The Notre Dame running game. Have you seen it? Nope, you haven’t, because it’s not even there. It is mythical, much like drinking 8 glasses of water a day is the key to being healthy (it’s actually 16 glasses of Mountain Dew, or Bud Light). The Irish haven’t been able to use it reliably since 2005-and even then it was the A1 to Brady Quinn and the passing games steak. Only complimentary. Since then, it has become even worse, with 100 yard rushing games being as common as Star Wars nerds getting laid. 3 yards and cloud of dust? If only that were the case, because for the Irish it’s more like 5 yards lost and a Hematoma.

As you all know, Tony Alford (via Louisville) is taking over as the running back coach. It is detailed over at the Blue-Gray Sky. Perhaps he can play doctor?

People seem to like the hire because he is:

1.) First and foremost, a running back coach. That is all he has done.
2.) He has recruited in the big boy states. Texas, Florida, California, etc.
3.) His running backs don’t fumble. (13 lost in 8 years at Iowa State).

This is all well and good (and the Irish have certainly coughed up an ill-timed fumble or two over the last few years), but running back is one of the most natural positions on the football field. Either you can do it, or you can’t. That is why it is always among the positions that freshman can immediately impact. To fix the running game, the Irish needs better backs, and better play from the offensive line. Alford can help with the former, but Frank Verducci and the latter will make the biggest difference.

If Alford can help lure some big recruits and bring good fundamentals, it will be nice to see. But, he won’t be a doctor with a cure, and we probably won’t hear too much about him. The only way to truly fix the ground attack is for Verducci and Weis to mesh, and maybe it wouldn’t hurt to have a tailback live up to the hype.

Tom Lemming is a high school recruiting guru, and unabashed Notre Dame lover (he is based in Chicago). Saying this, I believe his word is as good as gold, and his rankings are the most accurate among the recruiting services. So what if he has 10 Notre Dame commits in his top 100 while everyone else has 3 or 4? They must be mistaken. So let’s here what Tom has to say about the 2nd verbal (Daniel Smith) of the class of 2010.

Tom: A big get for Notre Dame. They have been recruiting wide receiver real well, so this is a bit of a surprise. That he committed is a testament to the job that Charlie and his staff are doing. Daniel is a big receiver (6′4″, 205) with speed and great hands. He reminds me of Randy Moss. The whole country was after him, and he will fight for the #1 spot in my top 100. He has a chance to be special.

Reality check: It is early in the recruiting cycle but it is hard to get excited about a player that only had offers from Indiana, Central Michigan, and Purdue. With that list, how did ND get him? I hope he’s shows that he has serious skills, but how can a recruit be a 4 star with that offer list? If that ranking stands, it will add fuel to the doubters that say Irish recruits get a “kiss” from the recruiting services.

In case you haven’t heard Notre Dame football is hiring some new coaches. The offensive line, running backs and defensive line either have, or will have new position coaches. Of these hires, Verducci on the offensive line may be the most important (gotta get that situation fixed), but a graduate assistant on the defensive line may be the most intriguing. That hire is former Notre Dame star Bryant Young. The nation is excited about this hire, so it’s time to take a closer look at the Yay’s and Nay’s of bringing Young on board:

The Yay’s

Bryant Young commands attention. He played the defensive line his entire career, and was studly at it. He starred at Notre Dame and in the NFL. When he speaks, it would be wise to pay attention. Kids will listen to what he has to say.

Bryant Young has name recognition. Young was one of those faces that showed that ND still has presence in the NFL. He was an All-America at Notre Dame, a top 10 pick, and multiple pro Bowl Selection. Young football fans will have heard of him, and probably have seen him in action. Kids need to believe that Notre Dame players are still relevant, and Young shows this.

Bryant Young knows what he’s doing. From being a star player to persevering for so long, this guy knows the tricks of the trade, and how to gain advantage over an opponent. There is nothing better than learning from an expert.

Bryant Young can help recruiting. His aforementioned name recognition. His NFL experience. He can show players what it takes to be a star, and how to get to the next level.

Bryant Young has heart. You don’t get to the level he was out without determination. He was even an NFL comeback player of the year after a gruesome leg injury. He can instill this will into the ND players.

Bryant Young can relate to players. He can help players through the trials that come with playing on the collegiate level, because he lived it too. He’s been there. Also, he is fairly young, and can have players look at him as a peer rather than just a teacher.

The Nay’s

Star players don’t always make the best coaches. Their natural talent can (often) allow them to be successful without becoming true “students of the game”. That’s not to say they didn’t work hard, but they also probably didn’t have to give the attention that those with lesser talent did. In the NBA, Magic Johnson, and Isaiah Thomas didn’t work out. In hockey, it was Gretzky. Has there ever been a great football coach that was a great player?

All stories about Bryant Young will play off of his last name. “Forever Young”, “The Young And Restless”, “Young At Heart”, “The Young Will Rise”. It will be absolutely miserable.

I say the Yay’s have it, what do you think?