Football REPORT: Notre Dame Targeting JaJuan Seider to Fill RB Coach Vacancy

[Richie O]

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Notre Dame has targeted Penn State running backs coach/co-OC JaJuan Seider to become the new running back coach of the Fighting Irish. Obviously, this would be a tough blow for Penn State as Seider is one of the best recruiters on the staff, as well as one of the best running back coaches in the FBS.


We will have you covered here at Happy Valley Insider as this story develops and Penn State’s search for a new running backs coach begins. With the depth and talent in Penn State’s running back room, this should be a very attractive job to potential replacements.

 

[jjw165]

 

[paddoce]

Didn’t see that one coming

 

[scrivener]

The timing of this is odd.

Either JJ got tired of JF or vice versa. If we lose Nick or Kaytron, that would be brutal.

 

[ram2020]

Feels to me like this is a reaction to Knowles getting all that dough from us. Seider was probably thinking "wait, how much money do we have hanging around for coaching salaries"?

 

[jmorovich]

The timing of this is odd.

Either JJ got tired of JF or vice versa. If we lose Nick or Kaytron, that would be brutal.

I can’t see those two leaving in the spring for a new system to learn their last year especially with the ties they have to their teammates. I would be more worried about the young RB’s and more importantly the recruits. In could see some of them flipping or transferring come spring.

 

[lazydave841]

I like Seider, but Huff produced better.

Huff had Barkley and Sanders in a short time.

Seider has had Brown (probably our best, but grossly misused before medical retirement), Singleton, and Allen.

A lot of recruiting fluff for decent results.

 

[scrivener]

I can’t see those two leaving in the spring for a new system to learn their last year especially with the ties they have to their teammates. I would be more worried about the young RB’s and more importantly the recruits. In could see some of them flipping or transferring come spring.

Very true. I mean, logically I think because Love is back at Notre Dame I believe, why would both of our guys leave just to share more carries? But in the current climate, logic goes out the window.

 

[creamery]

This is a huge loss IMO. Great recruiter and this is a lateral move which doesn’t make sense. Would have to think Franklin has pen and check at the table with Seider and is saying ‘fill in the blank’. Hoping this story changes quickly but if not, who’s next?

 

[PSU4U]

This is a huge loss IMO. Great recruiter and this is a lateral move which doesn’t make sense. Would have to think Franklin has pen and check at the table with Seider and is saying ‘fill in the blank’. Hoping this story changes quickly but if not, who’s next?

I would wait. These things never catch Franklin by surprise. Lot of excellent RB coaches out there. The question for me would be recruiting.

 

[LandoComando]

This is a huge loss IMO. Great recruiter and this is a lateral move which doesn’t make sense. Would have to think Franklin has pen and check at the table with Seider and is saying ‘fill in the blank’. Hoping this story changes quickly but if not, who’s next?

Lateral moves happen all the time. See Knowles. Who knows what promises were made. Coaches leave...players leave. CJF now has to find a quality replacement

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Seider is a great recruiter - but he has more misses than he does hits. Outside of Durant, which of his FL pulls turned out? His rotations are maddening as well.

Saquan and Sanders were Huff’s - then Seider’s best was probably Brown (PA guy anyway) and then a whole bunch of nothing until Singleton/Kaytron.

I might be downplaying because I’m annoyed with Seider’s timing, but with the $$ we’re all of a sudden throwing around, this could be another home run upgrade opportunity?

 

[NittanyChris]

Everyone is talking like it’s a done deal. Is that really the case? Chance we can keep him? He’s been a fantastic recruiter.

 

[OKLionFan]

I've heard anecdotally that there is a certain amount of mutual agreement regarding his leaving. There's some lack of chemistry between him and A.K. That said, this is a big loss.

 

[bison13]

Ford, Lee, etc. I’ll give him Allen, but he’s not the main reason Singleton came. So in other words, he probably isn’t as good as we all think he is.

 

[TheWizardofCamelot]

Our best backs have been PA backs over the years + Kaytron. And even Kaytron is from Virginia. It’s not like he’s pulling 5* out of FL and GA.

I think we’ll be fine.

 

[PSU4U]

Seider is a great recruiter - but he has more misses than he does hits. Outside of Durant, which of his FL pulls turned out? His rotations are maddening as well.

