Notre Dame Football: 3 realistic candidates to replace Clark Lea

Cincinnati Bearcats defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman high fives Cincinnati Bearcats wide receiver Tyler Scott (21) as he comes off the field following a special teams play in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against the Army Black Knights, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bearcats won 24-10.Army Black Knights At Cincinnati Bearcats Sept 26 /

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Apr 21, 2018; Notre Dame, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive line coach Mike Elston watches warmups before the Blue-Gold Game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Mike Elston, DL coach, Notre Dame

If Brian Kelly hires internally, Mike Elston is probably the name at the top of the list. He’s done a fantastic job with this defensive line. He followed Kelly over from Cincinnati and a promotion may be in order for the coach who has been loyal for over a decade.

I believe that this is the most realistic option if Notre Dame hires within and that’s not a bad thing but it would mean that the defensive line would need a new coach and that’s a scary thought. Elston has done such a good job there that it would undoubtedly lead to a downgrade at that position though he could still focus on that group, if need be.

Kelly will more than likely give serious consideration to Elston who has been in South Bend since 2010, going from defensive line coach to linebackers/recruiting coach back to defensive line coach and he’s been also the associate head coach for the past three years.

Notre Dame fans wouldn’t complain about this move even if it’s not the sexiest hire. It would be safe and probably the most realistic.

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