Who do you want to replace Brian Kelly?

[ND NYC]

^no italics needed Crusader, its mind boggling really that he hadn't heard from staff since September.
just another indicator that its time to CLEAN House

 

[BobbyMac]

^no italics needed Crusader, its mind boggling really that he hadn't heard from staff since September.
just another indicator that its time to CLEAN House

I just responded to that in his thread... not sure I believe it at face. There's gotta be more to it. But if not...

 

[BobbyMac]

This judge gives Matt Hegarty a 10 in the backhanded under the bus toss.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pleasure to be coached by this man for 1 great year. Have never met a more caring head coach that was committed to doing it right.Sad for UO <a href="https://t.co/unydwOgDPr">pic.twitter.com/unydwOgDPr</a></p>— Matt Hegarty (@MHegs77) <a href="https://twitter.com/MHegs77/status/804114651311001600">December 1, 2016</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Where there is smoke???

He didn't hit the recruiting trail, he came home. Hmmmm. More to it.

 

[phgreek]

^no italics needed Crusader, its mind boggling really that he hadn't heard from staff since September.
just another indicator that its time to CLEAN House

Is this for real...ND offered, he committed, then, when these kids need to be reassured the program is ok (4-8), ND went dark for like 60 days???

Please tell me he is exaggerating because he feels he needs an excuse...

Because if not, someone needs FIRED! can't just ignore your job because it is uncomfortable explaining why you can't win...

 

[Irish#1]

^no italics needed Crusader, its mind boggling really that he hadn't heard from staff since September.
just another indicator that its time to CLEAN House

This is puzzling. With a RC, I would think they have a big white board with everyone's names and when the last time a coach checked in with a recruit.

 

[phgreek]

This is puzzling. With a RC, I would think they have a big white board with everyone's names and when the last time a coach checked in with a recruit.

...at least that

 

[Cali_domer]

I just responded to that in his thread... not sure I believe it at face. There's gotta be more to it. But if not...

Did you verify the BK Oregon trip?

 

[phgreek]

Welp...

If ND doesn't say something today...then Kelly is up to something IMHO.

In that case, go hire Al Golden as interim HC, fire kelly, and start the search/wooing. Stoops is way overdue to leave Norman.

 

[Henges24]

If BK jumps to Oregon I seriously hope we can snag CK somehow. That would be an upgrade.

 

[CrystalHead]

I believe Kelly has been given a lot to think about. His control of the program has more than likely been taken out of his hands. He has been told what he needs to do and how to do it moving forward. If that's true then that can't sit well with the ego Kelly has. He has never been in this situation in his coaching career. He has proven he can't hold himself accountable now more than likely he has a very upset board of trustees holding him to the fire. I believe the silence out of ND means Kelly is weighing his options and has been given X amount of time to do so.

 

[irishff1014]

If BK jumps to Oregon I seriously hope we can snag CK somehow. That would be an upgrade.

Chip Kelly said he is t going back to Oregon and he is a king there so if he isn't going there he isn't coming here. Nor do I want him here.

 

[Irish#1]

Chip Kelly said he is t going back to Oregon and he is a king there so if he isn't going there he isn't coming here. Nor do I want him here.

I don't care who the coach is as long as he wins at least 10 games a year and makes a run at the NC every 3-4 years.

 

[IrishLion]

Ya'll need to let the Chip Kelly dreams die haha. He's as unrealistic as Saban or Harbaugh.

 

[beryirish]

Latest DC talk

Coaching hot board: Defensive coordinator

Nick Ironside - 21 hours ago

Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly isn't searching for a new job, but he is looking for a defensive coordinator.

Kelly fired third-year defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder in late September. And now that the offseason has begun, the seventh-year Irish head coach will begin to gauge the interest of a number of potential candidates.

Kelly isn't limiting the search.

"I think I'll definitely interview inside the staff and certainly bring somebody from the outside, as well," he said in November, "so that process will take on an internal candidate and there will be external candidates, as well."

With bowl season still to come, it's possible the position won't be filled until later in December or even January. But for the time being, here are a number of candidates Kelly could consider as he searches for a new defensive coordinator.

MIKE ELKO - Wake Forest defensive coordinator/safeties coach

The third-year Wake Forest defensive coordinator should be atop Brian Kelly's list of coaches to call. Mike Elko doubles as safeties coach and defensive coordinator, demonstrating his ability to simultaneously coach a position group and the defense as a unit. Wake Forest has ranked inside the top 40 in total defense during all three of Elko's seasons in charge. It was T-8 in turnovers gained (25) and, unlike ND's unit, was productive behind the line of scrimmage; the Demon Deacons ranked T-12 in team sacks (3.08 per game) and T-32 in tackles for loss (6.8 per game).

Elko had success at Bowling Green, too, where his defense generated 106 turnovers in five seasons. The 39-year-old played linebacker at Pennsylvania and is familiar with ACC defenses, which would be a bonus for the Irish.

