optimism when it is unwarranted.
1. Weis turned the rutter of a completely broken ship (the program) and got the dilapidated dingy turned around.
2. Kelly rebuilt a dingy into an actual ship that was worth a damn and got it going in the right direction.
3. Freeman the jury is still out. He's made some good moves and some boneheaded ones. The talent is increasing over what Kelly was bringing in but not astronicallly, though it does look to be a lot better. Couple that with the fact that Freeman actually let's the young talent play. I think the latter part is the biggest bonus. The kids are good, athletic and ready to play and they get to, unlike what BK did. Sit them on the bench and collect talent without ever playing them because they "didn't know how to play the game the right way".
Comparing Recruiting that is finalized:
Brian's first 2 classes: 15 (2010), 9 (2011) = average 12 - BK's 12 year average = 12 (and his last class, 9, was probably more Freeman). His highest class was 5 (2013)
Freeman's first 2 classes: 6 (2022), 10 (2023) = average 8 - Things are looking bright going forward, but with NIL and untrustworthy 18-year-olds today, we just have to wait until they are on campus. https://www.on3.com/db/rankings/industry-team/football/2023/
Are the staff upgrades enough?
+ RB coach is better
+ DB coach is better
+ OC finally should be better
+ OL looked improved in 2023 (we actually had holes to run through and could pick up 2yrds when/if needed... a drastic improvement over the prior decade and nice change)
+ DL coach is still weak and compared to what Elston did the talent is sparse. Yes, I know Cross was good but the unit was weak.
+ LBs produce but we need to get better at the same time
+ WR coaching should be better but still unknown until the games start
+ QB is still the largest issue though Angeli had a great first game. Going back to the portal for one year guys is not a long-term solution and a slippery slope to nowhere IMO.
+ We still can't win big games, though have improved over Kelly. Kelly improved over Weis, and Weis over the other knuckleheads
+ The schedule this year and next are significantly weaker than in past years. We need to start going 3-0 or 2-1 in the only real games on the schedule. The next step, and hopefully what MF can achieve, is consistenly beating top 10-15 teams in the same manner we own the ACC.
Link: https://www.onefootdown.com/notre-dame-football-recruiting-news-recruits-national-signing-day/2022/6/27/23185013/21-years-of-notre-dame-football-recruiting-results-cfb-5-star-top-100-nd-blue-chip-ratio-news