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Man coach freeman looking great

This one unless we change course will be in the bottom 5 classes of last 20 years post willingham… team ranking
Top 6 in composite score between Kelly and Freeman years. Because others take more. We take about the same. Our talent level on the team (comp score) will be higher
 
My problem with learning curves at ND specifically is that, ASPIRATIONALLY, they're viewed as UNACCEPTABLE, but then ND goes out and hires coaches who cannot help but experience them.

Strip away the CONTRADICTION, and you're left with SELF-SABOTAGE. You're LINUS pulling away the football yourself.

Freeman has beaten some good teams, and he's lost to others. But the rate at which he's lost to better teams does not equate to NC LEVEL FOOTBALL.

Compounding the problem is the UNACCEPTABLE LOSSES to inferior opponents.

This is why I argue that he's ALREADY WELL BEHIND THE CURVE.

Is there a chance he can turn that around?

The worst year three for any ND coach who won at least 74% of his ND starts was Elmer Layden's 6-2-1 in 1936. The best year three for any ND coach who wound up winning less than 64% of his games at ND was Gerry Faust's 7-5 in 1983.

Freeman is WALKING THAT LINE.
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This class has a higher comp score than more than half of Kelly's classes. Look it up
Comp score means nothing because everyone’s comp score is increasing… team rankings are more important to see if your closing gap… we are not
 
Comp score means nothing because everyone’s comp score is increasing… team rankings are more important to see if your closing gap… we are not
Incorrect. They are adding more people but also have more transfers. Our team talent rankings on the comp have gone up

Our average player ranking on the team comp in 2021 was 89.79. In 2024 it is 91.14. Talent increase. He's adding better players however you want to slice it.

Our avg player rank, ranks 5th in the country this year
 
Incorrect. They are adding more people but also have more transfers. Our team talent rankings on the comp have gone up

Our average player ranking on the team comp in 2021 was 89.79. In 2024 it is 91.14. Talent increase. He's adding better players however you want to slice it.

Our avg player rank, ranks 5th in the country this year
That’s about to fall off like a cliff imo after this season. Our team will NOT be as talented next year as this year. That's part Freeman and Part Kelly classes. Freeman had 2 good classes, now this one could be a disaster. I personally only like 12 of the 21 (removing deuce). There was only 2-5 i didn't like in freemans first two classes.
 
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That’s about to fall off like a cliff imo after this season. Our team will NOT be as talented next year as this year. That's part Freeman and Part Kelly classes. Freeman had 2 good classes, now this one could be a disaster. I personally only like 12 of the 21 (removing deuce). There was only 2-5 i didn't like in freemans first two classes.
No matter if you like it or not, according to the rankings it will not be falling off the cliff. Plus they aren't finished yet.

22, 23, 24 and 25 will be highly rated classes according to the comp. Our team ranking won't be falling off a cliff anytime soon
 
No matter if you like it or not, according to the rankings it will not be falling off the cliff. Plus they aren't finished yet.

22, 23, 24 and 25 will be highly rated classes according to the comp. Our team ranking won't be falling off a cliff anytime soon
I think you're not taking into account the highly rated transfers out that shoudl be junior and seniors next year, that were part of the good classes but aren't here anymore......... Rico, james, tobias, styles at WR to name a few. Those were all high 4 stars that are gone, backfilled with not as highly rated.
 
I think you're not taking into account the highly rated transfers out that shoudl be junior and seniors next year, that were part of the good classes but aren't here anymore......... Rico, james, tobias, styles at WR to name a few. Those were all high 4 stars that are gone, backfilled with not as highly rated.
Yes...but those converted lacrosse and soccer players give us that "x" factor.
 
