Georgia Tech interim head football coach Jon Tenuta takes questions during a news conference in this Nov. 26, 2007 file photo, at the school in Atlanta. Tenuta, defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech the past six seasons, joined Notre Dame's staff Thursday Jan. 31, 2008 as assistant head coach for defense. (AP Photo/John Amis, File)
Story Created:
Feb 21, 2008 at 7:16 PM EDT
Story Updated:
Feb 21, 2008 at 7:22 PM EDT
SOUTH BEND (AP) — Jon Tenuta had chances to be a defensive coordinator elsewhere after leaving Georgia Tech, but said he wasn't worried about what his title would be when he was offered a job at Notre Dame.
"You get so many opportunities to coach in your career. There's a lot of good jobs, but this is a great job," Tenuta said Thursday, meeting with the media for the first time since being hired Jan. 31.
Tenuta, the Yellow Jackets defensive coordinator the past six seasons, started his new job Monday as Notre Dame's assistant head coach for defense. Since the hiring was announced, fans and media have speculated how Tenuta and Corwin Brown, who is starting his second season as Notre Dame's defensive coordinator, would divide their responsibilities.
Coach Charlie Weis said two weeks ago he would let Brown and Tenuta work it out, but said Brown would call the plays. Tenuta said he isn't worried about how he and Brown will work together.
"To me, we just work together and go on," he said.
Tenuta said he and Brown have similar ideas and should have no problem getting along. He believes defenses should dictate what offenses can do and should focus on stopping the run.
"We want to confuse the front five, the offensive linemen, and never let the quarterback set his feet," he said.
Tenuta said he and Brown will meld their defensive packages. Although Notre Dame switched to a 3-4 last year and Georgia Tech ran a 4-3, Tenuta said the differences aren't great. Notre Dame frequently used four-man fronts and Georgia Tech frequently had ends dropping back and playing like linebackers.
"I'm an aggressive, attacking guy and Corwin is too. So we're going to attack. We're going to go downhill and make things happen," he said.
The Yellow Jackets have ranked in the top 30 nationally in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense the past four seasons. The Irish finished 39th in the nation in total defense last season, giving up 357 yards a game as the Fighting Irish finished 3-9. It was the best performance by the Irish defense since 2003.
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