Well Done, Coach Freeman

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

There were many here who doubted, if not derided his selection as head coach after Brian Kelly left ND for greener pastures (or was it greener swampwater?) in the bayou.

Now we are in Year 3, and after laying an egg against NIU in game 2, Marcus pulled the team (and his coaching staff) together and got them to focus on the opponent we faced each week, all the while getting them to trust in each other, and tonight capped off an 11-1 season with a beautiful win against USC. Whether you like MF or not, or still think he is in over his head, he did a GREAT job of coaching this year. And I truly believe better things are ahead of us.

I don't know what will happen in the playoffs, but I like our trajectory right now. There simply aren't any dominant teams out there, so I like our chances as well as anyone's. The next month will be fun.

But tonight, I am going to enjoy this one! Loved to see all those trash talking USC players get sent home with an L. And loved it when Xavier Watts started chirping at them on the sideline on his way to the end zone with his 100y interception. That was just beautiful!

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

Where will Kelly's team be placed for the playoff seedings??? Oh wait...

 

[raulduke_007]

We need to lock Freeman up because after to toDAY he will be pursued by Ohio St.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

We need to lock Freeman up because after to toDAY he will be pursued by Ohio St.

Day ain't going anywhere. At least not now.

 

[hvillebill]

There were many here who doubted, if not derided his selection as head coach after Brian Kelly left ND for greener pastures (or was it greener swampwater?) in the bayou.

Now we are in Year 3, and after laying an egg against NIU in game 2, Marcus pulled the team (and his coaching staff) together and got them to focus on the opponent we faced each week, all the while getting them to trust in each other, and tonight capped off an 11-1 season with a beautiful win against USC. Whether you like MF or not, or still think he is in over his head, he did a GREAT job of coaching this year. And I truly believe better things are ahead of us.

I don't know what will happen in the playoffs, but I like our trajectory right now. There simply aren't any dominant teams out there, so I like our chances as well as anyone's. The next month will be fun.

But tonight, I am going to enjoy this one! Loved to see all those trash talking USC players get sent home with a L. And loved it when Xavier Watts started chirping at them on his way to the end zone with his 100y interception. That was just beautiful!

There were plenty on here that said to fire him after the NIU loss.

How do those guys feel now?

 

[raulduke_007]

Day ain't going anywhere. At least not now.

I dont think he survives this loss unless he wins the title. He is Cooper 2.0. OSU cant stand losing to Michigan.

 

[brberkey]

We need to lock Freeman up because after to toDAY he will be pursued by Ohio St.

Day gets fired, they’re going after Vrabel. MF isn’t going anywhere

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

I dont think he survives this loss unless he wins the title. He is Cooper 2.0. OSU cant stand losing to Michigan.

You could be right. $20M is a lot to spend on a 10-2 season and another loss to Michigan.

 

[Golson5]

Anyone who thinks he is in over his head are clueless

 

[McCallen ND NYC]

MF made some gutsy calls today - fake punt deep in our territory and converting on 4th downs. He has the team playing well. He hasn’t made any excuses regarding injuries to key players and he has the team playing next man up.

Great season for MF. He definitely looks like a more comfortable and confident coach versus year 1.

 

[banmate6]

Anyone who thinks he is in over his head are clueless

He was in over his head. Losses to Stanford, Marshall, Oklahoma State, and NIU. But I always supported retaining him, even if I lost faith he would be THE COACH, maybe needing years to learn the ropes.

Well, MF has turned it around. NIU is proving a turning point. Against the odds, he is back to FAST becoming THE COACH. I've no problem being wrong on that.

ND has a legit shot to win a NC. NIL and transfers have distributed talent. ND seems an anchor of stability...with MF being the right coach in the right circumstances as he and college football evolve.

I'm finding college football evolution remarkable. It actually helps a brand like ND. Which can pay NIL money, maintain relative stability, a quality education, networking...where a coach like MF can work his charisma.

ND got stronger while the factories got weaker as things stand now. Not saying the gap has totally closed. There is the academic rigor factor. But it's narrower and MF might get it done.