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I think you're not taking into account the highly rated transfers out that shoudl be junior and seniors next year, that were part of the good classes but aren't here anymore......... Rico, james, tobias, styles at WR to name a few. Those were all high 4 stars that are gone, backfilled with not as highly rated.
They aren't counted on this team comp ranking and we're 5th and won't be on next years either
 
That’s about to fall off like a cliff imo after this season. Our team will NOT be as talented next year as this year. That's part Freeman and Part Kelly classes. Freeman had 2 good classes, now this one could be a disaster. I personally only like 12 of the 21 (removing deuce). There was only 2-5 i didn't like in freemans first two classes.
How do you think Junior T played Saturday?

Does he have a chance to play himself into a solid-rotation D-Lineman?
 
That’s about to fall off like a cliff imo after this season. Our team will NOT be as talented next year as this year. That's part Freeman and Part Kelly classes. Freeman had 2 good classes, now this one could be a disaster. I personally only like 12 of the 21 (removing deuce). There was only 2-5 i didn't like in freemans first two classes.
I disagree with you on his recruiting. MF has definitely upgraded recruiting. He's getting better quality recruits The question I have is can they be developed and coached up. Losses to MAC teams and sloppy play in year 3 is not a good sign, but he's going to get at least 2 more years if not 3, so he has time to fix his mistakes and prove he can be the head coach.
 
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How do you think Junior T played Saturday?

Does he have a chance to play himself into a solid-rotation D-Lineman?
He seems like an intelligent player. He made a great read and had a big TFL, he also was in the right place at the right time for for the interception on Gray's awesome play.

Negatives - He still really struggles to disengage from a tackle and he gave up his outside contain I think twice resulting in 2 of the long runs plays for miami. I still don't see him making any plays where he has to beat a tackle. With that said, I think he almost got a pressure in the game. He also had a dumb push in the back penalty on the nice Love return. This pinned us back and made denbrock go conservative and we went 3 and out.

In the "end", i agree he had his best game, but is very limited physically on what he can do. There's times where Junior and Oben are our two ends at the same time, that's not a good recipe. I'd actually rather have Junior playing SDE than Oben. I think they both had one tackle in the game.

Unless oben shows he can do something, i'd like traore and Burnham at vyper and Young starting at SDE with junior backing him up
 
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I disagree with you on his recruiting. MF has definitely upgraded recruiting. He's getting better quality recruits The question I have is can they be developed and coached up. Losses to MAC teams and sloppy play in year 3 is not a good sign, but he's going to get at least 2 more years if not 3, so he has time to fix his mistakes and pretty be he can be the head coach.
His first 2 classes yes, this class looks like a dud at this point (assuming knight doesn't sign).
 
I disagree with you on his recruiting. MF has definitely upgraded recruiting. He's getting better quality recruits The question I have is can they be developed and coached up. Losses to MAC teams and sloppy play in year 3 is not a good sign, but he's going to get at least 2 more years if not 3, so he has time to fix his mistakes and pretty be he can be the head coach.
Man.....I don't see it. If ND misses the playoffs this year and next year, I don't see him coming back to open up 26.

I think the pressure is on to get into that top-12. And I think that's a fair expectation.

That said, I still believe that this thing gets tightened up. I think we go out to USC at 10-1, and we play in LA with a playoff birth on the line.
 
Man.....I don't see it. If ND misses the playoffs this year and next year, I don't see him coming back to open up 26.

I think the pressure is on to get into that top-12.
If ND misses the playoff this year by a slim margin, he's on the hot seat but is back in 25, but I would expect feelers to be out there and he either makes playoffs in 25 or is gone.
 
If ND misses the playoff this year by a slim margin, he's on the hot seat but is back in 25, but I would expect feelers to be out there and he either makes playoffs in 25 or is gone.
If they go 11 and 2 this year, he won't be on the hot seat going into next year. But if he then struggled in 25, then his seat would get earm
 
He seems like an intelligent player. He made a great read and had a big TFL, he also was in the right place at the right time for for the interception on Gray's awesome play.

