Well this is just the best news of the offseason. If you can't beat 'em - hire 'em.

Should be interesting to see how much reign he has to use crazy blitz packages with the linebackers while still under the simplicity banner of Brown. Clearly they (from their statements) are getting along well so I imagine they have something in mind.

I hope this is another piece of the MNC puzzle.
Piyachi | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 12:22 am | #

I'm thrilled with the hire and can't wait to see the defense on the field for the spring game.

Initial reaction across several blogs / boards seems to be that we'll be 'blitzing all the time' in the mold of Coach Tenuta's GT defenses.

I think it will be really interesting to see how much Coach Tenuta's presence influences Coach Brown's defensive playcalling in terms of the balance between blitzing vs dropping into coverage in the '3-4 personnel' defense.

Anyone know whether Coach Tenuta has any experience working in (and designing blitzes for) a 3-4 set?
Turf | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 1:13 am | #

A real bonus is that Bill Lewis can still recruit as a member of N.D. Can you imagine the triumvirate of Lewis, Tenuta and Brown coming into the home of the top high school defensive players?!! Wow!
Andy | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 2:15 am | #

Here is my thinking.

Notre Dame uses a multi-front D. Don't know the exact figures, but it felt like we used the 3-4 as much as the 4-3.

Corwin's background is in the 3-4.

Tenuta's background is in the 4-3.

Both seem like they prefer to call an aggressive game (just so happens that Notre Dame's pass rush didn't do so hot in year 1 of the transition, but to me they were much more aggressive, both in demeanor and dialing up blitzes).

Translation? Both coordinators combine their backgrounds to make for one hell of a playbook. I'm game; you guys in too?
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 2:46 am | #

oh f@#$ yes!!!!!

this will turn a lot of heads over the next week leading up to NSD. this also sounds like a backup plan for if corwin continues to move up the coaching ladder and get a promotion elsewhere. tenuta's style is like weis' but on D. he'll go for the jugular.

hopefully this staff has the boys prepared this year. if we can come out playing consistent ball we've got a great chance to win a lot of games next season. the schedule is surprisingly soft. maybe a shocker commit on NSD will pop up bc of this hire
alanon | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 6:13 am | #

The last time Notre Dame hired a coach we couldn't beat I believe was a man named Ara. I think the defense is in great hands now with Corwin and Jon. I wonder how the LB recruits are feeling now. I believe we may see some more staff changes and if it does happen and is anything like this one, oh boy. Of course, Charlie doesn't know what he is doing. How can someone so incompetent come up with a hire like this and I dont think this is a blind squirrel catching an acorn. Have some faith in CW. Another great thing about the Tenuta hire, he spent six years with an NFL coach as his head coach.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 7:04 am | #

Very good news. Nice read too. Your joke about: “Charlie Weis will hire Frank Beamer as our new special teams coach” hits home to the fact that the hunt is hopefully still on to solve the Special Teams debacle.
BTW, didn’t Lou hire some guy to solve some defensive issues from a funny named school in Texas?
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 7:48 am | #

Maybe we should go ahead and hire the coaching staff away from USC just to be safe.
Patrick | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 8:30 am | #

Andy - Bill Lewis won't be allowed to recruit for Notre Dame. Only those on the coaching staff are allowed by the NCAA to recruit. Lewis will be working more in the fund-raising side of things.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 8:47 am | #

What a great hire....now if Charlie could find a way to change the weather in South Bend to stay Floirda-like all year, maybe add a beach and a good spring break location we may be able to sign 22 five-stars a year....
Seriously I met Coach Tenuta when he was at UNC and I was a recruit....My dad has known his brother for many years and he spent a considerable ammount of time talking to us.....He is one of the best defensive minds in the country,
ZachBNC | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 9:22 am | #

Wicked sick. Finally a guy with rock solid college experience. GT never seemed to have as much success against everyone else as they've had recently against us, but they definitely came to play. Hopefully the attitude can be imported along with the coach.
indy | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 9:56 am | #

Pat, I think its pretty official that Tenuta will be coaching LBs and have an "Asst. Head Coach/Def." title (or something similar). The question is, where does this leave Polian? I don't think they are going to kick Polian to the curb, but I'm guessing he gets full-time ST responsibiities again and will have to show some results if he wants to stick around.

The other great thing about this hire - Michigan didn't get him. There were a number of schools, UM included, that were interested in Tenuta. Now if Pryor just decides he'd rather play basketball for Pitt....
Thundershaker | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 10:14 am | #

I think the defense this year may have some problemns,I would like to see Chris Stewart given a shot at NT.look at his Bio he would be a perfect fit and he is eleigible for a fth. year
mike oleary | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 10:14 am | #

In my opinion, the thing that's most awesome about this hire is that Tenuta's gotten great results with two- and three-star recruits.

