Freeman now 30-6 (After starting 0-3)

[IrishExpert2288]

I am old enough to remember the tenure of Gerry Faust, Bob Davie and Charlie Weis. All first time Head Coaches who got the ND Head Coaching job. One came right from HS, one came for the NFL, and one was a highly regarded DC, right on the ND staft (sound familiar)

Faust took over a program that was in National Championship contention the year before, Davie took over a program the was 17-6 the prior two seasons and a solid Top 10-20 program at the time. Weis took over a program that was in rough shape.

I will be the first 2 admit from blowing the big lead in the J6 bowl vs OK State, losing to Marshall & Stanford Year 1, 10 on the field vs OSU, bad road flamouts vs Louisville & Clemson, then N Illinois disaster this year. I did not think Marcus Freeman was the right man for the job. But he, his staff, this players proved me to be dead wrong. Every single first time coach before him never recovered when they hit adversity and doubts creeped in.

Faust and Davie the doubts and adversity came right away, with Weis, he started 19-3, then proceeded to lose 11 out his next 12 games and never recovered. None of those 3 guys ever had double digit winning streaks or had ND in contention of the National Championship. Freeman has gotten all that done today.

I thought Fickell was right man for the job, and based on what he is doing at Wisconsin, that looks like a lousy take as well, As a ND fan I could not be more happy to be dead wrong about Freeman, I could not be more happy for Freeman, his staff and the players. With that said ND was been in this place before recently (double digit winning streaks, BCSCG 12, CFP 18 & 20) were not competitive.

This is the next step, 12 team format, home game and get that first CFP win under the belt. Then who knows maybe win it all?

 

[burmafrd1943]

Show me an unbeaten season
show me a NC
show me a coach that does not lose to teams like NIU

then start crowing

 

[graceh90]

Show me an unbeaten season
show me a NC
show me a coach that does not lose to teams like NIU

then start crowing

You’re an angry elf aren’t you?

 

[deadirishpoet]

Show me an unbeaten season
show me a NC
show me a coach that does not lose to teams like NIU

then start crowing

Show me a Notre Dame HC that has not lost to an inferior opponent

 

[THUNDERSTRUCK111]

If we win our first playoff game …..

I’d say freeman has won more games of substance than all of those guys.
Including Kelly. Would you ?

 

[HDK]

I blame the Oklahoma St. loss on the offensive staff, which did not adjust at all to what Oklahoma State's defense did in the second half.

Freeman's first year was standard for a newbie head coach. The team was over prepared, but outclassed, by Ohio State, and then had nothing for Marshall. Almost lost to an average Cal team as well.

The 10-man fiasco against Ohio State was just that, a fiasco. Louisville just beat us physically. Clemson was a game we could have won, but they were in save the season mode.

 

[HDK]

Show me a Notre Dame HC that has not lost to an inferior opponent

I was in the NE corner of the stadium in 1972 in a steady downpour when ND took on a mighty Missouri team that had lost the week before to Nebraska something like 63-0. We were huge favorites, but Missouri took it to us all game long. In the fourth quarter when our defense finally forced some punts, we fumbled two in a row to seal a 30-26 defeat.

As bad, in my opinion, given the parity in modern football, as the loss to NIU.

 

[Golson5]

Show me an unbeaten season
show me a NC
show me a coach that does not lose to teams like NIU

then start crowing

Hahaha you hate that he's doing well and making you look foolish

 

[NDgreatestofalltime!]

I’ve had my moments of serious doubt, and I still have a few lingering ones.

Maybe I’m too stubborn to let go of NIU, Marshall, Stanford, which were all unacceptable loses but Freeman has done a really nice job vs ranked teams. He’s completely righted the ship and ND had the best point differential in the country before IU beat Purdue 66-0 last night, the team has been quite dominant, almost historically so this season.

I was worried about his youth and inexperience, but maybe he’s come of age this season. I think he appears to be a very intelligent, intense but controlled, admired by the players, and a relentless worker. All great qualities in a coach.

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

I’ve had my moments of serious doubt, and I still have a few lingering ones.

