Something to think about...
I coached football and was the recruiting coordinator under Jamie Barresi at the University of Ottawa. Who you may ask? Coach B spent 20 years as an assistant at Penn State, Wake Forest, Florida (where he recruited and coached Emitt Smith), UCF, among other places, before heading to the CFL as an offensive coordinator. Finally, he had the opportunity to be his own head coach, at the University of Ottawa (Alma mater) and at a similar time, was offered an assistant position with the Detroit Lions, Under Jim Caldwell (who he coached with at Wake Forest, and who is among his best friends)... He chose Ottawa and the opportunity to be his own boss.
So what? When Coach Barresi was hired, it came with much fanfare. He was highly motivated, qualified and he recruited well, right off the bat. 3 years into his tenure, his offense was full of talent, and setting all time league records, while the defense, which lacked the elite talent of the offense, but still had a ton of quality players, progressively got worse under his DC, who he had hired and who had lots of experience. Said DC had produced some of the nation's best defenses at his previous stop and came highly regarded. Unfortunately, he himself proved to be an average recruiter and the obvious raw talent that was being recruited into the program was being underdeveloped and the energy had been drown out of the group, while their growth and development lacked.
In 2015, despite setting the CIS passing record and scoring a ton of points, U Ottawa missed the playoffs because of it's porous defense, which started with a year long suspension of a starting CB and season-ending shoulder injury to the FS, their most athletic defender, in an exhibition game, one week before the start of the season. That issue was magnified, when in game 2, the 2nd best DB in the group went down with a high ankle sprain that cost him most of the season. A secondary that was already young (starting 2 true freshman), was forced to start as many as 5 true freshman at times in the season, and they simply got shredded. At the same time, Ottawa's best pass rusher suffered a concussion that caused him to miss a month of the season, and his two primary backups were true freshman, both of whom were talented, but not physically ready to play. The season was a disaster and many were calling for Coach Barresi's head.
Fast forward one year. The administration gave Coach B an opportunity to fix the mistake he had made in his first DC hire. He did extensive research and brought in a really quality, young, energetic DC (who brought a secondary coach with him). The players had a great off season lifting, a simpler, more direct scheme was implemented, focusing on fundamentals and sound scheme. Players were allowed to simply "go play". All the freshman that played in 2015, we're a year older, more prepared and physically ready to play. A few key recruits were brought in to bolster some deficiencies and a scheme change allowed some players already on the roster, but who weren't contributing, to join the rotation and a couple have become impact players. Rather than trying to fit players into a scheme, the new DC developed his scheme around the talent he had on hand.
Ottawa U is currently ranked 8th nationally, with a 5-1 record and tied for top place in their 11 team conference. Their offense is still putting up great numbers, but their defense has been the reason for the huge change in record. They've come a long way in a year. From 3rd worst in the conference in PPG in 2015, to 3rd best heading into tomorrow's game... With basically the same players, minus 3 key loses to graduation and the addition of 1 impact player, plus the return of the FS who missed the entire season with a shoulder injury.
Coach Barresi is among the two favorites to win Coach of the Year, one year removed from people calling for his job. His job security no longer seems to be a topic in Ottawa (at least for now) and with the exception of one game, the team has played well. They've beat 2 nationally ranked, top 10 teams thus far, who they lost to by a combined 40+ points last year.
What does that have to do with Brian Kelly? In 2012 he took ND to the national title game. Last year, had his DC not been substandard, ND would have been on the brink of the playoffs again. In 2016, his lame duck DC was finally fired, but not after the damage had been done. He had under recruited, implemented an outdated pro scheme that was not applicable to college football. And just yesterday, in a press conference, Brian Kelly hinted at why ND had become so disfunctional on defense and why many of the positions had been so poorly developed. He noted in his press conference that not nearly enough time was being alloted to fundamentals under VanGorder and that his assistant coaches were not given the opportunity to teach their own units and run their own film rooms.