ALEX GRINCH - Washington State defensive coordinator

One of the first defensive coordinator's who will receive a call from many schools this offseason is Washington State's Alex Grinch. The second-year defensive coordinator was handed control of the defense by head coach Mike Leach; his experience calling plays and implementing his own scheme are sure to be traits Kelly wants in a candidate. Grinch took over a Washington State defense that allowed nearly 39 points per game and gained eight turnovers in 2014 to one that has recovered 21 fumbles and intercepted 25 passes in two seasons. The Cougars allowed 27.2 (2016) and 27.7 (2015) points per game, and the rushing defense this season was vastly improved.

Grinch served as the defensive backs coach at Missouri from 2012-14 and helped lead the Tigers to two consecutive SEC East Division titles. The former Mount Union safety also coached at Wyoming (secondary) and New Hampshire, where he coached the cornerbacks, the secondary and served as recruiting coordinator for two seasons. At 36 years old, Grinch is considered a popular name. Kelly should place one of his first calls to Grinch.

MIKE ELSTON - Notre Dame linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator

If Kelly decides to hire a member of his current staff, Mike Elston would be the obvious choice. Elston and interim defensive coordinator Greg Hudson collaborated and improved a unit that finished the season ranked 44th in total defense. Kelly is familiar with the linebackers coach—the two have coached together since 2004—and the Michigan alum has experience coaching linebackers and the defensive line. He's also impressed in his nearly two years as ND recruiting coordinator. And while Kelly said he would interview a candidate internally, it isn't clear if he would prefer to hire someone from the outside.

PHIL SNOW - Temple defensive coordinator

Temple's fourth-year defensive coordinator and 40-year veteran Phil Snow has prior experience as a defensive coach on the West Coast in the collegiate ranks and also in the NFL. Snow has spent parts of the past seven seasons as a defensive coordinator at Eastern Michigan and Temple; however, he coached the Detroit Lions' defense and linebackers in the four seasons prior to returning to the college game. He's served as the defensive coordinator at Washington, UCLA and Arizona State—his familiarity with the West Coast could benefit the Irish from a recruiting standpoint.

Snow's also coached several prominent NFL players at the collegiate level, a group that includes the Baltimore Ravens's Terrell Suggs (Arizona State), former St. Louis Ram Adam Archuleta (Arizona State), former Green Bay Packer Greg Newsome (Arizona State) and Terry Johnson (Washington) among others. He's been involved in an impressive turnaround at Temple and would be a good hire for the Irish.

BO PELINI - Youngstown State head coach

Bo Pelini has served as a head coach for the past nine seasons and has a wealth of experience as a defensive coordinator, having spent time in the role at Nebraska, Oklahoma and LSU. Pelini wouldn't be new to South Bend—last summer he was in attendance at Irish Invasion and showed up for at least one practice in the spring. He also hired ND coordinator of recruiting operations Aaryn Kearney at Nebraska, where the two worked together until 2014. Pelini earned a reputation at Nebraska as a coach who had a tendency to lose his temper on the sideline, and made several controversial comments that could deter future employers such as ND. His qualifications as a coach are indisputable, though.

JIM LEAVITT - Colorado defensive coordinator/linebackers coach

Broyles Award nominee and Colorado defensive coordinator Jim Leavitt is another potential candidate with head-coaching experience. But like in Pelini's case, it's important to point out the circumstances under which Leavitt's 13-year tenure at South Florida came to end. He was fired after an investigation found he struck a player in the locker room. Leavitt took two years off from coaching before serving as the San Francisco 49ers's linebacker coach for four seasons. The 59-year old was hired by Colorado in 2015 as its defensive coordinators and linebackers coach and has enjoyed success under head coach Mike McIntyre. Leavitt's ties to Florida would be invaluable as a recruiter, but ND could be hesitant to consider him because of his background.

GREG HUDSON - Notre Dame interim defensive coordinator/analyst

If Kelly interviews a second internal candidate, interim defensive coordinator Greg Hudson would be the obvious choice. The former ND linebacker's track record includes time as a defensive coordinator at Minnesota, East Carolina and Purdue; he also served as assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Florida State from 2010-12. Those ties would help in recruiting, but it's more likely he returns to ND in a different role than defensive coordinator.

CHARLIE STRONG - Former Texas head coach

Every coaching hot board needs a reach. The recently fired Texas coach will likely find another head-coaching job in the near future, but considering he's unemployed it's worth placing a call to Strong, whose résumé includes stints as defensive coordinator at South Carolina and Florida, and head coach at Louisville and Texas. He's overqualified to serve as ND's defensive coordinator by a significant margin, and it's more likely he will end up with a Power Five job or a position at an upper-tier Group of Five program.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

Oregonlive.com is making it seem its down to Fleck and Kelly.

to add...The Oregon people are freaking out lol. They seem to think that Brian Kelly needs locked up in a nut house because he has 'anger issues' hahaha

 

[NDRock]

Ya'll need to let the Chip Kelly dreams die haha. He's as unrealistic as Saban or Harbaugh.

And he's less interested in recruiting than BK.

