Notre Dame fires defensive coordinator after 1-3 start

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24 September 2016: Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder in action during a game between the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and the Duke Blue Devils at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, IN. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) — Hours after an embarrassing 38-35 home loss to Duke, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has fired defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder following a 1-3 start.

The school tweeted a new release saying VanGorder is being replaced by defensive analyst Greg Hudson. Hudson previously served as defensive coordinator at Purdue, East Carolina and Minnesota, as well as assistant head coach and linebackers coach at Florida State.

The Irish’s defense is giving up 33.5 points a game through four games, which is on pace to be the most points in school history. The school record for points surrendered per game was 28.9, set in 1956 when the Irish finished 2-8.

Duke, which managed a combined 27 points in losses to Wake Forest and Northwestern, scored 28 points in the first half Saturday against the Irish. Students chanted for VanGorder to be fired during the game.

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