Maybe I’m too stubborn to let go of NIU, Marshall, Stanford, which were all unacceptable loses but Freeman has done a really nice job vs ranked teams. He’s completely righted the ship and ND had the best point differential in the country before IU beat Purdue 66-0 last night, the team has been quite dominant, almost historically so this season.

I was worried about his youth and inexperience, but maybe he’s come of age this season. I think he appears to be a very intelligent, intense but controlled, admired by the players, and a relentless worker. All great qualities in a coach.

Freeman is still learning on the job, which is alway a concern with a young HC, but what I admire about him is that he knows what he doesn't know and isn't too stubborn or proud to admit it. He has assembled an excellent coaching staff. And he hasn't run from the many challenges of coaching at ND, where football players are expected to go to school. Your "relentless worker" comment is spot on, and I love that about Marcus. What stands out to me is how genuine and authentic he is and how hard his players play for him, and how much they seem to admire and respect him. Riley Leonard's comments about MF, as an outsider coming in to the program, were very telling to me.

 

[NDgreatestofalltime!]

Freeman is still learning on the job, which is alway a concern with a young HC, but what I admire about him is that he knows what he doesn't know and isn't too stubborn or proud to admit it. He has assembled an excellent coaching staff. And he hasn't run from the many challenges of coaching at ND, where football players are expected to go to school. Your "relentless worker" comment is spot on, and I love that about Marcus. What stands out to me is how genuine and authentic he is and how hard his players play for him, and how much they seem to admire and respect him. Riley Leonard's comments about MF, as an outsider coming in to the program, were very telling to me.

I’ve heard about Riley’s comments but never saw them, you know where I can find it by chance. Thanks

 

[IrishExpert2288]

If we win our first playoff game …..

I’d say freeman has won more games of substance than all of those guys.
Including Kelly. Would you ?

Yes, for sure, Kelly's teams were not competitive in the post season. His most talented team IMO was (2015) but saddled with injuries and the worst DC of the Kelly Era.

The 2015 team and this team (2024) seem to have the talent to compete and win games in the post season, the 2015 team had Mike Denbrock as OC and Play Caller, this team however has Al Golden, not BVG, and will be playing the first playoff game at home.

 

[deadirishpoet]

I was in the NE corner of the stadium in 1972 in a steady downpour when ND took on a mighty Missouri team that had lost the week before to Nebraska something like 63-0. We were huge favorites, but Missouri took it to us all game long. In the fourth quarter when our defense finally forced some punts, we fumbled two in a row to seal a 30-26 defeat.

As bad, in my opinion, given the parity in modern football, as the loss to NIU.

.........finally forced some punts, we fumbled two in a row to seal a 30-26 defeat.

That's a great line to highlight the agony.

 

[HDK]

.........finally forced some punts, we fumbled two in a row to seal a 30-26 defeat.

That's a great line to highlight the agony.

My lasting memory of that game — other than the fact I was soaked to the bone — is that the band marched merrily back to campus playing the Victory March as though we had just won the game. And quite honestly, nobody we encountered on campus afterward seemed that upset about the loss.

 

[IrishExpert2288]

I was in the NE corner of the stadium in 1972 in a steady downpour when ND took on a mighty Missouri team that had lost the week before to Nebraska something like 63-0. We were huge favorites, but Missouri took it to us all game long. In the fourth quarter when our defense finally forced some punts, we fumbled two in a row to seal a 30-26 defeat.

As bad, in my opinion, given the parity in modern football, as the loss to NIU.

Frigging Missouri and ND!!! 1978 opening game at home. ND is the defending National Champion and has the great Joe Montana returning for his Senior Year. ND loses the game to Missouri 3-0!!! The great Joe Montana shut out

 

[4-4-3]

I am old enough to remember the tenure of Gerry Faust, Bob Davie and Charlie Weis. All first time Head Coaches who got the ND Head Coaching job. One came right from HS, one came for the NFL, and one was a highly regarded DC, right on the ND staft (sound familiar)

Faust took over a program that was in National Championship contention the year before, Davie took over a program the was 17-6 the prior two seasons and a solid Top 10-20 program at the time. Weis took over a program that was in rough shape.

