Notre Dame's Muffett McGraw named AP Coach of the Year
This is the fourth time in her career that she was given the award (2001, 2013, 2014).
This was also the third Coach of the Year honor she picked up this season, as she was previously named the nation's top coach by USA Today and espnW. There is a possibility she adds a fourth honor this year when the 2018 Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year is announced on Saturday.
Notre Dame takes on UConn in the FInal Four this Saturday in Columbus, Ohio. Tip-off is set for 9:30 pm ET on ESPN2.
Notre Dame finished 28-2 during the regular season.
Brian Kelly discussed the development of his younger players and newfound versatility in the secondary as his squad heads into Easter Break.
INJURIES…AND OTHERWISE
He’s since been clicking on all cylinders, that is until the program’s concussion protocol sidelined him Thursday, Notre Dame’s final practice prior to Easter break.
“He had a head injury on Tuesday. We think typical (concussion) protocol,” said Kelly of his sophomore sidelined in a jersey and shorts. “We’re working to it.”
Also absent were a handful of youngsters – safety Jordan Genmark Heath, linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, running back/receiver Jafar Armstrong, and quarterback/athlete Avery Davis – each out for part or all of Practice No. 7 due to departmental exams.
Rounding out the missing was senior defensive end Jay Hayes of whom Kelly offered “academics” as the reason for his absence.
FRESHMEN FLASHES
“We like his contact skills, his tackling, his ability to play the ball in the air,” said Kelly of the 5’11” 196-pound Griffith. “Right now we flipped him back to the safety position to give him most of the work there. We think we’re in a plus situation at cornerback position where we can afford to do that.”
Asked if the mid-point of spring ball generally afforded youngsters a few extra reps and thus a chance to shine, Kelly offered, “You hope, right? (Linebacker) Bo Bauer has done a really nice job of getting his nose in there and making himself available. When you talk about getting in there physically, that’s the tough part. Mentally I think all the kids have done a great job.
“Guys that were redshirted last year and didn’t play a lot, I’d say (redshirt-freshman offensive lineman) Josh Lugg is the one that kind of stands out that he’s really ready to play. He clearly has shown that.
“From a defensive standpoint, (redshirt-freshman Rover) Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah has some incredible traits, we have to make sure we’re on top of things every single day”
SECONDARY STUFF
“I wanted to take a look at him inside. He’s a really good athlete, he’s got really good strength,” said Kelly of Coleman. “I gave him a look two years ago a look at Nickel and he did some really good things. We want to be a little more focused on that.”
“To have somebody like Nick Coleman who has strength and size at that position, it just made sense that we’d let them both compete in there,” Kelly added.
Crawford has worked primarily as the first string field cornerback this spring while also manning the starting Nickel spot.
“I would say that Shaun is somebody we feel can do both,” said Kelly. “We’d like a little bit more size at that position (Nickel) but what Shaun doesn’t bring in size is stripping the ball before somebody crosses the goal line (at Michigan State) because he has savvy.
“You don’t want to say well they have to fit this profile because he has traits that are a little bit different.”.
No comments:
Post a Comment