Long Talks Wimbush, Adams and Offense

Offensive coordinator Chip Long and quarterback Brandon Wimbush are four practices into the first spring as ‘the guy’ at Notre Dame. Long is in a process of figuring out his offensive talent, while Wimbush is working to find consistency within the offense.

Through the first few practices of 2017, Wimbush has impressed Long and they will continue to work to find out what the New Jersey native does best.

“He is very coachable and does a great job in the meeting room,” Long said of his quarterback. “He did a good job of cleaning up his mistakes from the first day and he uses his athleticism help him out. He has done a good job of using his leadership to take control.

“He can’t get enough reps and enough guys flashing in front of his face. We are out there working, but that whole group is doing a tremendous job.” 

Wimbush will run the football this year as his legs are a strength of his game. Long isn’t going to be afraid to run his quarterback and is in the process of figuring out Wimbush’s strengths in the run game.

“There are plenty of ways,” stated Long when asked how he was going to run his quarterback. “We want to utilize all of his talents and that’s my job. I am trying to figure that out now watching him play. I think he will be fine on the perimeter and working with what we ask him to do.” 

Notre Dame should have a deep tight end unit and Wimbush will have a luxury of having multiple tight ends that can catch the football. Long has never coached a more talented group and the excitement was noticeable.

“Usually I have had one or two to do certain things,” Long said of his previous tight end units. “I am very blessed with a good group. The guys work extremely hard. They are big, fast, and very athletic. It’s been a whole lot of fun working with them.” 

When Long got the job at Notre Dame, it was clear he was bringing tempo to the program. Long knows the speed of the offense can help, but also hurt the offense and he is working to prepare his guys to use it as a strength.

“The biggest thing is between the play,” explained Long. “I have to get their eyes to the sideline and at the same time going as fast as they can to get lined up. Tempo to me is when the play is over.

“I am not going to go fast and lose us a game. The situation dictates it. I have the ability to slow it down with shifts and different cadences. I can also get us going even faster. We have that in the offense and we are teaching it to the guys.” 

The battle at right tackle between Tommy Kraemer and Liam Eichenberg is going to be something to watch from now until the end of fall camp. Long knows he has a lot of talent and size between the two, but not a lot of experience.

“Both of them have a lot of similarities,” Long said. “They are big and powerful. Both of them need to get experience playing out there and playing against a No. 1 defensive end. Both have the toughness and size. They just lack the experience. They have a whole group of seniors in there helping them out. It’s not at every place you see Zack Martin working with guys. That’s impressive.” 

On the outside, junior receiver Equanimeous St. Brown was the No. 1 target a year ago and the California native is working to be the No. 1 guy in 2017.

“I see a guy who wants to be great,” Long stated. “He doesn’t say a word, but works as hard as he can trying to master his craft. He expects to be a great player and he wants to be a great player.” 

At running back, Long knows he has a wealth of riches, but Josh Adams has impressed him to date with his leadership.

“He is a great leader for us right now,” said Long. “He is an extremely hard worker. That’s what has been great with our whole offense. The way our guys work and how they all want to be a special player. It’s been amazing.

“They come every day to their meetings and field work. Josh is a guy who is setting the bar high. He wants to have his picture on these walls in here.”