Eric Hansen reported this afternoon that defensive line coach Jappy Oliver has been fired by Notre Dame. Oliver, the defensive line coach for the Irish since 2005, is the second coach to leave the Notre Dame coaching staff since the end of the season after former offensive coordinator Mike Haywood was hired by Miami (Ohio) for their head coaching vacancy.
Over the past four years Oliver has done a very good job coaching the talent he’s had along the defensive line but the biggest knock on him has been on the recruiting front. Notre Dame has had more than its fair share of trouble recruiting defensive line over the past four years. Other than last season’s top ranked class, Notre Dame has come up short recruiting defensive linemen.
According to Rivals.com’s recruiting trackers for the past four classes, the only Notre Dame commitments which had Oliver as their main recruiter were Ethan Johnson and Jashad Gaines – and Johnson had Corwin Brown listed as one of his main recruiters as well.
With all talent being equal, Oliver is a pretty coach defensive line coach. He got a lot more out of players like Justin Brown and Pat Kuntz than most coaches would have. The problem is that defensive line is one position where it seems recruits put a lot of stock into the position coach before commiting and Oliver’s recruiting skills are not strong. That is, in my opinion, why I think Oliver was let go by Weis.
It isn’t known whether or not there will be more staff changes outside of Oliver and Haywood at this time.
Amen Chris,
Urban Meyer! 44 year old Offensive Genius.
Empirically, here’s the ultimate panacea in College Football unfolding in a vigorous phenomenon, Urban Meyer!
GOOD JOB URBAN! YOU DESERVE THE BIGGEST PAY RAISE KNOWN TO MAN IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL.
I HOPE YOU MAKE EVERY AD IN THE COUNTRY WINCE JUST THINKING ABOUT HAVING TO CUT YOU A PAY CHECK.
Chris,
Brown is probably Notre Dame’s best assistant coach on staff right now. No other coach has the combination of both coaching and recruiting skills like Brown does. If I had to pick 1 Notre Dame assistant we couldn’t lose, it would be Corwin Brown – hands down. I wouldn’t even have to think twice about it.
ALso – note to Chuck – its Latina – Mendoza – Powlus that need to go. D is making strides no thanks to your focus on recruiting mostly offensive players….not withstanding Corwin Browns influence because I truly beleve that is much over rated….that guy is still also learning on the job. We needed a big nasty influence on D 4 years ago! A bold move would have been to jettison Brown – give Tenuta full reigns and watch a good D in motion. Again – …7-5 in 2009 solely based on Charlies impact and record since hire.
Bad move here. Jappy provided much needed emotion from the side lines one of the most vocal coaches on the Irish D. Just goes to show much of the same in store under the Weis ego in 2009.
On another note and JC will consent – if the Irish, South Bend Tribune and the like want to REALLY define offensive guru…genius…? His name does not resemble a fish much admired by our brothers in the orient but rather Urban Meyer! Now that is a tremendous offense! Great play calling – great Bowl coach -great mind and a former ND coach. This my friends should give you an idea of how out of touch the administration is w/ regard to ND football…and oh was that Charlie Strong on the sidelines…? – coach of the D for Florida…..?say wasn’t he also former ND coach? Not to mention the D coach for Florida 2 years ago which was the natonal championship year for the Gators …..Greg Mattison…another “former” ND coach. Memo to Bob Davie…You idiot! Eveything was in place for you and us fans and you blew it! 7-5 in 2009 – that too will be an accomplishment according to Swarbrick w/ the Chuckster at the helm…..we are doomed…
Well, after further thought that may be wishful thinking, it would be nice to have a new defensive line coach with new recruits following that coach? Overly optimistic? Yep.
Frankie, why this before signing day?