The Willingham Effect - Offensive Line Recruiting Under Ty and Charlie

Analyst Written on July 13, 2008

I wished Tyrone Willingham well. I believe he is a generally well-intentioned person with good moral values. To his credit, he has never said anything against Notre Dame, who finished paying his five year contract last year. Personal beliefs have played a big part in the Willingham firing drama. I want my beliefs up front.

Willingham’s impact on Notre Dame’s offensive line was devastating and contributed to his early departure. Offensive line play is crucial for success in football. The adages – “Control the ball”, “Establish the run”, “Protect the passer” – come down to dominant offensive line play. Successful teams have an experienced offensive line with upper class substitutes when starters are injured.

In Willingham’s first season, 2002, Notre Dame’s Senior offensive line protected new skill position players – Carlyle Holliday at QB, Ryan Grant at RB, Arnez Battle at WR -and kept the Irish in every game. Notre Dame had five talented senior starters on the offensive line. Black, Mahon, Faine and Curtin were drafted into the NFL. Mahonand Faine are still NFL starters in 2008. Black is a reserve and still playing. Curtin played two years for the Packers.

ND's Offensive Line - When Davie Left

2002 1st Team 2nd Team Reserves Davie

Recruits

Seniors - 7 Jordan Black-Sr LeVoir-So Giles-So Bonelli

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