New Offensive Coordinator has impressive resume

NOTRE DAME, Ind. -

There's a lot of hype surrounding this University of Notre Dame's football team this year. But not all the hype is about the players, some of the hype is about the new Offensive Coordinator and Quarterback Coach Mike Sanford.

Mike Sanford comes to Notre Dame with an impressive resume.

He spent most of his career at Stanford, then moved on to Boise State.

He even caught the eye of Ohio State's Urban Meyer, but it seems he found the right fit here under the golden dome.

His great relationship with Head Coach Brian Kelly could be the beginning of offensive greatness for the Irish.

When Head Coach Brian Kelly came knocking on Mike Sanford's door, he was hoping to hire one of the best quarterback coaches in the business, but he found more than he expected.

"Every day is an affirmation of what I had hoped going into it," Coach Kelly said.

He found a coach that could lead more than just his quarterbacks.

"He's a great communicator. And I think if you're clear in your communication, you can reach players regardless of what the age is," Coach Kelly said.

Sanford it seemed was the perfect guy to take the reins on Kelly's entire offense.

"The thing I feel so good about this is, this is our offense, this is Notre Dame's offense, and ultimately it's our players offense because we're going to suit it and continually have already evolved this offense to fit what our players do well," Sanford said

The respect between the two coaches is mutual.

"Throughout the last ten, eleven years I've been watching his career very closely," Sanford said. "I definitely really respect a man that's been a head football coach at the division II level and has worked his way up, at the MAC level and has worked his way up, did in the Big East Conference, worked his way up."

Kelly is now six years into coaching one of the nation's most prestigious college football programs.

Sanford said part of his decision to come here was because the opportunity to grow under someone of Kelly's tenure.

"I've been fortunate enough to call plays, I've been fortunate enough to be around what I would say are some of the best play callers in the country and I feel very confident in my abilities to do that, but I also feel I'm in a continual process of learning," Sanford said.

As for the details like who will handle the play-calling this season, Sanford and Kelly say they'll discuss who will do that later along with Wide Receivers Coach Mike Denbrock. 

Last season, Sanford helped lead Boise State's offense to a Fiesta Bowl victory as coordinator. 
 

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