VanGorder - New DC!

[Cackalacky]

Brian Kelly knows what Brian VanGorder's system is capable of

Of the many strong Irish defensive performances in Notre Dame’s 31-0 victory over Michigan, they all traced back to one in particular: first-year defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder’s aggressive defense. Not only did his playcalls fluster the Wolverines, and in particular senior quarterback Devin Gardner, but his exuberant antics on the sideline matched the excitement of his charges.


After intercepting Michigan quarterback Devin Gardner, Notre Dame senior quarterback Cody Riggs displayed the enthusiasm that is becoming a staple of the Irish defense.

“That’s his style,” Irish head coach Brian Kelly said during his weekly Sunday teleconference. “When we first coached together [at Grand Valley State in 1989], we felt comfortable with both of us being on the sideline. That’s kind of how we wanted to operate.”

A quarter-century ago, VanGorder reported to Kelly as the linebackers coach reporting to the defensive coordinator. Though VanGorder still reports to Kelly these days, the vast majority of defensive responsibilities lie solely on the defensive coordinator’s shoulders, and with reason.

“Brian is very, very good at taking a scheme which he is very familiar with — and has run quite a bit of this stuff for a long time — because he’s so familiar with it, he can use words that allow for simplification,” Kelly said. “It’s not complicated to him, so it’s easy for him to describe it and communicate it to his players.”

Communicating his 3-4, 4-3 hybrid system to an inexperienced defense has proved vital for VanGorder. To date, eight freshmen have played on the defensive side of the ball, including three linemen in a rotation that needs every body it can find. Factor in the injury to senior safety and captain Austin Collinsworth suffered about 48 hours prior to the season opener, and the youth movement only increased in importance as junior Elijah Shumate suddenly needed to direct the defense from the back line.

“Obviously this has been a process for us that we began back in January,” Kelly said. “One of the things that we took full advantage of is the ability to install the entire package, our entire defense in the spring, then took full advantage of what we considered our [organized team activities], installing the defense again a second time, and then a third time in pre-season camp. That has benefited us greatly.

“We have some kids that have really done a great job of picking up these schemes and have been extremely conscientious.”

Naturally, a youth movement has not reached its full potential only two weeks into the season, even if coming off a resounding and historical shutout of Michigan. Kelly certainly expects more from VanGorder and his defense.

“There’s still a lot of room for improvement,” he said. “We made some mistakes out there that we didn’t get exposed.”

On The Sideline
-- Once again, Kelly had no update on either the ongoing academic investigation or the five players — senior safety Eilar Hardy, senior linebacker Kendall Moore, senior defensive lineman Ishaq Williams, senior receiver DaVaris Daniels and junior cornerback KeiVarae Russell — involved in it.

-- Kelly said sophomore running back Tarean Folston suffered an ankle bone bruise against Michigan when a Wolverine defender landed on it.

“He shouldn’t have any ill effects,” Kelly said. “But it definitely affected him a little bit during the game.”

-- Seniors Christian Lombard and Matt Hegarty rotated at right guard, as Lombard recovers from a sore right ankle that has limited his ability to push off that leg.

-- A last-minute Shumate interception return for a touchdown was negated when the referee flagged sophomore safety Max Redfield for a personal foul when he blocked Gardner. Though the effect on the game was negligible, Kelly still disagreed with the call.

“We didn’t think [Redfield] took a shot at a kid who is 6-foot-4, 220 pounds. Max did not size up somebody or target a player. We felt like in that situation he was doing his job.”

 

[NCND]

LOL! https://twitter.com/thereidy/status/509099466750971904/photo/1

 

[GoldenDomer]

If he actually does the war paint thing, he's a legend.

 

[irishtrain]

This guy has injected the right sauce to the formula. I'm posting THIS thought on this thread because there is no PURDUE thread to post on-I would not be surprised if Purdue wins the game or gives my Irish fits. This could be a perfect storm for upset as its been an emotional, physical, stress test for this team. You cant sit down and take a deep breath until December-so tee it up and go. I hope I'm wrong. Purdue would give blood to win this game.

 

[PANDFAN]

This guy has injected the right sauce to the formula. I'm posting THIS thought on this thread because there is no PURDUE thread to post on-I would not be surprised if Purdue wins the game or gives my Irish fits. This could be a perfect storm for upset as its been an emotional, physical, stress test for this team. You cant sit down and take a deep breath until December-so tee it up and go. I hope I'm wrong. Purdue would give blood to win this game.

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/notre-dame-game-day/188830-sep-13-purdue.html

 

[greyhammer90]

This guy has injected the right sauce to the formula. I'm posting THIS thought on this thread because there is no PURDUE thread to post on-I would not be surprised if Purdue wins the game or gives my Irish fits. This could be a perfect storm for upset as its been an emotional, physical, stress test for this team. You cant sit down and take a deep breath until December-so tee it up and go. I hope I'm wrong. Purdue would give blood to win this game.

