Notre Dame DC VanGorder fired | Syracusefan.com

Notre Dame DC VanGorder fired

Notre Dame: Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has been dismissed. Defensive analyst Greg Hudson will take over the role. VanGorder was in his third season at the school. The 134 points Notre Dame has allowed through its first four games are the most in school history, but Brian Kelly had said after Saturday’s loss to Duke that coaching wasn’t an issue.
 
VanGorder Relieved of Duties; Hudson Assumes Responsibilities

Sept. 25, 2016




NOTRE DAME, Indiana -- Brian VanGorder has been relieved of his duties as University of Notre Dame defensive coordinator, head coach Brian Kelly announced Sunday. Defensive analyst Greg Hudson will assume VanGorder's responsibilities.

"This is a difficult decision," said Kelly. "I have the utmost respect for Brian as both a person and football coach, but our defense simply isn't it where it should be and I believe this change is necessary for the best interest of our program and our student-athletes.

"It's never easy to make a change on your staff, but I'm confident in Greg's ability to lead our defense. As a former player at Notre Dame and an experienced defensive coordinator, he not only understands the expectations necessary to compete at the highest level, but he'll bring a fresh perspective to our sideline, practice field and meeting rooms."

A 25-year coaching veteran who has served as a defensive coordinator at Purdue, East Carolina and Minnesota, as well as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Florida State, Hudson joined the Irish coaching staff as a defensive analyst in June.

"Obviously, this is a difficult day for our coaching staff, but I'm excited and honored about the opportunity that Coach Kelly has afforded me," said Hudson. "We've got to improve on defense, without a doubt, and I'm confident that we will. We have great student-athletes and a tremendous defensive coaching staff. I can't wait to get started with our group."

Hudson, a Notre Dame graduate ('90), former Irish graduate assistant in 1993 and most recently defensive coordinator at Purdue for three seasons (2013-15), also served as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for three seasons at Florida State (2010-12).

Hudson helped the Seminoles improve from 108th in total defense the year prior to his arrival (2009) to second among all FBS teams in 2012 (only BCS national champion Alabama had a higher rated defense). In addition in `12, Florida State ranked second in the FBS in fewest first downs allowed (ranked 93rd in 2009), third in rush defense (ranked 108th in 2009), third in third down efficiency (ranked 101st in 2009) and sixth in scoring defense (ranked 94th in 2009).

In 2011, Hudson's linebackers accounted for 32 percent of the Seminoles' tackles for loss which helped Florida State finish eighth nationally in that category. FSU allowed its opponents to run for an average of just 2.35 yards per carry, which led the nation. The Seminoles finished second nationally in rushing defense (82.7), fourth in scoring defense (15.1), eighth in tackles for loss (8.62) and tied for eighth in sacks (3.08 per game).

Hudson joined the Florida State staff after spending five seasons as the defensive coordinator at East Carolina (2005-09).

During his tenure with the Pirates, East Carolina registered four consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 30 years and made four consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in school history. The Pirates also became the first team to win consecutive Conference USA championship games, pulling off the feat in 2008 and 2009. Hudson's defenses earned a reputation for turning over opponents, coming up with 145 takeaways in five seasons, an average of 29 per season, which ranked among the top 10 of all FBS programs in that stretch. In 2009, the Pirates finished in the top 10 nationally in four defensive categories, including fumbles recovered (third), red zone defense (seventh), turnovers forced (fourth) and turnover margin (10th). Hudson's unit also led Conference USA in scoring defense (21.93) and turnover margin.

He also has served as the defensive coordinator at Minnesota (2000-04) and as an assistant coach at Cincinnati (1997-2000).
 
It is odd because Hudson wasn't good as a DC and ND has 3 other coaches on the staff who have been DCs. If I am any of them I am a bit pissed to get passed over.
 
Honest Question -- how the hell did VanGorder end up in so many spots to spectacularly fail? He was terrible at UGA, after being terrible at Georgia State. He followed that up to suck at the Falcons then sucked at Notre Dame.

Too many retreads in the coaching world...
 
If memory serves me right, and it may not be, but Hudson sounds familiar. Was he a possibility at one time of joining the SU staff under GRob, Marrone or Shafer?
 
Well I don't think we can ask for much better heading into this matchup. A defense that has been a sieve and their DC now canned.

Hopefully we can finally hit on all cylinders on offense and put on a show.
 
Deano said:
B. Kelly = do*cebag. I can't stand that guy, I swear I have never ever seen him smile.
Expand...

