Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/102697
best: 'When you win, it's a relief; when you lose, it's a catastrophe, and it's not much fun anymore. When you win and you can't enjoy it and celebrate it, then that's not good.'" Frank Leahy (1941-43, 1946-53), Parseghian and Lou Holtz each lasted only 11 seasons at Notre Dame. They still had plenty of coaching left in them … but the quest for perfection and the selfinflicted pressure got the better of them in time. If a loss doesn't eat you alive at Notre Dame, then you aren't the man for the job. How will Kelly deal with this new dynamic over time? 2. Leadership Intangibles/ Staying Hungry Last year at this time, first-round picks Michael Floyd at receiver and Harrison Smith at safety seemed irreplaceable. Fortunately, great football programs are not about trying to replace a certain individual, especially statistically, but compensating collectively as a unit. Likewise, in 2013, it isn't about one person attempting to match the stats of Manti Te'o on defense. It's also not about becoming the centerpiece on offense that opposing defenses have to scheme around, a la boundary receiver/ tight end Tyler Eifert in 2012. "It's just like any company," offensive coordinator Chuck Martin said of losing Floyd last year. "We can all be good at what we do, but if we're not all good together, we never will get to our peak efficiency." Be that as it may, Te'o was one of the most galvanizing forces in Notre Dame history, and that type of Pied-Piper leadership seldom occurs. The departing fourth- and fifth-year seniors had tasted enough failure in the past to keep everyone in lockstep with the coaching staff's day-to-day plans in 2012. Finding that type of leadership can be more challenging than just replacing raw numbers. Staying hungry after immense success is another challenge. 3. Center of Attention The most interesting position to fill in 2013 might be center. Three-year starter Braxston Cave graduates, as does his backup, No. 1 right guard Mike Golic Jr. Sophomore Matt Hegarty was grooming for the position, but had to undergo heart surgery. Kelly did say he expects Hegarty back in the spring. The tackle positions return senior captain Zack Martin and junior Christian Lombard, with senior guard Chris Watt teaming with Martin a third straight year on the powerful left side. Current sophomore Nick Martin, younger brother of Zack, might receive an audition at center Kelly has lauded the younger Martin's ability to play anywhere along the front. However, offensive line coach Harry Hiestand has said he prefers to not have two inexperienced players lining up right next to each other (a Nick Martin or Hegarty at center with current sophomore Conor Hanratty, who also has practiced snaps, at right guard). It might not be inconceivable to see Watt moved to center, with Martin and Hanratty then flanking him. The two young guards then also would have veteran tackles next to them to complement the veteran center.