ND Football is dead.....it's all about the marketing now.....

[football1irish]

The corrupt ND establishment has already done insurmountable damage to the ND football brand and we'll never be able to come back to the program we were for most of the 1900's. Of course this was all by plan as they have no interest in football excellence but rather just the money it provides to pay for the AD's 2nd home, a bevy of country club memberships, overpriced professors and new luxurious science and theater schools on campus (the absurd annual tuition of $50,000 a year apparently doesn't make ends meet on its own).

Having said the above here is how the establishment can keep getting people to pay and show up even though the hardcore football purists aren't buying what they're selling anymore based on last Saturday's embarrassing sea of red.

• Keep scheduling big time programs with fanatical fan bases for the first time in 100 years (i.e.: Georgia this year, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, etc.). Then get ND season ticket holders to keep buying by letting them know that opposing fans will pay large premiums just for this one game alone and will provide you a positive return on investment. Include charts showing that the 10 year treasury only hovering around 2 to 2.5% and you can make a 10% return on investment by buying ND season tickets instead.
• Once the other team buys up all the tickets then cater to them by allowing them to storm our own field after their predictable win and allow them to plant their flag at the 50 yard line for photo ops to post on FB and to include on holiday cards.
• For other games with consistent ND opponents that don't draw as much energy and interest (i.e.: Boston College, Navy, Army, etc.) work to schedule a hot band to play at half time. For example pay Coldplay $1MM to come and play at halftime to promote their new album against BC so you still get a sell out of 20 somethings and the revenue that goes with it. This move should please NBC who would like the jump in halftime ratings to offset their overall annual drop in ratings from the dying ND brand. Further this model has worked great for Super Bowls and the new video board will help provide close ups for rock fans sitting far away.
• Finally stay committed to losing like the Cubs did for over a century and continue to win the hearts of American's who want a new lovable loser! Shirts celebrating three decades of losing and/or shirts with "The Curse of the Kevin White" instead of the Billy Goat should be as catchy and marketable as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" shirts were.

The ND establishment is very clever and committed to making money so hopefully they can steal some of these ideas above to keep the money flowing.

 

[NDSMC78]

The corrupt ND establishment has already done insurmountable damage to the ND football brand and we'll never be able to come back to the program we were for most of the 1900's. Of course this was all by plan as they have no interest in football excellence but rather just the money it provides to pay for the AD's 2nd home, a bevy of country club memberships, overpriced professors and new luxurious science and theater schools on campus (the absurd annual tuition of $50,000 a year apparently doesn't make ends meet on its own).

Having said the above here is how the establishment can keep getting people to pay and show up even though the hardcore football purists aren't buying what they're selling anymore based on last Saturday's embarrassing sea of red.

• Keep scheduling big time programs with fanatical fan bases for the first time in 100 years (i.e.: Georgia this year, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, etc.). Then get ND season ticket holders to keep buying by letting them know that opposing fans will pay large premiums just for this one game alone and will provide you a positive return on investment. Include charts showing that the 10 year treasury only hovering around 2 to 2.5% and you can make a 10% return on investment by buying ND season tickets instead.
• Once the other team buys up all the tickets then cater to them by allowing them to storm our own field after their predictable win and allow them to plant their flag at the 50 yard line for photo ops to post on FB and to include on holiday cards.
• For other games with consistent ND opponents that don't draw as much energy and interest (i.e.: Boston College, Navy, Army, etc.) work to schedule a hot band to play at half time. For example pay Coldplay $1MM to come and play at halftime to promote their new album against BC so you still get a sell out of 20 somethings and the revenue that goes with it. This move should please NBC who would like the jump in halftime ratings to offset their overall annual drop in ratings from the dying ND brand. Further this model has worked great for Super Bowls and the new video board will help provide close ups for rock fans sitting far away.
• Finally stay committed to losing like the Cubs did for over a century and continue to win the hearts of American's who want a new lovable loser! Shirts celebrating three decades of losing and/or shirts with "The Curse of the Kevin White" instead of the Billy Goat should be as catchy and marketable as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" shirts were.

