2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team

The 2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team represented the University of Notre Dame in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Brian Kelly and played its home games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. They competed as an independent. They finished the season 4–8, Notre Dame's worst record since 2007. Despite the disappointing season, athletic director Jack Swarbrick found the 2016 Irish to be a remarkable bunch, citing the team's "enthusiasm" and "willingness to practice".[1]

2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
ConferenceIndependent
2016 record4–8
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMike Sanford Jr. (2nd season)
Offensive schemeSpread
Defensive coordinatorBrian VanGorder (3rd season: 1–4, fired)
Greg Hudson (1st season: 5–12)
Base defense4–3 multiple
Captains
Home stadiumNotre Dame Stadium
(Capacity: 80,795)
2016 NCAA Division I FBS independents football records
Conf  Overall
Team W L    W L 
BYU    –      9 –4  
Army    –      8 –5  
Notre Dame    –      4 –8  
UMass    –      2 –10  
Rankings from AP Poll

Before the season

Previous season

The 2015 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team finished the regular season with a 10–2 record. They lost to the Ohio State Buckeyes 44–28 in the Fiesta Bowl.

2016 NFL draft

The following former Notre Dame players were selected in the 2016 NFL Draft:

Main article: 2016 NFL Draft
RoundSelectionPlayerPositionTeam
16 Ronnie StanleyOffensive TackleBaltimore Ravens
121 Will FullerWide ReceiverHouston Texans
234 Jaylon SmithLinebackerDallas Cowboys
250 Nick MartinCenterHouston Texans
374 Keivarae RussellCornerbackKansas City Chiefs
390 C. J. ProsiseRunning backSeattle Seahawks
4103 Sheldon DayDefensive tackleJacksonville Jaguars

Transfers out / departures

Notre Dame lost FS Max Redfield and CB Devin Butler in the offseason for violating team policies.

Coaching changes

Brian VanGorder was relieved of his duties as defensive coordinator. Defensive Analyst Greg Hudson took over as the Irish's Defensive Coordinator. Kelly said, "I have the utmost respect for Brian as both a person and football coach, but our defense simply isn't where it should be and I believe this change is necessary for the best interest of our program and our student-athletes.[2]

Recruiting class

Brian Kelly and the Notre Dame coaching staff accepted 23 commitments for the 2016 recruiting cycle, including two 5-stars: Daelin Hayes and Tommy Kraemer. The class included student-athletes from 11 different states, and one Canadian province.[3]

Personnel

Coaching staff
NamePositionYear at Notre DameAlma mater (Year)
Brian KellyHead coach7thAssumption (1982)
Mike DenbrockAssociate head coach/wide receivers7thGrand Valley State (1987)
Mike ElstonLinebackers/recruiting coordinator7thMichigan (1998)
Harry HiestandOffensive line/run game coordinator5thEast Stroudsburg (1983)
Scott BookerTight ends/special teams coordinator5thKent State (2003)
Brian VanGorderDefensive coordinator3rdWayne State (1980)
Greg Hudson Interim defensive coordinator 1st Notre Dame (1988)
Mike Sanford Jr.Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks2ndBoise State (2005)
Autry DensonRunning backs2ndNotre Dame (1999)
Keith GilmoreDefensive line2ndWayne State (1981)
Todd LyghtDefensive backs coach2ndNotre Dame (1991)
Paul LongoDirector of football strength and conditioning7thWayne State (1981)

Roster
2016 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team roster

Quarterbacks

Running Backs

  •  2 Dexter Williams – Sophomore (5'11, 210)
  • 11 Justin Brent – Junior (6'1, 220)
  • 25 Tarean Folston – Senior (5'9, 214)
  • 28 Austin Ross – Senior (5'10, 206)
  • 33 Josh Adams – Sophomore (6'1, 219)
  • 34 Tony Jones Jr. – Freshman
  • 38 Deon McIntosh – Freshman
  • 46 Josh Anderson – Graduate Student (5'9, 205)
  • 49 Bailey Ross – Senior (5'10, 202)

Wide Receivers

  •  3 C. J. Sanders – Sophomore (5'8, 185)
  •  6 Equanimeous St. Brown – Sophomore (6'4, 205)
  • 15 Corey Holmes – Junior (6'0, 190)
  • 16 Torri Hunter Jr. – Senior (6'0, 195)
  • 26 Austin Webster – Junior (5'11, 195)
  • 27 Chris Finke – Sophomore (5'9, 175)
  • 29 Kevin Stepherson – Freshman (6'0, 181)
  • 35 Grant Hammann – Junior (6'0, 192)
  • 37 Omar Hunter – Senior (5'9, 195)
  • 81 Miles Boykin – Sophomore (6'3, 225)
  • 83 Chase Claypool – Freshman
  • 86 Javon McKinley – Freshman
  • 87 Keenan Centlivre – Junior (6'5, 225)
  • 89 Buster Sheridan – Senior (6'3, 200)

