All signs point to Hiestand
Sources have told Irish Illustrated that Harry Hiestand, 52, has been tabbed to coach Notre Dame's offensive line as the Brian Kelly era heads into year three.
Hiestand (pronounced HE-stand) is a veteran of the college and pro game, making stops along the way at East Stroudsburg (his alma mater, '83), USC (as a graduate assistant), Toledo, Cincinnati, Missouri and Illinois, where he developed 12 all-Big Ten selections during his eight-year stint with the Illini.
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The highlight of his career came with the Chicago Bears, where he instructed the offensive line for five seasons, including the Bears' trip to Super Bowl XLI in 2006 against the Indianapolis Colts.
Hiestand would come to Notre Dame from Tennessee, where he led the offensive line under embattled head coach Derek Dooley.
When contacted by Irish Illustrated Thursday, Hiestand would neither confirm nor deny that he had been tabbed by Kelly.
"There is an appropriate time for us to talk about jobs and who's doing what and who's going where," Hiestand said. "All of these things haven't taken place yet, so there's really nothing to talk about yet. Until that is a fact, there's really nothing I can comment on."
Hiestand did acknowledge that he had spoken with Kelly about the job.
"I know the interest of the fans for who's going to be on the staff," Hiestand said. "But I wouldn't want to talk to anybody about Notre Dame until I talk to Coach Kelly and the sports information people."
Asked when there might be clarification of his status with Notre Dame, Hiestand said, "Probably early next week."
