Feb. 22, 2017
NOTRE DAME, Indiana – Bill Polian, a 2015 National Football League Hall of Fame Inductee, will be one of the featured guest speakers at the 2017 University of Notre Dame Football Coaches Clinic on March 23-25. Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly, all of his assistant coaches, as well as other featured guest speakers to be announced in the near future, will give presentations at the clinic.
Polian spent 32 seasons in the NFL during which time he earned the reputation of rebuilding franchises into dominant playoff teams. He is most noted for turning the fortunes of three different teams that included a combined five Super Bowl appearances by the Buffalo Bills and Indianapolis Colts.
Polian, who began in the NFL as a scout for the Kansas City Chiefs from (1978-82), took over as the general manager of the Bills in 1984. He built Buffalo into a powerhouse and led the team to four straight AFC Eastern Division titles from 1988 to 1991 including back-to-back 13-3 records in 1990 and 1991. The Bills also earned three straight Super Bowl berths after winning the AFC championship in 1990-92.
He worked in the NFL office in 1993 and 1994 as the league’s Vice President of Football Development before taking on general manager duties of the expansion Carolina Panthers. Under his leadership, Carolina advanced to the NFC championship in just his second season.
In 1998, Polian moved on to the Indianapolis Colts where he served as President/General Manager through 2011. During his tenure, the Colts experienced great success that included eight division crowns and two Super Bowl appearance highlighted by a victory in Super Bowl XLI. With Polian at the helm, the Colts advanced to the postseason 11 times during a 12-season span and posted 10 or wins in each of those playoff years.
Polian is the only administrator ever to be named the NFL’s Executive of the Year by The Sporting News six times.
MORE ON THE CLINIC
Coaches and participants interested in receiving advanced football instruction from the Notre Dame coaching staff, featured guest speakers and some of the top high school coaches in the country are welcome to attend.
Chalk-talk sessions will offer attendees an excellent opportunity to become familiar with various coaching techniques as well as offer professional development with other coaches and participants.
In addition to the various presentations, participants will not only get an exclusive look at the 2017 Irish football team as the squad practices twice during the clinic but also receive complimentary admission to the Blue-Gold game. Coaches’ socials both Thursday and Friday evenings and a hosted dinner on Friday are all included. Vendors and exhibitors from around the country will also showcase football-related products.
Registration is now available here. The clinic is $70 per individual coach or $50 per coach for groups of at least six coaches who pre-register. Walk-up registration is $80.
Previous guest speakers include: Bob Stoops (’16), Bo Pelini (’16), Lou Holtz (’16), Vic Fangio (’16), Bill O’Brien (’15), Mack Brown (’15), Ron Rivera (’15), Marvin Lewis (’13) and Bill Belichick (’13).
Any questions or concerns can be directed to Notre Dame assistant director of operations Jason Michelson at 574-631-7737 or michelson.1@nd.edu.
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