Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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BLUEGOLDONLINE.COM NOV. 25, 2023 7 UNDER THE DOME Marty Biagi came to Notre Dame this past offseason as its new special teams coordinator with some big shoes to fill — really big shoes. Considered by many as the most valuable assistant coach on the Irish staff in 2022, for- mer special teams coordinator Brian Mason left for the NFL's Indianapolis Colts last March after his one year coaching at Notre Dame. Under Mason, the Irish tied for the na- tional lead with 7 blocked kicks last season, and they ranked No. 6 nationally in the final Fremeau Efficiency Index rankings — a measure of overall special teams success. It was their best rating in the 16-year his- tory of the metric. While the Notre Dame special teams unit under Biagi this season hasn't quite reached the impact of Mason's, the Irish have returned both a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown, and their kickoff return unit ranked No. 7 nationally through 10 games. Biagi is in his ninth season coaching special teams. During that time, he became a finalist for the FootballScoop.com Special Teams Coordina- tor of the Year award twice (2014 and 2017). Blue & Gold Illustrated and other local media recently caught up with Biagi and discussed the evolution of his units this season along with the special challenges of coaching special teams. BGI: How would you describe the evolution of your special teams units this season? Biagi: "We were really trying to get our return units going, and we feel like we're trending in that direction. Then, really just trying to work on con- sistency, especially in our punting and kickoffs. I think the guys have bought in, which is great. But I would definitely say we're never satisfied." BGI: What are some of the coaching methods to finding that consistency? Biagi: "It's really just trying to teach our guys how to be what we call 'situational masters.' We do a lot of looking at not just opponents, but college and NFL games — and even some high school games that may appear. But just trying to look at situations that we can learn from and show them." BGI: Are there any other special chal- lenges to your unique coaching position? Biagi: "We don't get a full practice. We get 20 minutes here and there to try and go, 'OK, these are the things we need to continue to focus on.' And then, here's a wrinkle or two, or a situation that we need to make sure we hit." BGI: Given the tight time constraints, how do you pinpoint what to work on? Biagi: "Most of it goes back to what can we enhance, what are the things that we are doing well? We want to show them that, 'Hey, this is a good building block.' Between myself and the coaches, we really place an emphasis on the final finishing piece." BGI: What's left for these units as the season winds down? Biagi: "It's definitely always evolving … and that's what makes college fun. It will be a whole new crop [of players], not even just for next year, but with redshirts, and injuries. It's a challenge for us that you're always trying to keep the evo- lution going while still trying to stay consistent." — Todd D. Burlage Five Questions With … Notre Dame Special Teams Coordinator Marty Biagi Minimal Experience Will Make It A Must By Todd D. Burlage Like it or not, it's a sign of the times. NIL opportunities and an increased transfer ease have left an exodus of talented college quarter- backs to the transfer portal an annual exercise. With only one regular-season game and a bowl date all that remain for the Irish in 2023, it isn't too early to peek ahead to the quarterback situation next season. In two of the last three years — Jack Coan in 2021 and Sam Hartman in 2023 — Notre Dame found its starting quarterback in the transfer portal. Given the limited experience returning for the Irish at the posi- tion next season, pulling a veteran leader and capable starter out of the portal is again the best option. None of this is an indict- ment of sophomore Steve Angeli or freshman Kenny Minchey. Angeli efficiently completed 16 of 21 passes for 236 yards with 3 touchdowns and no interceptions in his first five ap- pearances this season, while Minchey appeared in two games and completed both of his pass attempts. But in terms of returning game experience, that's it. That's not enough with a 2024 schedule that includes games at Texas A&M, at USC and home against Florida State. Other than saying he will have four scholarship quarterbacks on the 2024 roster, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman hasn't tipped his hand on any intentions for next season. But with little to no returning experience, there's little doubt that 2024 will bring Notre Dame another transfer portal starter for the third time in four seasons. An Underclassman Will Win A Competition By Jack Soble To be honest, I think you can flip a coin here. The answer depends on so many factors. Who's available? Who interests Notre Dame? Who's interested in coming to Notre Dame? Those are just the factors that matter in December and early January, when the Irish will likely acquire their starter if that's the route they choose. If the quarterback who arrives at Notre Dame is not a guaranteed starter like Hartman was, then the Irish have to ask themselves more questions. How is the new guy adapt- ing to Notre Dame's offense (this was an issue for Hartman this season)? How have Angeli and Minchey developed over the offseason? Is there a chance CJ Carr is instantly the best quarterback on the roster? That last one is unlikely, but until the Irish see him in spring camp, they can't rule it out. When Freeman revealed Notre Dame will bring in a transfer quarterback, my assumption was (and still is) that it will at least be someone who can contend for the starting job. If nothing else, it would be tough to find someone who wants to transfer to Notre Dame and has no interest in starting. However, Angeli showed he can operate Notre Dame's of- fense in game situations, and he looked quite good in fall camp. Minchey has an interesting combination of arm talent and ath- leticism. There is also real value in finding a multi-year starter at quarterback. If this winds up being a competition, I like Angeli's or Minchey's chances. Point ✦ Counterpoint: WILL NOTRE DAME START ANOTHER TRANSFER QUARTERBACK IN 2024? Biagi's special teams unit has produced punt and kickoff return touchdowns this season, and its kickoff return unit ranked No. 7 nationally through 10 games. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER Steve Angeli will be Notre Dame's most experienced returning quarterback in 2024, so head coach Marcus Freeman and his staff plan to add a veteran signal-caller via the transfer portal. PHOTO BY CHAD WEAVER