The ND establishment is very clever and committed to making money so hopefully they can steal some of these ideas above to keep the money flowing.

;
There are so many things wrong with this post that I don't know where to begin. The poster has made so many factual errors that his opinions do not deserve any consideration.

 

[TOMMY_23]

;
There are so many things wrong with this post that I don't know where to begin. The poster has made so many factual errors that his opinions do not deserve any consideration.

Haha. He's basically spot on but someone like you will never admit it.

 

[NDHHI]

vastly over exaggerated but i get the point. ND football needs to join a conference and gain an identify in the 21st century. We haven't adapted since our glory days 30 years ago. Every major team is a brand now we dont need independence for this nor the difficult schedule every year.

 

[NDSMC78]

vastly over exaggerated but i get the point. ND football needs to join a conference and gain an identify in the 21st century. We haven't adapted since our glory days 30 years ago. Every major team is a brand now we dont need independence for this nor the difficult schedule every year.

This poster would have us join the MAC.

 

[AdvanSix]

the "independent" claim is utter nonsense. ND is already a defacto ACC team with 5 conference games.

 

[NDSMC78]

the "independent" claim is utter nonsense. ND is already a defacto ACC team with 5 conference games.

Your post is nonsense
ND is not a member of the ACC.

 

[DieHard_Irish]

vastly over exaggerated but i get the point. ND football needs to join a conference and gain an identify in the 21st century. We haven't adapted since our glory days 30 years ago. Every major team is a brand now we dont need independence for this nor the difficult schedule every year.

As a 1979 alum, it definitely pains me to say this, but I agree... we should join the ACC

 

[twalsh]

The corrupt ND establishment has already done insurmountable damage to the ND football brand and we'll never be able to come back to the program we were for most of the 1900's. Of course this was all by plan as they have no interest in football excellence but rather just the money it provides to pay for the AD's 2nd home, a bevy of country club memberships, overpriced professors and new luxurious science and theater schools on campus (the absurd annual tuition of $50,000 a year apparently doesn't make ends meet on its own).

Having said the above here is how the establishment can keep getting people to pay and show up even though the hardcore football purists aren't buying what they're selling anymore based on last Saturday's embarrassing sea of red.

• Keep scheduling big time programs with fanatical fan bases for the first time in 100 years (i.e.: Georgia this year, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, etc.). Then get ND season ticket holders to keep buying by letting them know that opposing fans will pay large premiums just for this one game alone and will provide you a positive return on investment. Include charts showing that the 10 year treasury only hovering around 2 to 2.5% and you can make a 10% return on investment by buying ND season tickets instead.
• Once the other team buys up all the tickets then cater to them by allowing them to storm our own field after their predictable win and allow them to plant their flag at the 50 yard line for photo ops to post on FB and to include on holiday cards.
• For other games with consistent ND opponents that don't draw as much energy and interest (i.e.: Boston College, Navy, Army, etc.) work to schedule a hot band to play at half time. For example pay Coldplay $1MM to come and play at halftime to promote their new album against BC so you still get a sell out of 20 somethings and the revenue that goes with it. This move should please NBC who would like the jump in halftime ratings to offset their overall annual drop in ratings from the dying ND brand. Further this model has worked great for Super Bowls and the new video board will help provide close ups for rock fans sitting far away.
• Finally stay committed to losing like the Cubs did for over a century and continue to win the hearts of American's who want a new lovable loser! Shirts celebrating three decades of losing and/or shirts with "The Curse of the Kevin White" instead of the Billy Goat should be as catchy and marketable as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" shirts were.

The ND establishment is very clever and committed to making money so hopefully they can steal some of these ideas above to keep the money flowing.

And all this would have been different if we kicked a field goal to win 22-20 on Saturday? You are a drama queen who knows absolutely nothing about Notre Dame. How some of you are supposed fans of a university you despise is a total mystery.