 

[NDgradstudent]

Swarbrick has now put ND is a ludicrous position. We're okay if BK leaves, we sort of want him to leave, but we aren't going to fire him.

I'm sure this will help recruiting...

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I think BK will unfortunately be back but while we are throwing arou d fantasy names like Chip my dream candidate would be Chris Peterson.

 

[NDRock]

Swarbrick has now put ND is a ludicrous position. We're okay if BK leaves, we sort of want him to leave, but we aren't going to fire him.

I'm sure this will help recruiting...

It seems insane if this is what is actually going on. This is the hopeless position we are in. Either hoping Kelly stays and changes in ways he has shown no inclination to do in his 7 years or hope the ND administration makes a great hire, something they have shown no ability to do since Holtz left. Looks like we're FUBAR either way.

 

[NDisme]

Unfortunately from what I read from Eric Hansen, he isn't going anywhere and it would be surprising if he does. So we will miss out of Fleck, imo the type of personality needed to succeed here, and then what is the best case scenario if Kelly stays? He has had 2 successful seasons at ND by that I mean 10 or more wins, and both times he has used that to flirt with other jobs. So best case he have a 10 win season at some point and he flirts with another job and takes it? I just don't see where this gets us.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

Unfortunately from what I read from Eric Hansen, he isn't going anywhere and it would be surprising if he does. So we will miss out of Fleck, imo the type of personality needed to succeed here, and then what is the best case scenario if Kelly stays? He has had 2 successful seasons at ND by that I mean 10 or more wins, and both times he has used that to flirt with other jobs. So best case he have a 10 win season at some point and he flirts with another job and takes it? I just don't see where this gets us.

Yes, and if the administration is keeping him with the idea of forcing changes down his throat then he's going to be heading out to the first attractive alternative.

 

[Blaise]

I feel like this Kelly stuff hurting recruiting is all in our heads. Every national writer says Kelly is coming back with exception of Pat Forde... I think unless recruits are living on message boards, they have no reason to think Kelly won't be the coach in 17.

For Kelly his focus should be and prob is on hiring the perfect DC.. I would love Elko, Pelini or Strong and if we get any one of them, I think this class stays together pretty well

 

[NDRock]

I feel like this Kelly stuff hurting recruiting is all in our heads. Every national writer says Kelly is coming back with exception of Pat Forde... I think unless recruits are living on message boards, they have no reason to think Kelly won't be the coach in 17.

For Kelly his focus should be and prob is on hiring the perfect DC.. I would love Elko, Pelini or Strong and if we get any one of them, I think this class stays together pretty well

You're probably right, doubt Urban even mentioned it to Werner last weekend. All is well.

 

[IrishLion]

Swarbrick has now put ND is a ludicrous position. We're okay if BK leaves, we sort of want him to leave, but we aren't going to fire him.

I'm sure this will help recruiting...

How do you know that, though?

What if it's not up to Swarbrick? What if he's ready to go, but the boosters aren't putting the money together?

Or what if he's waiting to see if BK gets a different job, in order to avoid the buyout?

OR, what if he's waiting until after certain teams play in conference championship games???

Your frustration is leading you into definitive statements about JS's failures, but there is literally nothing definitive about a potential head coaching vacancy/search.

 

[Cali_domer]

Alright time for kickstarter campaign.

 

[Free Manera]

You're probably right, doubt Urban even mentioned it to Werner last weekend. All is well.

I know your're being sarcastic but it's funny because one of the articles about the decommitment addressed this. It said something like "Urban said ND is a great place and I understand why you would want to go there," but then during Fickell's in home, Fickell raised the uncertainty as an issue, which was probably the cherry on top in convincing Werner to jump.

 

[phgreek]

I feel like this Kelly stuff hurting recruiting is all in our heads. Every national writer says Kelly is coming back with exception of Pat Forde... I think unless recruits are living on message boards, they have no reason to think Kelly won't be the coach in 17.

For Kelly his focus should be and prob is on hiring the perfect DC.. I would love Elko, Pelini or Strong and if we get any one of them, I think this class stays together pretty well

...which is fine by me, drama needs to end quickly. If it goes this way, Kelly can't be forcing existing defensive coaches on the new DC...gotta hire him, and let him hire his staff. Hell maybe he'll get the right guy and pick up a couple 4-5 star D tackles...good hell we could use a win or four along the Dline.

 

[Blaise]

You're probably right, doubt Urban even mentioned it to Werner last weekend. All is well.

I also doubt Werner left because he doesn't think Kelly will be the coach.. I am sure he left because we don't have a DC.. we went 4-8 and places like Bama and OSU never dip.. They just reload

 

[Blaise]

...which is fine by me, drama needs to end quickly. If it goes this way, Kelly can't be forcing existing defensive coaches on the new DC...gotta hire him, and let him hire his staff. Hell maybe he'll get the right guy and pick up a couple 4-5 star D tackles...good hell we could use a win or four along the Dline.

I couldn't agree more with this... Whoever the next DC needs to be allowed to dump every assistant if he wants and build the defense his way.. Get some recruiting studs and get some great D Linemen.. Impose our will