Guys, Kelly isn't going to throw BVG (his longtime friend) under the bus. He without a doubt screwed up in trusting the man to sail a sinking ship, and for that reason, Kelly has a hard lesson to learn. The truth, however, is that VanGorder was a control freak and his ego was so big, that he stubbornly was not willing to make the necessary changes or come to some essential realizations, to make his defense successful. He spent all his time implementing schemes that players struggled to grasp and he willingly put players in positions (Drue Tranquil) that they had no opportunity to succeed in. Furthermore, he refused to allow his assistants (per Brian Kelly) to teach, meaning a guy like Todd Lyght was essentially the DB coach in title only and instead, tried to do everything on his own, until Kelly was forced to fire him... We've all worked with or associated with somebody like that at some point during our lives. Some people are extremely knowledgeable and qualified, but are horrendous teachers to anyone who don't possess the near superhuman ability to execute what that person had in mind. That's why Jaylon Smith won the Butkus and developed. Because he was a supernatural talent in a scheme designed to be executed by people of that talent level. And even Jaylon was horrendously misused in my estimation.
This is my opinion and I'm sure many will disagree with me...I want to see Brian Kelly coach this team with the talent that currently resides on offense, and a new DC in 2017 (I'd do anything to get Dave Arranda), bringing a college scheme, fresh energy, maybe a couple key recruits, and a scheme suited for the players on this roster (that's a 3-4 front, zone-coverage scheme, if you ask me). A year from now, under the right tutelage and a great off season in the weight room, think of how much better ND could be with the return of Nick Watkins and Shaun Crawford and the development of Daelin Hayes, Julian Okwara, Jay Hayes, Khalid Kareem, Pete Mokwuah, Asmar Bilal, Te'Von Coney, Nyles Morgan, Devin Studstill, Jalen Elliot, Donte Vaughn, Troy Pride and Julian Love. Those are 12 talented kids, that are playing for essentially the 1st time, just now learning the fundamentals of college football and a how to play in a sound scheme.
If there isn't immense improvement next year, I think you fire Kelly and start from scratch. I'm not usually a patient person, but in this case, looking at what's gone on, I'm willing to wait another year, with a quality DC (hopefully) in place, a bunch of young kids who will be a year older, more mature and developed and a defensive staff who are allowed to do their job, teach and make kids better.
If I'm Kelly, I'm already rallying Kizer (or preparing Wimbush) and in the ear of Nelson, McGlinchey and Hunter Jr to return in 2017 and right the ship.
I'll go on record in saying this. If ND makes a quality DC hire, replaces Scott Booker with Jeff Quinn as TE Coach and their roster looks like this, they'll win at least 10 games in 2017, with a shot at the playoffs.
QB: DeShone Kizer
2. Ian Book
RB: Josh Adams
2. Dexter Williams
WR: EQ St. Brown
2. Miles Boykin
WR: Tori Hunter Jr.
2. Kevin Stepherson
Slot: CJ Sanders
2. Michael Young
TE: Aliz'e Jones
2. Nick Weishar
LT: Mike McGlinchey
2. Liam Eichenberg
LG: Quenton Nelson
2. Colin McGovern
C: Sam Mustipher
2. Tristan Hoge
RG: Alex Bars
2. Colin McGovern
RT: Tommy Kraemer
2. Liam Eichenberg
DE: Jerry Tillery
2. Jonathan Bonner
NG: Daniel Cage
2. Pete Mokwuah
DE: Jay Hayes
2. Khalid Kareem
OLB(Drop): Drue Tranquill
2. Greer Martini
ILB: Asmar Bilal
2. Te'Von Coney
ILB: Nyles Morgan
2. Josh Barajas
OLB (Rush): Daelin Hayes
2. Julian Okwara
CB: Nick Watkins
2. Julian Love
FS: Devin Studstill
2. Jalen Elliot
SS: Chase Claypool
2. Jalen Elliot
CB: Donte Vaughn
2. Troy Pride
NB: Shaun Crawford
2. Thomas Graham
JMO... But I've seen the difference a year can make with a quality hire, some fresh energy in the program and the implementation of an appropriate scheme, coupled with a focus on teaching and player development. I'm betting on a huge turnaround in 2017.
