Tag: Brian VanGorder

Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator takes new job

He’s returning to where he once coached, but it’s not at Notre Dame

Former Notre Dame defensive coordinator [autotag]Brian VanGorder[/autotag] is taking over a job he once already held.  Don’t worry though Irish fans, it’s not in South Bend.

VanGorder, who was Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator from 2014 through the first few weeks of 2016, VanGorder is now the defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores (Ala.) High School.  It’s a job that he held previously in 2021 as he spent last season coaching at national powerhouse American Heritage in Hollywood, Florida.

VanGorder was the 2003 recipient of the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.  He won the award while being the defensive coordinator at Georgia.

Since being forced out at Notre Dame following the rough start to the 2016 season, VanGorder has been on the move frequently.  He had stops again at Georgia and then Oklahoma State before spending 2018 as the defensive coordinator at Louisville.  He then spent 2019 and 2020 at Bowling Green before coaching one year previously at Gulf Shores in 2021.

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Well-known former Notre Dame assistant finds new job

A former Notre Dame assistant who oversaw much Irish heartbreak has found a new gig.

Say the name “Brian VanGorder” to just about any Notre Dame fan and you’ll get one of two reactions.

The most likely one is something close to gagging, vomiting, or an eye-roll.

The other could be perhaps the most well-known gif in regards to Notre Dame football, as VanGorder celebrated a stop in 2014’s 31-0 win over Michigan.

VanGorder split time between the college game and NFL since 1989, including from 2014-2016 as he served as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator.

As Notre Dame fans know, the defense during that run left more than just a little bit to be desired.

All of the following happened under VanGorder’s watch at Notre Dame:

  • 31+ points allowed in the final seven regular-season games of 2014
  • Last-second defensive meltdown at Stanford in 2015 that cost Irish CFP bid
  • Allowing 50, 36, and 38 points to Texas, Michigan State, and Duke respectively to start 2016 before being fired.

VanGorder held various positions at Georgia, Oklahoma State, and Bowling Green since departing Notre Dame, but now his time in the college game has officially come to an end as he has taken a new job as the defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High School in Alabama.

VanGorder won the Broyles Award in 2003 as the nation’s top assistant coach in college football when he was Georgia’s defensive coordinator.

Former Auburn defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder joins high school staff

Former Auburn defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder is back in the state of Alabama, this time as a high school coach.

There are not many Auburn fans that will ever forget the name Brian VanGorder.

Brought in to shore up the Tigers defense by Gene Chizik in 2012, the VanGorder experiment turned into a disaster as Auburn finished 81st in total defense and went 3-9 as Chizik was fired following the year.

The coaching fraternity is tight, though, and VanGorder landed jobs at Notre Dame and Louisville as defensive coordinator following his time on the Plains, spending the past two seasons in the same position with Bowling Green.

Now, he is off to the high school ranks as he is joining Mark Hudspeth, former coach of Louisiana-Lafayette and Austin Peay, at Gulf Shores High School.

“It’s huge for us,” Hudspeth said per AL.com. “Just the fact that our student-athletes will get a chance to learn from two of the best in the business in Brian VanGorder and (former South Alabama offensive coordinator) Kenny Edenfield is special. These are guys that have coached at the highest level for quite a while now.

“I think not only will our players grow, but our current staff will continue to grow, and I think we will attract coaches who want to come here and learn from, basically, a Division I staff for the most part. We are trying to give our student-athletes every edge we can to be more competitive in this brutal Class 6A Region (1).”

Former Georgia defensive coordinator retires from college football

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has retired from college football.

Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder has retired from college football. VanGorder coached at the University of Georgia from 2001-2004 during the early years of the Mark Richt era.

In 2003, VanGorder won the Broyles Award, which is given to the top assistant coach in the country.

VanGorder has served as a linebackers coach or defensive coordinator over much of the past three decades in college football. He coached at Notre Dame, Louisville, Georgia Southern, Oklahoma State and Auburn among others in the college ranks.

In the NFL, VanGorder coached for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Atlanta Falcons. During his playing days, VanGorder was a linebacker for Wayne State. Now, he’s ready to retire from college football. He is stepping down from his role as the defensive coordinator for Bowling Green.

Dec. 27, 2009; Houston; Atlanta Falcons defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder reacts after a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the third quarter at the Georgia Dome. The Falcons defeated the Bills 31-3.  Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

VanGorder is not done coaching. In fact, he has been hired as the defensive coordinator for Gulf Shores High School in Alabama. The former Georgia defensive coordinator will work with Mark Hudspeth at Gulf Shores.

Bowling Green announced VanGorder’s retirement from college football with class:

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Georgia fotoball’s Dan Lanning among Broyles Award finalists

UGA defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is a finalist for the Broyles Award, which is given annually to the top assistant coach in the country

Georgia’s defense has been spectacular this season. The Dawgs have only given up one rushing touchdown on the season. A big part of that is because UGA defensive coordinator Dan Lanning has been an elite coordinator. Lanning has put the Dawgs in position to have three shutouts on the season. He’s among the finalists for the Broyles Award, which is give to the best assistant coach in the nation.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart won the award with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009. Brian VanGorder, the current defensive coordinator for Bowling Green, won the award at UGA in 2003. Georgia legend Vince Dooley is on the award’s selection committee. Here’s the NCAA’s Broyles Award finalists:

LSU’s Joe Brady is the favorite to win the award. Brady transformed LSU’s offense into a monster seemingly overnight. If Lanning’s defense can shut down Joe Burrow and LSU’s offense, then Lanning may have a legitimate chance to win the award.

Each coordinator that’s a finalist will play in a conference championship game this weekend. The award is far from decided. In fact, a standout performance could propel any of these excellent assistant coaches to win the Broyles Award and possibly make the College Football Playoff. Each will be potential head coach candidates for places like Missouri and Arkansas.

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Georgia’s Jake Fromm, Dan Lanning nominated for prestigious awards

Georgia’s Jake Fromm and Dan Lanning are among nominees for prestigious awards: the Jason Witten Award and the Broyles Award respectively.

Georgia Bulldog QB Jake Fromm is among the players nominated for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. UCF’s Shaquem Griffin won the inaugural award. Fromm has been an excellent leader this season for the forth-ranked Bulldogs.

Even with his leadership, Georgia is more than Jake Fromm. Georgia’s defense has been spectacular this season. A big part of that is because UGA defensive coordinator Dan Lanning has been on top of his game. Lanning has put the Dawgs in position to have three shutouts on the season. He’s nominated for the Broyles Award, which is give to the best assistant coach in the nation.

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart won the award with the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2009. Brian VanGorder, the current defensive coordinator for Bowling Green, won the award at UGA in 2003. Georgia legend Vince Dooley is on the award’s selection committee. Here’s the SEC’s Broyles Award Nominees:

LSU’s Joe Brady is the most likely candidate from the SEC to win the award. But if Lanning’s defense continues it’s elite play and shuts down LSU’s offense, then he’d have quite a case.

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