Saquan and Sanders were Huff’s - then Seider’s best was probably Brown (PA guy anyway) and then a whole bunch of nothing until Singleton/Kaytron.

I might be downplaying because I’m annoyed with Seider’s timing, but with the $$ we’re all of a sudden throwing around, this could be another home run upgrade opportunity?

That was accurate and yes, a great opportunity for a massive upgrade IMO.

 

[PSU4U]

Ford, Lee, etc. I’ll give him Allen, but not the main reason. Singleton came. So in other words, he probably isn’t as good as we all think he is.

I have thought this for years but his ties to Fla shouldn't be understated. We do have coach Traut For ties to Fla. I would hope to get someone who can recruit VA MD NJ PA OH and NY. There is huge talent in those states coming up. Doubt Fla recruiting will be all that critical but still nice to have a solid presence there.

 

[PSU4U]

Everyone is talking like it’s a done deal. Is that really the case? Chance we can keep him? He’s been a fantastic recruiter.

Really depends on what's up Franklins sleeve. Can he get someone better who can recruit the lights out of our own footprint?

 

[IANit]

I've heard anecdotally that there is a certain amount of mutual agreement regarding his leaving. There's some lack of chemistry between him and A.K. That said, this is a big loss.

Interesting since AK may be looking for head coaching opportunities next year. Seider was interim co-OC last year. Maybe still had a little resentment that he didn't get the job.

Seider had the reputation of being a great recruiter, but how good of a running back coach was he? He had some 5 stars (Cain, Slade) who didn't do much. We had a few years where running back was maybe the weak link on the team, then he landed Singleton and Allen, two of the top running backs in their class. Both did well as freshmen, but Singleton for sure took a step back last year. Allen has been pretty steady all along, but he was also more polished when he got here. Singleton battled injuries this season, which I'm sure contributed to a mid-season slump. Both running backs finished the season strong, including against Notre Dame. But our line also improved greatly at the end of the year, seemingly once Rucci got in there. I don't know how much is coaching and how much is just having better line play.

Kind of disappointing he'd leave this year since Singleton and Allen both came back. Penn State should be back with a chance to win it all this year. I don't think ND will be back this year based on all that's happened to them in the off-season.

 

[Westcoast24]

Seider is a great recruiter - but he has more misses than he does hits. Outside of Durant, which of his FL pulls turned out? His rotations are maddening as well.

Saquan and Sanders were Huff’s - then Seider’s best was probably Brown (PA guy anyway) and then a whole bunch of nothing until Singleton/Kaytron.

I might be downplaying because I’m annoyed with Seider’s timing, but with the $$ we’re all of a sudden throwing around, this could be another home run upgrade opportunity?

Wouldn’t it be more ND timing than Seiders timing?

 

[PSU4U]

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Notre Dame has targeted Penn State running backs coach/co-OC JaJuan Seider to become the new running back coach of the Fighting Irish. Obviously, this would be a tough blow for Penn State as Seider is one of the best recruiters on the staff, as well as one of the best running back coaches in the FBS.

View embedded media

We will have you covered here at Happy Valley Insider as this story develops and Penn State’s search for a new running backs coach begins. With the depth and talent in Penn State’s running back room, this should be a very attractive job to potential replacements.

Too early to throw out some names?
Gattuso Drayton Shaw Huggins.

 

[bdroc]

I assume Singleton and Allen have their NIL deals locked up and they also have promises about revenue sharing. Maybe they'd also like to finish their degrees and stay with their teammates. They certainly know the OL we have coming back.

 

[Conewago]

I just like how Notre Dame fans online are saying their room is so good they don't even want Singleton or Allen but are also bragging and trolling about getting their former coach.

 

[RickinDayton]

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Notre Dame has targeted Penn State running backs coach/co-OC JaJuan Seider to become the new running back coach of the Fighting Irish. Obviously, this would be a tough blow for Penn State as Seider is one of the best recruiters on the staff, as well as one of the best running back coaches in the FBS.

View embedded media

We will have you covered here at Happy Valley Insider as this story develops and Penn State’s search for a new running backs coach begins. With the depth and talent in Penn State’s running back room, this should be a very attractive job to potential replacements.

