The consensus on DD is that Latina needs to go. I'm not sure CW agrees with this assessment, and there do exist mitigating factors for Latina - CW monopolized practice time on scheme(s) rather than fundamentals, there's little depth - so everyone needed to crosstrain positions, and the talent is very young.

 

Still, I think it's reasonable to assume that Latina bears some responsibility. The reasons above mean that the Irish should be mediocre-to-bad, not awful-to-putrid. Sam Young and others haven't developed as quickly as their ratings, and the line looked they didn't know how to pass-block until Duke. Even Navy was able to sack Sharpley regularly.

 

So, here are the two guys I want the Irish to consider: Andy Heck and Mike Markuson. Both have experience coaching offensive lines, coaching in college, and being at ND. Their names have been mentioned on these boards before, but I thought we could consolidate our discussion of them here.

 

Heck- Resume here: http://www.jaguars.com/team/Coach.aspx?id=2513.

Summary: played TE and OT under Holtz and Joe Moore, drafted in the first round in 89, coached at Virgina 01-03 (developed All-American Heath Miller), head OL coach for Jags, where they are running the ball very well - how much is attributable to Heck's teaching vs. Taylor/Jones-Drew combo is unclear, but as we've seen this year, a good OL is required to run the ball well, regardless of your RB's.

 

Markuson- Resume here: http://www.hogwired.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=30722&SPID=2419&DB_OEM_ID=6100&ATCLID=187228&Q_SEASON=2006

Summary: Coached Arkansas OL with good production - made immediate impact on ground game and has developed many OL well. Now is running game coordinator as well.

A few of his students: Eagles All-Pro Shawn Andrews, Colts rookie starting LT Tony Ugoh, Brandon Burlsworth, and two All-Freshmen in 04- T Matt Gilbow and G Robert Felton.

Was a grad assistant for ND in 89.

Note: Does not seem to be a particularly active recuiter this year. And Arkansas throws the ball far less than we do, requiring more pass-blocking. Also, one transfer's father claimed Markuson allowed/encouraged/demanded steroid use. If true, that would eliminate him from consideration.

 

Heck obviously has more of the ND connection, sexier pedigree (NFL, star OL) that would probably lend itself towards recruiting. He's also learned under Holtz and Del Rio - two good rpacticioners of a smashmouth team, which could help Weis.

 

Markuson has proven the ability to coach OL to an elite level, particularly in the running game. He's also probably available - after Nutt was fired, his future is uncertain. If we offer him a lot, he'd likely take the expensive two birds in the hand.

 

Here is a Hogs site cheerleading Markuson: 2001 was his fourth year at Arkansas. In his third year as offensive line coach at Arkansas, Mike Markuson watched his young unit make incredible progress as the 1999 season went along. In the last seven games the Hogs started a senior, three sophomores who had never started a game before the 1999 campaign and a redshirt freshman. Still, Arkansas led the SEC in fewest quarterback sacks allowed with 14. Senior tackle Bobby Williams earned second team all-SEC honors and Arkansas earned 4,067 yards in total offense. It was just the fourth time in the decade the Hogs passed the 4,000 barrier. In two years his line has helped produce 8,400 yards in total offense, the best two-year period in nine years.

 

My heart wants Heck, but my head would ever so slightly lean to Markuson, because he's already done what we need our new OL coach to do, and because he's probably easier to get right now. While he may not be a great recruiter, Latina's impact should not be overstated: the only linemen this year he's reeled in is Lane Clelland.

 

Either way, I think we should offer the assistan HC/offense position and accompanying salary that Cutcliffe vacated in 05. It will add the money and prestige that could lure Heck, Markuson, or a different elite OL coach to ND.

 

Which of the two would you prefer? Or do you have any other suggestions?

Nice article Gush. I put other cause I am unfamiliar with the listed group.

i'll give JL one more year and if he doesn't get it turned around then we should try to get andy heck back.

Are you kidding me? People still want John Latina back? Folks he ushered in the WORST offensive line I have seen in the past decade. And his prior two lines under-achieved. If Latina's back next year Weis might as well not be. Oh, my vote goes to Mike Markuson, he's got a pretty impressive resume.

Will makes a great point. Sometimes lost in the fact that this year's line was so young, Charlie did or didn't do this, etc., is that last year's o-line was terrible also. Brady Quinn was the saving grace of that team last year.

Yes one has to wonder about the line. I personally felt it was a God given miracle Brady was not killed last year with no proven back up. Then this year all I saw was JC getting murdered. He does need to strenthen up a bunch. Fortunately Crist will come in and hopefully be able to be a back up if JC goes down

 

By the way if anyone wants to see Zibby's Multi lateral TD which was called back, I put it in Media here. Rocket Sans you missed a good one.

Brady wasn't hurt because he was so strong and built. But the O-line didn't play that well last year, either. Certainly nowhere near approaching this year's pathetic performances, but they did not run the ball with authority and weren't able to get 3rd, 4th & shorts on handoffs - only through the QB sneaks.

 

In 05, I thought the line was solid. LeVoir and Stevenson opened holes well and the Irish were able to run plenty of tosses and sweeps against USC. They also protected pretty well - I don't recall BQ getting hammered too often except against Ohio State blitzes, and AJ Hark and Co. were good against everybody. How much of that was Latina is unclear though.

"Either way, I think we should offer the assistan HC/offense position and accompanying salary that Cutcliffe vacated in 05. It will add the money and prestige that could lure Heck, Markuson, or a different elite OL coach to ND."

 

If the O cooridnator position is open. I'm assuming that means geting rid of Haywood. Who would take his place?

why would heck leave an NFL job for a college one?

 

and i understand weis did, but its a different situation..

If y'all go waaay back. Haywood left Texas on advice of his then HC to learn from Carlie. He really had no OC authority as Charlie ran the position. Did he learn enough? Plenty of HC jobs opening. I think his coming or going is negledgeable. Replacement?

Some people think this is Latina's first bad year with the line. Last year was just as bad! Brady was forced to scramble out of the pocket on 75% of his throws.

 

It's time to move on. Let's get Heck in here.

why would heck leave an NFL job for a college one?

 

and i understand weis did, but its a different situation..

 

The only reason I could see is that sometimes you have to take a lateral move to be able to move up since he hasn't been a OL that long in the NFL. If Heck came over to ND and turned their OL around, he would get more media exposure than being a OL in Jacksonville.

If that would happen, it would really open up jobs in both college football and the NFL. Right now, I'm sure that he is only being considered for other NFL jobs because of his limited time at his current job.

ALL "Power" teams run the ball. Who had the best running offense? Get the guy from Arkansas (Mancuson?). WHat about the Auburn O-line coach? He had 3 freshmen on O-line and still beat Florida!

AARON TAYLOR!!!!!!!!!!

Aaron Taylor would potentially be a good coach. Most players cannot make the transition. I'm sure he is a nice guy. Has he coached anywhere else?

i will be willing to bet anyone that coach Latina get 08 to turn things around , this will be evident after charlie returns from his BOOT CAMP discussions with the master. , , Taylor was great but can he coach ?