 

[christophero]

I dont think Day should be fired but that board is toxic tonight. Terrible loss. Fans are furious.

 

[savvyandsassier]

MF made some gutsy calls today - fake punt deep in our territory and converting on 4th downs. He has the team playing well. He hasn’t made any excuses regarding injuries to key players and he has the team playing next man up.

Great season for MF. He definitely looks like a more comfortable and confident coach versus year 1.

That is some great coaching. That was ingenious use of Tyler Buchner. Not going to let that guy go to waste. If he hadn't transferred he'd have been starting this year, and is basically the exact same player as RL. And now that he's paid his dues, and re-proven himself as a passer I think it's fair to say, he definitely needs to be back in the running to start at QB next year. No need go to the portal, we got our dual threat already on the roster. And MF knew how to manage that.

 

[Golson5]

He was in over his head. Losses to Stanford, Marshall, Oklahoma State, and NIU. But I always supported retaining him, even if I lost faith he would be THE COACH, maybe needing years to learn the ropes.

Well, MF has turned it around. NIU is proving a turning point. Against the odds, he is back to FAST becoming THE COACH. I've no problem being wrong on that.

ND has a legit shot to win a NC. NIL and transfers have distributed talent. ND seems an anchor of stability...with MF being the right coach in the right circumstances as he and college football evolve.

I'm finding college football evolution remarkable. It actually helps a brand like ND. Which can pay NIL money, maintain relative stability, a quality education, networking...where a coach like MF can work his charisma.

ND got stronger while the factories got weaker as things stand now. Not saying the gap has totally closed. There is the academic rigor factor. But it's narrower and MF might get it done.

He was never in over his head. He just had to learn and figure things out

Even in his first year with no QB he went 9 and 4

 

[McCallen ND NYC]

That is some great coaching. That was ingenious use of Tyler Buchner. Not going to let that guy go to waste. If he hadn't transferred he'd have been starting this year, and is basically the exact same player as RL. And now that he's paid his dues, and re-proven himself as a passer I think it's fair to say, he definitely needs to be back in the running to start at QB next year. No need go to the portal, we got our dual threat already on the roster. And MF knew how to manage that.

It was ingenious. I was screaming at the TV…WTF are you doing and then Buchner hit a strike to the receiver.

 

[savvyandsassier]

It was ingenious. I was screaming at the TV…WTF are you doing and then Buchner hit a strike to the receiver.

It really was a perfect pass, like only a real QB could. You forget about him, but they work into special teams, presumably just for that purpose. I'm only half kidding about him being possibly in the running at QB. It's definitely not because he sucks, he doesn't suck at all. But he abandoned the team, so he had to accept a demotion, and now he's completed his probation.

 

[Shakin' Down the Thunder]

He was in over his head. Losses to Stanford, Marshall, Oklahoma State, and NIU. But I always supported retaining him, even if I lost faith he would be THE COACH, maybe needing years to learn the ropes.

Well, MF has turned it around. NIU is proving a turning point. Against the odds, he is back to FAST becoming THE COACH. I've no problem being wrong on that.

ND has a legit shot to win a NC. NIL and transfers have distributed talent. ND seems an anchor of stability...with MF being the right coach in the right circumstances as he and college football evolve.

I'm finding college football evolution remarkable. It actually helps a brand like ND. Which can pay NIL money, maintain relative stability, a quality education, networking...where a coach like MF can work his charisma.

ND got stronger while the factories got weaker as things stand now. Not saying the gap has totally closed. There is the academic rigor factor. But it's narrower and MF might get it done.

Wouldn't say he was in over his head. It's totally possible Freeman would have lost those games with 20 years experience as an HFC. Kelly had some absolutely inexcusable losses as an experienced HFC. But in fairness inexcusable losses happen to everyone.

Did Freeman need to learn a thing or 2? Yeah and I believe he has, as his maturation and growth has been rapid. HFC at a major program is a tough and lonely position. Time and time again we've seen successful smaller school coaches fail miserably at a major program. You either got the chops for it or you don't. I believe Feeeman does. Experience only gets you so far.