Is it possible he was smiling here but just has a really ugly and awkward smile?

is_brian_kelly_too_angry_to_be_notre_dames_head_coach_original_crop_340x234.jpg
 
CuseLegacy said:
VanGorder Relieved of Duties; Hudson Assumes Responsibilities

Sept. 25, 2016




NOTRE DAME, Indiana -- Brian VanGorder has been relieved of his duties as University of Notre Dame defensive coordinator, head coach Brian Kelly announced Sunday. Defensive analyst Greg Hudson will assume VanGorder's responsibilities.

"This is a difficult decision," said Kelly. "I have the utmost respect for Brian as both a person and football coach, but our defense simply isn't it where it should be and I believe this change is necessary for the best interest of our program and our student-athletes.

"It's never easy to make a change on your staff, but I'm confident in Greg's ability to lead our defense. As a former player at Notre Dame and an experienced defensive coordinator, he not only understands the expectations necessary to compete at the highest level, but he'll bring a fresh perspective to our sideline, practice field and meeting rooms."

A 25-year coaching veteran who has served as a defensive coordinator at Purdue, East Carolina and Minnesota, as well as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Florida State, Hudson joined the Irish coaching staff as a defensive analyst in June.

"Obviously, this is a difficult day for our coaching staff, but I'm excited and honored about the opportunity that Coach Kelly has afforded me," said Hudson. "We've got to improve on defense, without a doubt, and I'm confident that we will. We have great student-athletes and a tremendous defensive coaching staff. I can't wait to get started with our group."

Hudson, a Notre Dame graduate ('90), former Irish graduate assistant in 1993 and most recently defensive coordinator at Purdue for three seasons (2013-15), also served as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach for three seasons at Florida State (2010-12).

Hudson helped the Seminoles improve from 108th in total defense the year prior to his arrival (2009) to second among all FBS teams in 2012 (only BCS national champion Alabama had a higher rated defense). In addition in `12, Florida State ranked second in the FBS in fewest first downs allowed (ranked 93rd in 2009), third in rush defense (ranked 108th in 2009), third in third down efficiency (ranked 101st in 2009) and sixth in scoring defense (ranked 94th in 2009).

In 2011, Hudson's linebackers accounted for 32 percent of the Seminoles' tackles for loss which helped Florida State finish eighth nationally in that category. FSU allowed its opponents to run for an average of just 2.35 yards per carry, which led the nation. The Seminoles finished second nationally in rushing defense (82.7), fourth in scoring defense (15.1), eighth in tackles for loss (8.62) and tied for eighth in sacks (3.08 per game).

Hudson joined the Florida State staff after spending five seasons as the defensive coordinator at East Carolina (2005-09).

During his tenure with the Pirates, East Carolina registered four consecutive winning seasons for the first time in 30 years and made four consecutive bowl appearances for the first time in school history. The Pirates also became the first team to win consecutive Conference USA championship games, pulling off the feat in 2008 and 2009. Hudson's defenses earned a reputation for turning over opponents, coming up with 145 takeaways in five seasons, an average of 29 per season, which ranked among the top 10 of all FBS programs in that stretch. In 2009, the Pirates finished in the top 10 nationally in four defensive categories, including fumbles recovered (third), red zone defense (seventh), turnovers forced (fourth) and turnover margin (10th). Hudson's unit also led Conference USA in scoring defense (21.93) and turnover margin.

He also has served as the defensive coordinator at Minnesota (2000-04) and as an assistant coach at Cincinnati (1997-2000).
Expand...

Notice they didn't mention Purdue's abysmal record while he was D Coordinator.
 
DeGrozz said:
Honest Question -- how the hell did VanGorder end up in so many spots to spectacularly fail? He was terrible at UGA, after being terrible at Georgia State. He followed that up to suck at the Falcons then sucked at Notre Dame.

Too many retreads in the coaching world...
Expand...

Greg Robinson knows the answer to this question. I'll email him. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

SWC75
    • Like
    • Love
UpDown: Notre Dame
Replies
6
Views
878
IthacaMatt
IthacaMatt
OrangeXtreme
2024 ACC Preseason Awards
Replies
2
Views
520
DoctahLexus
DoctahLexus

Forum statistics

Threads
167,505
Messages
4,707,472
Members
5,908
Latest member
Cuseman17

Share this page

Online statistics

Members online
54
Guests online
1,884
Total visitors
1,938
Totals may include hidden visitors.


Top Bottom