JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 19, 2019

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 19, 2019

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Terry from Cincinnati

1:44

Do you think Jeff Quinn will be coaching the O-Line in 2020 or do you think he could be shifted to coaching the tight ends? Because of the injuries to Kramer and Hainsey my instinct is that Coach Kelly will stick with Quinn. I'm hoping we find someone stronger in teaching technique, based on what I have read, that appears to be a deficiency of his.

Eric Hansen

1:43

If your question is will he play WR or cornerback, the bigger need is at cornerback.

Stan from Rockford IL

1:43

The 18th recruit Ramon Henderson, might be the biggest sleeper of all with his size and speed, at CB or WR.

Eric Hansen

1:40

OK, thank you for your questions. Let's unpack them.: Is nepotism a trademark with Kelly? I think a lot of coaches like to work with people they have some familiarity with and have had success with. I don't think Brian Is unique in that way. I do think hiring and retaining Brian VanGorder is an example of that concept going terribly wrong. I think what Mike Elston has done at ND is an example of that concept going incredibly right. So I think it's unfair to say that just because there's familiarity, it's not going to end well. BK should be open to candidates familiar and less familiar, and may the best person get the job. ... Why I think the 2020 Irish have a chance to be really good is based on the number and quality of the returning players, some key additions and minimal position groups with big, red flags.

Bill 1000 Oaks CA.

1:33

Hope recuriting class &speed fill needs GO IRISH!Don't know full story but would have kept Long in an heartbeat over Quinn.Number of false starts unacceptable last year especially from an OC'S viewpoint.Nepotism has been a trademark of Kelly's time at ND agree or disagree.?In your mind why do you think ND's 1920 version will be really good & how much depends on Book coming back? Thanks for your great insight and making the chats something to look forward too each week!!!

Eric Hansen

1:33

I'd pick exactly that order of probability, but I think B and C are more in play than most people think and need to be vetted.

Phil (Chicago)

1:32

If you had to guess one way at this point would you say the new OC will be A: Tom Rees B: Someone else on the current staff C: Outside Hire

Eric Hansen

1:31

He felt he was ignoring the defense and other areas of the team in practice and on game day, and he was right. He's had four seasons of 10 wins or more when not calling the plays in five years. One of 10 wins or more in five years of calling the plays.

Lee from Lancaster, SC

1:30

Brian Kelly was adamant about calling the plays at the start of his coaching tenure at Notre Dame. Now, he's perfectly willing to allow the offensive coordinator or another coach on offense call the plays. Why the change in philosophy?

Eric Hansen

1:29

He says he's more in touch with the players, so much more than in 2016, that those exhaustive individual meetings aren't needed. However, he does a more abbreviated version and he also meets regularly with the leadership council.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:28

Hi Eric, do you think B Kelly will have the post season 1:1 discussions with players that he pointed to as culture-changing several years ago? Or is this practice just not necessary as it is now part of the improved team culture.

Eric Hansen

1:28

USC from an offensive perspective. Not that they're air raid style, but they've got a really prolific and efficient QB and a running game that's improving but not above average. Defensively, not in structure but in performance, I'd say Virginia Tech. So overall, one of those two teams, both of which played ND close at home.

Sean, Portland OR

1:24

Iowa State seems to be one of the better 7-5 teams in the nation, a dangerous opponent especially if underestimated. From the opponents that ND played against this year, who do they most remind you of?

Eric Hansen

1:23

Stan, no I do not, because there are no linebackers in it and not enough absolutes at cornerback. But I do think it addresses both weaknesses and strengths, with some dynamic offensive players to boot, and so I like this class ... just not Holtz Era like. ... as far as Tyree, he will be fine to go.

Stan from Chester

1:21

Merry Christmas, Eric. In terms of quality not quantity, would you consider this class of recruits to be the best since the Holtz era? And do you think Chris Tyree's ankle injury will affect his immediate availability this fall? Thanks for all the good work you do.

Eric Hansen

1:21

Ken, Merry Christmas to you and yours. I would say pass rush and pass coverage are going to be huge, so I will go with Khalid Kareem and what the heck, Kyle Hamilton.

Ken- Pensacola

1:19

Merry Christmas Eric - Thanks for all you do. Who do you think will be the most valuable player or putting it another way, or most important player to watch when we play Iowa State and has the point spread increased any?

Eric Hansen

1:19

Back to Kevin, I didn't say they're irrelevant, just keep some perspectie with them.

1:17

Same things as I've written about for the past couple of weeks, he became increasingly a non-fit with players and fellow coaches.

David, Columbus OH

1:16

Hey Eric! Why do you think the change was made with Long or what are you hearing as to why the change was made?

Eric Hansen

1:16

I do think there is more data, with all the national events, with which to formulate the rankings. But how do you explain Wisconsin, Utah and Boise State? How do you explain such a proliferation of 3-stars and 2-starts on All-America teams and players going high in NFL Drafts. Even people who create the ratings call it an inexact science. I did a lot of research on it and put it in our last preview magazine for the story I did on Kyle Hamilton. How did Clemson win its first recent title with classes basically in the same range as ND's current classes? So that's my answer.

