Replacing Diaco

[BleedBlueGold]

Sorry if this has already been said, but to bring my two cents to the discussion: BK is a system guy. I tried finding the quotes from when he was first hired about who he'll bring on to fill his staff. His answers, though generic, were spot on to how he's handled everything in his time at ND. He wants coaches that are team/system first, will recruit their butts off, will represent the university well, and are willing to step out of their comfort zone for the goodness of the team (Alford to WR coach in year one). The continuity is of utmost importance therefore it's probably a safe bet that BK promotes from within and/or brings in someone he's worked with in the past.

I won't be shocked if he makes a splash, but I highly doubt he does. Just my personal opinion.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

Cooks, Denbrock, Elston. That's the only list you will need.

 

[Irish#1]

I agree. The other weird thing about Booker is that his background is on defense. I believe he was a safety at Kent State. It's only since he came to ND that he got involved with the offense, beginning as an intern.

We have too many guys with backgrounds in the secondary, between Cooks and Elliot and Booker and Ernest Jones.

His background may be on defense, but on defense you have to learn the offenses you are going to defend. Where he might lack experience is in the teaching of an offensive position, but as OC, he wouldn't be doing that anyway. I'd be okay with him at OC.

 

[rtrn2glory]

it's been awhile since i've had to remember how this works, but should we expect coaching staff hires to be made before or after the bowl?

really hoped we get it before just to help with recruiting more than anything.

sucks right now we have two less guys on the road doing work.

 

[arrowryan]

Got to be Cooks, Elston, or Denbrock, right?

WHERE THE FUCK IS ARROWRYAN

Bonner learned about Diaco's departure via phone call. He was not given any specifics but they are looking to promote within the staff.

Bonner then said that he committed to the university, not Bob Diaco

 

[TheChosen1]

If Cooks gets the DC job and Elston goes with Diaco....Larry Johnson Sr is currently looking for employment. Not a bad position coach.

When did LJ get let go from psu? I know they let go of two coaches. But didn't see his same.

 

[PANDFAN]

If Cooks gets the DC job and Elston goes with Diaco....Larry Johnson Sr is currently looking for employment. Not a bad position coach.

When did LJ get let go from psu? I know they let go of two coaches. But didn't see his same.

he wasn't

 

[TheChosen1]

Didn't think so

 

[T Town Tommy]

Why not pursue a coach like Fleming at UCF or Thurmond at Rice? Both seem to be doing a great job at their respective schools and would probably be affordable enough to consider. A lot of quality DCs' out there that would probably be interested... and affordable. These two would have inroads already established in two of the biggest states for recruiting as well.

 

[Rhode Irish]

You're probably right. I think weathering this storm really comes down to retaining the other assistants.

Make Elston + Cooks co-DC and we probably keep everything together. I don't know if Elston or Elliot would follow Diaco for a promotion to DC but that really seems like biggest risk.

Hard to believe Diaco will put a staff together that doesn't include anyone he worked with at ND, but as long as the staff isn't totally gutted I think we will be fine. Can't say I'm as worried about this as you are. This stuff happens. Circle of life in coaching.

 

[IrishLax]

Hard to believe Diaco will put a staff together that doesn't include anyone he worked with at ND, but as long as the staff isn't totally gutted I think we will be fine. Can't say I'm as worried about this as you are. This stuff happens. Circle of life in coaching.

Why would you assume that? ND should be able to pay quite a bit more to keep the assistants here in similar positions to what they would have at UCONN. The only time I've ever seen a staff "gutted" when someone moved on was Paul Chryst to Pitt... and that's because everyone hated Brett.

 

[IrishInFl]

Disco was a strawberry beer. He was... Ok.

I love the reference that other posters may not get. I'd rep you if I could.

 

[Rhode Irish]

Why would you assume that? ND should be able to pay quite a bit more to keep the assistants here in similar positions to what they would have at UCONN. The only time I've ever seen a staff "gutted" when someone moved on was Paul Chryst to Pitt... and that's because everyone hated Brett.

He has to hire somebody and most people prefer to work with people they know. To be sure, nobody is leaving ND for the same position at UConn. Usually the way you get someone to follow you is to jump them up the ladder, i.e., taking someone that would be a position coach and making them a coordinator. The other possibility is that you take one of "your guys," i.e., someone whose loyalty is stronger to you than to the institution that you left. I think it is extremely unlikely that the staff is "gutted." That was kind of my point. But I also wouldn't be shocked if he took a coach or two with him, depending on the circumstances and the internal dynamics at play (that I'm not privy to). If that happens, I don't see it as a major setback.

 

[IrishLax]

He has to hire somebody and most people prefer to work with people they know. To be sure, nobody is leaving ND for the same position at UConn. Usually the way you get someone to follow you is to jump them up the ladder, i.e., taking someone that would be a position coach and making them a coordinator. The other possibility is that you take one of "your guys," i.e., someone whose loyalty is stronger to you than to the institution that you left. I think it is extremely unlikely that the staff is "gutted." That was kind of my point. But I also wouldn't be shocked if he took a coach or two with him, depending on the circumstances and the internal dynamics at play (that I'm not privy to). If that happens, I don't see it as a major setback.