I coached football and was the recruiting coordinator under Jamie Barresi at the University of Ottawa. Who you may ask? Coach B spent 20 years as an assistant at Penn State, Wake Forest, Florida (where he recruited and coached Emitt Smith), UCF, among other places, before heading to the CFL as an offensive coordinator. Finally, he had the opportunity to be his own head coach, at the University of Ottawa (Alma mater) and at a similar time, was offered an assistant position with the Detroit Lions, Under Jim Caldwell (who he coached with at Wake Forest, and who is among his best friends)... He chose Ottawa and the opportunity to be his own boss.
So what? When Coach Barresi was hired, it came with much fanfare. He was highly motivated, qualified and he recruited well, right off the bat. 3 years into his tenure, his offense was full of talent, and setting all time league records, while the defense, which lacked the elite talent of the offense, but still had a ton of quality players, progressively got worse under his DC, who he had hired and who had lots of experience. Said DC had produced some of the nation's best defenses at his previous stop and came highly regarded. Unfortunately, he himself proved to be an average recruiter and the obvious raw talent that was being recruited into the program was being underdeveloped and the energy had been drown out of the group, while their growth and development lacked.
In 2015, despite setting the CIS passing record and scoring a ton of points, U Ottawa missed the playoffs because of it's porous defense, which started with a year long suspension of a starting CB and season-ending shoulder injury to the FS, their most athletic defender, in an exhibition game, one week before the start of the season. That issue was magnified, when in game 2, the 2nd best DB in the group went down with a high ankle sprain that cost him most of the season. A secondary that was already young (starting 2 true freshman), was forced to start as many as 5 true freshman at times in the season, and they simply got shredded. At the same time, Ottawa's best pass rusher suffered a concussion that caused him to miss a month of the season, and his two primary backups were true freshman, both of whom were talented, but not physically ready to play. The season was a disaster and many were calling for Coach Barresi's head.
Fast forward one year. The administration gave Coach B an opportunity to fix the mistake he had made in his first DC hire. He did extensive research and brought in a really quality, young, energetic DC (who brought a secondary coach with him). The players had a great off season lifting, a simpler, more direct scheme was implemented, focusing on fundamentals and sound scheme. Players were allowed to simply "go play". All the freshman that played in 2015, we're a year older, more prepared and physically ready to play. A few key recruits were brought in to bolster some deficiencies and a scheme change allowed some players already on the roster, but who weren't contributing, to join the rotation and a couple have become impact players. Rather than trying to fit players into a scheme, the new DC developed his scheme around the talent he had on hand.
Ottawa U is currently ranked 8th nationally, with a 5-1 record and tied for top place in their 11 team conference. Their offense is still putting up great numbers, but their defense has been the reason for the huge change in record. They've come a long way in a year. From 3rd worst in the conference in PPG in 2015, to 3rd best heading into tomorrow's game... With basically the same players, minus 3 key loses to graduation and the addition of 1 impact player, plus the return of the FS who missed the entire season with a shoulder injury.
Coach Barresi is among the two favorites to win Coach of the Year, one year removed from people calling for his job. His job security no longer seems to be a topic in Ottawa (at least for now) and with the exception of one game, the team has played well. They've beat 2 nationally ranked, top 10 teams thus far, who they lost to by a combined 40+ points last year.
What does that have to do with Brian Kelly? In 2012 he took ND to the national title game. Last year, had his DC not been substandard, ND would have been on the brink of the playoffs again. In 2016, his lame duck DC was finally fired, but not after the damage had been done. He had under recruited, implemented an outdated pro scheme that was not applicable to college football. And just yesterday, in a press conference, Brian Kelly hinted at why ND had become so disfunctional on defense and why many of the positions had been so poorly developed. He noted in his press conference that not nearly enough time was being alloted to fundamentals under VanGorder and that his assistant coaches were not given the opportunity to teach their own units and run their own film rooms.
