“Former Notre Dame linebacker and team captain Mike Goolsby has frequently defended offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock against fan and media criticism regarding the Fighting Irish's offensive production and play-calling.
Goolsby frames Notre Dame's offensive struggles around execution, and realistic expectations rather than poor scheme design.”
Carr had a bad day throwing the ball.
The well designed plays are only as good as the execution.
If CJ were to get hurt during one of these stupid calls, it's a fire-able offense, IMO.
Generally speaking I agree with you. But once in a while is not a bad thing.
Was not good. Seemed to play in a box and not be open to risk
“They got guys wide [expletive] open in the BYU game and hell, I can throw it to them. If a guy is open by 10 yards, you don't have to make a perfect pass. Just get the ball to them."
Nick Saban on CJ Carr
But he's decent when not calling too conservatively like Miami last year and BYU this one. As is Ash IF his conservarive philosophy is reigned in. I have several criticisms. Like his predictability. But he's better than a lot of the alternatives. I think when Marcus was newer he was needed with his experience. Now far less so.
He seems to preferslow developing screens and quick outs that the other teams read consistently. Faison wouldbe deadly on slants.
2022: Tommy Rees showed how he was basically trying to be Brian Kelly without Brian Kelly's decades of experience. The fact that he was the one who told Coach Freeman not to get a transfer portal QB, is what cost us at least 3 games that year.
2023: Gerad Parker was trying his best to call plays like Tommy Rees did. Sam Hartman often audibled out and helped cover up a lot of flaws.
Yes, Denbrock makes some mistakes.
That was painfully obvious in 2024 during the NIU game, as well as not calling plays that could have exploited the one soft spot in tOSU's defense (secondary) during the national championship game.
Or, in 2025, when he tried to play not to lose against Miami, calling too much dink 'n dunk.
However, we don't get to where we are now, if we had stuck with the Brian Kelly wannabes.
Denbrock has one of the most flexible offenses in college football.