Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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The runner-up was linebackers coach George Kelly with 17 years from 1969-85, spanning the last six years under Parseghian and then the entire Devine and Faust regimes. He moved to an administrative capacity under Holtz and later became special assis- tant to the athletics director. In the 30 years since 1985, the lon- gest stays by Notre Dame assistants were nine years by 1988-96 offensive line coach Joe Moore and eight years by 1997-2004 defensive line coach Greg Mattison, who also would serve as a coordinator under Bob Davie. A third Notre Dame alumnus, Brian Boulac, also reached double digits in years served as an assistant at tight end, offensive line and defensive line from 1970-82 under Parseghian, Devine and the first two seasons with Faust before moving into athletics ad- ministration. COORDINATING EFFORTS The word "coordinator" was not used until Devine came aboard in 1975. He gave the offensive coordina- tor title first to Merv Johnson that year, followed by recruiting coordinator to Boulac in 1976, and finally defensive coordinator to Yonto in 1977. MOORE OR LESS The most popular surname among Irish assistants was Moore, with three total. Wally Moore was first the freshman coach and later offensive line assistant for Parseghian from 1966-74. Mal Moore, a Bear Bryant disciple and the Alabama athletics director from 1999 to 2013, was the running backs coach from 1983-85 and assistant head coach his last two years under Faust. Finally, Joe Moore was hired to coach Notre Dame's tackles and tight ends in 1988, took over the entire line the following year, and had an indel- ible impact through the final year of the Holtz era in 1996. It ended in ac- rimony when Moore sued new head coach Bob Davie for age discrimina- tion when he was not re-hired after Holtz's exit. This year, Notre Dame also intro- duces its version of "Sanford & Son." Current Indiana State head coach Mike Sanford tutored the Irish quar- terbacks in 1996-98, and his son, also Mike, joined Kelly's staff in the last month in the same capacity, plus has the offensive coordinator title. Current linebackers coach and recruiting coordina- tor Mike Elston is now in his 12th straight season with head coach Brian Kelly. PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND