SOUTH BEND Durkin learning as Irish assistant

The Boardman native is in his second season of coaching at Notre Dame.
By JOHN BASSETTI
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
D.J. Durkin grew up in Boardman, a block from Jim Tressel's house.
His cousin is Matt Cavanaugh, the offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens.
He played for assistant coach Ron Stoops when the latter was at Boardman High.
Yet, his life and lineage, plus his link to big-time coaches, didn't necessarily have a direct effect on Durkin landing his current position as a graduate assistant coach at Notre Dame.
"It's something I always wanted to do," the 26-year-old said of aspirations based on his participation and proximity to sports.
As a player at Bowling Green, Durkin was a defensive end.
"I was a business major and didn't picture myself in an office every day. I figured it [coaching] was the best way to stay close to the game," he said. "I loved football and figured that the next closest thing to playing is coaching."
Eyes opportunity
He's hoping his full-time position as a graduate assistant will lead to a full-time coaching job.
After his playing days, Durkin worked as a graduate assistant at Bowling Green for coach Urban Meyer, who is now at the University of Utah.
Meyer had come to Bowling Green from Notre Dame. "That gave me a bit of a connection," Durkin said.
He begins his second season with Notre Dame's defense, working with special teams and assisting line coach Greg Mattison. His primary responsibilities are the ends.
His best player is preseason All-American Justin Tuck (6-foot-5, 231 pounds), who had a school-record 131/2 sacks last year.
Others splitting time as starters last year were fifth-year senior Kyle Budinscak and true sophomore Victor Abiamiri.
"Vic played quite a bit as a true freshman last year," Durkin said. "He's an outstanding player."
Unique position
Durkin said the position is unique because ends are going against 300-pound linemen every down.
"These guys take all the pounding, but they also run relentlessly to the ball and chase guys down. There's a certain toughness that comes playing on the defensive line. They love hitting quarterbacks."
Last season, coach Ty Willingham's second year at the helm, Notre Dame finished 5-7. It was the third time in five years that the Fighting Irish finished with a losing record.
Notre Dame plays four of its first six games at home, but should be a big underdog to Michigan on Sept. 11. Notre Dame opens its season at BYU Saturday night.
"It'll be a challenge for our 4-3 defense," Durkin said. "BYU likes to throw the ball a lot. It's a big game for our linemen. First and foremost, they've got to stop the run. They'll also throw, so we've got be able to get pressure on the quarterback."
The son of Dan and Marianne Durkin said the best part of coaching is game day.
"That's what you do all the work for."
His post-playing career highlight so far was his first-ever game in South Bend.
"It was last year's season opener against Washington State when Notre Dame won in overtime. I just kind of sat back in amazement."
D.J. thinks his nature might be conducive to making a good coach.
"I was and am passionate about the game," he said. "Hopefully, players can sense that. I'd like to think it carries over into how they play."