I will be the first 2 admit from blowing the big lead in the J6 bowl vs OK State, losing to Marshall & Stanford Year 1, 10 on the field vs OSU, bad road flamouts vs Louisville & Clemson, then N Illinois disaster this year. I did not think Marcus Freeman was the right man for the job. But he, his staff, this players proved me to be dead wrong. Every single first time coach before him never recovered when they hit adversity and doubts creeped in.

Faust and Davie the doubts and adversity came right away, with Weis, he started 19-3, then proceeded to lose 11 out his next 12 games and never recovered. None of those 3 guys ever had double digit winning streaks or had ND in contention of the National Championship. Freeman has gotten all that done today.

I thought Fickell was right man for the job, and based on what he is doing at Wisconsin, that looks like a lousy take as well, As a ND fan I could not be more happy to be dead wrong about Freeman, I could not be more happy for Freeman, his staff and the players. With that said ND was been in this place before recently (double digit winning streaks, BCSCG 12, CFP 18 & 20) were not competitive.

This is the next step, 12 team format, home game and get that first CFP win under the belt. Then who knows maybe win it all?

RESULTS SPEAK VOLUMES.

I, too, was ADAMANTLY opposed to his hiring and saw it as a kind of KUMBAYA GESTURE to appease the players and keep from losing recruits. In other words, a SHORT TERM WORKAROUND that would result in LONG-TERM FAILURE.

But THE MAN has succeeded. While I still maintain he's not in the same league as someone like Saban or Meyer or even the growing number of gifted SHOCK-AND-AWE-OFFENSE coaches currently leading many of the more dynamic programs, Freman is MORE THAN HOLDING HIS OWN.

What accounts for this?

It appears that players want to play for him and assistants want to coach for him. What better proof of this than Mike Denbrock leaving Brian Kelly and LSU to come to ND? Who would have imagined that he'd have chosen Freeman over Kelly, a guy he'd worked with and succeeded with?

So, if Freeman's secret is his ability to ATTRACT TALENT, then MAY IT CONTINUE. As for now, he's certainly passed the ND THIRD-YEAR COACH TEST. Historically, those who do go on to distinguished careers while those who don't FLAME OUT. And there's never been an exception.

ON TO THE PLAYOFFS!

 

[tkirish]

RESULTS SPEAK VOLUMES.

I, too, was ADAMANTLY opposed to his hiring and saw it as a kind of KUMBAYA GESTURE to appease the players and keep from losing recruits. In other words, a SHORT TERM WORKAROUND that would result in LONG-TERM FAILURE.

But THE MAN has succeeded. While I still maintain he's not in the same league as someone like Saban or Meyer or even the growing number of gifted SHOCK-AND-AWE-OFFENSE coaches currently leading many of the more dynamic programs, Freman is MORE THAN HOLDING HIS OWN.

What accounts for this?

It appears that players want to play for him and assistants want to coach for him. What better proof of this than Mike Denbrock leaving Brian Kelly and LSU to come to ND? Who would have imagined that he'd have chosen Freeman over Kelly, a guy he'd worked with and succeeded with?

So, if Freeman's secret is his ability to ATTRACT TALENT, then MAY IT CONTINUE. As for now, he's certainly passed the ND THIRD-YEAR COACH TEST. Historically, those who do go on to distinguished careers while those who don't, FLAME OUT. And there's never been an exception.

ON TO THE PLAYOFFS!

I will second all of that. Also , though this offense isn’t flashy, it definitely has gotten way better. The ability to run with Love , Price and RL is fun to watch. ND proved yesterday they can win with their style of football. Defense definitely had some breakdowns. It was good to see the offense put up 35 points. SC has as good an offense as anyone in the country. The Irish defense will learn from that game. Get healthy and get focused for what is ahead. Go Irish ☘️

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

RESULTS SPEAK VOLUMES.

I, too, was ADAMANTLY opposed to his hiring and saw it as a kind of KUMBAYA GESTURE to appease the players and keep from losing recruits. In other words, a SHORT TERM WORKAROUND that would result in LONG-TERM FAILURE.

