Freeman In Over His Head

[NotreDame du Lac]

You're over your head. Which doesn't take much. BTW, confirmed Rees is staying, which means Freeman will be announced shortly. Should we put a suicide watch on you now? Or better, just move to the LSU board you bandwagon fan.

I’ll be watching ND and bitching as loud as I did with the Weis hire. Another moron that had no HC experience but was going to recruit 5 star talent and win titles. Lol.

I threw an absolute fit when Weis was hired and everyone on this board called me an idiot. Same ole shot around here.

 

[4-4-3]

I’ll be watching ND and bitching as loud as I did with the Weis hire. Another moron that had no HC experience but was going to recruit 5 star talent and win titles. Lol.

I threw an absolute fit when Weis was hired and everyone on this board called me an idiot. Same ole shot around here.

I wouldn’t worry.

First, as with Weis, you may get the last laugh here.

Second, you’re PERFECTLY HEDGED. If Freeman does well, it’s YOUR TEAM doing well. If he doesn’t, you look smarter than 90% of the guys on this board. Either way it’s a 50% satisfaction play.

Whereas the Freeman enthusiasts while looking at a 100% upside if he produces, are also looking at a 100% downside if he washes out: poor seasons, poor horse-picking.

The smarter play is always that of the HEDGED SKEPTIC. Really, YOU CAN’T LOSE.

As for Freeman's selection itself, it looks to me like ND didn’t think it had a choice but to make the TACTICAL decision to keep all aspects of the program intact – rather than start anew – in the hope that it will lead to the right STRATEGIC result.

Yes, any time you try to solve a strategic problem with a short-term fix you’re opening up the door to a myriad of UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. But I think Swarbrick was willing to take that risk, knowing that IN TODAY’S MORE FLUID ENVIRONMENT – in which both coaches and players are moving around like chess pieces – Freeman could be axed in two or three years if necessary.

In other words, the cost of axing him later might be lower than not hiring him now. To me, that seems at least a PLAUSIBLE CALCULUS as per the program’s long-term viability. Besides, what’s to say Freeman himself wouldn’t pull a Kelly at some point? In a couple of years pulling a Kelly might not even BE A THING. So, who knows how long they even expect him to be around? What if OSU comes calling?

Presumably, Freeman will hold the recruiting class together, and then next September, we’ll see if he can actually run a program as a head coach/CEO.

On average, here’s how experienced head coaches shake out against first-years:

"Hiring coaches with previous NCAA head coaching experience usually pays off: those coaches have improved their teams’ winning percentages by 9.64%, while first-time head coaches have seen their teams regress 0.45%."

So, will Freeman perform according to the average, or will he turn out to be the Second Coming Savior so many are ALREADY banking on?

Like I said, either way, YOU CAN’T LOSE. So, enjoy the ride. This guy will make TONS of mistakes – ALL ROOKIES DO. Which means you’ll get plenty of opportunities to remind people HOW GREEN HE IS. Your downside is NIL.

 

[theskibro]

If we hire this idiot and Fickell wins a playoff game everyone on here will be shitting themselves

Suk it. I am all in on Marcus. He will transform ND. You will feel stupid

 

[deadirishpoet]

Going to be pathetic to watch this evolve. I think we know why we hired this guy. Lots of politics at play here. It’s simply a popularity contest rather than who the best fit is to win games. It’s going to ruin his career. He has no head-coaching experience whatsoever and that is going to show big time. It’s funny how people like hiring someone because they like them more than wins and losses. Freeman is the safe hire and that’s exactly what Jack is doing. Everyone wants him to be hired on staff and so to the players and so this regardless of how poorly it turns out will be forgiven because Jack is concerned about current popularity rather than actually hiring the next great coach. Of course the players and the coaches want him hired the coaches want to keep their jobs and the players like safety and comfort of knowing who their coach is. That’s a terrible reason to hire someone. Enjoy losing to Riley for the next two decades.

It's clear ND AD is clueless.

 

[Harpo Marxist]

Freeman is not my first choice either. However....if the bulk of this coaching staff remains intact...that is a gamechanger...and can make this transition much smoother. Part of the learning curve of a new coach is assembling that staff and getting it right. That isn't the main issue at ND this time around. The continuity is critical here.

 

[echowaker]

It's clear ND AD is clueless.

Nope.

 

[r2p2]

Generally, one continues to advance their career, and assuming that is a goal or desire, eventually successful until the Top is achieved or you rise to your level of incompetence.