If ever there was a year when we needed a guy who can weave gold from straw, this is it.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 10:21 am | #

This is great news, but we still desperately need something VERY similar to happen on Offense. We could have the entire New England Patriot's defense and it won't matter if our O-line can't block anyone.

Now, if CW can pull of some sort of ridiculous offensive line/strength/special teams coach coup then the effect of the Tenuta hire will be synergistically amazing.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 10:40 am | #

Blanton's going to have to brush up on his math skills before he makes it through the Calculus requirement. Maybe he can get in an extra dose of pre-calc before enrolling in August.

:)
ndfunfax | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 11:33 am | #

P.S. I like Blanton a lot. He's going to be a Walls or Bruton like stud during his time here. Not too flashy, but someone we don't have to worry about when he's manning the backfield.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 11:54 am | #

Is that Jon Tenuta pictured or Mike Hargrove?
Irish Jugg | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 1:48 pm | #

UM fans' reaction seems to be, Tenuta's overrated anyways. Which is funny, because I seem to recall them desperately wanting Tenuta to join the coaching staff there a few months ago. Some of my personal favorite comments about the hire:

*So ND's defense will be better because they will blitz their not-very-good players like crazy and that will solve everything. Just like CW's offensive genius solved all their problems.

*Tenuta is good, but ND is not. Nor will they be. Unless Holtz predicts that they go 0-12, then I'll get nervous.

*As long as ND has Weiss I'm not worried about them. MSU will be better than them for the next five years.

And, my personal favorite (though this is more about CW than Tenuta):

*until weis actually puts a well-coached team on the feild, im going to remain highly skeptical of his ability to coach on the college level.

utterly unbelievable that they fired ty for this guy. mind boggling, really.


I guess it must be a good hire if they feel the need to bash it so vehemently. Here's to hoping Pryor goes anywhere but Ann Arbor....
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 2:19 pm | #

Screw Beamer, what we need is the Patriots' offensive line. The way those guys play is, truly, scary. They can even make a 6th rounder from UM look good. More importantly, they can give him the protection and confidence to be good. I have no doubt our defense, for all it's deficiencies in personnel, will be passable next year. The season will be made or lost on the other side of the ball.
indy | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 2:30 pm | #

Here's an interesting article about the patriots that I think actually provides a lot of insight into Weis if you think about it.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/e...ht& lid=tab1pos1
Shadow Hawkins | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 2:43 pm | #

I've always found it interesting that the Patriots are so good at making linemen out of, well, nobodies and yet CW can't seem to make good linemen out of guys that are supposed to be pretty good.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 2:46 pm | #

Jade,

If you really hate Michigan, you'll root for them to get Pryor. That guy is an NCAA suspension waiting to happen.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 3:18 pm | #

this is an impressive hire coonsidering this guy was a candidate for the hc at GT and he was also rumored to go to UM when les miles was a shoe in for the job, UW to replace baer, and LSu after pelini left and miles stayed. i think that his aggressive/blietkrieg schemes will attract some very good defensive players (if no surprises on NSD this year, definitely some guys will give ND a strong look next year). DEBATABLY this may be ND's best '08 recruit/addition.
jay | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 3:22 pm | #

Jay,

Are you suggesting there are rumors that there may be a NSD surprise or two? Shame on you. ;)
ND Fan | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 3:26 pm | #

EDSBS has a great piece on Tenuta interviewing with Weis.

http://www.everydayshouldbesatur...enuta-and-weis/
Hal | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 3:30 pm | #

Thanks Pat for a great article! Love the fact we have this guy to add his aggressiveness to the D.

I think people will be surprised by the line play this year. When you have that many first year starters who have not regularly hit in practice you suffer. Charlie has promised us hitting!

Let the hitting begin! 2008/09 will be a good year for the IRISH!!
David | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 3:32 pm | #

This is perhaps the best move of the Weis era. It gives me hope that Charlie is recognizing that he needs assistance from masters of the college game, not just the pro game. This could be a great week for the Irish!
speakirish | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 4:36 pm | #

Wow your article pumped me up. What an exciting time in Notre Dame football.
Tommy O | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 6:38 pm | #

Slightly off topic:

Rivals put out its "Rivals.com Rivals100 2009," today, and USC has 5 guys already.

http://www.rivals.com/viewrank.a...asp? ra_key=1936

That's a heck of a start to next year already. I think I speak for college football fans everywhere, when I say "crap."
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 6:59 pm | #

Tenuta is a great hire - lots of college experience and understands effective blitzing disrupts even elite college QBs - look at the worst games with Quinn at QB - he was on his back all day. Main concern is a thin and inexperienced D-line. Still need to look at what has gone on with the O-line, an astonishing level of incompetence for the quality of players there, and the same for special teams - more coaching changes need to be under consideration.
Mark | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 7:22 pm | #

Great link, Shadow Hawkins, on the guy behind the scenes at New England, Ernie Adams.

