Offensive Coordinator Search

Dizzyphil

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<samp class="EmbedCode-container"><code class="EmbedCode-code"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Whoa. Interesting nugget in an interesting story on LSU offensive savant Joe Brady…<br><br>"There was early interest from Texas, Notre Dame and Penn State for their open coordinator positions" <a href="https://t.co/D5CVFzWhUZ">https://t.co/D5CVFzWhUZ</a></p>— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) <a href="https://twitter.com/PeteSampson_/status/1216404165297147905?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 12, 2020</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> </code></samp>
 

drayer54

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Sooo....interviewing at another place...that says to me he knows something. You dont interview places just because you like to see what the area is like in January.

I once did a job interview in Dallas in January to get some Whataburger. I turned down the job, but I did get Whataburger twice.

True story.
 

Dizzyphil

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I once did a job interview in Dallas in January to get some Whataburger. I turned down the job, but I did get Whataburger twice.

True story.




We used to have them here in Nashville... Closed down some time ago.


But - me and a couple of buddies had our wives do a 'blind' taste-test vs Burger King and none of us could tell the difference.


Can you? just wondering....
 

WilliamWallace

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https://slapthesign.com/2020/01/12/notre-dame-ian-books-development/

This article from slap the sign hits on the lack of QB development under BK. Much of what many including myself have said. My question is, if Quinn had the opportunity to secure the OC position prior to Chip Long, why didn’t he? He was already on the staff. He was BK’s OC at Cincinnati during the Tony Pike era. I wonder if that’s got something to do with the delay?
 

IrishLax

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Imagine being 23-3 over the past two seasons with a QB coach considered by many schools to be a rising star. He has a 3-star QB that he has mentored, and when allowed to call the offense how he wants that QB played at atop 10 level by every metric. This QB coach had a 5 game audition for the job and excelled.

And that’s the *worst* you could end up with for OC, while you go big game hunting for someone with a resume and cachè to their name.

But Kelly is an idiot and has no idea what he is doing. Sure.

A lot of you are applying the same type of faulty thought process which was used by USC boosters & admins to justify moving on from interim HC Ed Orgeron.
 

Circa

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Imagine being 23-3 over the past two seasons with a QB coach considered by many schools to be a rising star. He has a 3-star QB that he has mentored, and when allowed to call the offense how he wants that QB played at atop 10 level by every metric. This QB coach had a 5 game audition for the job and excelled.

And that’s the *worst* you could end up with for OC, while you go big game hunting for someone with a resume and cachè to their name.

But Kelly is an idiot and has no idea what he is doing. Sure.

A lot of you are applying the same type of faulty thought process which was used by USC boosters & admins to justify moving on from interim HC Ed Orgeron.

I just wish they knew how bad they look... sitting in the back seat

<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/w3WMVd8P8mELe" width="480" height="236" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/insane-se7en-movie-w3WMVd8P8mELe"

I agree with everything you said.
 
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WilliamWallace

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Imagine being 23-3 over the past two seasons with a QB coach considered by many schools to be a rising star. He has a 3-star QB that he has mentored, and when allowed to call the offense how he wants that QB played at atop 10 level by every metric. This QB coach had a 5 game audition for the job and excelled.

And that’s the *worst* you could end up with for OC, while you go big game hunting for someone with a resume and cachè to their name.

But Kelly is an idiot and has no idea what he is doing. Sure.

A lot of you are applying the same type of faulty thought process which was used by USC boosters & admins to justify moving on from interim HC Ed Orgeron.

I’m not taking anything away from Rees. I had all the same frustration many of you did during his playing days. But, he was definitely one of the most intelligent QB’s we’ve had. He was also, a good QB. I like Rees, and if he’s the one, then roll out the red carpet. I’m also not bashing BK (though I have). I’m just curious as to why when he’s had success with an OC (that’s currently on staff), they never put the pieces back together? I’m sure there’s probably a million possible reasons. I just hadn’t thought about it before and thought someone else might have some insight.
 

