JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 17, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 17, 2021

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Guest

1:44

Hi Eric,,,joe Vrabec in New York here...Chicago Tribune sale won’t affect anyone at South Bend Trib .?

Eric Hansen

1:44

Hi Bruce. The first indication that kind of clues you in is how that new assistant deals with attention and pressure that comes with being at Notre Dame. Of Kelly's first batch of assistants, you got a feel pretty quick about them. The guy who fooled me was Bob Diaco. He was more successful at ND than I thought he'd be, but the way he deals with the media and the spotlight caught up to him at subsequent jobs. Another early indicator is how hard an assistant is willing to work on the recruiting trail. That usually carries over to the field. I've been fooled the other way around on occasion, guys who made a really good first impression (Mike Sanford being one) who didn't end up making a mark on the program.

Bruce, Centralia, IL

1:39

Hello Eric, You’ve been around this program for quite a while now. Have you developed a pretty strong instinct for when a new coaching staff hire will work out, and when they won’t? Has there been anyone that you felt good about when they joined the program that ultimately didn’t work out? It seems to me that ND must be one of the trickier places to work because of the expectations around academics, culture, etc., and maybe a fan base - that’s us - whose expectations arguably are unrealistically high. Thanks so much.

Eric Hansen

1:38

Damon, I love it. I'm not sure anyone will "consistently" beat the teams to which you referring, but I get your drift. Notre Dame is furthest removed from Alabama, Clemson and Ohio State when it comes to passing efficiency. SO, ND needs to recruit a develop a top 10-15 passer AND recruit and develop elite receivers while maintaining their strengths in other areas. I'll repeat myself from now until September, 2020 was not ideal for developing young and multiple receivers. If you don't see that happening this year, then by all means get the tar and feathers ready.

Damon from Nashville

1:34

Eric, thank you for your 5 star ND coverage over the years. How close is the ND offense from having that high octane attack that you need to consistently beat the top 3 teams? Also, why don't we design like one or two offensive plays a game for our young wide receiving corps? Thank you and stay warm!

Eric Hansen

1:34

Joe, Notre Dame is two weeks into school for spring semester, so it's not like that could bring someone in now. But that doesn't mean you can't look now. The Irish coaches contacted Nick McCloud, for instance, in January of 2020, but they weren't in a position to take him until May. Had there been a normal spring, maybe they wouldn't have taken him at all. My sense is that still would have. The scholarship numbers have to work too. ND is over right now. That likely will change. So again, they're being very diligent and evaluating different players for different positions, but other circumstances will determine whether they follow up on those evaluations.

Joe Asbury Pk Nj

1:30

Are there any rumors out there regarding transfer portal activity by Notre Dame or do you think they wait till after spring practice when there are certain to be more changes to their roster ?

Eric Hansen

1:29

Denis, thanks. It's not that I don't like hypotheticals. It's that my mind doesn't work that way, partly because of experience. If Brian Kelly got abducted by aliens tomorrow, the candidates to replace him likely look much different now than they would in 2024. Think back to 2016, when a lot of fans wanted to get rid of BK. Had ND made that move, that list would have looked markedly different as well. Being a head coach is so much different than being a coordinator. At a place like Notre Dame, it's exponential. I still think the preference should be an experienced head coach. ND is a good enough job to attract those kinds of candidates. If there's a deserving assistant on the staff at that time. I'd certainly be open to interviewing him for the job if I'm the AD.

Denis fron Niagara Falls,ON

1:24

Hi Eric. I know the common thought that it's necessary to have previous experience as a head coach to become the same at ND. Do you see an exception to this rule or is it as simple as no head coaching experience, no job. As an example, let's consider Marcus Freeman. What would he have to do to be considered as a candidate to go from co-ordinator to head coach at ND ? And if he accomplishes this, now let's say Kelly retires. Freeman is considered along with Lea who has moderate success at Vandy. Who do you choose? Sorry for all the hypotheticals. Stay warm and many thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:23

Tim, that's what spring practice (and fall camp) are for. You have players compete. You watch them. You make a depth chart. Sometimes the difference between 1 and 2 at a certain position is a gulf. Sometimes it's splitting hairs. To the second part of your question, I have to call you out on that one. Notre Dame plays three deep sometimes on its defensive line, went two deep at two of the linebacker sports, rotated at cornerback and safety, played multiple tight ends and running backs ... so I don't know how to answer that.

Tim in Atlanta

1:19

With so many inexperienced players at multiple positions how does the staff determine who are first team starters? Does the margin have to be clear and definitive? Will we ever see more game experience for second team devopment under Brian Kelly? That has seemed to me to be lacking emphasis in the program.