Negatives - He still really struggles to disengage from a tackle and he gave up his outside contain I think twice resulting in 2 of the long runs plays for miami. I still don't see him making any plays where he has to beat a tackle. With that said, I think he almost got a pressure in the game. He also had a dumb push in the back penalty on the nice Love return. This pinned us back and made denbrock go conservative and we went 3 and out.

In the "end", i agree he had his best game, but is very limited physically on what he can do. There's times where Junior and Oben are our two ends at the same time, that's not a good recipe. I'd actually rather have Junior playing SDE than Oben. I think they both had one tackle in the game.

Unless oben shows he can do something, i'd like traore and Burnham at vyper and Young starting at SDE with junior backing him up
He beat their tackle multiple times
 
If they go 11 and 2 this year, he won't be on the hot seat going into next year. But if he then struggled in 25, then his seat would get earm
I was thinking more 9-3 this season would have him on the hot seat (that's in play with the way this team plays at times). I do agree, 11-2 he'd probably be fine.
 
I was thinking more 9-3 this season would have him on the hot seat (that's in play with the way this team plays at times). I do agree, 11-2 he'd probably be fine.
He's fine at 8-4. They are all in on Freeman for the forseeable future.
 
He's fine at 8-4. They are all in on Freeman for the forseeable future.
Why do you think that? Please elaborate.

Top-10 pre season team, had a walk in the park to the playoffs. 4 losses, 1 to a MAC School won't look good. He'll likely be back for 2025, but a playoff birth will have to happen.
 
Why do you think that? Please elaborate.

Top-10 pre season team, had a walk in the park to the playoffs. 4 losses, 1 to a MAC School won't look good. He'll likely be back for 2025, but a playoff birth will have to happen.
Notre Dame hired an unproven first time head coach. The due diligence was lacking, imo. More importantly, by taking the risk that ND knew it was taking....it shares that risk, and its return. Kelly's first 5 years were: 8-5, 8-5, 12-1, 9-4 and 8-5. And Kelly was vetted. He then stayed another 7 years. IOW, Notre Dame was fully committed to Brian Kelly until maybe the last couple of years. Notre Dame will keep him at least 5 years. The only way that might not happen is a losing season this or next year. If he produces at a 70% clip like Kelly did over 5 years....he is safe.
 
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The Freeman hire was made by a different AD. I think that will effect his expectations. If I’m the current AD, I’d have a guy ready to go…
 
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Notre Dame hired an unproven first time head coach. The due diligence was lacking, imo. More importantly, by taking the risk that ND knew it was taking....it shares that risk, and its return. Kelly's first 5 years were: 8-5, 8-5, 12-1, 9-4 and 8-5. And Kelly was vetted. He then stayed another 7 years. IOW, Notre Dame was fully committed to Brian Kelly until maybe the last couple of years. Notre Dame will keep him at least 5 years. The only way that might not happen is a losing season this or next year. If he produces at a 70% clip like Kelly did over 5 years....he is safe.
Good post but I think there’s a little more nuance between Kelly and Freeman. Kelly had already demonstrated his ability at four different schools. As mediocre as the first five years were with Kelly, there was a higher probability that he was going to get the job done.

Freeman doesn’t have that success on his résumé so it should be easier to cut him loose if the program isn’t performing to expected levels.

I hope that Freeman’s dismissal is on the table after year 4 depending on how things go in years 3 and 4. I’m certainly pulling for him. I just don’t think he should be brought back after two more four loss seasons outside of extenuating circumstances.
 
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Good post but I think there’s a little more nuance between Kelly and Freeman. Kelly had already demonstrated his ability at four different schools. As mediocre as the first five years were with Kelly, there was a higher probability that he was going to get the job done.

Freeman doesn’t have that success on his résumé so it should be easier to cut him loose if the program isn’t performing to expected levels.

