IB Nation Sportsbeat: Notre Dame Special Teams Coach Marty Biagi Talks Spencer Porath, Erik Schmidt And Jasper Scaife

In this episode of Irish Breakdown, hosts Vince D'Addario and Sean Steyers dive deep into Notre Dame's special teams with newly hired special teams coordinator Marty Biagi. The conversation centers on the team's kicking and punting corps, focusing on new transfer Spencer Porath, who is seen as a major upgrade after the injury-plagued tenure of previous kickers Noah Burnett and Mitch Jeter. Biagi praises Porath’s consistency, mental focus, and ability to switch into 'game mode' during reps, while also noting that kickers don’t practice every day to manage workload. The hosts express concern about the string of leg injuries, suggesting a systemic issue if a third kicker suffers the same fate. They also discuss the transition of Australian punter Jasper Scaife, acknowledging his professional-level experience but cautioning against over-relying on him in year one. Eric Schmidt, the versatile backup, is highlighted as a potential kickoff specialist, with the ideal scenario being a division of labor: Porath as place kicker, Schmidt as kickoff man, and Scaife as punter. The hosts emphasize the importance of simplifying roles for young specialists, citing Rendell’s improved second year when he was allowed to focus on fundamentals. The episode ends with a lighthearted exchange about Aussie culture, underscoring the niche but passionate fanbase for special teams coverage.