Second city recruiting

[onenybrother]

Does Corwin Brown being from the Chicago public school systems help us in recruiting?

 

[Junkhead]

It should with the inner-city kids, hopefully.

 

[GoshenGipper]

Yes, very much so. I think that if he was here for this whole recruiting cycle then ND would have landed both Tez and Hughes. Instead ND might just get one at the very most.

 

[johnnd05]

There is an article about this in the Sun-Times: http://www.suntimes.com/sports/colleges/220830,CST-SPT-irish20.article. It talks specifically about Hughes and calls him an ND lean!!! I'll put it in his profile as well.

Brown gives city ND pipeline

January 20, 2007
BY VAUGHN MCCLURE Staff Reporter

Hubbard's standout running back Robert Hughes never has met Corwin Brown, but he knows Notre Dame's new defensive coordinator is a Julian grad.

That alone makes Hughes feel somewhat connected.

''I know he's a former player in the Public League, in the National Football League, and a former NFL [assistant] who knows his stuff,'' Hughes said. ''It's always great to see someone out of Chicago, out of your area, do big things. Obviously, he's very successful at what he does.''

Brown -- introduced Friday with new quarterbacks coach Ron Powlus as replacements for Rick Minter and Peter Vaas -- was brought in to give the Irish defense a jolt. Brown could have the same effect on Notre Dame recruiting efforts, particularly in Chicago.

''Well, I have a very strong base,'' Brown said. ''I'm from Chicago. A lot of my friends are coaching there now, especially in the Public League.

''I want to have a big hand [in recruiting] anywhere I go that will help the school ... especially Chicago.''

The 36-year-old has an opportunity to make a dent quickly. Hughes, who is considering Notre Dame and Illinois, said Brown will visit Hubbard on Monday. Hughes is scheduled to announce his decision Tuesday. Sources say he is leaning toward the Irish.

Brown won't be able to sell his defensive scheme, considering Hughes is an offensive player. But Brown can talk about his steady rise as a player and now, as a coach. And Brown can relate with someone like Hughes, having been in the same position.

''If he makes a big impact in recruiting, Corwin Brown definitely will be sought after as a head coach in the next few years,'' said recruiting analyst Tom Lemming of CSTV. ''I think what they'll do with Corwin is have him talk to some of the top defensive players out there right now. Corwin could make a difference.''

Brown said his defensive staff is in place. It's unclear whether Brown will work with the linebackers -- as Minter did -- or with the secondary -- as Brown did with the New York Jets, his previous employer. Bill Lewis is the secondary coach now.

Brown said his defense will be active.

''I believe in being aggressive,'' he said. ''You have to hit. You have to run. And you've got to play hard. And that's what I believe in.''

Those around the Public League already believe in Brown.

''I just think he brings another connection, opens up another avenue between the Chicago Public League and Notre Dame,'' said Morgan Park coach Lexie Spurlock, who sent Corey Mays and Demetrius Jones to South Bend.

''This is a plus for our schools, to see someone rise through the coaching ranks like Corwin has.''

NOTE: Irish quarterback Brady Quinn will miss the Senior Bowl next Saturday with what has been described as a minor knee injury.

Contributing: AP

vmcclure@suntimes.com

 

[jiggafini19]

Steve Filer, Darius Fleming and Jack Ramsey are all on Brown's junior "to do list."

His HS coach JW Smith has played a major role in reshaping the elementary feeder system in the CPL. In fact, he didn't reshape it....he started it from the ground up.

There was a CPL drought between Zorich and Corey Mays, then Weis landed Jones and could end up with Hughes. In the "modern" era of ND Football, this is the first time ND could take a CPL player in back to back seasons.

That's a start.