Source: Notre Dame targets Utah’s Ludwig for OC
Utah offending planner and quarterbacks coach Andy Ludwig is the leading prospect for the very same position at Notre Dame, a source told ESPN on Friday.Ludwig got here
on school Friday afternoon as part of a weeklong nationwide search to replace former organizer Tommy Rees, who was worked with at Alabama.Ludwig, who invested the
past 4 seasons leading Utah’s offense, impressed coach Marcus Freeman on a Zoom interview today prior to flying to South Bend, Indiana, on Friday, according to sources.At 58, Ludwig’s years of training
experience were a major consider the interview procedure, particularly as Freeman, 37, enters his 2nd season as a head coach. Ludwig hasn’t been offered the task or accepted it yet, but numerous sources have actually indicated it’s a strong possibility.Editor’s Picks 2 Associated Notre Dame’s search began last Friday
, when the school found out Rees was joining Nick Saban’s personnel. Sources said Freeman is searching for a tested playcaller who can continue to run a pro-style offense and fit perfectly with the present staff.With Freeman aiming to surpass last year’s 9-4 surface and construct staff stability, there is no desire to
hire an offensive planner who would want to make modifications to the present position coaches.In his first four-year stint at Utah (2005-08 ), Ludwig functioned as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach throughout the Utes’unbeaten 2008 season that included a 13-0 record and Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Prior to that, Ludwig spent three seasons in the very same function at Oregon (2002-04). He likewise has experience as Vanderbilt’s offensive organizer (2015-18), and has had stints at Wisconsin, San Diego State and Cal.While the Irish want to keep their offending viewpoint the same and continue to highlight their tight ends, sources said Freeman is looking for an organizer
who will also include creativity to the formations. With spring practices about a month away, there is an emphasis on finding a candidate who can quickly set up a system and teach it to the personnel and players.If he takes the job, Ludwig would need to browse a quarterback competitors after in 2015’s starter, Drew Pyne, transferred to Arizona State. That opened the door for sophomore Tyler Buchner to take on seasoned Wake Forest transfer Sam Hartman.While many outside the program think Hartman will ultimately make the beginning job, the Notre Dame personnel is approaching it as a clean slate this spring in between Hartman and Buchner. Hartman, who threw for almost 13,000 lawns with 110 touchdowns in
five seasons at Wake Forest, is far more skilled, however the new offensive coordinator would be anticipated to assess the quarterbacks with no preconceived bias, along with prepare them in a brief time.According to sources, Freeman likewise seriously thought about Kansas State offending coordinator Collin Klein, but the Wildcats’2012 Heisman Trophy finalist eventually decided it was too challenging to leave his university and its players behind.