There have been several changes to the Irish coaching staff since the Hawaii Bowl win. But most have agreed that several changes were needed. I believe Charlie Weis was not going to make any coaching changes until AD Jack Swarbick sat him down in his office. I'm sure every Notre Dame fan wishes they were a "Fly on the Wall" when that meeting happened. I believe Swarbick told Charlie "Look Coach your on THIN ICE right now." I hope that hiring some new blood and old school mentality was needed.
Starting with the Offensive Position Coaches. Let's see here umm first off the Offensive Line looked like pansies out there. For several reasons.
1. NOT BEING ABLE TO RUN THE BALL! How many teams win football games without controlling the line of scrimmage.
2. Lack of strength and mean streaks out there on the line. I could go on forever.
Thats why as of this upcoming season we hired former Cleveland Browns Offensive Line Coach Frank Verducci, who is famous for his Zone Blocking Schemes. Which will be a HUGE help to the run game as well as pass protection. Frank brings that mean mentality about him and pushes his linemen to the limit in the weight room and on the gridiron. If there is one thing I want to see is him light a FIRE under Sam Young's butt. He has not lived up to the top offensive line recruit. As well as, the rest of the offensive line. We will see what happens.
Since former Running Backs coach and Offensive Coordinator, Mike Haywood, left to take a head coaching job for Miami of Ohio. Who was going to fill the spot as Running Backs coach? We got Tony Alford from Iowa State who has had several 1,000 yard rushers during his coaching career. Also, he can help with the return game kickoff and punts that is. I hope our running backs hit the hole and get up field. Also in the return game, take a few to the house every once in a while.
For the Offensive Coordinator Job, looks like Charlie will be calling those duties. Hopefully Jimmy Clausen can run the Pro Offense instead of the Spread. There is talk about Charlie possibly coaching in the press box.
Defensively, I would like to say this not stopping the run and not very many sacks is UNACCEPTABLE by any means. We released Jappy Oliver from Defensive Line Coach and got from Washington Randy Hart, I'm real skeptical about this one. But I've heard he brings that old school mentality about him and his defensive lines play with aggression. Thats what we like to here around here. I hope Randy can help teach these kids fundamentals on the defensive line. But, there is one thing he is doing is grooming Defensive Graduate Assistant, Bryant Young, a former All-American Defensive End for the Irish to be the next Defensive Line Coach. I believe Bryant will help the Irish big time.
I believe these are the right choices to make. These coaches need to teach the players fundamentals and get them to play at National Championship caliber football. I believe Frank, Tony, and Randy will get the job done to get us back to where we belong at the top. GO IRISH!
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Alford was a great pickup! Iowa runners are taught to gain the tough yards. Watch Robert Hughes respond to this guy.
ReplyDeleteAlford is from Iowa State, not Iowa. He's had his fair share of 1,000 yard rushers. He's also good in the return game. I see Golden, Armando, Cierre benefiting from him. Tony is the perfect prescription for Mac Truck Hughes watch him break out this year.
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