 

[317Irish]

That goes without saying, I wear a 7 3/4 hat

You zigged when I thought you were going to zag

 

[NDdomer2]

I've always been a fan of Moorhead.

 

[Me2SouthBend]

I've always been a fan of Moorhead.

Craven Moorhead?

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Very intriguing if you ask me. Seasoned coach, has been at academically solid schools, northeast roots, and made a PSU offense with an undersized QB and an average O line look really, really good.

If Quinn is staying on O line and we know what kind of results we'll get from that group, then please sign up Joe Moorhead for OC.

 

[KizerWilhelm]

Moorhead would be an absolute home run hire. It almost certainly won't pan out, but it'd be great.

The only downside I'd see is that I can't see him lasting a year. The second coaching vacancies opened up, half the G5 would pounce.

 

[beryirish]

Kellen Moore anyone?

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Moorhead would be an absolute home run hire. It almost certainly won't pan out, but it'd be great.

The only downside I'd see is that I can't see him lasting a year. The second coaching vacancies opened up, half the G5 would pounce.

If they think Tommy is the guy but needs a little more mentoring that may not be an obstacle.

 

[ab2cmiller]

Moorhead would be an absolute home run hire. It almost certainly won't pan out, but it'd be great.

The only downside I'd see is that I can't see him lasting a year. The second coaching vacancies opened up, half the G5 would pounce.

Saban has done this repeatedly. He brings them in and lets them do his thing. Gleans as much knowledge as possible from them and then it's on to a new assistant coach the following year.

 

[Luckylucci]

If they think Tommy is the guy but needs a little more mentoring that may not be an obstacle.

Agreed. A 1-2 year big name hire that gets some street cred in the recruiting world while keeping Tommy growing in the profession and learning from someone else.

 

[IrishLax]

Moorhead would be an absolute home run hire. It almost certainly won't pan out, but it'd be great.

The only downside I'd see is that I can't see him lasting a year. The second coaching vacancies opened up, half the G5 would pounce.

I think he would've been a home run a few years back when ND had Wimbush and that '17 OL.

I do not want him coaching Book, because his feast-or-famine big play offense is not well suited to what Book excelled at the past 5 games.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

At the very least, you have to give Moorehead a call, right? Feel like BK is doing himself a disservice if he doesn't.

His offense is fun to watch. Some terrific play designs. RPOs that are actually effective, that sort of thing.

Good point if you think Rees needs a year or two more to study, not a bad route to go.

Just wonder how much BK wants to change up the offense.

 

[NDIrish88]

He did well at PSU because Franklin gave him the keys to the kingdom on offense. It was the wild west under morehead and he was running the show. Franklin recruits what is needed but moorehead is stubborn if he doesn't get his way. He wants to be a HC and call plays. I am not sure, given what just happened with Long, that he would workout with Kelly unless Kelly allows him to do whatever he wants.
That being said I think he has a good offensive mind but there was some questionable calls he made in big games. See the last 2 OSU games while he was there.