The most sobering aspect of this loss is the potential long term repurcussions
I wasn't even super angry about this loss as it was happening (which is a bad sign) because, sadly, it was almost a validation of all of our worst fears from three years ago when we hired a first-time head coach. It was the first time during Freeman's tenure that I really thought that he just might never get over the hump at Notre Dame. And if he doesn't we are in for more mediocrity for years to come.
Unless this thing really goes off the rails, I don't see Notre Dame making a move this year. I think we'd have to go like 7-5 or 6-6 for a change to be considered by the University - no inside info there at all, just my assumption based on the situation. But let's say Notre Dame goes 9-4 again. If that happens, with this roster, I think we all will know how this eventually ends. And after Saturday, 9-4 or better is no longer a given.
So let's think about the disaster scenario for a minute. Let's say Notre Dame goes 9-4 or 8-5 and decides on one more year of Freeman. Recruiting for 2025 and 2026 will fall off a cliff. There'll be multiple decommits for next year and the class of 2026 that looked so promising is going to end up being ranked in high teens/low 20s. So by the time ND potentially makes a move, we're looking at maybe 2027 or 2028 until ND could seriously challenge again. And that's IF Notre Dame could lure an elite coach which we haven't really see the University be able to do in four of the last five head coaching searches. (TBF to Kelly he was considered the best coach available at the time).
Until Saturday, I didn't think that a disaster scenario was a possibility. After Saturday, sadly I think it's now a possibility. And that's what makes this loss more deflating than infuriating to me.
Replies to: The most sobering aspect of this loss is the potential long term repurcussions
I wanted to wait for Fickell, but after Schwarbrick said he had no list we were in trouble
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That was a lie...there were people who claim to be in the know
that said back channel comm had occurred and Fickle was interesting but wouldn't meet officially until after his bowl.
Swarbs made the panic hire to SAVE recruiting and appease the masses who were all pushing for the 'likeable' Freeman. Swarbs said there was no one else to make it public we got who we wanted. Same spin he pulled after he kicked the Ludwig hire into the stands.
Freeman has to perform a QB swap and hope it works
Maybe it saves the season . What we have seen from Leonard so far is not very good. It is hard to win with bad QB play.
Freeman is like Dan Devine. He won’t change QB’s unless Leonard get’s hurt and forces the change…
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The players see what is happening.
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I wouldn’t hit the panic button yet. A&M is a much better team than NIU.
We went there in front of 107K screaming crazies and beat them. Our D is solid and we will be in every game. The big question is how the coaches and players respond to this. If they answer the bell, a 2 loss season is within the realm of possibility. I think playoff aspirations are over, but miracles can happen. On the other hand if we fall apart, a .500 or less record could happen. I’m not seeing it though. I think we lose either 2 or 3 total. This team has plenty of talent to do that or better. O line needs a lot of work and Free needs to swallow his pride and play the best QB which right now isn’t Riley Leonard.
Hopeful message Frank
But the malaise for me is this has happened far too often with MF. The team looked like crap against a far less talented team…AND MF had the knowledge of this type of letdown loss from multiple prior L’s to piss poor teams…..And a warning from his mentor. I will continue to route for him and the team…like I do with the Jets in the NFL….
But ND is a lot closer to the Jets than I ever thought possible.
Even though he’s young and inexperienced as a coach I like Marcus.
My big concern is who would you get to replace him? Or who would want to coach ND? Saban’s days are done.
Maybe this loss was just what they needed. the season isn’t going to be the cake walk some people assumed just because they managed a Week 1 win.
Freeman was a gamble by short-timer Swarbrick at that time.
The rationale he espoused, as we all know, was that keeping the recruiting class together was of such great importance that the gamble on Freeman growing into the job was worth it.
Freeman was, and is, seemingly a great, stand-up guy. His ability as a HC was a complete unknown however. It is becoming a "known" now.
Add in that the landscape of College Football is changing every day now and "long term repercussions" may take us to the end of ND competing in any meaningful way in whatever major college football becomes.
I think the biggest misnomer is that we need to hire an elite coach..
Ara, Devine, and Lou were not elite coaches when we hired them. They were quality experienced HCs, not even near elite.
The argument could be made that Leahy was elite (with a 20-2 record coming in) but the reality is that his HC career before coming here was 2 years at Boston College.
The number one indicator for success in our HC hires has been prior HC experience.
Conversely, the number one source of complete failures has been inexperienced hires.
Removing out of reach candidates and buzz names, do you have a top 3 today that you would hire?
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This response was meant for here.
That’s the problem…there should be no out of reach candidates.
Other teams have gone in and poached big names from other programs.
I get that at this point it would take an astronomical offer to lure any of the top current guys (and a few may not come no matter the offer, but we don’t know that without trying).
Isn’t that always the issue?
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When you have Kelly/Mark Richt, yes. When you have Freeman or Manny Diaz, there are better options.
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I don't have a list of candidates..
but two that come to mind since you asked: the guy from BC seems to be squeezing a lot out of his roster.
Also, I think waiting for Fickle was the original correct choice so I'd keep an eye on what he does in his 2nd year at Wisconsin.
They are playing Bama this week so I'll likely take a peek at that to see how they compete with a high level team, knowing he doesn't have elite talent at Wisconsin.
These are reasonable. I was just curious. I have no idea.
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Even if ND goes 3-9 this year, I don’t see how ND can fire their 2nd Black coach after 3 years.
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Marcus is a good guy. So was Jerry Faust. But he’s paid to coach, and despite his goodness, he does
He doesn’t do his job very well…
Likely true. ND also shot itself in the foot by not removing other coaches after 3 years...
Most notably Davie and Faust.
Weis had two decent years to start and everyone knew 2007 was gonna be horrible due to Ty's recruiting dereliction of duty. Still Weis made it even worse and could have been gone after 2008.
ND allows itself to get caught up in "honoring the contract" discussions. Buy-out clauses are negotiated for reason.
You let someone go...you still have to "honor the contract". Another thing other schools don't worry much about...
MF should be on the need to know basis. Let the coordinators coordinate.
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