For years, the gap has been landing 2-3 5 star guys per class, especially at the most crucial positions. ND has more 4 star talent than anyone. If Freeman can make a semifinal appearance at the least, then I'm hoping top notch recruits take notice and consider ND.

 

[hoopsstar12]

I dont think Day should be fired but that board is toxic tonight. Terrible loss. Fans are furious.

I think the players are to blame too. But it ain't over until the fat lady sings. They will compete in the playoffs where it matters if they make it in.

 

[FightingIrish44]

It was ingenious. I was screaming at the TV…WTF are you doing and then Buchner hit a strike to the receiver.

That was ballsy.

I dont think Day should be fired but that board is toxic tonight. Terrible loss. Fans are furious.

OSU missed two chip shot field goals I believe. Both teams had two turnovers. This could have been an OSU win so they shouldn’t overreact, which we know won’t happen haha. Obviously losing at home sucks too if you’re an OSU fan.

They still have the playoffs to make it right though.

Also, congrats to the Irish team, players staff, etc. Overcame a brutal loss to finish 11-1 in impressive fashion, especially when injuries are considered.

 

[scubastevefl]

That was ballsy.

OSU missed two chip shot field goals I believe. Both teams had two turnovers. This could have been an OSU win so they shouldn’t overreact, which we know won’t happen haha. Obviously losing at home sucks too if you’re an OSU fan.

They still have the playoffs to make it right though.

Also, congrats to the Irish team, players staff, etc. Overcame a brutal loss to finish 11-1 in impressive fashion, especially when injuries are considered.

Came to LA to play to win and not to play not to lose.

 

[nptb]

That is some great coaching. That was ingenious use of Tyler Buchner. Not going to let that guy go to waste. If he hadn't transferred he'd have been starting this year, and is basically the exact same player as RL. And now that he's paid his dues, and re-proven himself as a passer I think it's fair to say, he definitely needs to be back in the running to start at QB next year. No need go to the portal, we got our dual threat already on the roster. And MF knew how to manage that.

no

 

[tkirish]

Came to LA to play to win and not to play not to lose.

Yes exactly. They wanted this game. It wasn’t perfect , it wasn’t clean , but it was hard fought and when it mattered the most , they made the plays that won the game. I’ll say this again. Their record be dammed, SC has some serious talent. The fact that ND went in there and won with the season on the line cannot be understated. When it all is said and done , MF and his staff did an outstanding job righting the ship after the early loss.

 

[Drinking The Green Koolaid]

Loved this quote from Riley Leonard as to the impact Coach Freeman has had on the team this season:

“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.”

I could not be happier for Marcus Freeman. He embodies what ND is all about and whenever he speaks he is as genuine as they come. This team is not without blemishes, but they have come to play hard every week since Week 2. We'll enjoy this one for a few days, and then he'll have the team get back to work.

Yesterday was a challenge, but considering how many times the LA Coliseum has been a House of Horrors for some very good ND teams, it was a really nice win.

 

[ftnfan62]

We need to lock Freeman up because after to toDAY he will be pursued by Ohio St.

Was thinking the same thing with the Day loss. MF is all in on ND, but your Alma Mater is the place all coaches want to be. He is an OSU man. They should lock him up, show him the love and lock up MD and AG as well. Get them all in for a 3 year deal. They have something we need.

 

[NotreDomer1]

The job isn’t done this year, but you have to give Coach Freeman a ton of credit on how he managed this team after the NIU debacle. Great work

 

[banmate6]

Great comments by all here. ND > sum of the parts, under ardor. Sleeping on it, USC was no joke. Had nothing to lose and played with reckless ambition. ND dug deep and gritted it out, withstanding some jitters...like the fumble, missed FG, and some defensive lapses.

A true competitor never gives up. Even on a bad day. Man of the match for me...Gray! He made lemonade out this day of lemons with the pick 6. Turned the game around with about 4 minutes left to play.

MF brought this attitude. Haven't seen it since Holtz.