 

[kev2225]

Some of you guys think that it was an absolute lock that if Fickell was offered the job, he'd take it. Look back at all the coaching hires since Holtz. None of those guys were ND's first choice. Most of the time, we had to settle for about the 4th or 5th guy on the wish list. It's NOT the dream job if every coach in America, although some of you actually think that, which is hilarious.

 

[notredamerises23]

Going to be pathetic to watch this evolve. I think we know why we hired this guy. Lots of politics at play here. It’s simply a popularity contest rather than who the best fit is to win games. It’s going to ruin his career. He has no head-coaching experience whatsoever and that is going to show big time. It’s funny how people like hiring someone because they like them more than wins and losses. Freeman is the safe hire and that’s exactly what Jack is doing. Everyone wants him to be hired on staff and so to the players and so this regardless of how poorly it turns out will be forgiven because Jack is concerned about current popularity rather than actually hiring the next great coach. Of course the players and the coaches want him hired the coaches want to keep their jobs and the players like safety and comfort of knowing who their coach is. That’s a terrible reason to hire someone. Enjoy losing to Riley for the next two decades.

Anytime you hire a first time head coach there will be worry, but Freeman isn’t a “safe hire.” It might not work out, or we could catch lightning in a bottle here, recurring stabilizes, young energy brings a about a different feeling about ND football. Floor might be low, but the ceiling is quite high.

 

[WhySeperateKnob]

This man will never Make a playoff game I will bet my

Going to be pathetic to watch this evolve. I think we know why we hired this guy. Lots of politics at play here. It’s simply a popularity contest rather than who the best fit is to win games. It’s going to ruin his career. He has no head-coaching experience whatsoever and that is going to show big time. It’s funny how people like hiring someone because they like them more than wins and losses. Freeman is the safe hire and that’s exactly what Jack is doing. Everyone wants him to be hired on staff and so to the players and so this regardless of how poorly it turns out will be forgiven because Jack is concerned about current popularity rather than actually hiring the next great coach. Of course the players and the coaches want him hired the coaches want to keep their jobs and the players like safety and comfort of knowing who their coach is. That’s a terrible reason to hire someone. Enjoy losing to Riley for the next two decades.

....this aged poorly....

 

[IrishMike409]

But he won't come back to own this nonsense. Soft. Pathetic.

 

[Joedaly]

This man will never Make a playoff game I will bet my soul

This did not age well.

 

[NWfor3]

If we hire this idiot and Fickell wins a playoff game everyone on here will be shitting themselves

Who is the “idiot” now? Disgusting post

 

[NWfor3]

It's clear ND AD is clueless.

Crystal clear (insert eye roll). That’s why you are in your Moms basement and others are calling the shots!

 

[wnynd]

This man will never Make a playoff game I will bet my soul

REALLY INSIGHTFUL !!!!

 

[Joedaly]

But he won't come back to own this nonsense. Soft. Pathetic.

He lost his soul after betting Freeman wouldn’t win a playoff game so we won’t be seeing him again

 

[BGI User 756]

Great find!!!

 

[Kelso86]

I’ll be watching ND and bitching as loud as I did with the Weis hire. Another moron that had no HC experience but was going to recruit 5 star talent and win titles. Lol.

I threw an absolute fit when Weis was hired and everyone on this board called me an idiot. Same ole shot around here.

"I threw an absolute fit when Weis was hired and everyone on this board called me an idiot. Same ole shot around here."

And, you are still an idiot!

 

[HDK]

This man will never Make a playoff game I will bet my soul

Satan's waiting outside for you.

 

[T-bob75]

Suk it. I am all in on Marcus. He will transform ND. You will feel stupid

Great call ski!!! 🍻

 

[banmate6]

I wouldn’t worry.

First, as with Weis, you may get the last laugh here.

Second, you’re PERFECTLY HEDGED. If Freeman does well, it’s YOUR TEAM doing well. If he doesn’t, you look smarter than 90% of the guys on this board. Either way it’s a 50% satisfaction play.

Whereas the Freeman enthusiasts while looking at a 100% upside if he produces, are also looking at a 100% downside if he washes out: poor seasons, poor horse-picking.

The smarter play is always that of the HEDGED SKEPTIC. Really, YOU CAN’T LOSE.

As for Freeman's selection itself, it looks to me like ND didn’t think it had a choice but to make the TACTICAL decision to keep all aspects of the program intact – rather than start anew – in the hope that it will lead to the right STRATEGIC result.