Tight Ends

  • 10 Alize Jones – Sophomore (6'4, 240)
  • 80 Durham Smythe – Senior (6'4, 245)
  • 82 Nic Weishar – Junior (6'4, 245)
  • 84 Ben Suttman – Senior (6'2, 240)
  • 89 Jacob Matuska – Senior (6'4, 275)

Punters

  • 80 Tyler Newsome – Junior (6'2, 210) (+K)
  

Offensive Lineman

  • 50 Parker Boundreaux – Freshman
  • 53 Sam Mustipher – Junior (6'2, 305)
  • 56 Quenton Nelson – Junior (6'5, 325)
  • 57 Trevor Ruhland – Sophomore (6'3, 300)
  • 62 Colin McGovern – Senior (6'4, 315)
  • 63 Sam Bush – Junior (6'3, 305)
  • 66 Tristen Hoge – Sophomore (6'4, 300)
  • 67 Jimmy Byrne – Junior (6'4, 300)
  • 68 Mike McGlinchey – Senior (6'7, 310)
  • 69 Logan Plantz – Sophomore (6'2, 310)
  • 70 Hunter Bivin – Senior (6'5, 308)
  • 71 Alex Bars – Junior (6'6, 320)
  • 74 Liam Eichenberg – Freshman
  • 75 Mark Harrell – Graduate Student (6'4, 306)
  • 78 Tommy Kraemer – Freshman

Defensive Lineman

  •  9 Daelin Hayes – Freshman (6'3, 257)
  • 42 Julian Okwara – Freshman
  • 53 Khalid Kareem – Freshman (6'3, 270)
  • 54 Lincoln Feist – Sophomore (6'2, 315)
  • 55 Jonathan Bonner – Junior (6'3, 286)
  • 58 Elijah Taylor – Sophomore (6'3, 285)
  • 60 John Montelus – Senior (6'4, 310)
  • 64 Ryan Kilander – Junior (6'0, 310)
  • 75 Daniel Cage – Junior (6'1, 315)
  • 77 Brandon Tiassum – Sophomore (6'3, 302)
  • 90 Isaac Rochell – Senior (6'3, 290)
  • 92 Grant Blankenship – Junior (6'5, 278)
  • 93 Jay Hayes – Junior (6'3, 285)
  • 94 Jarron Jones – Graduate Student (6'5, 315)
  • 95 Marquis Dickerson – Senior (6'1, 285)
  • 96 Peter Mokwuah – Junior (6'3, 317)
  • 97 Micah Dew-Treadway – Sophomore (6'4, 300)
  • 98 Andrew Trumbetti – Junior (6'3, 260)
  • 99 Jerry Tillery – Sophomore (6'6, 310)
  • 91 Adetokunbo Ogundeji – Freshman

Kickers

  • 19 Justin Yoon – Sophomore (5'9, 190)
  • 29 Sam Kohler – Junior (6'0, 175)
  • 42 Jeff Riney – Sophomore (5'10, 175) (+P)
  • 43 John Chereson – Senior (5'9, 178)
  

Linebackers

  •  4 Te'von Coney – Sophomore (6'1, 235)
  •  5 Nyles Morgan – Junior (6'1, 245)
  • 17 James Onwualu – Senior (6'1, 232)
  • 22 Asmar Bilal – Sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 30 Josh Barajas – Sophomore (6'1, 240)
  • 40 Kier Murphy – Sophomore (6'0, 230)
  • 42 Jimmy Thompson – Sophomore (6'0, 215)
  • 44 Jamir Jones – Freshman
  • 45 Jonathan Jones – Freshman
  • 48 Greer Martini – Junior (6'2, 245)
  • 49 Brandon Hutson – Sophomore (6'2, 230)
  • 51 Devyn Spruell – Sophomore (6'1, 240)

Cornerbacks

  •  7 Nick Watkins – Junior (6'0, 200)
  • 12 Devin Butler – Senior (6'0, 200)
  • 25 Brian Ball – Sophomore (5'11, 185)
  • 26 Ashton White – Sophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 34 Jesse Bongiovi – Senior (5'9, 194)
  • 36 Cole Luke – Senior (5'11, 193)

Safeties

  •  4 Avery Sebastian – Graduate Student (5'10, 200)
  • 13 Devin Studstill – Freshman (6'0, 190)
  • 23 Drue Tranquill – Junior (6'1, 225)
  • 31 Spencer Perry – Freshman (6'2, 204)
  • 38 Robert Regan – Sophomore (6'2, 200)
  • 39 Drew Recker – Senior (5'11, 205)

Defensive Backs

  • 18 Troy Pride – Freshman
  • 20 Shaun Crawford – Sophomore (5'8, 189)
  • 24 Nick Coleman – Sophomore (5'11, 190)
  • 21 Jalen Elliott – Freshman
  • 27 Julian Love – Freshman
  • 32 D.J. Morgan – Freshman
  • 35 Donte Vaughn – Freshman

