Kelly’s decision regarding the next Defensive Coordinator will determine whether ND continues the run we have been on since 2016.
ND’s offenses, even with an experienced QB like Ian Book with receivers like Claypool, Boykin, Kmet, Mayer, Tremble, McKinley, etc. etc., and many RBs that are now in the NFL and top OL groups have in rare instances blown people away like the best offenses in college football today. thus the pressure will again be on the defense to hold the other team’s scoring down.
Nick Saban’s comments about how the game today has become a game of scoring points is true. Look at the offenses in the Playoff this season. ND has not been able to produce points like Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State... add last year’s Oklahoma offense and it is easy to agree with Saban.
To think that ND’s offense next season with a new inexperienced QB and a rebuilt (at least 3 starters) offensive line will outproduce the 2020 offense is a hope and certainly not a sure thing.
Therefore the DEFENSE will have to hold down the fort again next season for ND to have another 10+ win season. A nucleus of good players returns on defense so who coaches them will be important. THUS WHO KELLY PICKS AS THE DC IS HUGELY IMPORTANT. Even a partial miss at the hire will descent ND back into a 10-20 ranked team versus a Top 5 team that we have evolved to since Elko and Lea arrived.
A BVG type hire, without an offense that scores 40 - 45 points per game will produce losses that we currently do not experience.
Opening the search up to a national search seems to be the prudent choice. I certainly hope Kelly does a national search to find another elite DC and replicate what he did when he went outside for ELKO after the 2016 season.
ND’s offenses, even with an experienced QB like Ian Book with receivers like Claypool, Boykin, Kmet, Mayer, Tremble, McKinley, etc. etc., and many RBs that are now in the NFL and top OL groups have in rare instances blown people away like the best offenses in college football today. thus the pressure will again be on the defense to hold the other team’s scoring down.
Nick Saban’s comments about how the game today has become a game of scoring points is true. Look at the offenses in the Playoff this season. ND has not been able to produce points like Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State... add last year’s Oklahoma offense and it is easy to agree with Saban.
To think that ND’s offense next season with a new inexperienced QB and a rebuilt (at least 3 starters) offensive line will outproduce the 2020 offense is a hope and certainly not a sure thing.
Therefore the DEFENSE will have to hold down the fort again next season for ND to have another 10+ win season. A nucleus of good players returns on defense so who coaches them will be important. THUS WHO KELLY PICKS AS THE DC IS HUGELY IMPORTANT. Even a partial miss at the hire will descent ND back into a 10-20 ranked team versus a Top 5 team that we have evolved to since Elko and Lea arrived.
A BVG type hire, without an offense that scores 40 - 45 points per game will produce losses that we currently do not experience.
Opening the search up to a national search seems to be the prudent choice. I certainly hope Kelly does a national search to find another elite DC and replicate what he did when he went outside for ELKO after the 2016 season.