And I for one LOVE a fierce defense. I hope we can bring it next season.
NDdallas | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 8:39 pm | #

Best hire CW has made.

Latina + Polian are next. Mendoza on the bubble.

Any rumors on more changes?
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 10:49 pm | #

my guess, and i'm by no means an inside man or anything to that extent, but i would guess that polian will roam the sidelines next year. my guess would be that polian would go from db and special teams coach to strictly special teams. this way charlie doesnt have to hire frank beamer (little extreme, but the point is made). then if the ST dont improve next year polian will be asked to look elsewhere for employment.
jay | Email | Homepage | 02.01.08 - 11:32 pm | #

I dont know if there is any truth to this, but what is this I hear about Tenuta banning a prayer before the GTech bowl game this past season??????

Kinda seems ironic that now he will be coaching at ND, where well, some of our symbols center around things such as TD Jesus, Extra Point Moses, etc?

I hope this isn't true, or at least he won't bring that attitude here.

At first this hire really got me fired up, but if this is true...hopefully he has changed.

Especially when ND stands for moral character....

any thoughts or words ????
allo allo | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 2:17 am | #

Allo Allo,

I know Jon Tenuta personally and I know his family. Where did you hear this? I went to school with his oldest brother and was at the Tenuta house many times. His family background is one of love and devotion. Please don't ever question his moral character he is a fine man.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 6:41 am | #

Maybe the prayer was to Satan.
shadow hawkins | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 9:39 am | #

My understanding is that either of two situations occurred before the bowl game:
A) Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad were the prayer leaders.
or
B) ACLU was in the locker room.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 10:09 am | #

Allo allo,

Its "First Down Moses," not "Extra Point Moses."

I'm guessing that you got your information on Jon Tenuta in the same place you got you information on Moses.
DCDomer | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 11:04 am | #

Is it me, or does Tenuta have a striking resemblance to Ron Zook?
true2nd | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 11:04 am | #

Let's get real here. Tenuta is a first rate coach. Why would he even consider coming to ND if he is against prayer in the locker room, pariculalry when he will be attending Mass before every game, home and away, with the team? we should not be too gullible when it comes to the rumor mill.
Lush | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 12:16 pm | #

oh man. i can't wait to see usc cringe when they see nd roll in. the two kids at olb are going to have a field day and big draft day when it is all said and done. heres to n.d. cheers . p.s 3-3-5 stack at universty of mickey . lol lol thats not loyd carrs man tits
so cal david | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 12:46 pm | #

Tenuta is the love-child of Mike Hargrove and Ron Zook.
Irish Jugg | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 12:50 pm | #

man i sure hope he can recruit like zookster
so cal david | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 12:52 pm | #

All this talk about Tenuta changing things seems sill to me. Brown is still the DC. Do you think he is going to turn everything over to Tenuta? Brown would leave if he was being demoted.

This will be Brown's defense not Tenuta's. I don't expect to see nearly as much blitzing from ND as there was at Tech. I am sure Tenuta will have input into the gameplan just like all the other coaches. I doubt it is much more than that.

I do agree that Tenuta is an upgrade over Polian so at least the inside LB will get some improved coaching.
BobInVa | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 5:01 pm | #

Extra point Moses? First down Moses??!! Did last year lower expectations? It's #1 Moses!!
WSDave | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 9:48 pm | #

Great hire for you guys. Tenuta was the only reason Tech was able to stay on the field with UGA the last few years. Glad to see him gone personally.

It will be interesting to see how well he recruits now that he is out from under UGA's shadow. Finally has a big name to throw around, and most of the kids love his style of blitz 'em & blow 'em up. Great coach who teaches sound fundamentals across the board. Look for the Domer D to be much improved.
CLTDawg | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 9:50 pm | #

Last year it was First Down Jesus.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 10:53 pm | #

With a paper bag over His head, according to one memorable cartoon.
Joe Subway | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 11:29 pm | #

Positive yardage Jesus
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.02.08 - 11:32 pm | #

Jesus, Clausen is gonna get Killed Jesus.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 12:00 am | #

Positive Yardage without a penalty Jesus.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 12:16 am | #

Check out the Q&A with Justin Tuck, especially his proudest moment off the field:

http://www.sportingnews.com/your...ic.php? t=346215
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 12:23 am | #