 

[Izo]

We lose too many games in the last quarter

There is something wrong with the football program .so many are pointing to this and that . The recruits are reading these posts

Kelly will only bring more of the same .Mediocrity He lost too many games in 2016 to teams that had a lot less talent than ND . Texas, Michigan State , North Carolina State ,Duke, Navy ,Virginia Tech.We should at least have beaten most of these teams .That is troubling to me .

 

[tkirish]

You know let's say ND is 10 and 1 in games a TD or less . The drum beat would be , Kelly teams always find ways to win. Mark of a great team. Instead it's the opposite, Kelly's teams always find ways to lose. It is to the point where not only do fans expect it, but maybe ( just opinion) the players do as well. Kelly always talks about culture. When the Irish were on the last drive, does anyone think the players believed they would win? I guess we won't really know. My guess is " they hoped " to win. Big difference from knowing they would. If anyone ever played sports on a team, you knew when you were good. There was a confidence when you played. I watched that entire game. You could see Georgia felt and played like they were going to win that game. Even Fromm had a look in his eyes that he was in control. ND played hard. It wasn't enough. Had they won it might have had a good effect on them psychologically. We'll see how they respond this week. The season isn't over. There is plenty to play for. But if they want to have a great year, they have learn to close out games.

 

[ndhell]

The corrupt ND establishment has already done insurmountable damage to the ND football brand and we'll never be able to come back to the program we were for most of the 1900's. Of course this was all by plan as they have no interest in football excellence but rather just the money it provides to pay for the AD's 2nd home, a bevy of country club memberships, overpriced professors and new luxurious science and theater schools on campus (the absurd annual tuition of $50,000 a year apparently doesn't make ends meet on its own).

Having said the above here is how the establishment can keep getting people to pay and show up even though the hardcore football purists aren't buying what they're selling anymore based on last Saturday's embarrassing sea of red.

• Keep scheduling big time programs with fanatical fan bases for the first time in 100 years (i.e.: Georgia this year, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, etc.). Then get ND season ticket holders to keep buying by letting them know that opposing fans will pay large premiums just for this one game alone and will provide you a positive return on investment. Include charts showing that the 10 year treasury only hovering around 2 to 2.5% and you can make a 10% return on investment by buying ND season tickets instead.
• Once the other team buys up all the tickets then cater to them by allowing them to storm our own field after their predictable win and allow them to plant their flag at the 50 yard line for photo ops to post on FB and to include on holiday cards.
• For other games with consistent ND opponents that don't draw as much energy and interest (i.e.: Boston College, Navy, Army, etc.) work to schedule a hot band to play at half time. For example pay Coldplay $1MM to come and play at halftime to promote their new album against BC so you still get a sell out of 20 somethings and the revenue that goes with it. This move should please NBC who would like the jump in halftime ratings to offset their overall annual drop in ratings from the dying ND brand. Further this model has worked great for Super Bowls and the new video board will help provide close ups for rock fans sitting far away.
• Finally stay committed to losing like the Cubs did for over a century and continue to win the hearts of American's who want a new lovable loser! Shirts celebrating three decades of losing and/or shirts with "The Curse of the Kevin White" instead of the Billy Goat should be as catchy and marketable as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" shirts were.

The ND establishment is very clever and committed to making money so hopefully they can steal some of these ideas above to keep the money flowing.

They aren't clever. Eventually the wind pushing their boat's sails will stop.
That's what will happen when they keep losing so much and the last time they won a title was in 88. They are a museum for something that was cool and amazing long ago. That will run out though. Most of ND's fans had been of Irish Catholic ancestry or other European Catholic ancestry like Italian, Polish, or Ukranian. These Catholic plebs used to identify with Notre Dame. Not so much any more. People want to cheer for winners and ND hasn't won big and consistently in a long time. Also the demographics of North America are changing fast and will never be the same as when ND had their golden years. The Euro descendant Baby Boomers are old and dying off, and a lot of them didn't have very large families to pass the ND love on to. The ones that did have kids that inherited ND love have even fewer kids. ND is losing way more fans than they are gaining in my opinion. At least passionate fans who try and watch every game and care if ND wins or not.