Yes, any time you try to solve a strategic problem with a short-term fix you’re opening up the door to a myriad of UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. But I think Swarbrick was willing to take that risk, knowing that IN TODAY’S MORE FLUID ENVIRONMENT – in which both coaches and players are moving around like chess pieces – Freeman could be axed in two or three years if necessary.

In other words, the cost of axing him later might be lower than not hiring him now. To me, that seems at least a PLAUSIBLE CALCULUS as per the program’s long-term viability. Besides, what’s to say Freeman himself wouldn’t pull a Kelly at some point? In a couple of years pulling a Kelly might not even BE A THING. So, who knows how long they even expect him to be around? What if OSU comes calling?

Presumably, Freeman will hold the recruiting class together, and then next September, we’ll see if he can actually run a program as a head coach/CEO.

On average, here’s how experienced head coaches shake out against first-years:

"Hiring coaches with previous NCAA head coaching experience usually pays off: those coaches have improved their teams’ winning percentages by 9.64%, while first-time head coaches have seen their teams regress 0.45%."

So, will Freeman perform according to the average, or will he turn out to be the Second Coming Savior so many are ALREADY banking on?

Like I said, either way, YOU CAN’T LOSE. So, enjoy the ride. This guy will make TONS of mistakes – ALL ROOKIES DO. Which means you’ll get plenty of opportunities to remind people HOW GREEN HE IS. Your downside is NIL.

This comment was long but the most complete. Mirrored how I felt. ND made a roll of the dice given the odds of a success for a coach with no prior head coaching experience. I for one thought of Davie, Willingham, and Weis. And it's true ND didn't have time to do a full search and partially went with Marcus as the situational best choice.

The dice rolled nicely. It was the usual up and down. Some harrowing moments. Think Marshal, Stanford, and NIU.

I also believed and still believe MF was in over his head a bit. Learning on the job. I threw in the towel after NIU that it would take 5 years to become a solid coach. And that he should be retained...my same stand for BK.

Clearly I was wrong. MF not only became an all round solid coach. He's on the cusp of being a great coach. Against serious odds, sort of hitting a home run when you ideally might have gone for a hit with bases almost all loaded.

I'm loving it. MF has ND playing like in the days of Holtz. This is the ND of my upbringing. I couldn't say that for a long time.

No matter what happens in 2 weeks, I know ND is back. Thanks to MF being at the heart of it.

 

[sjb75]

It's clear ND AD is clueless.

Love this post.

 

[sjb75]

I’ll be watching ND and bitching as loud as I did with the Weis hire. Another moron that had no HC experience but was going to recruit 5 star talent and win titles. Lol.

I threw an absolute fit when Weis was hired and everyone on this board called me an idiot. Same ole shot around here.

Classic.

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

The culture that Marcus Freeman has instilled in this team is a thing to behold. It is all about staying in the moment and believing in yourself and your brothers. I have been a fan of Marcus Freeman from the very beginning, though much of that was probably based more upon faith and intuition than it was upon statistical or empirical evidence. But he has developed into a great coach before our very eyes, and it is clear the team loves playing for him. It's been a long time since ND fans could feel this way about the team.

I have been quite impressed with MF's development this year as a game coach. We all remember the debacle with the 10 men on the field mistake at the end of the OSU game last year; I haven't seen those kinds of errors this year. I listened to Freeman on SVP's ESPN show last night, and hearing him explain what his thought and play calling process was in those last 30 seconds before Mitch Jeter's winning FG made me reflect how on top of things he was. There was zero panic. He knew what he wanted the team to do, and how to get there. He was cool and focused in the moment.

It will be a tall order to beat either OSU or Texas with our banged up roster; we are pretty much the walking wounded right now. But I will not under estimate this team, or in Marcus Freeman's ability to deliver on the big stage. That is a great feeling.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

The culture that Marcus Freeman has instilled in this team is a thing to behold. It is all about staying in the moment and believing in yourself and your brothers. I have been a fan of Marcus Freeman from the very beginning, though much of that was probably based more upon faith and intuition than it was upon statistical or empirical evidence. But he has developed into a great coach before our very eyes, and it is clear the team loves playing for him. It's been a long time since ND fans could feel this way about the team.

I have been quite impressed with MF's development this year as a game coach. We all remember the debacle with the 10 men on the field mistake at the end of the OSU game last year; I haven't seen those kinds of errors this year. I listened to Freeman on SVP's ESPN show last night, and hearing him explain what his thought and play calling process was in those last 30 seconds before Mitch Jeter's winning FG made me reflect how on top of things he was. There was zero panic. He knew what he wanted the team to do, and how to get there. He was cool and focused in the moment.

