Brian Kelly knew he needed to think big to fix Notre Dame’s special teams.

And he did, now officially.

On Tuesday the school announced a move Irish Illustrated reported more than a week ago as Brian Polian returns to South Bend to fill a similar role he held down during the Charlie Weis era.

“Brian not only brings a successful history of coaching special teams, but he’s also considered one of the nation’s top recruiters,” Kelly said in a statement. “He simply understands Notre Dame, what it’s about, and the type of student-athlete that we need to succeed at the highest level. I’m extremely excited to have Brian join this program, and our players will benefit from his mentorship, passion, energy and enthusiasm -- both on and off the field.”

Polian will be Notre Dame new special teams coordinator, a post that’s a first under Kelly. Just nine Power 5 conference programs employed a fulltime special teams coach last season.



Mike Elston and Scott Booker had coached special teams under Kelly during the past seven years, but always in conjunction with another position. Now Polian, who spent the past four years as the head coach at Nevada, returns with the singular charge to fix a collection of special teams units that weighed heavily on Notre Dame’s disastrous season.

Despite highlights that included two kickoff return touchdowns and a blocked extra point return to force overtime at Texas, a litany of fumbles, penalties, shanks and self-sabotage made this year’s special teams units one of the worst in school history.

Special teams mistakes cost Notre Dame dearly in losses to Michigan State, Duke, N.C. State and Navy. They nearly crushed the Irish against Miami too when Jalen Elliott failed to recover an onside kick and C.J. Sanders fumbled a failed punt return into the end zone that the Hurricanes recovers.

With kicker Justin Yoon, punter Tyler Newsome and Sanders all returning, Polian should have material to mold starting during spring practice.

“I’m thrilled about the opportunity to return to Notre Dame,” said Polian. “This is a very special University and football program. I want to thank coach Kelly and Jack Swarbrick for the opportunity to re-join the Fighting Irish family.

“I’m excited to go to work, get to know the terrific student-athletes and prepare for a great 2017 season.”

Polian will have a much stronger platform to stand on during his second time around in South Bend considering his past seven seasons of work.

In addition to his four-year run as the head coach at Nevada – Polian was let go in Reno after a 23-27 record – the new Irish special teams coordinator has assistant experience under Jim Harbaugh, David Shaw and Kevin Sumlin.

Consider that resume compared to Booker when he was promoted to tight ends/special teams coach five years ago. At that point he’d only been a fulltime assistant for five seasons, split between Kent State and Western Kentucky. He had no special teams coordinator experience.

Polian also rated among the best recruiters on the Weis staff, responsible for the West Coast and beyond. Those areas netted the Irish Manti Te'o, Jimmy Clausen, Dayne Crist, Shaq Evans, Joseph Fauria and Cierre Wood, among others.