 

[football1irish]

And all this would have been different if we kicked a field goal to win 22-20 on Saturday? You are a drama queen who knows absolutely nothing about Notre Dame. How some of you are supposed fans of a university you despise is a total mystery.

Amazing how you ignore the Georgia faux paws including fumbling on their own 20, dropping an interception on ND's 20, dropping a bomb on the 5 yard line, and taking a knee to end the game when they could have worked to push up the score more.

The game wasn't as close as the score indicated. Georgia was clearly the better coached team and made ND's offense look even more dysfunctional than it already is with all their best players on the bench.

 

[ndhell]

the "independent" claim is utter nonsense. ND is already a defacto ACC team with 5 conference games.

An ACC team except the ACC refs are always out to screw over ND.

 

[ndhell]

The corrupt ND establishment has already done insurmountable damage to the ND football brand and we'll never be able to come back to the program we were for most of the 1900's. Of course this was all by plan as they have no interest in football excellence but rather just the money it provides to pay for the AD's 2nd home, a bevy of country club memberships, overpriced professors and new luxurious science and theater schools on campus (the absurd annual tuition of $50,000 a year apparently doesn't make ends meet on its own).

Having said the above here is how the establishment can keep getting people to pay and show up even though the hardcore football purists aren't buying what they're selling anymore based on last Saturday's embarrassing sea of red.

• Keep scheduling big time programs with fanatical fan bases for the first time in 100 years (i.e.: Georgia this year, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, etc.). Then get ND season ticket holders to keep buying by letting them know that opposing fans will pay large premiums just for this one game alone and will provide you a positive return on investment. Include charts showing that the 10 year treasury only hovering around 2 to 2.5% and you can make a 10% return on investment by buying ND season tickets instead.
• Once the other team buys up all the tickets then cater to them by allowing them to storm our own field after their predictable win and allow them to plant their flag at the 50 yard line for photo ops to post on FB and to include on holiday cards.
• For other games with consistent ND opponents that don't draw as much energy and interest (i.e.: Boston College, Navy, Army, etc.) work to schedule a hot band to play at half time. For example pay Coldplay $1MM to come and play at halftime to promote their new album against BC so you still get a sell out of 20 somethings and the revenue that goes with it. This move should please NBC who would like the jump in halftime ratings to offset their overall annual drop in ratings from the dying ND brand. Further this model has worked great for Super Bowls and the new video board will help provide close ups for rock fans sitting far away.
• Finally stay committed to losing like the Cubs did for over a century and continue to win the hearts of American's who want a new lovable loser! Shirts celebrating three decades of losing and/or shirts with "The Curse of the Kevin White" instead of the Billy Goat should be as catchy and marketable as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" shirts were.

The ND establishment is very clever and committed to making money so hopefully they can steal some of these ideas above to keep the money flowing.

An idea to make money from disgruntled ND fans would be to have Swarbrick and the priest who runs ND to be in a dunk tank at half time. People could bid on 5 spots and get 3 throws each for the chance to dunk them in the water. The water should be really gross and the spectacle should be televised.

 

[88ND]

The corrupt ND establishment has already done insurmountable damage to the ND football brand and we'll never be able to come back to the program we were for most of the 1900's. Of course this was all by plan as they have no interest in football excellence but rather just the money it provides to pay for the AD's 2nd home, a bevy of country club memberships, overpriced professors and new luxurious science and theater schools on campus (the absurd annual tuition of $50,000 a year apparently doesn't make ends meet on its own).

Having said the above here is how the establishment can keep getting people to pay and show up even though the hardcore football purists aren't buying what they're selling anymore based on last Saturday's embarrassing sea of red.

