Notre Dame Promotes Mike Denbrock to Offensive Coordinator

Dec 17, 2012; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish assistant football coach Mike Denbrock answers questions at the Notre Dame BCS national championship media day at the Loftus Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports

With the departure of Chuck Martin for the head coaching job at Miami University, the Fighting Irish had a vacancy too close to signing day for their liking. The solution? Promote from within. Notre Dame promoted wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Mike Denbrock to the vacant position.

Denbrock was the interim coordinator for the Pinstripe Bowl, and the Irish had one of their best offensive performances of the season, racking up 494 yards. The offense was otherwise inconsistent, although the passing game certainly had its moments.

Denbrock has been coaching since 1986 in a variety of different capacities, including offensive (and defensive coordinator, surprisingly) for D II Grand Valley State. He has had two stints coaching tight ends at Notre Dame, and also at Stanford, and has also coached offensive line for the Washington Huskies. This experience should stand him in good stead in his new post.

Denbrock will also have the benefit of working with talented quarterback Everett Golson, who sat out last year to get his academics in order.