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VanGorder, Kelly express mutual respect before meeting as opponents

BOWLING GREEN — Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly and Bowling Green defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder expressed admiration for each other ahead of VanGorder’s return to Notre Dame Stadium, this time as an opponent.

VanGorder, Kelly’s former defensive coordinator at Notre Dame, will head back to South Bend when the Falcons play No. 9 Notre Dame on Saturday.

Notre Dame won 18 games in VanGorder’s first two seasons as the defensive coordinator in 2014-15, but fired him after starting 1-4 in 2016. The Irish finished the year 4-8, their only losing record since hiring Kelly before the 2010 season.