In my view, that's right. He decided that -- given ND's approach to the game -- he couldn't win an NC in SB. So, he decided to take a RISK -- for which he will be well-compensated -- that he could do it at LSU. I think an NC has always been his goal. Where he actually wins it has not been nearly so important.
The guy is a PRAGMATIST and as Holtz pointed out, never "bought into" the whole ND thing. Big deal. I wish him nothing but the best.
As for his record at ND, his winning percentage at one point was in at least the mid 60's. And it may have been lower. But over time, he pumped it up. My estimate when he arrived was that he'd win between 68% to 72% of his games. For a while the 68% looked out of reach. But he wound up exceeding my upside estimate as I believe he won 73% and change at ND.
Three more good seasons and he'd have been in range of Layden, Holtz and Devine.
If nothing else, he did what THE THREE PREVIOUS COACHES HAD FAILED TO DO. He REVIVED the program.
No small thing.
And certainly no SHOO-IN.
Revive? I don't know about that. What he did learn after the 4-8 debacle was you have to work at this extremely hard.
ND can't recruit at present on reputation. Perhaps the catholic high school kids yes but every other player no. You have to sell it. The exclusive contract doesn't mean shit either. Christ you can stream any team at any time with today's technology. So the see your kid play on TV sales pitch isn't winning any longer.
He learned you must recruit hard and out work the other guy.
That said success breeds recruiting success. That still holds true but it's a fine line. It's not like it used to be with a major bowl win or title buys you 5 star kids in abundance. No...these kids today can showcase skills (the QB in particular) any place. Offenses are scoring points on any defenses and these kids want the Sunday dream to be a reality. It used to be a dream but a dream kept in check. Now it's treated like they're entitled to Sunday playing.
Add in NIL, early enrollment BS, and kids today are being pumped up too much and have these superficial dreams of playing Sunday's. The reality is they've no better chance today than 30 years ago.
Back to BK.
I will give him this. He could've folded up his tent but he knew given his age that would've been a coaching death sentence.
He fought back and started recruiting harder.
Something the prior coaches took for granted. Davie to Willingham to CW. They all treated it like ND turns away 5 star kids. Once reality set in that nobody is coming if you aren't recruiting it was too late.
BK also was extended a second chance the others weren't given. Perhaps he can thank CW's bloated contract that we paid without any services. Four years and 14 million he got? It was a lot of egg on face and if you didn't notice ND doesn't like flushing money down the toilet like some other schools just to win at all/any cost. (USC, Texas, A&M, LSU as examples)
So he got a second chance and he improved to a point. The big wins eluded him (always have) but he didn't let off in recruiting.
Something intetsting you noted was his winning percentage improved. It would be interesting to see if you can draw dots between that and an easier schedule. There's no question the schedule in the last 4-5 years have been very fortuitous. It's not his fault but I have to wonder if he played Holtz typical schedule he might not have survived more than 4 years. Holtz schedules without question were ridiculously tough at times.
As far as Freeman goes we'll find out real quick if he's in control or in over his head. That opening game @ the horseshoe will be a hot and himid sum bitch and right into the meat grinder. No getting the feet wet.
Maybe...just maybe...some dark horse freshman will shock the world at the QB position. Every other major program catches lightning in a bottle once in a while at QB. It hadn't happened here since Tony Rice. He was just a gamer. A winner. Fun to watch. Played best in biggest games.
ND NEEDS a QB like that. It's been way too long.