NWIrish

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Seems this article is just hyperbole. Perhaps the answer is just that Brian Kelly didn't hire a true QB coach until 2014 w/ LaFleur, then Sanford, then Rees. And LaFleur's year really doesn't count as he wasn't going to transform Golson's issues overnight. And, Golson was pretty damn good those first 6 games until he lost his confidence, which no one was going to be able to prevent because he's just a fragile kid. Since then, with real QB coaches for the first time, we had three real starters - Kizer, Wimbush and Book. Kizer was an incredible redshirt frosh in 2015 and considering the team in 2016, was fantastic. From how clueless he was in 2014, that's definitely great development. People can point at Wimbush but his problem was something no QB coach can fix. He just isn't accurate. Aside from that, I think he developed great and if he could have just been a touch more accurate, could have been a Heisman type guy. Obviously, Book has developed better than anyone could have hoped for as a recruit. Clark has looked pretty good so far. So, the only guy since we had a real QB coach that seemed not to develop well is Phil. Criticize Kelly all you want for not hiring a real QB coach for 5 years, but since 2014, there really isn't anything to criticize.
 
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WilliamWallace

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I just wish they knew how bad they look... sitting in the back seat

<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/w3WMVd8P8mELe" width="480" height="236" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/insane-se7en-movie-w3WMVd8P8mELe"

I agree with everything you said.

I’m not sure why every time someone posts that some else has to rip it apart? I said nothing derogatory, yet you feel the need to put your two cents in. If you’ve nothing constructive to add, or all you care to do is try to degrade what someone else is posting then just don’t respond.
 

NDohio

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I’m not taking anything away from Rees. I had all the same frustration many of you did during his playing days. But, he was definitely one of the most intelligent QB’s we’ve had. He was also, a good QB. I like Rees, and if he’s the one, then roll out the red carpet. I’m also not bashing BK (though I have). I’m just curious as to why when he’s had success with an OC (that’s currently on staff), they never put the pieces back together? I’m sure there’s probably a million possible reasons. I just hadn’t thought about it before and thought someone else might have some insight.

Quinn was OC in name only. BK was the real OC at Cincinnati. He can't replicate that at ND, this job is too big for him to go back to that system.
 

Circa

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I’m not taking anything away from Rees. I had all the same frustration many of you did during his playing days. But, he was definitely one of the most intelligent QB’s we’ve had. He was also, a good QB. I like Rees, and if he’s the one, then roll out the red carpet. I’m also not bashing BK (though I have). I’m just curious as to why when he’s had success with an OC (that’s currently on staff), they never put the pieces back together? I’m sure there’s probably a million possible reasons. I just hadn’t thought about it before and thought someone else might have some insight.


What do you mean? I'm not following what your trying to say...
 

Circa

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I’m not sure why every time someone posts that some else has to rip it apart? I said nothing derogatory, yet you feel the need to put your two cents in. If you’ve nothing constructive to add, or all you care to do is try to degrade what someone else is posting then just don’t respond.

Hey there buddy.
I only read what LAX wrote and haven't backtracked in the thread yet. My post Is to all the haters and It's just for fun...
I thought he was referring to an article one of the other sites had posted???
 
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WilliamWallace

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What do you mean? I'm not following what your trying to say...

I’m saying if BK had success with as his OC at Cincinnati with Tony Pike. Why has Quinn not been under heavy consideration. Until Ian Book and the last few seasons, QB at ND has been a failure in my book. I know that Quinn was also the OL coach but something seemed to be working.
 

arrowryan

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Hopefully we get some actual news on the OC hire this week. It’s been pretty quiet.
 

Circa

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I’m saying if BK had success with as his OC at Cincinnati with Tony Pike. Why has Quinn not been under heavy consideration. Until Ian Book and the last few seasons, QB at ND has been a failure in my book. I know that Quinn was also the OL coach but something seemed to be working.

