Notre Dame defensive backs coach Todd Lyght will be leaving the Irish football program.
Lyght joined head coach Brian Kelly’s staff in 2015. His departure was rumored in some circles as his family moved to California and Lyght has stated he wishes to be closer and hopes to find a coaching position out west.
Kelly thanked Lyght for his commitment to the Irish in a tweet Thursday afternoon.
“[Lyght] has been a valuable part of our staff and his impact as both a player and coach here at Notre Dame will be lasting,” Kelly’s tweet said.
Before joining the Irish coaching staff, Lyght was a cornerback on the 1988 national championship team and two-time consensus All-American. He was the No. 5 overall pick in the 1991 NFL draft, where he continued on as a member of the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and Detroit Lions.
Lyght recorded 11 interceptions during his collegiate career, eight of which came in a single season. He recorded one touchdown on a kick return in his senior season.
In his professional career, Lyght was named Rams Rookie of the Year in 1991 and played 12 seasons, retiring in 2002 with 37 career interceptions, four touchdowns and one Pro Bowl selection. He was a Super Bowl champion with the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.
After his playing days, Lyght began a coaching career as a defensive intern for Oregon in 2011. After two seasons with the Ducks, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles as an assistant defensive backs coach for two seasons.
During his tenure with the Irish, Lyght oversaw strong pass defenses that featured cornerbacks Troy Pride Jr., Shaun Crawford and All-American Julian Love.
Lyght is the second coach to leave the Irish football program recently, with his announcement coming just a few weeks after offensive coordinator Chip Long departed Notre Dame.
