Notre Dame OC Mike Denbrock still follows LSU football | Colleges

Fresh off coaching Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels, Mike Denbrock looked entrenched as the LSU offensive coordinator, especially considering a long relationship with Brian Kelly that went back to the 1980s at Grand Valley State.

But in December of last year, Denbrock made the surprising move to go back to Notre Dame where he had been on Kelly’s staff for seven seasons (2010-16) before spending five years as the offensive coordinator at Cincinnati — four of them with Marcus Freeman, Kelly’s successor at Notre Dame, as his defensive counterpart.

“It was a tough decision,” Denbrock said Monday during media day activities ahead of the Fighting Irish’s CFP quarterfinal game against Georgia on Wednesday in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. “But it wasn’t just a football decision, because I’m from about an hour north of South Bend (Homer, Michigan).

“We loved living in Louisiana, loved the culture and loved the people very much. The players worked their tails off for me, and I can’t say enough positive things about my time at LSU.”

Under Denbrock, Notre Dame utilized a running quarterback in transfer Riley Leonard who has 753 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns. Those aren’t quite Daniels’ numbers, but he’s a big reason the Fighting Irish are in the Sugar Bowl.

It was what Freeman wanted to see.

“When I had a chance to hire an offensive coordinator, Mike was the No. 1 person I was going after,” he said. “I didn’t know if he would say ‘yes’ or ‘no.’

“But ultimately he made the decision to come back because it was best for him and his family. So we’re extremely grateful because there is a comfort knowing our offensive coordinator is Mike Denbrock.”

Denbrock added that he knew Kelly wasn’t happy about his decision, but he understood Kelly’s perspective.

He also followed the Tigers this season, and he sympathized for his former boss when Kelly came under scrutiny during a three-game losing streak that destroyed LSU’s playoff chances.

“At this level, you’re always expected to go undefeated and win the national championship,” he said. “The fans and university have made the investment in the program, and they have a right to expect the season to be something they can feel really good about.

“But for whatever reasons, it doesn’t always work that way. I’m happy they won their last two games and they have a great chance to finish strong (in the Texas Bowl against Baylor).”

No age gap woes

At 39, Freeman is 21 years younger than Denbrock and 15 years younger than defensive coordinator Al Golden.

But it doesn’t seem to be a problem, except for some tastes in clothes and the occasional need to clarify cultural references.

“There’s a lot of wisdom there,” Freeman said of working with Denbrock and Golden. “And I’m able to utilize it.”

Golden, a former head coach at Temple and Miami who was an original hire by Freeman three years ago, said his respect for his younger boss has increased since they started working together.

“It takes a really strong and confident man to say, ‘I don’t care how old they are; I just need them to help achieve our goals.’ ” Golden said.

Here comes Bus II

Georgia coach Kirby Smart talked Monday about how keeping all of the top recruits in Georgia from leaving the state is nearly impossible.

That includes Jerome Bettis II, the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Jerome Bettis, a former Notre Dame running back. Bettis II, a three-star receiver from Woodward Academy in Atlanta, signed with the Irish earlier this month.

“Well, blood is thicker than water, right?” Freeman said. “His daddy wore the gold helmet, and we were able to convince him this was the right opportunity for him.”

Parade time

It may never match the fame of the Rose Bowl Parade, but the Sugar Bowl Parade — which marks its 10th year Tuesday — is trying.

Originally staged in Atlanta in 2005 when the Sugar Bowl was forced there by Katrina, the parade was added to the New Orleans list of fan opportunities in 2015 and has grown in popularity ever since as it traverses the length of Decatur Street.

Tuesday’s parade begins at 2 p.m. and will be televised on WDSU.