Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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78 MARCH 2017 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED Coordinator Mike Elko brings a philosophical change to the Notre Dame defense BY BRYAN DRISKELL T he Notre Dame defense struggled from 2014-16, surrendering 27.0 points per game during that time and allowing at least 170 rushing yards per game for three consecutive seasons for the first time in school history. Notre Dame's issues on that side of the ball led to the firing of former defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder and opened the door for head coach Brian Kelly to bring in Wake Forest defensive coordinator Mike Elko. "I was looking for someone that would take the foot- ball away," Kelly said. "I wanted somebody that has had great success in doing so, as well as continued success as a coordinator, and Mike Elko's name just kept coming up at the top of the list." Wake Forest was an operation on the rise, with its 7-6 Elko's aggressive scheme is designed to confuse opposing offenses, create negative plays and force turnovers. PHOTO BY COREY BODDEN DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR A NEW APPROACH