It will be a tall order to beat either OSU or Texas with our banged up roster; we are pretty much the walking wounded right now. But I will not under estimate this team, or in Marcus Freeman's ability to deliver on the big stage. That is a great feeling.

7 wins over ranked teams, 3 of them in the top 10. I think 10 straight wins over ranked teams. And to my surprise they currently have the nation's longest winning streak at 13. This has been special to watch.

 

[burmafrd1943]

The culture that Marcus Freeman has instilled in this team is a thing to behold. It is all about staying in the moment and believing in yourself and your brothers. I have been a fan of Marcus Freeman from the very beginning, though much of that was probably based more upon faith and intuition than it was upon statistical or empirical evidence. But he has developed into a great coach before our very eyes, and it is clear the team loves playing for him. It's been a long time since ND fans could feel this way about the team.

I have been quite impressed with MF's development this year as a game coach. We all remember the debacle with the 10 men on the field mistake at the end of the OSU game last year; I haven't seen those kinds of errors this year. I listened to Freeman on SVP's ESPN show last night, and hearing him explain what his thought and play calling process was in those last 30 seconds before Mitch Jeter's winning FG made me reflect how on top of things he was. There was zero panic. He knew what he wanted the team to do, and how to get there. He was cool and focused in the moment.

It will be a tall order to beat either OSU or Texas with our banged up roster; we are pretty much the walking wounded right now. But I will not under estimate this team, or in Marcus Freeman's ability to deliver on the big stage. That is a great feeling.

his first two years and then the NIU disaster had me pretty pessimistic. But I am now reminded of 1977. Notre Dame lost to Mississippi and many were calling for Devine's head. But he was able to get that team together to win a NC and by the Cotton Bowl this was one of the greatest teams in Notre Dame history.
Devine was not a great coach but he was able to get there. and a little luck might have actually gotten another. But he got close.

I still think Notre Dame made this guy a HC too soon; his inexperience cost us. BUT he has grown and matured under fire; tempered in a blast furnace to steel.

I hope we can keep him for a long time.

 

[HDK]

7 wins over ranked teams, 3 of them in the top 10. I think 10 straight wins over ranked teams. And to my surprise they currently have the nation's longest winning streak at 13. This has been special to watch.

Our strength of schedule has gotten a lot better the past three weeks.

 

[Irish_inPSU]

Some of you guys kill me. Maybe I'm in the minority but when I saw the player reactions to freeman being announced and listened to him speak for the first few times, I had a feeling he had an "it" factor about him. I was believe I was right. These players would run through a brick wall for him. You can see how much the players like him and how he likes his guys. Take last night after the PSU game, listening to Leonard, seeing him joke and have fun with his coach, same with Gray. Freeman has turned it into a personal family affair and these guys really appear to be playing their tails off for each other and the coach. He's transformed the culture of that program in just a couple of years. Last night, we saw a PSU team that overall, was more talented across the board in many positions, especially with all of our injuries. Yet we gritted it out and found a way to win. Thats coaching and thats culture.

He made some mistakes early on in his tenure of course. Coaches with significantly more HC experience still make those same mistakes today. Who cares? Its part of the game. But, he's also done a great job of hiring coordinators and staff to surround him and he appears to have gotten more support and buy in with the AD.

Bottom line... ND football is in a great place right now and I can't imagine it not continuing to trend upwards. Now, if we can keep him in ND as well as the coordinators for a while.

 

[sjb75]

Some of you guys kill me. Maybe I'm in the minority but when I saw the player reactions to freeman being announced and listened to him speak for the first few times, I had a feeling he had an "it" factor about him. I was believe I was right. These players would run through a brick wall for him. You can see how much the players like him and how he likes his guys. Take last night after the PSU game, listening to Leonard, seeing him joke and have fun with his coach, same with Gray. Freeman has turned it into a personal family affair and these guys really appear to be playing their tails off for each other and the coach. He's transformed the culture of that program in just a couple of years. Last night, we saw a PSU team that overall, was more talented across the board in many positions, especially with all of our injuries. Yet we gritted it out and found a way to win. Thats coaching and thats culture.

He made some mistakes early on in his tenure of course. Coaches with significantly more HC experience still make those same mistakes today. Who cares? Its part of the game. But, he's also done a great job of hiring coordinators and staff to surround him and he appears to have gotten more support and buy in with the AD.

