Chicago native to run defense at Notre Dame
Chicago native Corwin Brown, the defensive backs coach for the New York Jets, will be named the defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, according to Tribune sources.
He will replace Rick Minter, whose future at the school is unclear.
When Charlie Weis took over as Irish head coach after the 2004 season, he was seeking assistants who either had played for or coached at Notre Dame. Minter, who had been Irish defensive coordinator in 1992-93 under Lou Holtz, fit the bill.
But this season, the Irish ranked 65th in the nation in total defense and a disappointing 61st in run defense. They had 19 takeaways, 93rd in the nation.
Brown has been the Jets' defensive backs coach for three seasons after three years as Virginia's special-teams coach.
He has known Weis for more than a decade. Brown played safety for the New England Patriots from 1993-96, during which time Weis was variously the tight ends, running backs and wide receivers coach for Bill Parcells. The two were also together with the Jets in 1997 and '98--Brown as a player, and Weis as a coach.
Brown played high school football at Chicago's Julian High School, where he was an all-state player. He played college football at Michigan.
Meanwhile, the NCAA has named Notre Dame wide receiver Jeff Samardzija a consensus All-American for the second year in a row.
He was one of three wide receivers on the 29-man team selected in a composite of All-American teams chosen by the American Football Coaches Association, the Associated Press, the Football Writers Association of America, the Sporting News and the Walter Camp Foundation.
Jeff Samardzija finished his college career as Notre Dame's career leader with 179 receptions, 2,593 receiving yards and 27 TD catches.
Jeff Samardzija, also a promising pitching prospect, signed with the Cubs as a fifth-round draft choice last summer. His contract could pay him upward of $7 million if he gives up football.
Representing the Big Ten were Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith (unanimous), Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long, Wisconsin offensive tackle Joe Thomas (unanimous), Ohio State defensive tackle Quinn Pitcock, Michigan defensive end LaMarr Woodley (unanimous), Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitis (unanimous), Penn State linebacker Paul Posluszny and Michigan defensive back Leon Hall.
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