Notre Dame's New DC Brian VanGorder to Also Coach Inside Linebackers
Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly announced on Friday that new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder will also coach the team's inside linebackers, according to Rachel Terlep ofย The Elkhart Truth.
Additionally, former safeties coach Bob Elliot will take on the outside linebackers while cornerbacks coach Kerry Crooks will lead the entire secondary.
Terlep tweeted the report:
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VanGorder is replacing departed coordinator Bob Diaco, who left Notre Dame after four seasons to accept the head coaching position at Connecticut.ย
His most recent college job was a one-year stint as defensive coordinator at Auburn in 2012โthe year the Tigers went 3-9 overall and allowed 421 yards per gameโand he spent last year coaching linebackers with the New York Jets.
Previously, VanGorder also coached linebackers for two different NFL teams: The Jacksonville Jaguars in 2005 and Atlanta Falcons in 2007. He assumed the position of defensive coordinator in Atlanta the following season and held the role until 2011.
By these tokens, it makes sense for VanGorder to lead the entire defense but focus specifically on linebackers. It's the position he feels most comfortable and has the most experience coaching, and players will respond to someone with a long NFL background.
Projected starting Mike linebacker Jarrett Graceโassuming he recovers well from a broken legโcould benefit greatly from VanGorder's attention, as could freshmen backups Michael Deeb (redshirt) and Nyles Morgan (true).
This is good news for all of their futures.
Kelly and VanGorder were assistants together at Grand Valley State in the late 1980s. Vangorder was the defensive coordinator for the first team Kelly head coached at GVSU in 1991, leaving the following season to accept his own head coaching position at Wayne State in 1992.
On how VanGorder would run the defense as a whole, Kelly said on Friday that it would be more of the sameโonly different.
Per Terlep and Irish Sports Daily:
Notre Dame opens spring practice on Monday, March 3.
Follow Brian Leigh on Twitter: @BleighDAT
