Earlier in the day it was reported that Notre Dame defensive line coach Jappy Oliver was fired, but tonight the South Bend Tribune is reporting that Oliver actually resigned.
Defensive line coach Jappy Oliver is out after four seasons under Weis, Notre Dame football spokesman Brian Hardin confirmed Thursday. Hardin said Oliver “resigned to pursue other career opportunities.”
It’s quite possible that Oliver was given the chance to resign rather than being fired as earlier reports had said (kinda like Tommy Tubberville “resigned”), but either way we are minus a defensive line coach.
Hopefully whoever Weis ends up hiring is a dynamic coach who can attract top notch defensive line recruits. While the DL is a position where grades come into play at Notre Dame more often than most positions, there has still been a long list of highly touted DL recruits over the past four years that have had more than enough grades to get into Notre Dame that we missed out on.
Now that all the bowls are over, I would imagine we’ll hear some more news on any other possible changes as well as some candidates for both the DL and OC positions that are now open at Notre Dame.
David Elias,
David, I agree with your assessment, sorry, I was off on a big picture tangent. Who would have thought Oliver was the 1st to go??
Both Corwin Brown and John Tenuta are excellent coaches. We’ve built a group of defensive backs that if things go right should show the ability to thump receivers to the ground, play tight coverage, and evetually by mid season start jumping routes to increase the interception total.
Both the defensive line and linebackers should improve. I think Tenuta is a true coordinator, an Xs and Os guy. But Brown is emerging as a leader and Weis might get challenged by the defensive fire inside practices as early as this spring.
As for Oliver, too bad but hopefully we improve that staff position. Oliver could end up with Haywood.
When is Latina going to go?
@David, Yes Meyer’s offense was quick. Our guys could still get their studies completed and learn how to run quick plays. You could practice that quick shovel pass on the way to dinner for crying out loud.
No, the real issue is we have not won a National Championship in 21 years and counting.
I don believe coaching on the defensive side of the ball is an issue. I think Oliver along with the othher defensive coaches are getting the most out their players. The issue is more on the offensive coaching staff although recruiting defensive line players needs an upgrade.
Geoff,
Tubberville is a great recruiter like Charlie but with no National Titles to show for all the SEC success. Unfortunately, his demise also included constantly butting heads with the adminstration.
I agree, it was indeed simular to the Holtz situation but Weis nor Tubberville has won a National Title and that was my main thought.
Along that line it just shows it takes more that being a great recruiter to win a National Title. By today’s standards it is very difficult.
On the other hand, Urban Meyer knows how to win National Titles. And guess who he learned from how to do that? Lou Holtz.
Urban is a bright 44 year old guy and spent six years under Holtz. Looks like the knowledge and experience has paid off. It’s unfortunate some people can’t get over being rejected the 1st time by Urban. Now, Urban is prepared to deliver high quality coaching wherever he chooses. So, some shallow alums and fans can reject Urban for ND still being his dream job, hopefully, it is a small minority. People need to realize timing is everything. Urban was extremely smart not to take the ND job at the time. I like his priorities in life. Leveraging your effectiveness as a family man goes a long way in my book.
JC,
I agree with most parts of your posts, but how can you try to make the comparison of Charlie Weis at ND to that of Tubberville at Auburn? Auburn shafted Tubberville and they aren’t going to get a coach in there that is going to be as successful as they have been in the last decade. Kind of like how we pushed Holtz out and still haven’t been close to being a top notch program since.
Frank –
I think the praises we hear about Corwin is a lot of window dressing and nothing more. In addition, what recruit in their right mind is going to dis their coach?
I also think the praises we hear about a lot of these current recruits contain a great deal of hot air notwithstanding Neal and Williams on the line.
The literal unknown defensive players recruited in the past – the Stonebreakers, Pritchett’s, Bolcar’s, Streeter’s, Stam’s of the world produced early and often on the field and were legendary in their 2nd and 3rd years for crying out loud! This crop we have now seemingly need 5 years before we can expect much from them. Compare the former group w/ the talent Brown is attracting and you find your argument a bit hollow.
Frankie,
No doubt Corwin has good recruiting skills and a positive mojo but, it ends there, he is still in training otherwise, CW would have never brought in Tenuta to have an effective rush package we were not getting from Corwin. I love Corwin, but this is not a popularity contest, it’s about results. We are nowhere near a Florida defense. So, if indeed it takes somebody with superior experience and skills, we trade the training wheels in. At this juncture we are walking over dollars to pick up pennies. We need to win now as the AD has put everybody on notice. Accountability is a real discovery for some people.
Furthermore, don’t tell me that we can’t recruit more four and five star players.
We were so dumbfounded over Ty’s non-recruiting, We now think it’s X-mas, however, Lou was an outstanding recruiter along with many others.
Tuberville is a perfect example of what is going on here. We need to move on also. We absolutely can do better. Yet, who in their right mind wants to come on board now?
Chris,
I don’t think you would like to see what defensive recruiting would be like had we not hired Corwin Brown. Tenuta is a great coach, but have you heard a single recruit specifically mention him in any commitment article? Now, how many times have we heard the defensive recruits sing Corwin Brown’s praises?
Tenuta’s a great coach, but without Brown’s recruiting, he wouldn’t have much to work with.
Do you think it’s any coincidence that the absolute best defensive class of recruits we’ve had in years came immediately following the hiring of Corwin Brown?
JC – Agreed!
With all due respect to Frankie – Corwin Brown is over rated. I would take Tenuta anyday over Corwin. Of course Charlie is too controlling to let either of them really coach their style.
Man still can’t get over the play calling by Meyer last night – so many twists and variations to the plays that were ran. Loved the inside shovel pass / option pitch. Something similar for the Irish would have opened up the ruinning game big time in 08′ if Charlie had at least a faint idea!
Coaching on the titanic can’t be fun.