Grant, Tuck, etc. are the guys our coaching staff should be pointing to when meeting with recruits. Hopefully in a couple of years we can add Quinn, Laws, Stovall, and Ndukwe to that list, among others.
Domer Guy | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 12:41 am | #

OC mj, I sprayed my beverage everywhere when I read your "Jesus, Clausen is going to get killed Jesus" masterpiece. I will be sending you the bill for a new keyboard. LOL
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 7:54 am | #

I believe last year it was more "Wincing Jesus". I believe that will all change soon. I hope that CW and the staff have a few surprises come signing day. We haven't gotten any new commits and we lost one. I would love to see us get the young man from Georgia now. Great post CLTDawg, thank you for your input.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 9:05 am | #

Hal,

Nah. He won't get suspended. He'd probably have to murder Myles Brand to even get a slap on the wrist, the way the NCAA "enforces rules" these days. (Case in point: Reggie Bush.)
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 10:27 am | #

FWIW, a very reputable staffer from B&G has said that ND has picked up a new commit (not one of the known visitors this weekend) who has de-committed from another school and will sign with ND on NSD. It will not go public till then because the kid doesn't want grief. That is as much as is known. Don't know which side of the ball etc.
DuffMan | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 10:46 am | #

If the kid doesn't want anyone to know, then I hope nobody finds out who. Obviously, I'm curious but if it's best for Notre Dame then I am fine with waiting.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 11:09 am | #

Duff Man!
Is this the same publication that said "McCoy was solid in '06, Austin & Benn were solid in '07 and Hunter was solid in '08? The same one?
I'll guess Josh Jenkins OL out of WVA.
OCMJ; Female pundit of the year. Bravo my lady!
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 11:48 am | #

"Wincing Jesus" is hilarious. Nice, Doug!
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 12:48 pm | #

My guess may be Mike Martin as the new commitment. He is a Michigan commit right now. Jenkins would be huge too. Thanks VIW, I think things are looking up for the Irish.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 1:25 pm | #

my guess is that kapron lewis moore decommits from a&m, again, and commits to ND.
jay | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 1:52 pm | #

Yes. KLM it is.

http://blogs.suntimes.com/secondseason/
WSDave | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 3:05 pm | #

For what it's worth:

Konrad Reuland, who started his college career at Notre Dame before leaving last September, will continue his career in Palo Alto, picking Stanford on Saturday, where he'll join his younger brother, Warren, a Stanford commit expected to sign on Wednesday with the Cardinal.

http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?...d2%26c% 3d725791
bgr | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 3:52 pm | #

Supposedly Keith Wells is going to announce his decision tomorrow. Anybody heard anything about his visit and our chances of getting him?
bgr | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 3:55 pm | #

i'm surpirsed it took reuland this long to decided upon the tree u. i thought it was fairly evident that he would go there considering that's where his brother is going. good luck to him and his brother.
jay | Email | Homepage | 02.03.08 - 4:07 pm | #

I heard the info from GA Tech boards....apparently he banned Choice from praying before the game.

I PRAY this information is wrong....

as for the extra point - first down moses


In recent years more people have called it First Down Moses...while when it was originally built people called it Extra Point Moses.

If you actually look at the statue

Extra Point Moses makes much more sense.

Who holds up a finger for a first down??????


The whole first down thing is probably from some idiot who headed up the admissions tour some time.
allo allo | Email | Homepage | 02.04.08 - 11:26 am | #

I have never before heard a story of the Moses statue being referred to as anything other than #1 Moses.

Of course, I was only at ND for the 4 years I was a student. I suppose these names evolve.

I look forward to the day when it make the most sense to refer to the statue as #1 Moses rather than anything else.
WSDave | Email | Homepage | 02.04.08 - 11:56 am | #

This just in: Justin Tuck is a very talented defensive lineman.
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 02.04.08 - 12:57 pm | #

Notre Dame football-religious iconographY:

1. "Touchdown" Jesus (a.k.a. "Word of Life")
2. "We're number one" Moses (a.k.a. Joseph Turkaly's "Moses and the Golden Bull")
3. "Fair-catch" Father Corby (a.k.a. Father Corby giving absolution to the Union Troops before the battle of Gettysburg)
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 02.04.08 - 1:09 pm | #

When I was a student at N.D., it was called "A.P. Moses".
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.04.08 - 8:31 pm | #

Voice,

I guess I have to ask. What does the "AP" stand for?
WSDave | Email | Homepage | 02.04.08 - 9:18 pm | #

Jade,

RE: Pryor. Yeah, I hear you. If the stuff unveiled about Bush on that Real Sports segment doesn't get NCAA action, I don't kknow what will.

Still Pryor is starting to smell like Clarett to me.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 02.05.08 - 4:10 pm | #