Assistant Coach Scott Booker Relieved of Duties

Brian Kelly has added another coaching position to his list of vacancies this week. On Monday, it was reported that Notre Dame has dismissed Tight Ends/Special Teams Coordinator Scott Booker. This news comes concurrently with the pending departure of Offensive Coordinator Mike Sanford. Reports indicate Sanford will be announced this week as incoming Head Coach at Western Kentucky. In addition to the Sanford departure, still lingering for Kelly this offseason is the task of hiring a Defensive Coordinator. How Coach Kelly tactically fills these positions on his staff will prove essential to the success of the 2017 Fighting Irish.

Booker, a graduate of Kent State University, started his Notre Dame coaching career as an intern in 2010 after serving as Defensive Backs coach at his Alma Mater from ’05 – ‘08. In 2012, the Pittsburg native was elevated to the position of Tight Ends/Special Team Coordinator which he served under Brian Kelly through five seasons.

In a colossally disappointing season for Brian Kelly and the Irish, the special teams unit played a critical role. In nearly every Irish loss, the failure of execution on special teams proved to be critical. The uncanny repetition of mishaps game after game from this unit often served as a turning point in the future outcome.

Here is a difficult trip down memory lane, highlighting how Notre Dame’s opponents took advantage of one of the worst special teams units in Power 5 football. Take note of how the issues on special teams consistently maintained the turning point in these games.

Michigan State: 36 Notre Dame: 28

Notre Dame is up by seven in the first half and about to get the ball back after a defensive stop. Off the punt, the ball touches a member of ND’s coverage and MSU recovers, gets a quick score, and proceeds to put up 36 unanswered points. Yes, thirty-six.

Duke: 38 Notre Dame: 35

Notre Dame jumps out to a 14 point lead in the 1^st quarter. Subsequently after their second score of the game, Booker’s unit allows a kickoff to be returned for a touchdown. Duke goes on to pull off the upset in South Bend.  Also noteworthy in this game is the 40 yard missed field goal by Justin Yoon in the first half which the Irish desperately could have used, only losing the game by three points.

Notre Dame: 3 NC State: 10

A game played in a literal hurricane is not an ideal judgement zone, but it was a blocked punt returned for a TD which allowed the only touchdown of the game for NC State which is all they needed to drown the Irish in Raleigh. Rain or shine, your opponent has to fight through the same conditions and the Irish failed to execute in important areas.

Miami: 27 Notre Dame: 30

Notre Dame miraculously came away with the W in this game, but blew a 20 point lead along the way. What ignited the Canes’ comeback you may ask? Another punt coverage turnover identical to Michigan State. This time, it was Freshman Troy Pride who had the ball bounce off of him while covering a punt. But it doesn’t stop there. In one of the most bizarre displays on a football field, CJ Sanders muffed a punt, causing the ball to land in his own end zone and into the arms of Miami defenders as they took the lead 27-20 in the fourth quarter.

Notre Dame: 27 USC: 45

Adoree Jackson. That’s about all that needs to be said. Just as Notre Dame is closing in on a comeback, Southern Cal’s most versatile athlete cruises past ND’s kickoff coverage for a touchdown and the Trojans go on to win convincingly in the last game of Notre Dame’s 2016 season leaving Irish Nation dumbfounded as to why he was kicked to in the first place. Oh, and this was Jackson’s second special teams touchdown of the game.

Parting ways with Coach Booker is only one of many factors going into the improvement of this part of Notre Dame’s football team. A culture change is needed. This unit will require a culture that is centered around the importance of sound and fundamental football.

Here’s to hoping that Kelly makes this a focal point of his decision for a replacement. And let’s not forget that with Alize Jones’ return next season, you better find a coach who is ready to reclaim the title of “Tight End U” for Notre Dame.