Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/638727
2016 RECRUITING ISSUE BY ANDREW OWENS T welve months ago, Notre Dame was about to hire four new assistant coaches. Com‑ ing off an 8‑5 season and the academic investigation that hung over the program for months, head coach Brian Kelly — some specu‑ lated — would depart South Bend as soon as he could. Twelve months later, before the ink had even dried on Kelly's six‑year con‑ tract extension, Notre Dame had suc‑ cessfully streamlined and reorganized its recruiting operations to bring in an impressive 23‑player haul. "It's been a journey for Notre Dame and our recruiting efforts," Kelly said while introducing the class Feb. 3. "A year ago, we made some substantial changes within our recruiting office. It started with me handing the reins over to Mike Elston on my staff as the recruiting coordinator and asking him to reshape the look of our recruiting efforts. "I think in a very short period of time, he's done a very admirable job, but more importantly a very creative job, one that has addressed the needs that we have within recruiting, but has also embraced what recruiting looks like right now and moving for‑ ward." That includes the 18‑wheel equip‑ ment truck "ND 1" rolling into Sa‑ vannah (Ga.) Christian School the last week of January to impress five‑star wide receiver Demetris Robertson, who waited until after National Sign‑ ing Day to make his decision.