The new Lou, Part II

Striking similarities between Lou Holtz and Brian Kellys first two seasons.

Below is a fascinating blog by Ted Mandell on the similarities of the first two seaons between Coaches Lou Holtz and Brian Kelly. Ted is a faculty member in the Department of Film, Television, and Theatre. Author of the multimedia book Heart Stoppers and Hail Marys: The Greatest College Football Finishes (Since 1970), he also filmed the documentary Inside The Legends, following Lou Holtz in his final game on the sidelines during the 2009 Notre Dame Japan Bowl.
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I saw that BK got a two year extension, and I thought, Hmmm, after two seasons is he still the New Lou?

Well, let’s see . . . Brian Kelly has the exact same record after 26 games as Lou Holtz (16-10).

At the conclusion of Holtz’s second season (1987), the greatest receiver in ND history (Tim Brown) finished his ND career on the sideline during the fourth quarter of a bowl game loss against a top defensive foe.

At the conclusion of Kelly’s second season (2011), the greatest receiver in ND history (Michael Floyd) finished his ND career on the sideline during the fourth quarter of a bowl game loss against a top defensive foe.

Timothy Brown and Michael Floyd both have exactly 12 letters in their names.

Louis Holtz and Brian Kelly both have exactly 10 letters in their names.

After two years, Holtz replaced his defensive coordinator with a position coach on staff and hired a new offensive line coach.

After two years, Kelly replaced his offensive coordinator with a position coach on staff and hired a new offensive line coach.

Notre Dame finished the 1987 season 8-4.

Notre Dame finished the 2011 regular season 8-4.

In 1987, Notre Dame beat #17 Michigan State 31-8, highlighted by two kick returns for touchdowns by Tim Brown, future Oakland Raider.

In 2011, Notre Dame beat #15 Michigan State 31-13, highlighted by a kick return for a touchdown by George Atkinson III, son of a former Oakland Raider.

In 1987, Notre Dame beat Navy 56-13.

In 2011, Notre Dame beat Navy 56-14.

In 1986 and 1987, Notre Dame had 10 losses by a total of 90 points.

In 2010 and 2011, Notre Dame had 10 losses by a total of 88 points.

In 1987, Bon Jovi’s “Livin on a Prayer” spent two weeks at #1 on the Billboard Charts.

In 2011, Jon Bon Jovi spent two minutes on the field at Notre Dame Stadium as the ND Band played “Livin on a Prayer.”

The live recording of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” was first released in 1987.

The studio recording of Ozzy Osbourne’s “Crazy Train” was first played live inside Notre Dame Stadium in 2011.

And just in case you’re wondering for season three . . .

In 1988, Notre Dame defeated four teams ranked in the Coaches’ Poll Top 10.

In 2012, Notre Dame plays four teams ranked in ESPN.com’s preseason Top 11.

Meet the New Lou . . . same as the Old Lou.

USC Freshman Transfers To Fighting Irish

Amir Carlisle

Notre Dame was looking to sign at least two running backs in its 2012 recruiting class, but now it appears it will get three. According to a South Bend Tribune report, USC freshman running back Amir Carlisle will transfer to Notre Dame for the 2012 spring semester that begins Jan. 17. He will have to sit out the 2012 season, per NCAA rules, but he will have three years of eligibility remaining from 2013-15.

BlueandGold.com’s Jason Sapp reported on Friday that Carlisle was visiting the Notre Dame campus this week. The name couldn’t be revealed at the time of the initial report because it was still in the earlier phases of transfer process.

FightOn247 reporter Scott Schrader, which is USC’s site on the 247Sports national network, has also confirmed Carlisle’s transfer via multiple sources.

The 5-10, 186-pound Carlisle opted for in-state USC over the Irish last winter, but he now will join Notre Dame a year later.

Carlisle’s father, Duane, told the South Bend Tribune that it was “a family decision.” A strength and conditioning coach for several pro teams, including the San Francisco 49ers in 2010, Duane Carlisle is now the director of sports performance at Purdue, also located in Indiana.

A Parade All-American, the younger Carlisle rushed for more than 2,000 yards each of his last two seasons at Kings Academy in Sunnyvale, Calif., while averaging 11 yards per carry and scoring 57 touchdowns.

At USC this past season he played in eight games for the 10-2 Trojans while playing behind players such as Marc Tyler, Curtis McNeal, and D.J. Morgan. In pre-season camp, veterans such as quarterback Matt Barkley and linebacker Chris Galippo told Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times that Carlisle stood out among the freshmen.

