Notre Dame finally makes it official: VanGorder new defensive coordinator

SOUTH BEND — Sixteen days after Brian VanGorder’s name first spilled into the blogosphere as the man who would replace departed Notre Dame defensive coordinator Bob Diaco, the school has finally made it official.

The 54-year-old will be introduced at a 3 p.m. (EST) press conference on Tuesday.

ND’s protracted vetting/human resources process, a product of the George O’Leary résumé flap in December of 2001, is finally over. In the time from which VanGorder agreed to leave his position as linebacker coach with the New York Jets and his nameplate at ND carried some weight ND’s top defensive player, end Stephon Tuitt, entered the NFL Draft; the Irish landed standout linebacker recruit Nyles Morgan; defensive line recruit Matt Dickerson decommitted; and ND got involved with a new batch of defensive line recruits.

EHansen@SBTinfo.com

574-235-6112

Twitter: @hansenNDInsider