Notre Dame football head coach Marcus Freeman’s first-year grade

[88ND]

Local media people/insiders have always shot down the topic of "ND shopping down a different aisle" and have used your same argument. They've gotten the sense throughout the years that the ND community way overstates the academic barriers and that ND is simply getting out recruited for football reasons. This has been a regular sentiment of Pete Sampson listening to his podcast throughout the years.

Even if that were valid and standards are absurdly high...quit making excuses and get the job done.

The problem I see is this...
ND still thinks it's HC job is the ultimate and the #1 coveted job in all of sport.
Thus they want to pay salary like the coach is damn lucky to be in South Bend and will gladly coach for a discount for the privilege to coach Notre Dame.

What should be going on is ND should have the absolute best personnel on the staff and should never lose a bidding war on a coach.

It is most definitely more unique than other places but let's call a spade a spade here. It's not impossible and it's not as hard to get in if you're playing ball as a general student.
Not even close.

Get the job done and if that means getting the best possible coaches needed to do such then open the damn vault.

 

[chaseball]

Even if that were valid and standards are absurdly high...quit making excuses and get the job done.

The problem I see is this...
ND still thinks it's HC job is the ultimate and the #1 coveted job in all of sport.
Thus they want to pay salary like the coach is damn lucky to be in South Bend and will gladly coach for a discount for the privilege to coach Notre Dame.

What should be going on is ND should have the absolute best personnel on the staff and should never lose a bidding war on a coach.

It is most definitely more unique than other places but let's call a spade a spade here. It's not impossible and it's not as hard to get in if you're playing ball as a general student.
Not even close.

Get the job done and if that means getting the best possible coaches needed to do such then open the damn vault.

Amen brother! Btw merry christmas 88ND it's a pleasure to read your posts throughout the year, thank you for contributing to this site.

 

[88ND]

Amen brother! Btw merry christmas 88ND it's a pleasure to read your posts throughout the year, thank you for contributing to this site.

And you as well!!!

 

[TDIrish27]

C+, Absolutely no excuses for losing to Marshall and Stanford

Agreed

 

[baron100]

Local media people/insiders have always shot down the topic of "ND shopping down a different aisle" and have used your same argument. They've gotten the sense throughout the years that the ND community way overstates the academic barriers and that ND is simply getting out recruited for football reasons. This has been a regular sentiment of Pete Sampson listening to his podcast throughout the years.

I’ve heard Sampson say we can on an avg yr go after 75% of the top 100. A couple of years ago I went back and compared our offers to 5 stars vs a number of traditional powers from 2015-2020. This is when Kelly was on his full throttle “ we shop down a different aisle”. Anyway, Ala at 173 and Ga at 151 led the pack but interestingly we were at 115 , not far behind OSU and Michigan at 128 and 125. SC trailed us at 110, Clemson also at 110, Oklahoma 108, Texas 74, miami 98, PSU 89, Stanford was way down at 49, cal at 50, vandy 47, UVA 39, Northwestern 13, BC, 29, wake 24, Rice 1, all the academies combined 1. kelly got a lot of people to buy into it but data suggests something else. we go after the same guys sec and other major powers pursue and far more then the academic schools on our schedule.

 

[sjb75]

Amen brother! Btw merry christmas 88ND it's a pleasure to read your posts throughout the year, thank you for contributing to this site.

And you as well!!!

LMFAO.

 

[sjb75]

It can’t be that hard no one ever flunks out. Seriously though from the few players I’ve known and talked to the message has been “ it’s almost impossible to flunk out”. You’ve got 200 tutors and virtually 0 STEM majors. It’s not the gauntlet many make it out to be

If you believe that attending class at Notre Dame and attending class in the SEC are the same thing, then great, believe that.

 

[sjb75]

I’ve heard Sampson say we can on an avg yr go after 75% of the top 100. A couple of years ago I went back and compared our offers to 5 stars vs a number of traditional powers from 2015-2020. This is when Kelly was on his full throttle “ we shop down a different aisle”. Anyway, Ala at 173 and Ga at 151 led the pack but interestingly we were at 115 , not far behind OSU and Michigan at 128 and 125. SC trailed us at 110, Clemson also at 110, Oklahoma 108, Texas 74, miami 98, PSU 89, Stanford was way down at 49, cal at 50, vandy 47, UVA 39, Northwestern 13, BC, 29, wake 24, Rice 1, all the academies combined 1. kelly got a lot of people to buy into it but data suggests something else. we go after the same guys sec and other major powers pursue and far more then the academic schools on our schedule.

Offering is one thing. Finding 5-stars or elite CFB players that want the academic challenges of a Notre Dame after they enter is a whole different ballgame.

Many elite CFB players want the easiest path to the NFL. This is not found at Notre Dame.

 

[baron100]

If you believe that attending class at Notre Dame and attending class in the SEC are the same thing, then great, believe that.

where did I ever make that comparison?? You simply invented that. What I’m saying, and this comes from former players, is it’s not that difficult to graduate. Again, the words from a former player, “ it’s almost impossible to flunk out”. And the data seems to support his assertion. When was the last guy to flunk out? I can’t remember the last time a guy on the 2 deep flunked out. Maybe Gary Grey?

 

[baron100]

Offering is one thing. Finding 5-stars or elite CFB players that want the academic challenges of a Notre Dame after they enter is a whole different ballgame.

Many elite CFB players want the easiest path to the NFL. This is not found at Notre Dame.

The point is we have the ability to go after virtually everyone. Why a kid goes to a different school is a personal decision and based on many factors. As for academic challenges, the kids we take because they can play football are not in the same universe as the average undergrad. The academic advisors and coaches are well aware of that and curriculum is tailored to keep these kids eligible. Consequently none ever flunk out. accept for very few exceptions none of the 2 deep are STEM majors and get enormous help from 200 tutors— similar to every other football power. recruits know there will be a ton of help and there are majors, ( film and tv comes to mind) , that are very manageable. I’m not sure it’s the “ academic challenges” that prevent us from landing highly rated guys. We have the number 4/5 class in the country with virtually all 4 stars and jugasah and Bowen at 5, Vernon was a 5 at one point too and moore(s) / Keeley were all in the mix at one time. Academics is not scaring anyone away. Questions on how they will be developed? It’s a legitimate question for any recruit. and that attracts o linemen to nd because Harry can point to success but tommy and Marcus? Who does Rees point to in the nfl? freeman , who does he directly point to? Was freeman some defensive guru? Academics is an easy crutch but not the hurdle some want to make it out to be

 

[ivan brunetti]

If ND wins the bowl game, maybe a B for the first full season.

If ND loses, then closer to a C+.

 

[raycyrx]

Grade on Freeman?

Not so sure...

What's the baseline?

Holtz first year?

Brian Kelly's first year?

Dan Devine's first year?

Gerry Faust first year?

Bob Davie's first year?

CW's first year?

TW's first year?

In an era of the above coaches who inherited the most similar situation?
Probably Ty Willingham because the QB situation was nearly identical.

Except TW had HC experience.

 

[BGI User 756]

C- for coaching and an A for recruiting so I guess that puts it at a B overall. Not given it was his first year as an HC. Also, thanks think the OC performance did not help him.

For sure he made some rookie decisions that didn’t help. And he openly admits it which I respect. He is learning and let’s hope he keeps it together