Defensive Players React To VanGorder's Firing

Brian VanGorder was the only defensive coordinator James Onwualu had ever known.

Since making the position change from wide receiver to linebacker following his freshman season, Onwualu and the now-fired VanGorder grew close both on-and-off the field.

So when the senior linebacker heard the news, it came as a complete shock.

“Obviously this is the only defensive experience I've ever had,” Onwualu said. “He's really all I knew defensively. So it's difficult for some older guys, you know, and me included to put that aside and just take the next step into something new.”

Junior linebacker Nyles Morgan said the firing was a “bit surprising” to him as well. In the unforgiving world of college football, Morgan understands that tough decisions are sometimes made.

“It’s a business, so we’ve really bought into what Coach Hudson has been saying and we have to move forward,” Morgan said. “We can’t linger in the past.”

Both Morgan and Onwualu said they had conversations with VanGorder after he was fired.

Morgan chose to keep the details of their talk confidential, while Onwualu told his former DC that he was grateful for their time together.

“For me it was just thanks for the opportunity, because without him — he was really the one that gave me the opportunity and spent the time and invested in me to be able to play defense and to be able to be where I'm at today,” Onwualu said. “So just a quick thanks for the opportunity and the time that you spent with me. I don't think it's a huge goodbye. It's like anybody you work with, right? It's a business. Stay in contact and I hope your next step is a good one.”

Morgan said the team’s shortcomings always fall on the players. He doesn’t feel any shame or guilt knowing his performance led to VanGorder’s firing.

Junior safety Drue Tranquill looks at it a bit differently.

“I had sympathy for the man. I played for him since my freshman year and it wasn’t just Coach VanGorder’s fault. The entire defense was struggling as a whole and he happens to be the lead of that. This is a really cutthroat business. I personally feel a sort of responsibility on my end. I can’t just watch the leader of the defense walk out and lose his job. It’s a really hard situation and it’s just real life.

“Part of me really felt for him and a part of me realized that he probably wants me to rally around the guys in the locker room. He probably wants me out there giving my all each and every day and not worrying about him. It’s about Notre Dame winning football games, so we just have to come in with a positive mentality.”

Onwualu said he also feels some responsibility.

“As a unit, like I always say, the coaches are in it with us,” Onwualu said. “So obviously he's going to be the first to go. But yeah, the whole defense knows that we need to play better ball, and obviously if we were playing better ball, that maybe not would have happened.”

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