Yea that makes sense now... I guess I was being lazy and forgot Quinn was a past OC for him. I agree with BK needing to look at Quinn, Rees, shit let's put Matt Balis in the conversation...
I guess I am somewhat of a homer. I don't forget how terrible our Irish was 10 years ago... BK has done a mountain of work that consistently gets overlooked because we ain't won the 'SHIP'..
I'll keep on keeping on Respectively with Homerism...
 
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WilliamWallace

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Balis has the exact intensity that you need to motivate a team. I have no problem with him leading the speech before every game. There’s no excuse why we’ve laid down so many times, including Michigan this year. Hell I personally watched KState man handle Oklahoma for three quarters. But even then Oklahoma knew they had a chance. The final score was not an indicator of how the game went. They were out played the whole game. I just don’t think the strength coach has much of a chance to ever become an OC.
 

Ndaccountant

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Imagine being 23-3 over the past two seasons with a QB coach considered by many schools to be a rising star. He has a 3-star QB that he has mentored, and when allowed to call the offense how he wants that QB played at atop 10 level by every metric. This QB coach had a 5 game audition for the job and excelled.

And that’s the *worst* you could end up with for OC, while you go big game hunting for someone with a resume and cachè to their name.

But Kelly is an idiot and has no idea what he is doing. Sure.

A lot of you are applying the same type of faulty thought process which was used by USC boosters & admins to justify moving on from interim HC Ed Orgeron.

The problem with all of this is perception, and that falls right at the feet of BK. The best move BK has ever done at ND was to hire Elko (who was a known DC quantity). Save for 2015, the best seasons ND has had was driven by defense. The offense, especially in big games, has historically been an issue for BK. It's the whole "wheels come off" thing. So with that in mind, it's easy to see why everyone is skeptical of the situation. For ND to take the next step, they need the offense to be better. I know the last games of 2019 were better, but that still doesn't take away the stink of the night in AA. Right or wrong, people think Tommy = BK's system, which has failed on the biggest stages at ND.

Rees could be the next coaching star, or he could be a huge bust. I don't know. But I think the perception surrounding the potential hire has everything to do with BK's history at ND instead of the last games of 2019.

Also, using Coach O is not a real good comparison IMO. For one, coach O had a history at Ole Miss and flopped big time. Second, when you are the coach of USC, you have to be someone other than a bumblin Canjun. It works at LSU, it doesn't work in LA. Finally, it's not like LSU snatched him up the moment he left LA. Nobody wanted him. The dude was out of football and went from interim HC at USC to nothing, not even a position coach the following year. And he was begging to come back. After serving as DL coach for LSU, he got his shot and has made the most of it. But I will wait and see what happens once Burrow is gone and Brady is gone (most likely to the NFL). I'm personally do not think this has staying power. His previous two versions of LSU teams were very similar to Miles.
 

Irish YJ

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Imagine being 23-3 over the past two seasons with a QB coach considered by many schools to be a rising star. He has a 3-star QB that he has mentored, and when allowed to call the offense how he wants that QB played at atop 10 level by every metric. This QB coach had a 5 game audition for the job and excelled.

And that’s the *worst* you could end up with for OC, while you go big game hunting for someone with a resume and cachè to their name.

But Kelly is an idiot and has no idea what he is doing. Sure.

A lot of you are applying the same type of faulty thought process which was used by USC boosters & admins to justify moving on from interim HC Ed Orgeron.

Reps...

And to add, it was the best bad luck Orgeron ever had. He's exactly where God intended him to be now. Not sure there is a more likable guy, or better good news story than Ed O.

I only hope Tommy, one way or another, turns into a good news story for ND.... now, or later. I'd prefer now.
 

Circa

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Reps...

And to add, it was the best bad luck Orgeron ever had. He's exactly where God intended him to be now. Not sure there is a more likable guy, or better good news story than Ed O.