Bottom line... ND football is in a great place right now and I can't imagine it not continuing to trend upwards. Now, if we can keep him in ND as well as the coordinators for a while.

Penn State was not "...more talented across the board at many positions...."

Simply not true.

 

[burmafrd1943]

Some of you guys kill me. Maybe I'm in the minority but when I saw the player reactions to freeman being announced and listened to him speak for the first few times, I had a feeling he had an "it" factor about him. I was believe I was right. These players would run through a brick wall for him. You can see how much the players like him and how he likes his guys. Take last night after the PSU game, listening to Leonard, seeing him joke and have fun with his coach, same with Gray. Freeman has turned it into a personal family affair and these guys really appear to be playing their tails off for each other and the coach. He's transformed the culture of that program in just a couple of years. Last night, we saw a PSU team that overall, was more talented across the board in many positions, especially with all of our injuries. Yet we gritted it out and found a way to win. Thats coaching and thats culture.

He made some mistakes early on in his tenure of course. Coaches with significantly more HC experience still make those same mistakes today. Who cares? Its part of the game. But, he's also done a great job of hiring coordinators and staff to surround him and he appears to have gotten more support and buy in with the AD.

Bottom line... ND football is in a great place right now and I can't imagine it not continuing to trend upwards. Now, if we can keep him in ND as well as the coordinators for a while.

there is no way Ped U was more talented.

 

[banmate6]

there is no way Ped U was more talented.

I agree. PSU is a very good football team. They in fact always seem to be close, just like USC, from wins against top teams.

ND and PSU was a fist fight. Just like Georgia game. Talent on all these teams...really the difference for me is the grit and fight, aka Marcus Freeman.

 

[Irish_inPSU]

there is no way Ped U was more talented.

On paper, looking at 4 and 5 star players for each... they are. They just can't coach and development most of them evidently. lol

 

[nd4life211]

it’s hard to argue we were more talented. Warren, Singleton, Carter, Sutton…. They have a good chunk of five star recruits and first round draft picks. Carter alone could go first and Warren might go top ten.

We won with depth, coaching and grit. Notre Dame doesn’t have the high end talent of an Ohio State, but the drop off from first to second string is not as wide as it is with other teams.

 

[Golson5]

On paper, looking at 4 and 5 star players for each... they are. They just can't coach and development most of them evidently. lol

No they aren't. ND higher in the team composite rankings and higher on per player average

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

it’s hard to argue we were more talented. Warren, Singleton, Carter, Sutton…. They have a good chunk of five star recruits and first round draft picks. Carter alone could go first and Warren might go top ten.

We won with depth, coaching and grit. Notre Dame doesn’t have the high end talent of an Ohio State, but the drop off from first to second string is not as wide as it is with other teams.

You gotta remember though. ND has not played at full strength in months. Botelho, Traore, Morrison, Mills, and Craig plus others. Knapp/Spindler went down. Put all those guys together, I dont know that the game is even close. And ND should have won by 2 possessions last night, as RL picks led to 10 points. 2 picks ND got were called back. ND to me was clearly the better team. Not that I'm biased or anything. Lol.

 

[sjb75]

On paper, looking at 4 and 5 star players for each... they are. They just can't coach and development most of them evidently. lol

You're full of shit. On paper Penn State isn't far more talented than Notre Dame. And Penn State does develop players. Your characterization is garbage.

 

[StreamCat]

I still think Notre Dame made this guy a HC too soon; his inexperience cost us. BUT he has grown and matured under fire; tempered in a blast furnace to steel.

Too soon? What? Too soon? Huh? Too soon? Did I read you right? Too soon?
The proof is in the whisky. It all happened just right.

 

[Golson5]

his first two years and then the NIU disaster had me pretty pessimistic. But I am now reminded of 1977. Notre Dame lost to Mississippi and many were calling for Devine's head. But he was able to get that team together to win a NC and by the Cotton Bowl this was one of the greatest teams in Notre Dame history.
Devine was not a great coach but he was able to get there. and a little luck might have actually gotten another. But he got close.

I still think Notre Dame made this guy a HC too soon; his inexperience cost us. BUT he has grown and matured under fire; tempered in a blast furnace to steel.

I hope we can keep him for a long time.

No they hired the right guy. Great move by Jack

 

[raulduke_007]

Classic.

You've posted and reposted 10 men and NIU atleast a thousand times. You've trolled & sh!tposted the entire Freeman era. Take a lap Dennis

 

[deadirishpoet]

Nope.

I was wrong......