It's literally on the front page and has been discussed all day.

 

[clashmore_mike]

Check out @Matt_Fortuna's Tweet: https://twitter.com/Matt_Fortuna/status/509844612379590656

 

[IrishSteelhead]

I was watching the Niners-Cowboys post game and they did the same quote in the locker room BVG uses.

 

[irishfan]

I was watching the Niners-Cowboys post game and they did the same quote in the locker room BVG uses.

Is it that quote? I thought they did the whole "Who's got it better than us?" thing

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Maybe that was it. Was half asleep and remember hearing something along those lines.

 

[KPENN]

This guy has injected the right sauce to the formula. I'm posting THIS thought on this thread because there is no PURDUE thread to post on-I would not be surprised if Purdue wins the game or gives my Irish fits. This could be a perfect storm for upset as its been an emotional, physical, stress test for this team. You cant sit down and take a deep breath until December-so tee it up and go. I hope I'm wrong. Purdue would give blood to win this game.

 

[ulukinatme]

Clearly BVG's success is causing a 'stache revival:

PHOTOS: Alex Trebek Grows Back Mustache, Alex Trebek Jeopardy – Style News - StyleWatch - People.com

 

[KPENN]

Can he just, go away or?

 

[Irish YJ]

The first thing he needs to do is sit Joe.

 

[ACamp1900]

The first thing he needs to do is sit Joe.

I just don't understand it... How can every middle linebacker be worse than him???

 

[GATTACA!]

The first thing he needs to do is sit Joe.

THIS X100000


The fact that Joe is the best option in year 5 of Kelly's program is an absolute joke.

 

[Bluto]

Mattison is coaching the d line at Michigan. Would probably be interested in a raise.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Look at ND's defensive roster, then look at Penn State's defensive roster. Look at what their DC is doing with what he was versus what Van Gorder is doing with what he has.

Come to your own conclusions.

 

[NDRock]

He sucks as bad as Tenuta.

 

[Cogs]

His schematics are TERRIBLE. You could run a youth football 5-2 and stop teams better than BVG. This isn't the NFL, his complex "schematics" dont work.

 

[GATTACA!]

Fire this stupid asshole

 

[Bluto]

The biggest concern is that the defense as a whole is not appreciably better than last year. Pretty frustrating.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

This defense is Charlie Weis defense bad.


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[pkt77242]

I don't think that BVG is a good coach but our D can't tackle for shit either. I think the players deserve their fair share of blame as well.

 

[tko]

Someone deserves blame for keeping Joe out there. Maybe I blame Nyles?

 

[NDBoiler]

His schematics are TERRIBLE. You could run a youth football 5-2 and stop teams better than BVG. This isn't the NFL, his complex "schematics" dont work.

The comment from Redfield about it being harder to learn than Chinese was very telling IMO. It begs the question - why? This complexity is not producing any staggering results, so what's the point? It's borderline ridiculous, really. I'm sure the scheme at LSU, Bama, and OSU doesn't require Mensa members to execute, yet they seemingly have this thing called defense figured out. When it is keeping your best athletes off the field that aren't completely green true freshmen, that's a problem. It should not be that hard, and that's squarely on the coaches (BVG) for not tailoring a defense for college football players.

 

[GBdomer]

With the course load these players take on and all the other stuff they go through I still don't understand why he doesn't simplify the defense so the younger more talented guys can get on the field.

 

[IrishinSyria]

I was calling for Van Gorder's head at the half last night, but obviously our D turned the page in the second half (though query what would have happened if Kessler threw the deep route to Smith like one yard further). Can never have another half like the first half though. Our blitzes were ineffective and they were giving USC's receivers room to wreck our secondary. We have to be more realistic about what our guys can do.

 

[kmoose]

I'm sure the scheme at LSU, Bama, and OSU doesn't require Mensa members to execute, yet they seemingly have this thing called defense figured out.

I don't think that's a fair comparison. I'm sure you could probably find one guy on the roster of those teams that is at least in the same ballpark as Redfield's academic load, but then it probably drops right off of the map. I don't KNOW that its accurate to say that it takes too many hours a week to learn VanGorder's game plan, or that every defensive player's academic load is incompatible with the amount of time it takes......... but I would NOT be surprised.

 

[Anchorman]

I don't think that's a fair comparison. I'm sure you could probably find one guy on the roster of those teams that is at least in the same ballpark as Redfield's academic load, but then it probably drops right off of the map. I don't KNOW that its accurate to say that it takes too many hours a week to learn VanGorder's game plan, or that every defensive player's academic load is incompatible with the amount of time it takes......... but I would NOT be surprised.

Redfield is also the exception more than the rule here...