With their offensive coordinator departing for a head coaching position, Notre Dame turned to Gino Guidugli to call the offense in their bowl game with Oregon State on Dec. 29.
Gerad Parker accepted the head coaching position at Troy, Irish head coach Marcus Freeman turning to the Highlands grad Guidugli as his option. Guidugli had prior play calling and coordinating experience at the University of Cincinnati and was the quarterbacks coach for the Irish this season after joining the program in March after six seasons with the Bearcats.
Notre Dame was down its starting quarterback, both offensive tackles, running back and four wide receivers from the regular season in the game. It didn’t matter much as the offense racked up 40 points and 468 total yards in a 40-8 victory.
If the bowl game was an audition for the offensive coordinator spot, Guidugli passed with flying colors. It will be interesting to see how things play out in South Bend in the offseason.