• Keep scheduling big time programs with fanatical fan bases for the first time in 100 years (i.e.: Georgia this year, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Wisconsin, etc.). Then get ND season ticket holders to keep buying by letting them know that opposing fans will pay large premiums just for this one game alone and will provide you a positive return on investment. Include charts showing that the 10 year treasury only hovering around 2 to 2.5% and you can make a 10% return on investment by buying ND season tickets instead.
• Once the other team buys up all the tickets then cater to them by allowing them to storm our own field after their predictable win and allow them to plant their flag at the 50 yard line for photo ops to post on FB and to include on holiday cards.
• For other games with consistent ND opponents that don't draw as much energy and interest (i.e.: Boston College, Navy, Army, etc.) work to schedule a hot band to play at half time. For example pay Coldplay $1MM to come and play at halftime to promote their new album against BC so you still get a sell out of 20 somethings and the revenue that goes with it. This move should please NBC who would like the jump in halftime ratings to offset their overall annual drop in ratings from the dying ND brand. Further this model has worked great for Super Bowls and the new video board will help provide close ups for rock fans sitting far away.
• Finally stay committed to losing like the Cubs did for over a century and continue to win the hearts of American's who want a new lovable loser! Shirts celebrating three decades of losing and/or shirts with "The Curse of the Kevin White" instead of the Billy Goat should be as catchy and marketable as the "Catholics vs. Convicts" shirts were.

The ND establishment is very clever and committed to making money so hopefully they can steal some of these ideas above to keep the money flowing.

Even with the above....BK and the teams performance has become stale. Honestly it's in quicksand.

You could have the best entertainment ever during a ND game but until they start winning some big games it will only get so far.

Lord knows they've tried their best to make everyone accept lousy average at best football.

 

[NDSMC78]

An idea to make money from disgruntled ND fans would be to have Swarbrick and the priest who runs ND to be in a dunk tank at half time. People could bid on 5 spots and get 3 throws each for the chance to dunk them in the water. The water should be really gross and the spectacle should be televised.

The pride of central junior high with another stellar post.

 

[ndhell]

The pride of central junior high with another stellar post.

If they had you in the dunk tank as well I would make a bid.

 

[NDHHI]

All of us love ND. Think we are all sick of losing to ranked teams, losing 1 possession (and 1 point games as BK clarified) and being close to out of the race in September. No, kicking another field goal against a average GA team wouldn't have changed those memories and feelings for ND nation.

 

[NDSMC78]

If they had you in the dunk tank as well I would make a bid.

Hey, maybe we could get a bag of dog crap, put it on Swarbrick's porch, light it on fire and ring the bell. Sounds right up your alley.

 

[Izo]

As far as BC , looks like they have trouble scoring .

 

[88ND]

Hey, maybe we could get a bag of dog crap, put it on Swarbrick's porch, light it on fire and ring the bell. Sounds right up your alley.

It's think it's safe to say the football program is not taken very seriously by Swarbrick as actions speak louder than words...which then one could say it isn't very professional. So yes your above suggestion does sound fitting considering the bullshit being sold and the product on display not matching....???

 

[ndhell]

Hey, maybe we could get a bag of dog crap, put it on Swarbrick's porch, light it on fire and ring the bell. Sounds right up your alley.

I would totally do that. The old man Swarbrick would probably call the sht poop!!! lol

Just like this.

 

[HDK]

Your post is nonsense
ND is not a member of the ACC.

I would argue our one-foot in, one-foot out approach to conference affiliation has harmed us more than helped us and I get the sense we will be forced to become full members of the ACC, which I wouldn't object to, sometime before the current deal expires. It is certainly better than the arrangement that had us playing three Big East teams every year.

 

[NDSMC78]

How has it harmed us?