Eric Hansen

1:19

Mike, a lot of it is math. Notre Dame has to get to 87 scholarships this year (the normal 85 plus COVID allowances Kurt Hinish and Jonathan Doerer). They had 14 players leave for the NFL Draft and signed 27 and added a grad transfer QB. So there was bound to be attrition and the staff had vetted that before the CFP semifinal. Yes, some of them were four stars. Yes, a lot of it has to do with playing time. And yes, a certain amount of roster churn is a good thing.

IrishMike AltoonaPA

1:14

Why so many transfers? Is it purely playing time? There are quite a few four stars leaving!

Eric Hansen

1:13

The biggest difference in going from Brian VanGorder to Mike Elko -- beyond the fact Elko actually recruited -- is how they perceived safeties in their respective schemes. HUGE difference. Keep an eye on the safety recruits. I think the differences may be more subtle, going from Lea to Freeman, but they may accentuate and value different attributes.

1:11

Jeff thanks for the warm regards. We did get down below zero last night, but we have a working energy grid. My heart goes out to those in Texas. I wish I could help somehow. ... To your question, you're right: it's very early. My sense is that we'll get more specifics right as spring football kicks off. Still, I found the general comments helpful. As far as taking cues from recruiting, he certainly is aiming high at more plug-and-play type prospects. And he's getting his foot in the door. But when it comes to actual skill sets -- other than theirs being more advanced -- they seem similar to the physical traits that Clark Lea valued. (more)

Jeff from Phoenix

1:05

Hey Eric, hope you are keeping all valued body parts covered! So, regarding M Freeman, I read the article of early Feb but his comments hit me as rather generic/word salad, but I admit we are very early in what should be a very successful tenure at ND. My question, are there any early trends in defense position or skill sets from the offers/recruits he has targeted in just his first ~ month? Shout out to Ben Morrison for getting an ND offer as he is from my high school alma mater (Brophy Prep, Phoenix). Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:05

Erik, first off thanks. To your question, and I got a similar question in an email last night ... I don't think it's illegal to do that, but I think it's bad business for Notre Dame. It's one thing for someone to tweet for BK on occasion generic things like "We are ND" when a recruit commits, theoretically. But the point of involving him more in recruiting is building relationships with key recruits at key junctures. And those exchanges need to be authentic, in my opinion.

Erik (Granger, IN)

1:01

Thanks for being here! And for the excellent article assessing the state of recruiting last week. I appreciated the peak behind the curtain and the calculus you did. I still think BK should be able to find ten minutes in his 14-hour days to copy and paste a few quick “great game last night” texts to the top targets. Maybe he does, but my question is more pragmatic: Is it legal for ND to hire an intern to text recruits from Kelly’s phone, or would that be a recruiting violation? Do other schools do stuff like that?

Eric Hansen

1:00

Joe, there are so many variables — really encouraging possibilities and some icky ones. Right now the deaths, hospitalizations, positivity rate in our state are all plummeting. They're pretty organized in terms of getting vaccines in arms. We just found out today that there will be 22% more doses delivered to Indiana next week than this week. There's also some very good preliminary news about the (low) transmissibility of vaccinated patients. But all states aren't the same, and that factors into the answer. March and April are going to tell us a lot about the potential for the rest of the year. ... as far as how good is Jack Coan? I'd like to see him practice a few times before I log my opinion. I saw him play a couple of times at Wisconsin. Liked his poise.

Joe from Reno

12:52

By the USC game what do you think the crowd limit will be? I know you don’t work for the CDC (not that they know either). Just miss campus.
How good is Coan?

Eric Hansen

12:52

Lee, as I wrote the other day, spring practice is more about vetting questions than answering them. Having said that, if there's a clear No. 1 and No. 2 at the end of spring, that would be greatly beneficial in terms of having the whole summer to build chemistry. If ND has a normal spring, I would think it's a reasonable expectation to determine the top two quarterbacks.

Lee from Lancaster

12:50

Hi Eric, do you think the starting quarterback position will be determined by the end of spring practice or do you expect the competition to extend to fall camp?

Eric Hansen

12:47

Yes, Ed, I mentioned it a bit in an earlier question. It's annoying, but it keeps BK from appearing to throw the kid under the bus. Sometimes there are on-field things that also play into that formula. Whiffing on a critical block. Committing a penalty that shows lack of discipline/maturity. Tyler James recently did a really insightful premium story on Jordan Johnson's journey and how his freshman frustrations may make him a much better player, like Kyren Williams's did: Quiet freshman season shouldn't derail bright future for Notre Dame WR Jordan Johnson

Guest

12:39

Brian Kelly’s “traits” comments have become increasingly infuriating to me. Recently, in talking about Jordan Johnson, Kelly said, “He had a really good week last week with his traits.” What is he talking about? What are these “traits” that keep a fast 5 star freshman receiver off the field on a team claiming to lack playmakers? Does Kelly use “traits” as a euphemism for things like “grades” or “class attendance?” What gives with these “traits?” Ed Szewczyk, Belleville, Illinois

Eric Hansen

12:38

No firm dates yet. The spring practice window will be more condensed than in past years, with the majority of practices in April, and a late March start a possibility. I've put in a request to talk to AD Jack Swarbrick and hope to do that perhaps next week. Some of the ground I hope to cover will relate to the spring schedule.