I hope that Freeman’s dismissal is on the table after year 4 depending on how things go in years 3 and 4. I’m certainly pulling for him. I just don’t think he should be brought back after two more four loss seasons outside of extenuating circumstances.
He's only had one 4 loss season and I wouldn't expect anymore
 
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The Freeman hire was made by a different AD. I think that will effect his expectations. If I’m the current AD, I’d have a guy ready to go…
That's a great point. Pete Bevacqua did not hire Marcus Freeman, nor did the new President of Notre Dame, and that can not be understated.

If Marcus Freeman does not make the CFB Playoff this season and next, it's not a guarantee MF returns in 2026.
 
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The Freeman hire was made by a different AD. I think that will effect his expectations. If I’m the current AD, I’d have a guy ready to go…
I think that is true generally....at most
Good post but I think there’s a little more nuance between Kelly and Freeman. Kelly had already demonstrated his ability at four different schools. As mediocre as the first five years were with Kelly, there was a higher probability that he was going to get the job done.

Freeman doesn’t have that success on his résumé so it should be easier to cut him loose if the program isn’t performing to expected levels.

I hope that Freeman’s dismissal is on the table after year 4 depending on how things go in years 3 and 4. I’m certainly pulling for him. I just don’t think he should be brought back after two more four loss seasons outside of extenuating circumstances.
One problem is that the Notre Dame administration has, over time, gotten farther and farther removed from a Natty. I think that, as a priority, is no longer the "mandate" or even the top goal. The top goal is to maintain the profitability at the highest level. It isn't wins and losses as much as its dollars and cents. And as long as the two are mutually exclusive as they are.....replacing a head coach isn't as necessary as in times past.
 
I think that is true generally....at most

One problem is that the Notre Dame administration has, over time, gotten farther and farther removed from a Natty. I think that, as a priority, is no longer the "mandate" or even the top goal. The top goal is to maintain the profitability at the highest level. It isn't wins and losses as much as its dollars and cents. And as long as the two are mutually exclusive as they are.....replacing a head coach isn't as necessary as in times past.
Simply not true.
 
The schedule has been dog s*** the last two seasons I don't understand why people are still using win-loss record to evaluate the head coach and situations like this you need to use a stat that adjusts for opponent quality and for luck to get a more accurate comparison/evaluation

Also I don't understand why people keep speaking about Marcus Freeman as a improved recruiter or better at getting talent it doesn't bear out in the data.

Notre Dame is recruiting some positions better now than they were prior to Marcus Freeman but the overall recruiting hasn't improved

So essentially the talent has been neutral from the previous regime to this one but the present head coach is nowhere near as accomplished or vetted or experienced as the previous one. And now the previous coach is at another institution recruiting top 5 classes and five star players -- a feat he was unable to accomplish here at Notre Dame
 
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One problem is that the Notre Dame administration has, over time, gotten farther and farther removed from a Natty. I think that, as a priority, is no longer the "mandate" or even the top goal. The top goal is to maintain the profitability at the highest level. It isn't wins and losses as much as its dollars and cents. And as long as the two are mutually exclusive as they are.....replacing a head coach isn't as necessary as in times past.
You very well may be right. I sure hope they prioritize winning over making every dollar. If Freeman goes 8-4 the next two years, wouldn’t a new coach reinvigorate the fanbase and bring in more money? Or does the buyout outweigh any profit increases?

Bevaqua seems committed to winning but who truly knows and I’m not sure if he has sole discretion over firing the football coach.
 
The schedule has been dog s*** the last two seasons I don't understand why people are still using win-loss record to evaluate the head coach and situations like this you need to use a stat that adjusts for opponent quality and for luck to get a more accurate comparison/evaluation

Also I don't understand why people keep speaking about Marcus Freeman as a improved recruiter or better at getting talent it doesn't bear out in the data.

Notre Dame is recruiting some positions better now than they were prior to Marcus Freeman but the overall recruiting hasn't improved

So essentially the talent has been neutral from the previous regime to this one but the present head coach is nowhere near as accomplished or vetted or experienced as the previous one. And now the previous coach is at another institution recruiting top 5 classes and five star players -- a feat he was unable to accomplish here at Notre Dame
Schedule hasn't been bad and recruiting has improved
 
That's a great point. Pete Bevacqua did not hire Marcus Freeman, nor did the new President of Notre Dame, and that can not be understated.