Definitely replaceable. I'm confident CJF has names in his rolodex (er. Cell phone). Too bad Huff is a HC elsewhere as I'm sure PSU would have opened the check book for him.

 

[PSUSignore]

Dammit. THis is a big, big loss. Seider has certainly had many opportunities to leave before now and has been loyal to Franklin. He's a great recruiter, particularly in Florida where historically we struggle to pull recruits from. Big, big loss for Franklin and the staff, especially considering it's for a lateral move.

 

[Zone-Blitz]

In the NIL era, i think it’s becoming more important to get coaches who are good at coaching rather than hiring a “great recruiter “. The players follow the money now rather than who their recruiter is.

 

[AWS1022]

I would say Barkley is probably our best RB recruiter.

 

[wilbury]

The timing of this is odd.

Either JJ got tired of JF or vice versa. If we lose Nick or Kaytron, that would be brutal.

Wow, it only took the fourth post until someone blamed Franklin.

 

[wilbury]

This is a huge loss IMO. Great recruiter and this is a lateral move which doesn’t make sense. Would have to think Franklin has pen and check at the table with Seider and is saying ‘fill in the blank’. Hoping this story changes quickly but if not, who’s next?

Franklin's not writing the checks. He's been complaining about assistant coaches salaries for years.

 

[RickinDayton]

Franklin's not writing the checks. He's been complaining about assistant coaches salaries for years.

I think Kraft is all in on competitive coaching salaries. Maybe CJF and Kraft didn't think Seider was worth a HUGE pay raise, ND offered more and they let him walk. Just speculating - no inside info.

 

[LandoComando]

I would say Barkley is probably our best RB recruiter.

True but he's not just recruiting RBs

 

[PSUWrestlingFanSince2011]

Most over rated coach in history.

 

[Ward Hog]

It's simple. Hire someone better and move on.

 

[Ty Webb]

I just like how Notre Dame fans online are saying their room is so good they don't even want Singleton or Allen but are also bragging and trolling about getting their former coach.

I mean it’s not wrong. ND has a strong RB room already. They needed a RB coach and hired one of the better ones in the country. Seems as simple as that.

 

[PurposePitch]

Wow, it only took the fourth post until someone blamed Franklin.

In @scrivener's defense, he has a clinical obsession with bashing Franklin and PSU, so he can't help himself. We need to up his dosage.

 

[JimNazium]

Please take the Lawn Boys medallions with you as a parting gift.

 

[PSU2UNC]

I just like how Notre Dame fans online are saying their room is so good they don't even want Singleton or Allen but are also bragging and trolling about getting their former coach.

Anyone who wouldn't take Singleton or Allen in heartbeat is a moron that does not know CFB.

So that tracks perfectly with your average ND fan.

 

[Get Nasty]

Anyone who wouldn't take Singleton or Allen in heartbeat is a moron that does not know CFB.

So that tracks perfectly with your average ND fan.

Maybe people making up stuff to seem like they have "intel" on a message board lines up with Penn State.

No one at ND wouldn't want to have Singleton or Allen from an ability standpoint, but ND already has a really good room so it's not worth it to screw up any chemistry. They already have too many good backs for carries. I'd take love over any PSU/ND backs, but singleton, and Allen would be 2/3 from both IMO.

Penn State fans claiming they're more intelligent than ND fans when talking football is pretty funny.

Allar a month ago per PSU fans was why Penn State was going to win it all, and now, one month later, Allar and the WRs are penn state fans (rightfully so) biggest concern for 2025.

ND would love to get Wheatley, and some dline depth from penn state though! Not gonna happen. ND dline depending on how people recover from significant injuries could be their weakness next year.

 

[Conewago]

Anyone who wouldn't take Singleton or Allen in heartbeat is a moron that does not know CFB.

So that tracks perfectly with your average ND fan.

You have to understand that since Notre Dame and their trash defensive game plan got absolutely assaulted by an Ohio State team we nearly and probably should have beat, they have nothing to hang their hats on other than beating Penn State by luck*.

So their moron fans need to get their kicks by talking crap about Penn State.

*Luck as in: Allar playing like trash; Singleton dropping 4 points; Carter being one-armed; Omari Evans giving no effort - none of this was anything Notre Dame did