Jason, Amber, PA

12:36

Has Notre Dame announced its plan for spring practice? If yes, what is the plan?

Eric Hansen

12:36

Let's assume spring and summer and much more normal in terms of those kinds of opportunities (and that's still a big assumption), the challenge this spring and summer is a QB competition and lots of WRs that you want to look at. So chemistry will come later than sooner. But that's OK. I've said this before, this is a big year of Del Alexander in terms of player development. What should that look like? The best players being on the field, whether they're seniors or young guys or a combination of both.

12:33

Jeremy, thanks for the love/hype. You're spot on with how traits is used to explain a player stalled on the depth chart. It usually has something to do with an off-the-field issue, big or small. ... I think your question about the young receivers is a very good one (and a popular one among fans), but before I answer, I have to say throw 2020 out. I was relistening this morning to a podcast we did last fall with Corey Robinson. Wide receiver/QB chemistry is SO important, and Corey did a great job of explaining why. Between losing 14 spring practices, limited opportunities in the early summer to just thrown on their own, starts and stops because of COVID-19 and the weird compressed fall camp, it took away some of those opportunities for the younger receivers. (more)

Jeremy From Goshen, IN

12:23

Hi Eric, Thank you for all the work you. You give the most fair, non-biased assessment out there. That's why I trust you. Now to my question. In 2017, BK made a big deal about "traits." Present-day, that feels a little bit more like it's used as a vague excuse as to why a player is missing playing time. would you say that's accurate? This leads me to another question, as far as putting the best players on the field at the skill positions. Is it truly traits that keep our talented freshmen receivers off the field? Does the problem lie more with Alexander or Kelly? Were wide receivers held back this much under Mike Denbrock? Sometimes it feels like the most talented players can't crack the rotation and I am puzzled why.

Eric Hansen

12:22

Chris, thank you. This question is in the queue a few times, asked a few different ways. So I'll try to address this more broadly as well as specific to your question. A lot of times when you see title changes to assistant coaches, it's more about providing an avenue to give them a raise more than anything else. Often, they already have been at least dabbling in their new responsibilities. The "promotions" of Brian Polian and Mike Elston were motivated by rewarding them both, and yet the title changes seem confusing. This certainly is an area that when we have a chance next to ask Brian Kelly questions -- and that hasn't happened in 2021 since Jan. 1. I would hope that opportunity would bring some clarity. Elston has been the recruiting coordinator before. And both he and Polian have done a very good job with it. I would imagine both will still be heavily involved.

Chris from Pensacola

12:14

Thanks for the chat, Eric. What are the impacts (to how the staff operates and to Mike Elston, now or for his future) of Elston no longer having the title of Associate Head Coach? Thanks.

Eric Hansen

12:14

I am doing both, thanks. ... I think, by and large, he gets a lot of support from former players who did and those who did not play for him. I know Brady Quinn and Aaron Taylor, for instance, are very high on BK. You're asking me to paint this with a pretty broad brush, but those who have played for him generally have good things to say.

Gabriel Weiss from North Liberty

12:11

Hello Mr. Hansen, I hope you are staying warm and safe. When talk to people involved with the program (players, coaches, etc) what are their general perceptions and feelings towards Coach Kelly. I would be interested to hear what former players feel about him.

Eric Hansen

12:11

Matt, there's a difference between rumors and reports, and it's best to deal in the latter. Right now a move of Myron Tagovailoa-Amosa is only a possibility, not a given. Why might it be a possibility? Because Notre Dame is loaded on the interior defensive line and doesn't have a lot of numbers or proven performers at the big end position. What you'd have to weigh making that move with MTA is can he actually play that position and is he better than Justin Ademilola, who's No. 1 there right now? Without seeing an audition, my sense is that Rylie Mills getting a look there makes a lot more sense. I think his future is inside and he's got star potential there, but I think he has the skill set to be pretty good at the big end position too. If ND doesn't pull in a grad transfer after spring or if someone like Nana Osafo-Mensah doesn't surge in the spring, then these kind of position experiments make more sense.

Matt from LA

12:01

I love the chat so thank you for keeping it going! My question is about the D-line. There have been a lot of rumors about MTA moving to the big end spot. Can you explain what makes him better suited to make the move from DT than a player with more length like Rylie Mills?

Eric Hansen

12:01

Off we go.

Please remember to include your name and hometown with your question.

12:00

Hey. if you're in an area where bare feet works for you, have at it. We'll waive that rule for today.

Here are the rules.