SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Jon Tenuta, defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech the past six seasons, was named assistant head coach for defense at Notre Dame on Thursday.
Tenuta will work with Irish defensive coordinator Corwin Brown to try to improve a Notre Dame unit that finished 39th in the nation in total defense, giving up 357 yards a game as the Irish finished 3-9. It was the best performance by the Irish defense since 2003.
Georgia Tech finished 20th in the nation in defense last season, giving up 330 yards a game. The Yellow Jackets led the nation in sacks with 48. In 2006, the Yellow Jackets were 27th in the nation in defense at 300 yards a game.
Tenuta had been a candidate to replace Chan Gailey at Georgia Tech after he was fired, but left the school after Paul Johnson was hired as coach. He served as interim coach for Georgia Tech in a 40-28 loss to Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl.
Tenuta, who starts Feb. 18, will replace Bill Lewis, who was assistant head coach for defense at Notre Dame the past three years as well as defensive backs coach. Lewis will remain at Notre Dame as manager of athletics community relations.
Tenuta will work with Irish defensive coordinator Corwin Brown to try to improve a Notre Dame unit that finished 39th in the nation in total defense, giving up 357 yards a game as the Irish finished 3-9. It was the best performance by the Irish defense since 2003.
Georgia Tech finished 20th in the nation in defense last season, giving up 330 yards a game. The Yellow Jackets led the nation in sacks with 48. In 2006, the Yellow Jackets were 27th in the nation in defense at 300 yards a game.
Tenuta had been a candidate to replace Chan Gailey at Georgia Tech after he was fired, but left the school after Paul Johnson was hired as coach. He served as interim coach for Georgia Tech in a 40-28 loss to Fresno State in the Humanitarian Bowl.
Tenuta, who starts Feb. 18, will replace Bill Lewis, who was assistant head coach for defense at Notre Dame the past three years as well as defensive backs coach. Lewis will remain at Notre Dame as manager of athletics community relations.