Kevin Kent, Ohio

1:12

You keep saying “recruiting rankings are an inexact science” but really they do a great job in predicting team success. People, like you, will throw our lots of anecdotal evidence about this 5* who failed or this top 10 team who under-performed but they rankings are getting better and better, don’t you agree?

Eric Hansen

1:12

I think that needs to be addressed sooner than later. And perhaps with Chip Long gone, that process may be accelerated.

Ed sarasota

1:11

Will we be done with hand clapping or going to verbal signals pre snap

Eric Hansen

1:11

Of course. But rumors aren't reports or reality.

Greg - South Bend

1:10

Hi Eric, There was lots of rumors about Kelly going to Florida St. and so on. Do you expect any rumors as the NFL season winds about Kelly maybe looking at going to the NFL?

Eric Hansen

1:10

It's been done over and over. And answered. Asking about it doesn't change reality, though.

Larry McDonald

1:10

Why won't the members of the press ask BK about the elephant in the room? The power running game issues and the inability to convert short yardage situations.Unless we can run the ball and eat the clock and or convert short yardage situations, we will never be able to consistently compete with top quality competition.......

Eric Hansen

I asked Jack Swarbrick that very question 13 months ago ... here is his answer: Is there any recourse at this point to getting those 22 vacated games back on the record (21 wins and a loss)?

Swarbrick: “No. I suppose somewhere down the line the NCAA could revisit the whole issue of using that as a sanction for anybody, but absent that there’s no recourse, nothing we can initiate.”

Q: Not even using the legal system, as Penn State did?

Swarbrick: “Penn State was in a different situation, because the NCAA went into an area where it didn’t have rules. It created a different dynamic. While we expressed very aggressively our disagreement with the NCAA’s conclusions — especially (ND president) Father John’s letter. It’s over.”

1:09

I agree with you ... I wish ND would just use the real number in its releases and put an asterisk by it. Then if people wanted to subtract the vacated games, it would be on them to do the math.

John, Boston MA

1:07

Eric, Any word if ND is trying to reverse those 20 or so vacated wins with the NCAA ? Seems whenever I read any anything about Kelly’s ND record or even his career W/L record some include those wins as wins while others count them as losses. Love the chats as always

Eric Hansen

1:05

I think he has and he will. I would expect him to make it public after the bowl game.

Tony from SF

1:05

When do you expect Book to make his decision about returning?

Eric Hansen

1:05

I don't think the chances are good, and maybe I'm influenced by my own opinion. I don't like the concept. If Clark Lea is the best man for the job when Brian Kelly steps away, then getting some head coaching experience elsewhere for 2 or 3 years, I think, would be more valuable for him and ND in the long run,. But I can understand why you're looking for creative ways to keep him as ND's defensive coordinator longer.

Tim Ohio

1:02

Happy Holidays! I was wondering what you thought the chances were of ND making Clark Lea the head coach in waiting?

Eric Hansen

1:02

Skyler, there are two kinds of "Young guys" who will benefit. Those who are not playing in the game and will benefit for next year, and those who may be playing in the game. I think you want the second batch, so that's the group I will focus on in my answer. That group includes WR Braden Lenzy and Joe Wilkins. DE Justin Ademilola, NG Ja'mion Franklin and OG John Dirksen. The first group (Kevin Austin, Isaiah Foskey, etc.) is much much larger.

Skyler from Brevard NC

12:56

Hello Eric, With a lot of young talent receiving a lot of reps in practice in preparation for Iowa St. Who do you think will benefit the most from the extra reps? Will it show versus Iowa St?

Eric Hansen

12:55

Merry Christmas, Fred and welcome to my world. I too am confused. I usually try to get analyst Tom Lemming's take, particularly when there's a wide gap in opinion, and even often when there's not. The thing is, within those two organizations, there' are variances, depending on what part of the country a player comes from. I think, all in all, it balances out, one is as right or wrong as much as the other. 247 was sure much more on target in the last cycle about ND safety Kyle Hamilton.

Fred Karam(Richmond)

12:49

Eric, Merry Christmas, I would like to start by asking about the disparity of the ranking services when it comes to recruiting rankings. What is the most accurate service in your opinion. When I look at 247 sports it has two Notre recruits listed as 5 star recruits, but they are listed as 4 star in others, it is a bit confusing to say the least. Chris Tyree from my area has been a 5 star recruit going back to last year, he suffered a sprained ankle early this year and his numbers suffered, however it's just a minor setback, yet he dropped to a 4 star recruit. The rankings seem very convoluted.

Eric Hansen

12:49

Mike, thanks, I will pass along the world to Carter who is already vacationing. Matt Balis can and does send those June-arriving players a program to follow at home. They don't have all the sports science stuff at their fingertips or Balis' motivation, but they do get a road map, which is helpful.

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