Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME ✦ GIMME FIVE This spring will mark 20 years since Notre Dame hired a 31-year-old assistant from Colorado State named Urban Meyer to coach its wide receivers. Meyer was brought in to replace former Notre Dame quarterback Tom Clements (1972-74), who had been on head coach Lou Holtz's staff since 1992 before departing on negative terms. Today, the fourth-year Ohio State head coach has become one of the titans of the sport with three national titles, two at Florida (2006 and 2008) and another with the Buckeyes (2014), and also had 12-0 seasons at Utah (2004) and Ohio State (2012). Once considered Notre Dame's top candidate after the Irish fired Tyrone Willingham on Nov. 30, 2004, Meyer's career winning percentage ranks behind only Notre Dame's Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy in college football history. Here is the top five: Coach (Years) Record Pct. 1. Knute Rockne (1918-30) 105-12-5 .881 2. Frank Leahy (1939-43, 46-53) 107-13-9 .864 3. Urban Meyer (2001-present) 153-27 .850 4. George Woodruff (1892-05) 142-25-2 .846 5. Barry Switzer (1973-88) 157-29-4 .837 Notes: Leahy was 20-2 in two seasons at Boston Col- lege before starting at Notre Dame in 1941; Woodruff coached at Penn, Illinois and Carlisle. Jaylon Smith Wins The Butkus Award For the second time in four seasons, a Notre Dame linebacker earned the most prestigious award handed out to that position group — the Butkus Award. Junior Jaylon Smith followed Manti Te'o's 2012 lead as the winner of the 31st annual award after amassing 113 stops, nine tackles for loss, one sack, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries during Notre Dame's 10-2 season. Smith beat out Deion Jones (LSU), Leonard Floyd (Georgia), Reggie Ragland (Alabama) and Raekwon McMillan (Ohio State) for the honor. Smith received 89 overall points in the voting, with Ragland earning 61 points and McMillan finishing third with 20. "Jaylon Smith is an exceptional athlete with the instincts, explosion and striking ability that can tilt the field," the award committee said in a statement. "He can rush the passer, cover receivers and consistently makes his presence felt all over the field against the run. "He's an impact player who leads by example and is as talented as any college linebacker to win the award the last decade." — Andrew Owens MOVING? Let our customer service department know your new address! CALL US 1-800-421-7751