Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UPON FURTHER REVIEW TODD D. BURLAGE (Ohio) is the only actual in-house Di- vision I recruiting experience either of these new hires has. As a high school coach, a college intern and an NFL as- sistant, Lyght has none. Lyght replaces former Irish assistant Kerry Cooks and Denson takes over for Tony Alford, a couple of departed Irish coaches who became two of the most powerful recruiters in the coun- try. History also provides a cautionary tale to the struggles great players often face in trying to become great coaches. NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and NBA Hall of Famer Isaiah Thomas are two high-profile professional examples. Magic Johnson, Ted Williams and Mike Singletary are also members of that long list. Closer to home, former Irish great Bryant Young lasted only one sea- son at Notre Dame as a grad assis- tant coach in 2009 after taking the job among mega-hype and much celebra- tion from the Irish fan base. And Tim Grunhard, one of the greatest guards in Notre Dame history, tested the wa- ters of college coaching but lasted only two seasons as the offensive line coach at Kansas before returning to his pre- vious job as a high school coach in Kansas City. It seems illogical, but the qualities it takes to become a great player don't necessarily line up with those it takes it be a great coach. Elite players thrive on the physicality and glory of the mo- ment. Elite coaches enjoy the delibera- tion of building and managing — the cerebral chess match of football. Making this transformation to coaching is often difficult, especially for the great players. There are exceptions, of course. Steve Spurrier won the 1966 Heis- man Trophy and was an All-American quarterback at Florida, and coached the Gators to the national champion- ship 30 years later. Mike Ditka was elected to both the NFL and the College Football Hall of Fame and won Super Bowls as both a player and a coach. Obviously, Denson, 38, and Lyght, 45, are just beginning their coaching careers, and this new opportunity could very well propel them to great success and long careers. That said, these two will have to learn while they teach, and that can be a tough jug- gling act for an inexperienced coach in a pressure cooker like Notre Dame. Even Kelly admitted he will have to "coach the coaches." Kelly's decision to move away from the familiarity and loyalty he has al- ways used to build his coaching staff, and then take a chance on two Notre Dame legends, should be celebrated. But ultimately, how well and how quickly Lyght and Denson absorb the coaching and recruiting responsibili- ties they've never handled before will immediately help to forge Kelly's leg- acy as a head coach at Notre Dame, and the future of his program. Risk/reward means everything here. ✦ Todd D. Burlage has been a writer for Blue & Gold Illustrated since July 2005. He can be reached at tburlage@blueandgold.com