The chaos of the offseason reached South Bend today, as Notre Dame and offensive coordinator Chip Long mutually agreed to part ways. First reported by Football Scoop and confirmed by South Bend Tribune’s Eric Hansen and a host of other beat writers, Long was Brian Kelly’s offensive coordinator for the past three seasons.

Long arrived from Memphis and provided a jolt of energy in 2017, riding Josh Adams, Brandon Wimbush, and a Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line to historical rushing totals. The Irish set program records that year in rushing yards (3,503), yards per carry (6.3), and single-game rushing yards (515 yards against Boston College).

In 2018 the Irish offense took a step back in most major offensive categories, but Long navigated a midseason overhaul of the offense as Ian Book took the starting QB role from Brandon Wimbush with an entirely different skill set. This regular season may have been the most disappointing for Long, as the Notre Dame offense again didn’t improve as expected in Book’s second season starting. But despite this offensive inconsistency, the Irish averaged 37.1 points per game, highest of the Brian Kelly era.

How good was Chip Long anyway?

In Long’s three seasons, the Irish ranked between 19th and 33rd nationally in Offensive SP+. While the Irish weren’t elite, performance and playcalling as a whole felt strong relative to Notre Dame’s talent level. While the offense underperformed expectations in 2019, the decision to part ways feels like a combination of fit, timing, and different visions as opposed to strictly performance-related. Few programs make coordinator changes that aren’t promotion-related after three straight ten-win seasons. This feels a little like Ed Oregeron deciding to part ways with offensive coordinator Matt Canada in 2017, although that marriage lasted just one year.

While Notre Dame’s points per game have increased in the Long era, a good bit is the result of an increased offensive pace. The Kelly era before 2017 was characterized in part by moving at a glacial pace, and one of Long’s biggest changes in 2017 was to truly utilize hurry-up no-huddle. But despite significant changes and enjoying the most autonomy in play calling and offensive scheme, Long’s seasons don’t stand out much from other Brian Kelly offenses.

The biggest shortcoming of Long’s offenses in my mind was his inability to elevate Notre Dame’s offense in big games. Against more talented opposing defenses it rarely felt like Long was able to bring much of a strategic advantage. In the Irish’s six losses with Long as coordinator – and it’s a testament to his success that they only had six – the team averaged 13.5 points per game and 4.2 yards per play.

Still, Long’s offensive acumen has been well-respected by coaches and opponents, including meeting with Nick Saban last offseason. At many points, like the dagger throwback touchdown to Alize Mack last fall against Stanford, Long showed a combination of a strong feel for the game and deft playcalling. He’s been a strong coordinator but not one that could make a program-elevating impact with good but not great offensive talent. 2019 seems like a microcosm of Long’s three years in its inability for things to come together at the same time.

Book was inconsistent, particularly in the first half of the year, as Cole Kmet and Jafar Armstrong missed time. As they returned Chris Finke battled injuries and didn’t offer the offensive threat he was counted on to provide, then Michael Young transferred. The run game flashed dominance against USC then no-showed against Michigan and Virginia Tech. Down the stretch as Book improved Tony Jones Jr. was banged up, the right side of the offensive line went out.

In the same way Notre Dame’s talented in offensive position groups seemed to ebb in flow in Long’s three seasons. In 2017 the offensive line and running backs were excellent, but Brandon Wimbush’s limitations as a passer eventually caught up with Notre Dame in key games. Then when the torch was passed to Ian Book it was with an offensive line that struggled to run efficiently and prevent negative plays. If Equanimeous St. Brown or Miles Boykin stay an extra year maybe it gives the offense of the past two seasons the added playmaker needed to come through more in bigger games.

What’s next for Long and Notre Dame?

The coaching carousel has spun quickly this winter, with several offensive coordinator roles already filling up. Long’s old boss Mike Norvell picked a different former coordinator, Auburn’s Kenny Dillingham, to join him in Tallahassee. Auburn hired former SMU coach and Clemson OC Chad Morris, and Texas and Oregon are likely to focus elsewhere.

Long made every initial list of top candidates to replace Norvell as head coach of Memphis, but there’s been surprisingly little buzz connecting him to that role compared to internal candidate Ryan Silverfield and former Memphis DC and Mizzou coach Barry Odom. That search may be moving more slowly, but if Long doesn’t land that promotion he may need to set his sights a little lower to OC jobs like Arkansas or even a return to his previous role in Memphis.

Letting go of a solid offensive coordinator like Long is a gamble for Brian Kelly. Many fans won’t lose sleep over his departure, but offensive minds are at a premium now more than ever across the FBS and NFL levels. Insiders expect internal candidates, namely Tommy Rees and Lance Taylor, to be the favorites to replace Long. The relative inexperience of both makes the idea of co-offensive coordinators a very real possibility as well as some shuffling to figure out the right new coach to bring in to coach tight ends or another position group.