"Sloppy" May Be Football Team's True Identity

South Bend Tribune Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN

Notre Dame’s Nick Coleman (24) brings down Nevada’s Hasaan Henderson (12) during the Notre Dame-Nevada NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend. South Bend Tribune Photo/ROBERT FRANKLIN

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish have failed to develop an identity three games into the 2016 season. Or, as Brian Kelly insinuated, the Irish have an identity – but it isn’t what most would like it to be. In the coach’s words, the Irish are sloppy.

“The entire football team, and my coaching staff in particular, is in a position where they have to coach better. I’ve got to coach better…We’re sloppy as a football team.”

They’re sloppy on offense. The Irish receivers drop balls that hit them in the hands. The offensive line is missing pivotal blocking assignments. Players are coughing up the ball trying to gain additional yards.

They’re sloppy on defense. There’s a downright unacceptable amount of missed tackles and an equally unacceptable amount of blown coverages. There’s no quarterback contain and sub-par athleticism.

They’re sloppy on special teams. There’s a lack of consistency in the punting game. They’re turning the ball over. There’s unnecessary penalties that have negated scores and decent field position.

AUTOPSYING A SLOPPY DEFENSE

The most maddening facet of the team remains the desolate defense. Once again faced with the challenge of coaching up young players due to attrition and injury, the coaches are teaching sloppily. One doesn’t need to look further than the Twitter-sphere to conduct a post-game autopsy of the Brian VanGorder defense:

Two teams have allowed four plays of 60+ yards this season: Appalachian State and Notre Dame (via @JJStankevitz).
Notre Dame ranks 103rd in defensive passing efficiency, 99th in defensive rushing efficiency and 102nd in total defensive efficiency. The Irish are 89th in 3rd down defense, 104th in 4th down defense and 93rd in red zone defense. There’s 128 FBS teams. (via @EHansenNDI).
Notre Dame is currently the only Power 5 program that has failed to register a sack this season – one of two FBS programs in this category. (via @PeteSampson_).
Against Texas and Michigan State, the Irish defense allowed 10 red zone trips – nine converted touchdowns (via @PeteSampson_).
In the past 5 games against Power 5 opponents, the Irish defense has allowed 23 red zone trips – 19 touchdowns and 4 field goals (via @PeteSampson_).
In the past three games, Notre Dame has allowed eight scoring drives of at least 75 yards (via @BGI_CoachD).

COACHING STAFF CHANGE IS IMMINENT

Despite the abysmal performance the above tweets so eloquently describe, Brian Kelly maintains that a coaching staff shakeup is not in the cards. When asked if there is confidence in defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and the overall scheme Kelly replied, “Oh absolutely. Yeah, without question, that’s not even part of the conversation.” Surely there exists an adequate answer to the question without sounding completely delusional.

Maybe the question should be rephrased, “What is the level of confidence in Brian VanGorder’s ability to coach and teach his ~~confounding, inefficient, lackluster, disappointing, underachieving~~ scheme…?” For obvious working relationship reasons, reporters are encouraged to refrain from such blunt questioning. However, make no mistake. Due to the inability to change, coaching staff change is imminent, regardless of how often Kelly shields them under a stubborn facade.

“The coaching staff must learn to adapt to the personnel at their disposal. Otherwise, fans can expect more of the same – busted coverages and missed assignments, which put the Irish on a path to a painfully mediocre season.” Less than two weeks ago, I wrote these words (perhaps echoing the many fears among the Irish faithful). And, sadly, the leadership within the Irish football program is making these words seem awfully prophetic.

With their College Football Playoff hopes essentially derailed, making some changes soon may ultimately be the first step to getting the train back on the tracks.

Cheers and Go Irish!