Not surprisingly, coming off a 4-8 season, Brian Kelly‘s coaching staff will have a decidedly different look when the 2017 season rolls around.
First reported by IrishIllustrated.com, Scott Booker has been relieved of his duties as the Irish’s special teams coordinator and tight ends coach. According to the Scout.com website, Booker was informed of the decision Monday night.
As for the reasons behind the dismissal, the site noted that “ND was one of eight FBS teams to allow two kick returns for scores in ’16 and one of six teams to allow two punts for touchdowns, including the game-losing blocked punt at N.C. State.”
Booker has been with the Irish since 2010, first as an intern (2010-11) before being elevated to his current roles in 2012.
Booker is the third Irish assistant who began the 2016 season in South Bend no longer on the coaching staff. In late September, Kelly canned defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. Monday, multiple reports emerged that offensive coordinator Mike Sanford will take over as head coach at Western Kentucky.