Guys, Kelly isn't going to throw BVG (his longtime friend) under the bus. He without a doubt screwed up in trusting the man to sail a sinking ship, and for that reason, Kelly has a hard lesson to learn. The truth, however, is that VanGorder was a control freak and his ego was so big, that he stubbornly was not willing to make the necessary changes or come to some essential realizations, to make his defense successful. He spent all his time implementing schemes that players struggled to grasp and he willingly put players in positions (Drue Tranquil) that they had no opportunity to succeed in. Furthermore, he refused to allow his assistants (per Brian Kelly) to teach, meaning a guy like Todd Lyght was essentially the DB coach in title only and instead, tried to do everything on his own, until Kelly was forced to fire him... We've all worked with or associated with somebody like that at some point during our lives. Some people are extremely knowledgeable and qualified, but are horrendous teachers to anyone who don't possess the near superhuman ability to execute what that person had in mind. That's why Jaylon Smith won the Butkus and developed. Because he was a supernatural talent in a scheme designed to be executed by people of that talent level. And even Jaylon was horrendously misused in my estimation.
This is my opinion and I'm sure many will disagree with me...I want to see Brian Kelly coach this team with the talent that currently resides on offense, and a new DC in 2017 (I'd do anything to get Dave Arranda), bringing a college scheme, fresh energy, maybe a couple key recruits, and a scheme suited for the players on this roster (that's a 3-4 front, zone-coverage scheme, if you ask me). A year from now, under the right tutelage and a great off season in the weight room, think of how much better ND could be with the return of Nick Watkins and Shaun Crawford and the development of Daelin Hayes, Julian Okwara, Jay Hayes, Khalid Kareem, Pete Mokwuah, Asmar Bilal, Te'Von Coney, Nyles Morgan, Devin Studstill, Jalen Elliot, Donte Vaughn, Troy Pride and Julian Love. Those are 12 talented kids, that are playing for essentially the 1st time, just now learning the fundamentals of college football and a how to play in a sound scheme.
If there isn't immense improvement next year, I think you fire Kelly and start from scratch. I'm not usually a patient person, but in this case, looking at what's gone on, I'm willing to wait another year, with a quality DC (hopefully) in place, a bunch of young kids who will be a year older, more mature and developed and a defensive staff who are allowed to do their job, teach and make kids better.
If I'm Kelly, I'm already rallying Kizer (or preparing Wimbush) and in the ear of Nelson, McGlinchey and Hunter Jr to return in 2017 and right the ship.
I'll go on record in saying this. If ND makes a quality DC hire, replaces Scott Booker with Jeff Quinn as TE Coach and their roster looks like this, they'll win at least 10 games in 2017, with a shot at the playoffs.
QB: DeShone Kizer
2. Ian Book
RB: Josh Adams
2. Dexter Williams
WR: EQ St. Brown
2. Miles Boykin
WR: Tori Hunter Jr.
2. Kevin Stepherson
Slot: CJ Sanders
2. Michael Young
TE: Aliz'e Jones
2. Nick Weishar
LT: Mike McGlinchey
2. Liam Eichenberg
LG: Quenton Nelson
2. Colin McGovern
C: Sam Mustipher
2. Tristan Hoge
RG: Alex Bars
2. Colin McGovern
RT: Tommy Kraemer
2. Liam Eichenberg
DE: Jerry Tillery
2. Jonathan Bonner
NG: Daniel Cage
2. Pete Mokwuah
DE: Jay Hayes
2. Khalid Kareem
OLB(Drop): Drue Tranquill
2. Greer Martini
ILB: Asmar Bilal
2. Te'Von Coney
ILB: Nyles Morgan
2. Josh Barajas
OLB (Rush): Daelin Hayes
2. Julian Okwara
CB: Nick Watkins
2. Julian Love
FS: Devin Studstill
2. Jalen Elliot
SS: Chase Claypool
2. Jalen Elliot
CB: Donte Vaughn
2. Troy Pride
NB: Shaun Crawford
2. Thomas Graham
JMO... But I've seen the difference a year can make with a quality hire, some fresh energy in the program and the implementation of an appropriate scheme, coupled with a focus on teaching and player development. I'm betting on a huge turnaround in 2017.