 

[Howard Hall 74]

The issue is not whether we should join a conference. That would only bury the brand and program among "everyone else". The individuality and uniqueness of the heritage and football history would evaporate. The wake up call for the BOT and AD will be when NBC renegotiates the TV relationship or ends it all together. Reality of the damage to the brand and heritage will begin to emerge. The solution is not just coaching. Coaching is only part of the problem. There needs to be a significant culture change within the football program and how it operates within the ND mission. A unique coach who has a passion, energy and drive for success is needed. A personality that supersedes the noise of the fanbase and media - at this time - is desperately needed. If this doesn't happen within the next 2-3 years we may lose the program's identity that separates it from college football. You guys think the conversation is bad now, wait till we lose 1-2 more games. The tension and angst will be like "the end of days".

 

[HDK]

How has it harmed us?

I think in general our influence has waned considerably with the rise of the super conferences. You need look no further than the major bowls. We once commanded a conference size payout and now we get a fraction of that.

 

[HDK]

The issue is not whether we should join a conference. That would only bury the brand and program among "everyone else". The individuality and uniqueness of the heritage and football history would evaporate. The wake up call for the BOT and AD will be when NBC renegotiates the TV relationship or ends it all together. Reality of the damage to the brand and heritage will begin to emerge. The solution is not just coaching. Coaching is only part of the problem. There needs to be a significant culture change within the football program and how it operates within the ND mission. A unique coach who has a passion, energy and drive for success is needed. A personality that supersedes the noise of the fanbase and media - at this time - is desperately needed. If this doesn't happen within the next 2-3 years we may lose the program's identity that separates it from college football. You guys think the conversation is bad now, wait till we lose 1-2 more games. The tension and angst will be like "the end of days".

Even the use of the word "brand" to describe Notre Dame football makes me cringe. But if we are a brand, we're like any number of cars from Detroit. We lost our way amid increased competition. Either we go the way of Olds and Pontiac, or we invent ourselves as Cadillac has tried to do. Even if we are successful, we'll never be as dominant as we once were.

 

[twalsh]

Amazing how you ignore the Georgia faux paws including fumbling on their own 20, dropping an interception on ND's 20, dropping a bomb on the 5 yard line, and taking a knee to end the game when they could have worked to push up the score more.

The game wasn't as close as the score indicated. Georgia was clearly the better coached team and made ND's offense look even more dysfunctional than it already is with all their best players on the bench.

I'm not ignoring anything. You're just a drama queen. If we had won on Saturday you just would have kept your inane big picture death of ND football narrative under wraps until we finally lost a game, then you would have trotted out "the sky is falling, the sky is falling".

 

[twalsh]

I think in general our influence has waned considerably with the rise of the super conferences. You need look no further than the major bowls. We once commanded a conference size payout and now we get a fraction of that.

I agree with that, but our ACC "affiliation" hasn't exacerbated that problem at all, it would be just the same if we were the same level of pure independent we were 5 years ago. What the ACC affiliation has done is guarantee us a favorable landing spot if the landscape makes conference affiliation a necessity, which IMO is likely to happen in the next 10 to 20 years. Now one might argue that any conference would be glad to have us and we needn't worry about that, but who wants to take that risk in a game of musical chairs with likely only 64 chairs? The ACC deal was a benefit to pretty much all of our sports and was a great defensive move to protect the football program for the future. It also helped with scheduling which was becoming more and more difficult with some conferences (Pac 12, Big 12, Big 10) moving to 9 conference games and others contemplating that same move.

 

[NDSMC78]

I think in general our influence has waned considerably with the rise of the super conferences. You need look no further than the major bowls. We once commanded a conference size payout and now we get a fraction of that.

OK. That still doesn't answer my question about how playing 5 games a year against ACC schools hurts us.

 

[NDSMC78]

The issue is not whether we should join a conference. That would only bury the brand and program among "everyone else". The individuality and uniqueness of the heritage and football history would evaporate. The wake up call for the BOT and AD will be when NBC renegotiates the TV relationship or ends it all together. Reality of the damage to the brand and heritage will begin to emerge. The solution is not just coaching. Coaching is only part of the problem. There needs to be a significant culture change within the football program and how it operates within the ND mission. A unique coach who has a passion, energy and drive for success is needed.

