Jay Hayes Embracing Fundamentals Over Scheme

Defensive lineman Jay Hayes has had an interesting career at Notre Dame. As a freshman, the 6-foot-4, 281-pounder didn’t see playing time until the final three games, as Notre Dame asked him to burn his redshirt due to injuries.

In 2015, Hayes took his redshirt season to mature his body and learn Brian VanGorder’s defense. After a change at defensive coordinator, Hayes saw consistent playing time in 2016 but recorded just 10 tackles on the season.

Now entering his senior season, the Brooklyn native has a new defensive coordinator and a new(ish) defensive line coach. Hayes has noticed positive changes through the first seven practices of the spring.

“We are focusing on a lot of fundamentals,” Hayes said on Friday evening. “That’s something you take for granted when you’ve been playing football for a long time. That’s been a significant change.

“As opposed to the scheme, we are focusing on fundamentals. We are making sure everyone on the team has the fundamentals down. Once everyone on the team has their fundamentals down, we should take off. The position drills, meeting with the coaches, and coaches emphasizing fundamentals, and technique over scheme has been extremely helpful.”

While Mike Elko and Mike Elston aren’t asking the defensive line to do anything crazy, it’s about doing the simple stuff when there can be a play made.  

“Putting your hand up when you can’t get the sack in the quick game can cancel a down,” explained Hayes. “It’s something we are working on as a unit. He’s teaching us to punch the ball out. The second a second guy comes to make a tackle; we weren’t thinking about punching the ball out. We are emphasizing taking the ball away.”

Another step in the right direction under the new defensive staff is a clean slate. Hayes has battled some inconsistent play and learning new schemes over the past few seasons. However, Hayes and his teammate are embracing a fresh start and a new coaching style.

“It’s a positive,” Hayes said of the new staff. “I take everything a day at a time now. Every day I am coming in, I am focused on what I need to do to get better and my process. Having a clean slate is pretty neat too.

“Guys are enjoying it. We are learning different ways to take away the football.”  

Elston’s coaching style has also added good vibes to the defensive line room. Whether it’s bringing breakfast or giving them energy during practice, Hayes believes there is simply more energy on the defensive line this spring.

“If he feels the unit is getting dull, he’ll pick it up,” stated Hayes. “He will add energy and Coach Harland (Bower) is the juice man too. He’s a great coach that adds a lot of energy too.”  

The positive energy has translated to the mentality of the team this spring. The lack of success in 2016 didn’t sit well with anyone, and the staff additions are only helping the team move past the sour taste of a few months ago.

“It’s fun because we have been waiting for a long time to erase the 4-8 season,” Hayes said. “A lot of guys are trying to not look far down the road, but going out there and practicing with your guys – we’re building the chemistry and competing. It’s a great feeling.

“When you see your fundamentals and technique paying off or when you’re getting pressure on the quarterback, it shows you that you’re moving in the right direction.”

The fundamentals have clearly been a focus of head coach Brian Kelly’s press conferences this spring, but it’s more than just talk. The ability to build from the ground up is giving players the chance to refine their game, but also give them a confidence boost.

“When you see teams hurt themselves, it normally comes from teams not being fundamentally sound,” Hayes explained. “It can be argued last year that there were games we bit ourselves in the foot with technique. If you look closely, guys weren’t doing x, y, or z.

“Right now, it’s on us as players to get this down. There are going to be 11 of us out there, and it’s up to us to fix it.”  

The hiring of Elko was greeted well by Notre Dame fans, and the players are now benefitting from his teaching methods and the way Elko gets his message across.

“I like him,” said Hayes. “He’s a different type of coach. He teaches the game. It’s exciting to see a new coach come in and say ‘Forget about the scheme. I am going to teach you the game of football. I am going to teach you how to win first down, second down, and third down.’”

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