SOUTH BEND, IN - SEPTEMBER 17: Members of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish sing the alma mater following a loss to the Michigan State Spartans at Notre Dame Stadium on September 17, 2016 in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan State defeated Notre Dame 36-28. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Notre Dame makes drastic firing after 38-35 loss to Duke

WELP.

It looks like we have our first major coaching casualty of the season.

As first reported by Football Scoop, Notre Dame fired defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder after the team's 38-35 loss to Duke on Saturday.

Notre Dame ranked 103rd in total defense so far this season, which is a big reason behind their 1-3 start to the year. The debacle started in the season-opener against Texas, which saw the Fighting Irish give up 50 points in a loss.

VanGorder had been at Notre Dame since the end of 2013. He has previously coached with Auburn and Georgia in college, and with the Falcons and Jets in the NFL.

For now it looks like head coach Brian Kelly's job is safe, but this is definitely a warning sign for Notre Dame to pick things up as soon as possible.