Coaching Staff Begins, Early Enrollees & Tate All-American

According to the South Bend Tribune, Brian Kelly is keeping running backs coach Tony Alford on staff. Alford was instrumental in signing recruit Louis Nix one day after Weis was let go. This move also keeps Alford off of Urban Meyer's staff which was rumored last week.

http://www.southbendtribune.com/article/20091215/SPORTS13/912159949/1130

Position	Personnel	Prior Position
Head Coach	Brian Kelly	Cincinnati Head Coach
Running Backs Coach	Tony Alford	Notre Dame Running Backs Coach

Five players will be enrolling early next semester.

• QB Tommy Rees
• DB Chris Badger
• DB Spencer Boyd
• DB Lo Wood
• WR Tai-ler Jones

For Rees, Clausen going pro and Crist getting hurt made his decision for him. He is looking to get the majority of spring snaps and throw his name into the mix for QB. He also would be a solid back up QB since #3 from last year, Evan Sharpley, is done with his 5th year. That would have left #4 John Goodman as our primary backup. As it is, Crist is an unknown if he will play in the Blue-Gold Game.


Golden Tate is continuing to rack up the All-American Honors. He has been named a first round All-American WR in the following polls:

• American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)
• Associated Press (AP)
• Football Writers Association of America (FWAA)
• Sporting News
• Walter Camp Football Foundation (WCFA)

By being named to all five teams used to determine consensus All-American designation, Golden Tate is the first ND unanimous All-American since Shane Walton in 2002. Prior to that was 1993 OL Aaron Taylor. Tate also received the Biletnikoff Award, Notre Dame's first recipient since it's inception in 1994.

Go Irish!
~IT07