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.