Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons the Irish will be just fine without Mike Elko

Defensive coordinator Mike Elko left Notre Dame football for the same role at Texas A&M, but it may not affect the Irish as much as you’d think.

If the Irish defense hung its hat on one thing this year, it would easily be on their success in the turnover battle. Notre Dame was among the top in the nation in turnover margin this season, much thanks to defensive coordinator Mike Elko. In light of that, many Irish fans are feeling uneasy about his departure.

However, there are multiple reasons why the Irish will be more than fine under a different defensive coordinator. Here are five of them.

5. The Irish will likely find a suitable replacement

The victims of coaching changes that often feel the most significant repercussions are smaller schools. For example, if an up and coming coach was to emerge from a non-Power Five conference, there’s a good chance that his former team finds it difficult to fill his shoes. Much of this is due to potential candidates viewing the team’s success as a result of the coach rather than the players.

However, that’s not likely to be the case for a program as attractive as Notre Dame. While the Irish may not pay as well, this past season’s success as well as the promise of an up and coming defense certainly works to attract potential defensive coordinators. If nothing less, Notre Dame is one of the most storied programs in all of college football.

Also, the Irish are in fairly good position to land one of their favorites as Elko’s early transition has left Kelly with plenty of time to establish just who he wants to head his defense. With plenty of solid names still on the board, look for the Irish to snag a similar, if not better, replacement for the former Wake Forest coordinator.