Personally, I think that Minter is getting the boot.

 

As for who will take his place, I have nothing. Simply speculation.

 

Some names I have heard from other boards are Dick Bumpas, the DL and DC at TCU. His defense was #2 in total D and #4 in scoring D. He has ND connections. He was ND's DL coach from 90-92.

 

Link on Dick Bumpas:

 

http://gofrogs.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/bumpas_dick00.html

 

Ron Johnson, the DL coach for the Chicago Bears is another name being thrown out there. Nice thing about him, other than the Bears connection, is that he was a DL and recruiting coordinator at UCLA. Always nice to have another guy who knows how recruiting works.

 

Link on Ron Johnson:

 

http://www.chicagobears.com/team/coach.asp?coach_id=10

 

Again, there are NO facts to any of this. Simply names that others are talking about, realistic names. Some of the other names that are being brought up are ridiculous.

 

Anybody have any other thoughts?

Good work on those names, Rock. Yeah to the "other" names. I mentioned Norton as a joke. I don't see it happening, not because he wouldn't come, but because he really hasn't proven himself yet -- this is only his second year as a linebacker coach. Although he was one hell of a player.

Whoops, started a new topic accidentally, but I guess this is a better place.

 

I like Jon Tentuta, the DC at Georgia Tech.

 

He's extremely aggressive, and I'm sure we all got mad at him during the opener this year, and I'm sure we'll have the same feelings next year if we don't take him.

How about this guy? http://www.hokiesports.com/staff/foster.html

He definitely has shown loyalty to Beamer and Virginia Tech, but things change. His kids are grown, his family is from IL and maybe it's time for a new and different challenge on a bigger stage. His defenses have been ranked #2 in the nation for 4 of the last 6 years.

Thanks Rock. Dick Bumpas sounds interesting. TCU is a hell of a team. It would be nice to get an established, realistic DC.

I added to another thread some names based on 2006 Broyles Assistant Coach finalists, etc... One name which is consistently a finalist and always has top defensive teams is Bud Foster from VT. However, he has been at VT for years and is next jump is Head Coach at VT or else where.

 

Also, Alabama had a really good DC who got dumped when they fired Shula. I forget his name.

 

Also, any fired DC from the NFL may have a shot.

 

At this point, I don't see how firing Minter could hurt recruiting. I almost wonder if Weis might try to take a DL or Linebacker coach and move them to the DC spot. For the sake of arguement let's say Weis grabs the Tennesse defensive coach who recruited Martin or Donald would the coach and recruit come to ND?

Guys...a quick question. Are we able to hire away a coach from another program, even if he is still under contract? Or are we discussing

Co-ordinators that are available due to being out of work? Because I do not know any better...it seems that if it the latter, then we have a limited list to select from? And of course this being college rather than the pros...does it matter?

I almost wonder if Weis might try to take a DL or Linebacker coach and move them to the DC spot. For the sake of arguement let's say Weis grabs the Tennesse defensive coach who recruited Martin or Donald would the coach and recruit come to ND?

 

Interesting speculation, but I highly doubt he'd make that big a change to his coordinators over a few recruits.

 

I like all the names listed on this thread. The common theme I see is guys who make the most with what they have and don't need 5 star athletes to excel. I mean VT recruits well, but they don't depend on 4 and 5 star guys to shore up their D.

 

I've turned the corner...Minter should go. And it sounds like there is enough smoke out there to really believe it will happen, and soon.

 

Regarding the recruits I would think that showing a willingness to change the DC could only help recruiting. The only committed player that had Minter as his recruiter was Harrison Smith, and I think he'll stay ND considering Bill Lewis will be his direct coach.

Hey guys, I just got back from a weekend in Chicago. Needless to say, yesterday sucked hardcore. 5 other ND students plus myself couldn't believe what happened.

 

As for guys I could see Weis taking, two other NFL DL coaches come to mind:

 

Sal Sunseri of the Carolina Panthers and Clarence Brooks of the Baltimore Ravens.

 

Both are DL coaches which will help us with our struggles on the line and both are around great NFL defenses day in and day out.

Bumpas and Johnson both look to be in their 50's, maybe a little long in the tooth. Nothing wrong with that, just saying. Also, Bumpas's employment history shows that he leans toward climes south of the Mason-Dixie.

The guy from Bama is Joe Kines.

Hey guys, a name I got off the Rivals message board for a Special Teams Coach replacement is Richard Bisaccia, who is the Special Teams Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

 

Here is the post from the LSU Gator/Tampa Bay fan:

Went to dinner down here last night, and a coach was with the head man for the bucs. JG was doing his best to recruit this coach to stay in the league and not go coach with Charlie. He is a good coach, but I hope he stays with the bucs.

 

He followed that post up with this:

Initials RB. Really nice guy, don't know of any connections he may have to Charlie or ND, but just letting you know what I heard last night. Wife thinks I'm an a-hole for saying this stuff that I overheard at dinner, but if someone heard something about the LSU situation I would want them to share the same stuff. I don't have any insight on how it will go, or if there are true legs to the situation, but I love him as a coach for the bucs.

More on Bissacia:

 

"Ole Miss also excelled in special teams under Bisaccia, with Binkley setting a single-season scoring mark for a kicker. In 2000, the Rebels returned both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown, and the 2001 unit led the conference and ranked 12th in the nation in kickoff returns with a 24.4-yard average. Jason Armstead finished second in the SEC and ninth nationally with a 27.6-yard average on kickoff returns in 2001."

 

"Prior to his stint at Ole Miss, Bisaccia spent five seasons (1994-1998) as the running backs coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Clemson. Under his tutelage, the Tigers set a school record with eight blocked kicks in 1997, and were the only team in the nation to have four players ranked in four special teams categories in 1995."

Hey guys, a name I got off the Rivals message board for a Special Teams Coach replacement is Richard Bisaccia, who is the Special Teams Coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

 

 

If this is true, I doubt he's coming in as a Special Teams Coach unless Coach Weis is planning on giving Coach Minter one more year and grooming his successor.

How about this guy? http://www.hokiesports.com/staff/foster.html

He definitely has shown loyalty to Beamer and Virginia Tech, but things change. His kids are grown, his family is from IL and maybe it's time for a new and different challenge on a bigger stage. His defenses have been ranked #2 in the nation for 4 of the last 6 years.

 

nice find 2.

More on Bissacia:

 

"Ole Miss also excelled in special teams under Bisaccia, with Binkley setting a single-season scoring mark for a kicker. In 2000, the Rebels returned both a kickoff and a punt for a touchdown, and the 2001 unit led the conference and ranked 12th in the nation in kickoff returns with a 24.4-yard average. Jason Armstead finished second in the SEC and ninth nationally with a 27.6-yard average on kickoff returns in 2001."

 

"Prior to his stint at Ole Miss, Bisaccia spent five seasons (1994-1998) as the running backs coach, special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Clemson. Under his tutelage, the Tigers set a school record with eight blocked kicks in 1997, and were the only team in the nation to have four players ranked in four special teams categories in 1995."

 

sounds pretty intriguing for special teams if Polian is let go or moved elsewhere within ND. But Would Bisaccia leave TB.