But THE MAN has succeeded. While I still maintain he's not in the same league as someone like Saban or Meyer or even the growing number of gifted SHOCK-AND-AWE-OFFENSE coaches currently leading many of the more dynamic programs, Freman is MORE THAN HOLDING HIS OWN.

What accounts for this?

It appears that players want to play for him and assistants want to coach for him. What better proof of this than Mike Denbrock leaving Brian Kelly and LSU to come to ND? Who would have imagined that he'd have chosen Freeman over Kelly, a guy he'd worked with and succeeded with?

So, if Freeman's secret is his ability to ATTRACT TALENT, then MAY IT CONTINUE. As for now, he's certainly passed the ND THIRD-YEAR COACH TEST. Historically, those who do go on to distinguished careers while those who don't, FLAME OUT. And there's never been an exception.

ON TO THE PLAYOFFS!

MF's players love and respect him, and consequently they play hard for him. Some frown on the "player's coach," believing he can't be hard on a player when he needs to be, but I think MF is more than capable of handing out some "tough love" when needed. I recall a game earlier in the season--maybe it was NIU?--when Jadarian Price fumbled at an inopportune time. (Is there ever an opportune time for a fumble? But I digress.) JP sat on the bench for the rest of the game. Message sent, I think.

If you listen to Jerome Bettis or some of the guys who played under Lou Holtz talk about him, they pretty clearly still love and revere the guy. Saban's players talk about him the same way. I get the impression that Freeman will be in similar company years down the road. I contrast that with Brian Kelly. A few years ago I happened to run in a circle of friends and became acquainted with a couple of guys who played under Kelly, and were even starters for him. I wasn't best buddies with them, but I got to know them well enough to talk about their times at ND. I never heard either of them say anything bad about BK, but they didn't have many fun stories about him, either. I guess that was consistent with BK's CEO approach to the head coaching position. My impression was that BK's players simply didn't love BK like Holtz's players loved Lou. I don't think BK ever inspired the same kind of love and loyalty in his players, and maybe that is what we saw on the field.

 

[PHJIndy]

I'm old enough to remember Hugh DeVore, for heaven's sake. I'll take Coach Freeman over a lot of the Irish coaches over the years. If you get a chance to listen or watch one of his Monday morning pressers, do it. He's quite articulate and passionate about what his team is doing.

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

I’ve heard about Riley’s comments but never saw them, you know where I can find it by chance. Thanks

The quote from RL that I referred came from an article that Pete Sampson wrote in The Athletic. I posted the quote in a different thread, but here it is again:

“Everybody wants to talk about culture in college football,” Leonard said. “Everybody wants to claim they have a great football culture. I think this place is different. It starts with the very top. You’ve got a guy like coach Freeman, who walks into the facility every single day, and he knows every person’s name.

“And he told me he asks himself: ‘What do I need to do today? Who do I need to be to elevate this program?’ He asks himself that every single day. And it’s very clear that he is the perfect fit for this program.”

 

[ndhuntington]

We all like Freeman good guy but I have a feeling he would leave for the Ohio State job or a NFL Job.

 

[burmafrd1943]

You’re an angry elf aren’t you?

and I should care why?
I want more from Freeman for anointing him

 

[burmafrd1943]

Hahaha you hate that he's doing well and making you look foolish

garbage from garbage
yawn

 

[burmafrd1943]

I was in the NE corner of the stadium in 1972 in a steady downpour when ND took on a mighty Missouri team that had lost the week before to Nebraska something like 63-0. We were huge favorites, but Missouri took it to us all game long. In the fourth quarter when our defense finally forced some punts, we fumbled two in a row to seal a 30-26 defeat.

As bad, in my opinion, given the parity in modern football, as the loss to NIU.

We were not very good the beginning of that year. BUT claiming NIU was as bad is total horse crap. BY the way that Nebraska team was coming off the great year that saw them beat OK in what was called the game of the century. AND it destroyed us 40-6 in the Orange Bowl that year. So you might want to check on a few things before you post; especially since Missori made it to a bowl that year; much more significant than making it to a bowl in this day and age

 

[SubwaydomerDFW]

Show me an unbeaten season
show me a NC
show me a coach that does not lose to teams like NIU

then start crowing

He's learning on the job.