“What made [receiver] Robert Woods so special wasn’t his speed and it wasn’t his ability — it was just his maturity as a freshman to handle the amount of [information] load that he did,” Galippo said. “Amir has that same maturity.”

Carlisle’s best game came in a 42-17 blowout of Colorado on Nov. 4. Carlisle had 10 carries for 90 yards and two catches for 23 yards and a score. He finished the year with 118 yards rushing and seven receptions.

Carlisle joins the Youngstown, Ohio’s 5-11, 205-pound William Mahone and Everett, Wash, 6-0, 175-pound KeiVarae Russell as running backs who are scheduled to sign with the Irish.

In addition to the two incoming freshmen, Notre Dame’s 2012 backfield stable will include seniors Cierre Wood and possibly Theo Riddick, junior Cameron Roberson and sophomores George Atkinson III and Cam McDaniel.

In 2011 Wood became Notre Dame’s first 1,000-yard rusher in a season since 2006, and he has a fifth season of eligibility in 2013. Riddick, who has played running back and slot receiver his first three years, moved back to running back for the regular season finale and the Champs Sports Bowl after a season ending injury to Jonas Gray.

Roberson is coming off a serious knee injury incurred last spring. Atkinson, who returned two kickoffs for scores in 2011, had nine carries for 27 yards and one touchdown. McDaniel carried three times for nine yards.

Kelly on verge of signing ex-NFL line coach/recruiter

Hiestand served on the Chicago Bears 2006 Super Bowl staff

Rumors out of Knoxville that Brian Kelly is close to hiring Tennessee offensive line coach Harry Hiestand. (In fact, here’s a report that says it’s a done deal.) If the reports are true, Hiestand will almost immediately hit the recruiting trail, with his first order of business being committed recruits Taylor Decker, Mark Harrell and Ronnie Stanley.

At 53 years old, Hiestand has spent over 20 years in the coaching ranks, starting his career after an injury ended his playing career at East Stroudsburg University. He bounced around early in his career before working nearly exclusively as an offensive line coach with stops at Toledo, Cincinnati (where he coordinator the offense during an 8-3 campaign), then jumped to Missouri before spending a large chunk of time with Illinois.

During his time working under Ron Turner, Hiestand tutored 12 All-Big Ten offensive linemen. If you’re looking for an impressive stat, every senior starting lineman that Hiestand coached signed an NFL contract. Hiestand added assistant head coach to his title for his final five seasons with the Illini.

Hiestand has also spent significant time in the NFL, moving north to Chicago as the offensive line coach with the Bears, joining Lovie Smith‘s staff in 2005. Those Bears squads won 24 regular season games in his first two seasons, going to the Super Bowl in 2006.

Nothing has been made official, but with the recruiting season in its final weeks, expect an offensive line coach to be named — and put on the road — quickly. Kelly still has one more opening on his staff to fill.

Brian Kelly receives two-year extension

Brian Kelly receives a contract extension that ND.

Irish head coach Brian Kelly will be on Notre Dame’s payroll for at least the next four years. The university announced Tuesday afternoon that Kelly signed a two-year extension that will keep him under contract until 2016.

Kelly originally signed a four-year contract with Notre Dame in 2010 with an option to extend for the extra two years. He did enough in his first two seasons leading the Irish to impress athletic director Jack Swarbrick.

“While Coach Kelly and I are focused on the additional work that must be done to reach our goals, I am very pleased with the progress we have made during the past two years,” Swarbrick said in an official release.

“Our football team’s performance on the field, in the classroom and in the community reflect Coach Kelly’s commitment to building a program that will be able to sustain success in the long run, and to doing so in a manner consistent with Notre Dame’s values and tradition.”

Notre Dame also inked many of Kelly’s assistant coaches to extensions during the first week of January. Swarbrick said maintaining continuity on the staff was a top priority after three assistant coaches fled South Bend after the end of the 2011 season.

Kelly also released a statement thanking the school for its loyalty.

““I want to thank Father Jenkins and Jack Swarbrick for their unwavering support of me the last two years,” he said. “My family and I are truly blessed to be at Notre Dame and we are excited about what the future holds for the Fighting Irish football team. I also want to thank Father John and Jack for the commitment they made to the football program last week by renewing the contracts of our assistant coaches. I think we have one of the finest coaching staffs in the country at Notre Dame, and the confidence our administration has shown in us is truly appreciated.”