The Notre Dame football program has made some major changes to its coaching staff. Brian Kelly finalized his new staff this offseason ahead of spring football. ND did a media opportunity this week. Here’s what the staff looks like with each Notre Dame football coach and his new title.
Where appropriate a notable quotable too. *indicates coaches that are new to the program
-Mike Denbrock, associate head coach/wide receivers coach
“Mike Denbrock now takes on a new role as the associate head football coach, especially on the offensive side of the ball. Mike is going to oversee the organization of the offense, and in particular he’s going to be installing, implementing and putting together the entire offense. That will be his responsibility,” said Kelly.
-Mike Elston, recruiting coordinator/linebackers coach
A former linebacker at the University of Michigan and linebackers coach at Central Michigan University in 2006, Elston also oversaw the Notre Dame special teams units in 2010 and 2011.
“Moving Mike Elston to the recruiting coordinator position is going to strengthen our operations on a day to day basis,” said Brian Kelly included his oft repeated phrase “day to day basis.”
-former Boise State offensive coordinator *Mike Sanford offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach
Sanford’s father Mike Sanford was the quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame for three years (1996-98) under Lou Holtz and Bob Davie.
“Notre Dame football is certainly one of the biggest brands of football internationally. Certainly in college football, nationally, it is the biggest brand.”
-former Notre Dame football player *Todd Lyght defensive backs coach
All-American DB was a first round pick by the L.A. Rams in 1990. Lyght is the only player in the 127-year history of the program who can claim the following accomplishments: starter on a collegiate national championship team (1988), unanimous All-American (1989), first-round NFL draft pick (1991), starter on a Super Bowl winning team (St. Louis Rams, 1999) and NFL All-Pro selection (1999).
He came from Vanderbilt, so just a stone’s throw from where ND won the Music City Bowl a few weeks ago.
-former Notre Dame football player *Autry Denson running backs coach
The All-American is the all-time leading rusher University of Notre Dame football history. Denson served as the head coach for one season at Pope John Paul II High School in Boca Raton, Florida (2010), before transitioning into the college ranks as running backs coach at Bethune-Cookman University for three years (2011-13). Last year he was the running backs coach at Miami.
“I told my wife it’s like I’m 18 again, getting to make this decision again.”
-*Keith Gilmore defensive line coach.
Gilmore joins the Notre Dame football program from the University of North Carolina, where he spent the past two seasons as the Tar Heels’ defensive line coach, after working the previous four years (2009-12) as defensive line coach at the University of Illinois
On Coach Kelly’s coaching style from Grand Valley to Notre Dame …
“The one thing about it is that he’s always prepared. You always feel a sense of preparation and the plan has been successful. When you are able to sell that to your players and coaches, it makes for a winning combination. Those are two things that he’s always had – he’s been prepared and he has a plan and it’s a proven plan.”
-Ron Powlus (1994-97) will act as director of player development. Powlus previously served as the Notre Dame quarterbacks coach (2007-09) and director of player development (2005-06).
Ron Powlus. #NeverForget #NDFootball @HammerAndRails pic.twitter.com/ftFCcNebCs
— Paul M. Banks (@PaulMBanks) November 15, 2014
Former University of Wisconsin offensive lineman Donovan Raiola has been hired as an offensive graduate assistant.
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