If Marcus Freeman does not make the CFB Playoff this season and next, it's not a guarantee MF returns in 2026.
Agree w all that. He's gotta get in- 24 or 25. If not, I think we'll have a new guy in 26.

But I genuinely think we get to 11-1 this year.
 
Why do you think that? Please elaborate.

Top-10 pre season team, had a walk in the park to the playoffs. 4 losses, 1 to a MAC School won't look good. He'll likely be back for 2025, but a playoff birth will have to happen.
Agree… 8-4 season and I think he’s gone if they think they can get someone better on short notice … 9-3 they start preparing for the what if more
 
Agree w all that. He's gotta get in- 24 or 25. If not, I think we'll have a new guy in 26.

But I genuinely think we get to 11-1 this year.
When you lose at home to Northern Illinois, I do not assume anything, especially 11-1.
 
The schedule has been dog s*** the last two seasons I don't understand why people are still using win-loss record to evaluate the head coach and situations like this you need to use a stat that adjusts for opponent quality and for luck to get a more accurate comparison/evaluation

Also I don't understand why people keep speaking about Marcus Freeman as a improved recruiter or better at getting talent it doesn't bear out in the data.

Notre Dame is recruiting some positions better now than they were prior to Marcus Freeman but the overall recruiting hasn't improved

So essentially the talent has been neutral from the previous regime to this one but the present head coach is nowhere near as accomplished or vetted or experienced as the previous one. And now the previous coach is at another institution recruiting top 5 classes and five star players -- a feat he was unable to accomplish here at Notre Dame
"And now the previous coach is at another institution recruiting top 5 classes and five star players -- a feat he was unable to accomplish here at Notre Dame."

Which is why Kelly is at LSU. He was looking to get out even before LSU CAME CALLING.

I have him on video asserting that he couldn't recruit top five classes at ND. And he didn't qualify it with the ADJECTIVE "consistent." He meant "period."

The very idea that ND, after reaching 54-9 under Kelly in his last five years, was going to EXCEED THAT under a first-year coach simply by virtue of his VIBE with his players and some CAMELOT-QUICK ability to recruit the butt off Kelly was another one of those myths I place in my MAGIC OF NOTRE DAME FILE.

In other words, ND had already EXPROPRIATED Kelly's accomplishments, endowed itself with the credit for them while at the same time crowning itself in FUTURE GLORY with its own self-created myth, Marcus Freeman.

MOVE OVER, MARTIN SCORCESE.
 
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When you lose at home to Northern Illinois, I do not assume anything, especially 11-1.
Agree. It's crazy how little energy he brings at times for being an "energy" guy. Our warmups vs Miami OH were like those at duke or clemson last year as well. We were just going through the motions, no energy, blah blah blah. Looked like we didn't want to be out there. He didn't have energy in the Miami game either until shulers dumb penalty.

I don't think you must have an energetic coach game day, but you can't have one that's inconsistent energy wise. Some games he's fired up (A&M) others he's going through the motions. I'd bet he was pretty amped to respond at Purdue, and the team showed that and played jacked. The best coaches demand the same when playing a great 10-0 team as they do when playing a bad 0-10 team. He needs to demand the same from himself. Is he going to be a rah ray energy guy every week, or is he going to put the fear in the players to ensure they are locked in or they lose their playing time.

VS NIU he wan't into the game until the end of 3rd quarter, it was too late. Freeman even stated that they thought they'd go in at half, make adjustments, and come out dominating. He should have been lighting up A$$es on their first drive where they converted a first down when pinned deep, then gave up the long TD pass on a selfish play and bone head play by the defense. Same thing vs Miami OH, he had his "disgust" face on while both the offense and defense were getting owned the first 1.5 quarters.
 
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