I only hope Tommy, one way or another, turns into a good news story for ND.... now, or later. I'd prefer now.
<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/LWTWTamxcVApa" width="480" height="372" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe><p><a href="https://giphy.com/gifs/shawshank-redemption-LWTWTamxcVApa">via GIPHY</a></p>
 

317Irish

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Balis has the exact intensity that you need to motivate a team. I have no problem with him leading the speech before every game. There’s no excuse why we’ve laid down so many times, including Michigan this year. Hell I personally watched KState man handle Oklahoma for three quarters. But even then Oklahoma knew they had a chance. The final score was not an indicator of how the game went. They were out played the whole game. I just don’t think the strength coach has much of a chance to ever become an OC.
Why does this feel like ‘98 McGuire vs Sosa? U can’t out homer the homerer. But to get this thread back on track, can I at least throw out the idea that we just watched a breakout year by Boykin followed by a breakout year by Claypool. Del Alexander for OC?? How is Alabama not poaching all of our assistants by now? Sorry not sure if I’m doing this right.
 

Irish YJ

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Why does this feel like ‘98 McGuire vs Sosa? U can’t out homer the homerer. But to get this thread back on track, can I at least throw out the idea that we just watched a breakout year by Boykin followed by a breakout year by Claypool. Del Alexander for OC?? How is Alabama not poaching all of our assistants by now? Sorry not sure if I’m doing this right.

Are you say Tommy is juicin'...
 

NDMIA

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Good news is Joe Moorhead arrived in Eugene on Thursday and spent Friday interviewing him. At this point he's probably not in Eugene anymore and nothing has been reported of an agreement taking place yet. There remains a possibility he gets on a plane to South Bend, IN to meet with BK which would be awesome. Gotta imagine it's between us and Oregon at this point. I don't see anywhere for Joe Moorhead to be a candidate for a head coaching job and I think those are the two best OC jobs available. It'd be nice to have Sampson pull up a chair in the gug outside BK's office and tell us who's at least interviewing or maybe BK's sipping mojitos in Florida right now and taking time off.
 

Ndaccountant

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Good news is Joe Moorhead arrived in Eugene on Thursday and spent Friday interviewing him. At this point he's probably not in Eugene anymore and nothing has been reported of an agreement taking place yet. There remains a possibility he gets on a plane to South Bend, IN to meet with BK which would be awesome. Gotta imagine it's between us and Oregon at this point. I don't see anywhere for Joe Moorhead to be a candidate for a head coaching job and I think those are the two best OC jobs available. It'd be nice to have Sampson pull up a chair in the gug outside BK's office and tell us who's at least interviewing or maybe BK's sipping mojitos in Florida right now and taking time off.

WSU and Baylor are open at the moment. Baylor has been really quiet. I think Sonny Dykes would be likely,
 

IrishLax

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The problem with all of this is perception, and that falls right at the feet of BK. The best move BK has ever done at ND was to hire Elko (who was a known DC quantity). Save for 2015, the best seasons ND has had was driven by defense. The offense, especially in big games, has historically been an issue for BK. It's the whole "wheels come off" thing. So with that in mind, it's easy to see why everyone is skeptical of the situation. For ND to take the next step, they need the offense to be better. I know the last games of 2019 were better, but that still doesn't take away the stink of the night in AA. Right or wrong, people think Tommy = BK's system, which has failed on the biggest stages at ND.

His best move was hiring Lea -- who had zero experience as a DC, but was smart and well liked -- because he believed in his abilities. It would've been much easier for him to go out and get someone with DC experience, but he went for what he thought would be the "best fit" despite it being a completely unproven person.

Also, using Coach O is not a real good comparison IMO. For one, coach O had a history at Ole Miss and flopped big time. Second, when you are the coach of USC, you have to be someone other than a bumblin Canjun. It works at LSU, it doesn't work in LA. Finally, it's not like LSU snatched him up the moment he left LA. Nobody wanted him. The dude was out of football and went from interim HC at USC to nothing, not even a position coach the following year. And he was begging to come back. After serving as DL coach for LSU, he got his shot and has made the most of it. But I will wait and see what happens once Burrow is gone and Brady is gone (most likely to the NFL). I'm personally do not think this has staying power. His previous two versions of LSU teams were very similar to Miles.