I can tell you're a miserable person.

I hope everything is good with your family and health and that you're just a caustic miser.

 

[burmafrd1943]

He's learning on the job.

I can tell you're a miserable person.

I hope everything is good with your family and health and that you're just a caustic miser.

you pull the dumb act off so well; it must be natural

 

[burmafrd1943]

MF's players love and respect him, and consequently they play hard for him. Some frown on the "player's coach," believing he can't be hard on a player when he needs to be, but I think MF is more than capable of handing out some "tough love" when needed. I recall a game earlier in the season--maybe it was NIU?--when Jadarian Price fumbled at an inopportune time. (Is there ever an opportune time for a fumble? But I digress.) JP sat on the bench for the rest of the game. Message sent, I think.

If you listen to Jerome Bettis or some of the guys who played under Lou Holtz talk about him, they pretty clearly still love and revere the guy. Saban's players talk about him the same way. I get the impression that Freeman will be in similar company years down the road. I contrast that with Brian Kelly. A few years ago I happened to run in a circle of friends and became acquainted with a couple of guys who played under Kelly, and were even starters for him. I wasn't best buddies with them, but I got to know them well enough to talk about their times at ND. I never heard either of them say anything bad about BK, but they didn't have many fun stories about him, either. I guess that was consistent with BK's CEO approach to the head coaching position. My impression was that BK's players simply didn't love BK like Holtz's players loved Lou. I don't think BK ever inspired the same kind of love and loyalty in his players, and maybe that is what we saw on the field.

The players loved Faust too

As regards BK, not surprised that they did not love him. He threw too many of them under the bus

 

[SubwaydomerDFW]

you pull the dumb act off so well; it must be natural

Being dumb is bliss; pure. Or so I'm told.. I've been told that it only affects those close to me since the great thing about being dumb is you don't know it.

I must ask since you sound so insightful and "smart".. I'd love to pick your brain.

What about the state of this football program right now has your panties in a wad and is suppressing your holiday cheer?

On field performance? Recruiting? Record? Player development? NIL? Transfer Portal Prospects? Playoff prospects? Lack of financial commitment to assistant coaches?

Please enlighten me.

 

[4-4-3]

MF's players love and respect him, and consequently they play hard for him. Some frown on the "player's coach," believing he can't be hard on a player when he needs to be, but I think MF is more than capable of handing out some "tough love" when needed. I recall a game earlier in the season--maybe it was NIU?--when Jadarian Price fumbled at an inopportune time. (Is there ever an opportune time for a fumble? But I digress.) JP sat on the bench for the rest of the game. Message sent, I think.

If you listen to Jerome Bettis or some of the guys who played under Lou Holtz talk about him, they pretty clearly still love and revere the guy. Saban's players talk about him the same way. I get the impression that Freeman will be in similar company years down the road. I contrast that with Brian Kelly. A few years ago I happened to run in a circle of friends and became acquainted with a couple of guys who played under Kelly, and were even starters for him. I wasn't best buddies with them, but I got to know them well enough to talk about their times at ND. I never heard either of them say anything bad about BK, but they didn't have many fun stories about him, either. I guess that was consistent with BK's CEO approach to the head coaching position. My impression was that BK's players simply didn't love BK like Holtz's players loved Lou. I don't think BK ever inspired the same kind of love and loyalty in his players, and maybe that is what we saw on the field.

Kelly was ALL-BUSINESS. Not a lot of WARMTH and with a bad tendency to RIP INTO QB's.

I applauded his intensity and competitiveness and had NO ISSUES with him per se. And I would have been FINE with him staying and bear NO ILL WILL towards him for leaving. And I still think BETTER DAYS are ahead for him at LSU. Over time, HE FINDS A WAY.

That said, Freeman seems a lot more the kind of coach ND's admin, players and fans prefer.

And as for me, he's, SO FAR, proven me wrong.

My only question is -- where would this team be without DENBROCK and GOLDEN? As good as it is or less so?

Over time, WE MAY FIND OUT.