Right, I wouldn't be surprised if we lost Elston or Elliot or both. I think it's easy to retain one with a promotion... and it might be possible to retain everyone with pay bumps. From reports that Narduzzi turned down the UCONN position because assistant pay was crap, it's hard to imagine any of them getting raises unless their pay is already crap at ND and they are taking a promotion like you said.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

He can take Booker if he wants

 

[koonja]

I love the reference that other posters may not get. I'd rep you if I could.

I'm glad at least one person got it! (Beer Fest people).

 

[TheChosen1]

Hard to believe Diaco will put a staff together that doesn't include anyone he worked with at ND, but as long as the staff isn't totally gutted I think we will be fine. Can't say I'm as worried about this as you are. This stuff happens. Circle of life in coaching.

I said the same thing in two threads. He's probably taking 2 of them.

 

[FLDomer]

He can take Booker if he wants

Amen!

 

[BleedBlueGold]

My best case scenario:

Cooks to DC and they bring in another defensive coach...doesn't even have to be cornerbacks...Kerry may be able to stick with that position group.

Denbrock to OC and they bring in a new WR and/or QB coach.

Hopefully you keep Booker around because he's sure to become a great recruiter....branted, he needs to carry his weight and contribute to coaching as well...but TE's seem to be doing ok, no? haha

 

[koonja]

It's going to be ok!!!

Sure, Diaco looked good in a letterman's jacket and had hair that rivaled JFK's, but he was never on the level of Greg Bryant or Jaylon Smith.

Although his looks may not be easily replaced, his 'bend but don't break' scheme can see the door for all I care. I'm also sick of half of the defense throwing their hands up and being confused immediately before the play. Along those lines, make the damn defense simple enough so that the best players can play! And the guy's blitz scheme was really predictable and he never ran stunts with the DL, even though every time he did it freaking worked. And I'm beating a dead horse at this time, but he was an average recruiter.

So long, Diaco and thanks for your time. Take Booker and Longo (I'm sick of chubby linebackers who can't run!) with you and we've hit a homerun .

 

[irishfan]

So this is just the thought that popped into my head:

--Elston to coach LBs (he did at CMU for Kelly)

--Bryant Young to coach D-Line (coached UF d-line in 2012, resigned this past April for family reasons. Not sure what his situation is, but if he's looking to get back into coaching I think he'd be a homerun.)

 

[koonja]

Furthermore, this gives BK plenty of time to show every recruit why you choose ND for the tradition, combination of elite academics and national football exposure, and not for who's there with you or what buddy has committed.

If he can promise them he is not leaving (signed contract!), then they will know he'll be here for 4 years to take care of them and ND. I don't see us losing a single recruit.

 

[dublinirish]

bring on a Defensive Hiestand type

 

[koonja]

IrishLax, if you concede now on our bet about Yeargin leaving, I will give you the cackalacky discount and you'll only have to give me half of our original be which would be 25 million vbucks.

Thoughts?

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Jon Tenuta

 

[PANDFAN]

PERSPECTIVE

PERSPECTIVE

Kelly's challenge is considerably smaller. This is Notre Dame, after all. Initial reaction among recruits speaks to that, with most youngsters recognizing that much of what they were promised remains in place so long as Kelly is at the forefront. If Diaco does not bring along other Irish assistants with him to Storrs, Conn., Kelly will have a much easier time filling the holes on his staff. Kerry Cooks, let's not forget, has also been the co-defensive coordinator these past two years, and he will probably take on Diaco's responsibilities for (at least) the rest of the month.


The fact this Notre Dame team went 8-4 and had its top two assistants get hired to run their own shows speaks volumes about where the program is now. Jimbo Fisher lost seven assistants in a season that ended with Florida State winning the Orange Bowl, and the Seminoles have turned out oh-so fine in the year since. This is a good problem to have, and as IrishIllustrated's Pete Sampson said, one coordinator leaving right after the other could trigger an eventful race back to South Bend to occupy Kelly's office whenever he should depart.

 

[koonja]

I wonder if Mike Golic would ever be interested? Nobody loved ND more than that guy. He's a personality that's for sure, and would be a dynamite recruiter IMO.

Maybe not DC right away, but talk to him about coaching DL + LB with the idea of grooming him for DC? IDK. I'd play for that guy in a heartbeat.

 

[GoldenIsThyFame]

I wonder if Mike Golic would ever be interested? Nobody loved ND more than that guy. He's a personality that's for sure, and would be a dynamite recruiter IMO.

Maybe not DC right away, but talk to him about coaching DL + LB with the idea of grooming him for DC? IDK. I'd play for that guy in a heartbeat.

 

[FLDomer]

I wonder if Mike Golic would ever be interested? Nobody loved ND more than that guy. He's a personality that's for sure, and would be a dynamite recruiter IMO.

Maybe not DC right away, but talk to him about coaching DL + LB with the idea of grooming him for DC? IDK. I'd play for that guy in a heartbeat.

I think he would be taking a paycut for a job like this with much more stress and a greater time commitment....

 

[koonja]

Yes, I'm serious. IDK what the per-requisites are for being a DL coach, but I'm sure he has them. Couple that with the fact that everyone knows who he is, not to mention great personality and a guy every recruit and family would trust, he'd be a dynamite recruiter.

His entire family tree has gone through ND. He'd never be a flight risk for another school and he'd give everything he could to the position IMO.