I would do everything ND is doing from a player development and scouting standpoint. But I would prioritize recruiting in my coaching staff hires and add about $25M to my HS recruiting NIL budget and not spend a penny on any recruit less than a composite top 100 prospect. I would embrace risk/ have way higher tolerance for risk when it came to the types of prospects i was investing in. Think 16/17 year olds (super raw/young athletes) big bodied freak athletes with massive ceiling (even if it comes with a big price tag and a really low floor)
Generally speaking: ND NEEDS UPSIDE. THIS PROGRAM **in a very desperate way** NEEDS UPSIDE/INDIVIDUAL PLAYMAKING ABILITY (mvp/heisman/first round draft pick upside)
I would prioritize my prospects based on the rarity/importance of their position (in 2025 its all about passing the ball with great QBs and WRs and OTs and stopping the pass with elite CBs and Edge rushers). I would get a lot of 5 star and high 4 star talent at these positions even if it leaves me with zero budget and forces me to fill out the rest of the roster with JAGs/3 star transfers/3 star recruits at the other positions
Also, I would throw out everything about how im marketing my program to 18-22 year olds (literally everything) and start over/experiment until i find something that works. this program's marketing/branding message does not work/does not resonate with indemand gen z/gen alpha football athletes in the year 2025
I would change my culture entirely from its current state of lecturing its athletes "be grateful to play for ND!" (as it is now or at least how it seems) to a culture that is grateful for the athletes that come through here "thank you for playing for ND and risking your health to produce millions of dollars for my institution" with a player first culture.
I would spoil my athletes with the best clubhouse perks/luxuries and do everything in my power to stuff their bank accounts with as many digits as possible through marketing/nil opportunities with my affiliates and corporate sponsors from around the nation.
Right now ND brass is still treating NIL like the military used to treat gay people (don't ask don't tell) and trying to get congress to regress the sport back to the stone ages where the players have zero power. Its no wonder why they can't successfully recruit the majority of players that have a choice to play anywhere.
Generally speaking: ND NEEDS UPSIDE. THIS PROGRAM **in a very desperate way** NEEDS UPSIDE/INDIVIDUAL PLAYMAKING ABILITY (mvp/heisman/first round draft pick upside)
I would prioritize my prospects based on the rarity/importance of their position (in 2025 its all about passing the ball with great QBs and WRs and OTs and stopping the pass with elite CBs and Edge rushers). I would get a lot of 5 star and high 4 star talent at these positions even if it leaves me with zero budget and forces me to fill out the rest of the roster with JAGs/3 star transfers/3 star recruits at the other positions
Also, I would throw out everything about how im marketing my program to 18-22 year olds (literally everything) and start over/experiment until i find something that works. this program's marketing/branding message does not work/does not resonate with indemand gen z/gen alpha football athletes in the year 2025
I would change my culture entirely from its current state of lecturing its athletes "be grateful to play for ND!" (as it is now or at least how it seems) to a culture that is grateful for the athletes that come through here "thank you for playing for ND and risking your health to produce millions of dollars for my institution" with a player first culture.
I would spoil my athletes with the best clubhouse perks/luxuries and do everything in my power to stuff their bank accounts with as many digits as possible through marketing/nil opportunities with my affiliates and corporate sponsors from around the nation.
Right now ND brass is still treating NIL like the military used to treat gay people (don't ask don't tell) and trying to get congress to regress the sport back to the stone ages where the players have zero power. Its no wonder why they can't successfully recruit the majority of players that have a choice to play anywhere.
Last edited:
