Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/476884
terviewed," Kelly said. "He blew me away in the interview. His attention to detail at the running back posi- tion, techniques, how he was teach- ing the running backs, the depth and knowledge at the position both in the run game and the pass game. "His philosophy matched mine in terms of development of the student- athlete both on and off the field. "Then as we talked about recruit- ing, how he was going to go about that challenge of recruiting. We had a long list of guys that we had ready to interview. We called them up and said that we found our running back coach in Autry Denson. "We feel lucky to have him and ex- cited to welcome him here to Notre Dame. I know our players are excited about him, and we're excited about having him on the staff, as well." Lyght brings experience as a for- mer Notre Dame standout, a Super Bowl champion with the St. Louis Rams and, most recently, coaching stints with Oregon and the Philadel- phia Eagles. "Look, he goes into a home, he's recruiting somebody. First of all, when you get a chance to talk to him, he's a great person," Kelly said. "Take away the football. He's a great family man. He's a great person. "If a mom and dad are looking at Todd Lyght and say, 'If my son can be like him, forget about the football, we've already won.' You'll find that across the board with Autry Denson, as well. "Then he's won a national champi- onship here. He's gotten his degree. He's paid back his scholarship here. He's given back. He's won a Super Bowl ring. I mean, you're recruiting at Notre Dame. That's pretty power- ful stuff. Yeah, that gets your atten- tion." ✦ 2015 NOTRE DAME COACHING ASSIGNMENTS Coach, Position(s) Recruiting Territory Brian Kelly, head coach — Mike Denbrock, associate head coach/wide receivers Calif. and Ill. Brian VanGorder, defensive coordinator Ga. and north Fla. Mike Sanford, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks Calif., Texas, Idaho and N.M. Mike Elston, recruiting coordinator/linebackers Ind., southern Ohio, Tenn. and Mich. Scott Booker, special teams coordinator/tight ends Ga., N.J., D.C., Md. and Va. Autry Denson, running backs Fla., Ala., Miss. and S.C. Keith Gilmore, defensive linemen Mich., N.C., Kansas, Ark., Iowa and Minn. Harry Hiestand, offensive linemen Ohio, Pa. and N.Y. Todd Lyght, defensive backs La., Texas, Ariz., Nev., Colo., Wash. and Ore. Maurice Crum Jr., graduate assistant for defense — Mike Hiestand, graduate assistant for defense — Ryan Mahaffey, graduate assistant for offense — Donovon Raiola, graduate assistant for offense — Bob Elliott, special assistant to the head coach — Ron Powlus, director of player development —