Time to roll out the "death spiral" canard, no doubt.

 

[88ND]

The issue is not whether we should join a conference. That would only bury the brand and program among "everyone else". The individuality and uniqueness of the heritage and football history would evaporate. The wake up call for the BOT and AD will be when NBC renegotiates the TV relationship or ends it all together. Reality of the damage to the brand and heritage will begin to emerge. The solution is not just coaching. Coaching is only part of the problem. There needs to be a significant culture change within the football program and how it operates within the ND mission. A unique coach who has a passion, energy and drive for success is needed. A personality that supersedes the noise of the fanbase and media - at this time - is desperately needed. If this doesn't happen within the next 2-3 years we may lose the program's identity that separates it from college football. You guys think the conversation is bad now, wait till we lose 1-2 more games. The tension and angst will be like "the end of days".

Double H

I think the end of days is already here and gone. It's just sleep walking now waiting for the inevitable.

 

[HDK]

OK. That still doesn't answer my question about how playing 5 games a year against ACC schools hurts us.

I think it's not a matter of us playing five ACC teams that hurts us. I think what will hurt us is the next time they do a bowl arrangement, they'll say ND needs to join as a full member or be shut out.

 

[NDSMC78]

I think it's not a matter of us playing five ACC teams that hurts us. I think what will hurt us is the next time they do a bowl arrangement, they'll say ND needs to join as a full member or be shut out.

They may, or they may not. In any event, that is a future possibility, not something hat has already harmed us.

 

[spenna]

They aren't clever. Eventually the wind pushing their boat's sails will stop.
That's what will happen when they keep losing so much and the last time they won a title was in 88. They are a museum for something that was cool and amazing long ago. That will run out though. Most of ND's fans had been of Irish Catholic ancestry or other European Catholic ancestry like Italian, Polish, or Ukranian. These Catholic plebs used to identify with Notre Dame. Not so much any more. People want to cheer for winners and ND hasn't won big and consistently in a long time. Also the demographics of North America are changing fast and will never be the same as when ND had their golden years. The Euro descendant Baby Boomers are old and dying off, and a lot of them didn't have very large families to pass the ND love on to. The ones that did have kids that inherited ND love have even fewer kids. ND is losing way more fans than they are gaining in my opinion. At least passionate fans who try and watch every game and care if ND wins or not.

That speaks for the whole country

 

[TOMMY_23]

Your post is nonsense
ND is not a member of the ACC.

They are in basketball and other sports.

 

[Pennick44]

They are in basketball and other sports.

I am pretty sure they were talking about football Einstein.

 

[echowaker]

Amazing how you ignore the Georgia faux paws including fumbling on their own 20, dropping an interception on ND's 20, dropping a bomb on the 5 yard line, and taking a knee to end the game when they could have worked to push up the score more.

The game wasn't as close as the score indicated. Georgia was clearly the better coached team and made ND's offense look even more dysfunctional than it already is with all their best players on the bench.

Utter nonsense.

 

[echowaker]

The issue is not whether we should join a conference. That would only bury the brand and program among "everyone else". The individuality and uniqueness of the heritage and football history would evaporate. The wake up call for the BOT and AD will be when NBC renegotiates the TV relationship or ends it all together. Reality of the damage to the brand and heritage will begin to emerge. The solution is not just coaching. Coaching is only part of the problem. There needs to be a significant culture change within the football program and how it operates within the ND mission. A unique coach who has a passion, energy and drive for success is needed. A personality that supersedes the noise of the fanbase and media - at this time - is desperately needed. If this doesn't happen within the next 2-3 years we may lose the program's identity that separates it from college football. You guys think the conversation is bad now, wait till we lose 1-2 more games. The tension and angst will be like "the end of days".

Oh the drama queens are alive and well in this thread .