Irish Commentary

Here is my take on the latest Notre Dame Football news since the bowl game:

The Coaching Shuffle

In college football, assistant coaches often get better offers, sometimes head coaching jobs, and move on.  The head coach drives the ship for good or bad, and his philosophy and schemes steer everything from recruiting, to practice and game plans.  I like the coaches that have stayed and those reassigned, specifically Tony Alfred and Charley Martin who is taking over the offense.

Tyler Eifert Returning

With Michael Floyd’s departure, Eifert will be Notre Dame’s go to receiver next year, and all other receivers will be playing supporting roles.  This is okay with me, giving players at the wide receiver and tight end positions time to develop and grow.  The Irish have some decent potential within the team’s receiving corps but need some time to mature and develop.  Of course, there is the “it” factor that Eifert brings to the confidence for the offense.

Aaron Lynch named to FWAA Freshman All-American Team

Lynch played as good as anyone could have hoped for this season.  His numbers of 5 ½ sacks, 7 tackles for a loss, 14 quarterback hurries, 33 tackles and 2 pass breakups while playing in 12 games (starting 6) are impressive for a player who still has some growing to do.  Lynch will continue to develop physically and add strength (that is scary).  Lynch also has to continue to learn the position of defensive end at the college level, the sky is the limit.

USC running back Amir Carlisle transferring to ND

This is a nice PR story for the Irish.  Obviously, getting anything from USC is a good thing in South Bend.  Carlisle will sit out next season due to NCAA rules, but will be joining the team this spring for practice.  The story on Amir is that he is an elusive runner who can change direction and has a good cut back move; he does, however, have to increase his power.  He can take a year to get in the weight room and come out in 2013 and make an impact.

Brain Kelly contract extension

Kelly‘s contract was until 2014 now it will go to 2016.  Although I have visions (nightmares) of Charlie Weiss’s big extension deal early on, this is a little easier to swallow.   I do, however, hope there won’t be another extension until he at least gets to and wins a BCS bowl game, if not a National Championship.

Recruiting

Ronald Darby has apparently reopened his recruiting process.  So be it, it’s a crap shoot until signing day.  I would like Darby to end up in South Bend, but there are other fish in the sea (we will see on February 1^st).  Along those lines, Notre Dame got a verbal commitment from 6’1” 205 lb. defensive back Elijah Shumate.  In addition to being a solid pickup, he is also a Don Bosco Prep teammate of Irish recruiting target Yuri Wright and could give Notre Dame the inside track.