Matt LaFleur, formerly of the Washington Redskins, has been named the new quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame. Head coach Brian Kelly and the Irish announced the new addition to the coaching staff Friday, although it had been speculated earlier in the week the hire was imminent.
LaFleur returns to the college game after four years with the Redskins, where he coached former Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III as well as former Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins for their first two years in the league with various results. He is a former Kelly assistant at Central Michigan, where he served as an offensive assistant for two seasons before embarking on a different path that would eventually lead to the NFL.
“Matt has a proven resume of developing quarterbacks at numerous levels of football, none more evident than his outstanding work with the Washington Redskins,” said Kelly. “He was a major factor in the success not only of two rookies, Robert Griffin III and Kirk Cousins, but was also crucial in the resurgence of Rex Grossman’s career, who in 2010 under LaFleur established numerous career bests.”
LaFleur will be charged with developing Everett Golson, who will return to the Irish in 2014 after sitting out a season due to academic probation. Golson led the Irish to an undefeated regular season in 2012 that resulted in a berth in the BCS Championship Game. While that 2012 team may have been fueled by a strong defensive effort, Golson brought a certain level of versatility to the offense that had been lacking. In 2012, Golson completed 58.8 percent of his passes for 2,405 yards and 12 touchdowns with six interceptions. He also rushed for 298 yards and six touchdowns. If LaFleur can get Golson to show more accuracy with his pass selections, the Irish should have a fairly viable offense.
Notre Dame ranked 39th in the country last season in passing offense, with Tommy Rees taking on the starting role. The Irish completed just 52.7 percent of their passes (107th in the nation) for 3,313 yards and 27 touchdowns (13 interceptions).