It would've worked fine in LA though, because the players loved him and he was getting results. He brought toughness, something USC hasn't had since. It has been pretty well established this year through some reporting, documentary style features, etc. that it was a couple people who didn't want to "settle" or keep someone from the Kiffin staff... and similarly, it was a course correction from that which was why they retained Helton. So there is no right way to decide when it is or is not a good idea to roll the dice on someone who is unproven, especially based on a small sample size.

Maybe the better example is Dabo, who was HATED as a hire by Clemson fans at the time. No experience as a coordinator or HC, interim coach that Clemson "settled" for. My point is really directed at a handful of people who are so convinced that hiring Tommy would be terrible and that Kelly is doing a negligent job searching for an OC. The truth is that Kelly has been shaking damn near every tree out there to see what fruit will fall out... and if none of it is good and Tommy gets promoted, it's sure as sh*t not because he didn't look at every option.
 

InKellyWeTrust

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His best move was hiring Lea -- who had zero experience as a DC, but was smart and well liked -- because he believed in his abilities. It would've been much easier for him to go out and get someone with DC experience, but he went for what he thought would be the "best fit" despite it being a completely unproven person.



It would've worked fine in LA though, because the players loved him and he was getting results. He brought toughness, something USC hasn't had since. It has been pretty well established this year through some reporting, documentary style features, etc. that it was a couple people who didn't want to "settle" or keep someone from the Kiffin staff... and similarly, it was a course correction from that which was why they retained Helton. So there is no right way to decide when it is or is not a good idea to roll the dice on someone who is unproven, especially based on a small sample size.

Maybe the better example is Dabo, who was HATED as a hire by Clemson fans at the time. No experience as a coordinator or HC, interim coach that Clemson "settled" for. My point is really directed at a handful of people who are so convinced that hiring Tommy would be terrible and that Kelly is doing a negligent job searching for an OC. The truth is that Kelly has been shaking damn near every tree out there to see what fruit will fall out... and if none of it is good and Tommy gets promoted, it's sure as sh*t not because he didn't look at every option.

Great post. All of this! Except the Orgeron stuff, I disagree there. He would have been run out of LA one way or another.
 

Ndaccountant

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His best move was hiring Lea -- who had zero experience as a DC, but was smart and well liked -- because he believed in his abilities. It would've been much easier for him to go out and get someone with DC experience, but he went for what he thought would be the "best fit" despite it being a completely unproven person.



It would've worked fine in LA though, because the players loved him and he was getting results. He brought toughness, something USC hasn't had since. It has been pretty well established this year through some reporting, documentary style features, etc. that it was a couple people who didn't want to "settle" or keep someone from the Kiffin staff... and similarly, it was a course correction from that which was why they retained Helton. So there is no right way to decide when it is or is not a good idea to roll the dice on someone who is unproven, especially based on a small sample size.

Maybe the better example is Dabo, who was HATED as a hire by Clemson fans at the time. No experience as a coordinator or HC, interim coach that Clemson "settled" for. My point is really directed at a handful of people who are so convinced that hiring Tommy would be terrible and that Kelly is doing a negligent job searching for an OC. The truth is that Kelly has been shaking damn near every tree out there to see what fruit will fall out... and if none of it is good and Tommy gets promoted, it's sure as sh*t not because he didn't look at every option.

I think we can say that culture matters to a program. It's not the only thing, but its a big thing.

To the bold, I think the reasonable BK skeptic should be able to say he has given looks elsewhere. Sure, some people will say "well, did he consider candidate XXX" and will be unhappy. But I think he has done more of a search than what many anticipated, which is a good thing IMO.
 

Irish#1

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Hopefully we get some actual news on the OC hire this week. It’s been pretty quiet.

After reading these posts, we need a hire just for our sanity. The conjecture is far from how simple this hiring process really is.
 
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