Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/476884
BY ANDREW OWENS N otre Dame's attempt to make 2015 resemble the first half of 2014 rather than the second half begins with the defense. Last fall, under new defensive co‑ ordinator Brian VanGorder, the unit experienced a stellar start by allowing only 12.0 points per contest through five games. The rest of the way, however, only once did Notre Dame surrender fewer than 30 points (the 31‑28 win over LSU in the Music City Bowl) with an average opponent point total of 39.9 per game. The first step toward improvement is returning a healthy unit. Injuries took a toll on VanGorder's group dur‑ ing the November downfall and will even keep a few players sidelined this spring — defensive lineman Jarron Jones (Lisfranc injury), linebacker Joe Schmidt (ankle) and safety Drue Tran‑ quill (ACL). There are still several moving pieces on the defense, including the possible return of cornerback KeiVarae Russell and defensive end Ishaq Williams (less likely) this summer following their 2014 ineligibility due to the academic investigation, as well as linebacker Jar‑ rett Grace (2013 leg fracture). At the beginning of March, Notre Dame had approximately 90 scholarship play‑ ers, with that number needing to be trimmed down to 85 by August. On paper, the Irish figure to improve simply because of the return of so many players. Junior defensive lineman Shel‑ don Day passing up the NFL for a fifth season at Notre Dame immediately up‑ grades the group. The defensive coaching staff expe‑ rienced a significant shuffle since Na‑ tional Signing Day. Defensive backs coach Kerry Cooks left for Oklahoma and was replaced by former Irish star Todd Lyght. Outside linebackers coach Bob Elliott moved into an off‑field role as special assistant to the head coach, with the opening used to hire defensive line coach Keith Gilmore. Lastly, defen‑ sive line coach Mike Elston moved to tutor the linebackers, with VanGorder set to roam throughout the unit com‑ SEEKING IMPROVEMENT Notre Dame's defense returns volume after an up-and-then-down 2014 season