Tag: Andy Ludwig

Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator Search: 3 leaders emerge

Which candidate are you hoping most for and why?

A week after Tommy Rees left Notre Dame to become Alabama’s offensive coordinator, it appears Marcus Freeman and Ron Powlus are making progress in the search for a replacement. After some internet rumors proved untrue earlier in the week, it appears to be a three-man race.

Football Scoop has been all over this story like they almost always are with coaching news and gave an update Thursday evening. The site had named two of the three emerging candidates as being vetted. Though it added that at least one other Power Five offensive coordinator had been discussed, it didn’t give a name. The third of the three fits that mold.

Here are the key details from the latest Football Scoop report:

Notre Dame offensive coordinator search: Cross one off list

A week later, who do you want as ND’s next OC?

You can cross one name off the list of potential Notre Dame offensive coordinators. On Wednesday we spent a lot of time putting together biographies on a few of the individuals [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] and Ron Powlus were reportedly targeting.

We’re glad we put out that information about Philadelphia Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson when we did, because he will not be coming to Notre Dame, regardless of what someone decides to put on Twitter.

Johnson was asked Wednesday about being linked to the Notre Dame job. He couldn’t have been any clearer about his lack of interest in the job.

It’s hardly a surprise. Johnson is likely to get an NFL offensive coordinator position after the Super Bowl this weekend. Don’t fret though, Irish fans, plenty of quality candidates remain — specifically Andy Ludwig of Utah and Sean Lewis of Colorado!

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Notre Dame offensive coordinator candidate: Andy Ludwig

Easily the most experienced coach of Notre Dame’s reported OC candidates, Ludwig currently calls Utah’s offense.

Notre Dame has a vacancy at offensive coordinator after Tommy Rees took the same position on Nick Saban’s Alabama staff in early February. Where will Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame turn for their new offensive coordinator?

Here at Fighting Irish Wire we’ll be giving you a bio and career summary of some of the coaches that emerge as candidates. We’re also making an effort for some guest contributors who have either followed or covered each potential candidate’s coaching careers.

The most experienced of the known candidates is Utah coach Andy Ludwig. He has more than 30 years of college football coaching experience — some great and some not so hot.

Why is Ludwig a legit candidate and what does he offer as a specialty? Our fourth installment of this offensive coordinator examination looks at Ludwig. Here is what you need to know about the current Utah offensive coordinator.

Notre Dame offensive coordinator search: Report on vetted candidates

Is Notre Dame comin’ for Coach Prime’s new offensive coordinator? Are they in a battle with Miami for an offensive mind? Tons of details on the search…

The question surrounding Notre Dame football this offseason went from “how will the offense look with an elite quarterback?” to “who is going to call plays for this offense?” in no time.

[autotag]Tommy Rees[/autotag] took an offer to be the offensive coordinator at Alabama last week, and, according to Football Scoop, [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] and Notre Dame have targeted some of the biggest-names among position coaches in the NFL and offensive play-callers in college.

Here is an update on who Notre Dame has reached out to and where things seemingly stand on each candidate according to the Football Scoop report.

Notre Dame football: 9 potential candidates to replace Tommy Rees

Who do you want to replace Tommy Rees?

Just a year after declaring he wanted to stay and fight for Notre Dame, offensive coordinator [autotag]Tommy Rees[/autotag] is off to Tuscaloosa to join Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama. Rees took over as Notre Dame’s play-caller in 2020 and showed signs of stardom. He also made a few decisions that left Notre Dame fans rather frustrated.

The new offensive coordinator will be tasked with some difficult things.  Notably, Rees raised the level of talent in the quarterback room significantly.  When you look at what Notre Dame had at the position on their roster from 2017-2022 and look at the projected depth charts in coming years you can’t help seeing a significant step in the right direction.

But who will replace Rees?

This will be a massive test for Marcus Freeman early in his head coaching career because the hiring of quality assistants is a must for any sustained success. Here are nine names he would be wise to at least look at to replace Rees.

Utah analyst digs into the puzzle named Cam Rising, who has struggled for Utes in 2022

One Utah analyst pinpointed the play-calling of offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig as a problem for the Utes heading into their matchup vs #USC.

We reached out to Utah football analyst Matt Nigbur of the No Truck Stops Pac-12 podcast.

We asked Nigbur, “How surprised are you and other Utah analysts that Rising hasn’t made the grade?”

Nigbur responded:

“What, doesn’t everyone expect their QB to be the Heisman trophy winner? I’m told these expectations are totally normal among college football blue bloods, of which Utah is certainly one. I think the surprise/confusion is less in Rising and more in the play calling at the moment. This type of QB play and lack of downfield passing seems to be treated as a feature rather than a bug, and the opposite of all of the talking points coming out of camp.”

It will certainly be a point of interest on Saturday against USC: Will Utah, which has struggled to find explosive plays, be able to hit deep shots over the top of the USC secondary, or will that deficiency remain firmly in place for the Utes against Alex Grinch and the Trojans’ defense, which have shut down deep balls this season?

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Offensive coordinator hot board: Who Auburn is considering

Who do you think Auburn should get?

The Tigers are currently without an offensive coordinator after firing Mike Bobo.

I doubt Auburn makes a hire within the next couple of days, but I’m sure the Tigers will have an answer a couple of weeks before their bowl game rolls around.

There have been several names tossed around, but specifically Eric Kiesau, the current wide receivers coach at Auburn. It would not surprise me if Harsin elected to make an in-house hire, or if he went out to get someone he’s very familiar with.

Here are the candidates Auburn is considering hiring to be the next offensive coordinator.