Long Snappers

  • 54 John Shannon – Freshman
  • 61 Scott Daly – Graduate Student (6'1, 250)

Season

Schedule
DateTimeOpponentRankSiteTVResultAttendance
September 47:30 p.m.at TexasNo. 10
ABCL 47–50 2OT102,315
September 103:30 p.m.NevadaNo. 18
NBCW 39–1080,795
September 177:30 p.m.No. 12 Michigan StateNo. 18
NBCL 28–3680,795
September 243:30 p.m.Duke
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN
NBCL 35–3880,795
October 112:00 p.m.vs. Syracuse
ESPNW 50–3362,794
October 812:00 p.m.at NC State
ABCL 3–1058,200
October 157:30 p.m.Stanford[4]
NBCL 10–1780,795
October 293:30 p.m.Miami (FL)
NBCW 30–2780,795
November 511:30 a.m.vs. Navy
CBSL 27–2850,867
November 123:30 p.m.vs. Army
NBCW 44–645,762
November 193:30 p.m.Virginia Tech
  • Notre Dame Stadium
  • South Bend, IN
NBCL 31–3480,795
November 263:30 p.mat No. 12 USC
ABCL 27–4572,402

Texas
Notre Dame at Texas
1 234OT2OTTotal
No. 10 Fighting Irish 7 714973 47
• Longhorns 7 1410676 50
See also: 2016 Texas Longhorns football team

Nevada
Nevada at Notre Dame
1 234Total
Wolf Pack 0 037 10
• No. 18 Fighting Irish 0 25140 39
See also: 2016 Nevada Wolf Pack football team

Michigan State
Michigan State at Notre Dame
(Megaphone Trophy)
1 234Total
• No. 12 Spartans 0 15210 36
No. 18 Fighting Irish 7 0714 28
See also: 2016 Michigan State Spartans football team and Michigan State–Notre Dame football rivalry

Duke
Duke at Notre Dame
1 234Total
• Blue Devils 14 14010 38
Fighting Irish 14 777 35
See also: 2016 Duke Blue Devils football team

Syracuse
See also: 2016 Syracuse Orange football team
Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. Syracuse Orange
1 2 34Total
Notre Dame 23 10 14350
Syracuse 13 14 0633

at MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

North Carolina State
Notre Dame at North Carolina State
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 0 030 3
• Wolfpack 3 007 10
See also: 2016 NC State Wolfpack football team

The Notre Dame vs NC State game was played during Hurricane Matthew[5] where the two teams combined for only 311 total yards. The only touchdown of the game was scored by NC State on a blocked punt leading NC State to win it 10–3.[6]

Stanford
Stanford at Notre Dame
(Legends Trophy)
1 234Total
• Cardinal 0 098 17
Fighting Irish 7 300 10
See also: 2016 Stanford Cardinal football team and Notre Dame–Stanford football rivalry

Miami (Florida)
Miami (Florida) at Notre Dame
(Catholics vs Convicts)
1 234Total
Hurricanes 0 71010 27
• Fighting Irish 17 3010 30
See also: 2016 Miami Hurricanes football team and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football rivalries
Notre Dame vs Navy
(Rip Miller Trophy)
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 10 773 27
• Midshipmen 7 777 28
See also: 2016 Navy Midshipmen football team and Navy–Notre Dame football rivalry

Army
Notre Dame vs Army
(rivalry / Shamrock Series)
1 234Total
Black Knights 0 600 6
• Fighting Irish 21 1760 44
See also: 2016 Army Black Knights football team, Army-Notre Dame football rivalry, and Notre Dame Fighting Irish football § Shamrock Series

Virginia Tech
Virginia Tech at Notre Dame
1 234Total
• Hokies 0 14713 34
Fighting Irish 10 1470 31
See also: 2016 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

USC
Notre Dame at USC
(Jeweled Shillelagh)
1 234Total
Fighting Irish 7 0146 27
• No. 12 Trojans 10 14147 45
See also: 2016 USC Trojans football team and Notre Dame–USC football rivalry

Rankings
Further information: 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

References
  1. "Jack Swarbrick Talks Future of Brian Kelly at Notre Dame". Irish Sports Daily. December 2, 2016.
  2. "VanGorder Relieved of Duties; Hudson Assumes Responsibilities". Archived from the original on 2016-09-27. Retrieved 2016-09-25.
  3. "Notre Dame Announces 2016 Signing Class". Archived from the original on 2016-02-07. Retrieved 2016-02-07.
  4. "Stanford-Notre Dame Series Extended Through 2019". gostandford.com. Stanford University. May 19, 2011. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved May 20, 2011.
  5. Neuharth-Keusch, A. J. "Hurricane Matthew turns N.C. State-Notre Dame game into 100-yard slip-and-slide". USA TODAY.
  6. Greenstein, Teddy. "Notre Dame reeling after rain-soaked, 10–3 blooper-reel loss". chicagotribune.com.
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