Lack of talent.

[QueensNY]

Thats a bunch of Bull ESPN wants us to believe. I found an interesting link on Notre Dame's Talent from 1992 to 2001, we appeared in the 10 ten recruiting most years. In fact we were tied for second with michigan with the most appearances. When we get the right coach in here we'll win.

Don't forget we return all our starters on offense next year, that should be appealing to coaching candidates.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/sta...uiting_topten/

[Rip Rap]

with ESPN.

Note that we only fell out of these lists in 2001. It is widely understood by the recruiting gurus (if you give them any credit) that Ty was terrible at recruiting. Still, the more the media spouts that crap, the easier it will be for a new coach to convince kids we need them to play for us.

Also, we have the highest graduation rate in D1. Not bad for a 'football factory' equivalent to Stanford and BYU.

[Tyrone Davieham]

Who cares that all the starters are returning! That's great seeing as how Queen throws more passes to the band than McDrop or Stovall. If ND was returning all starters on an average offense, I could see the benefit, but this offense was gross. We need to attract a coach that specializes in 2 yard passes, that way Queen won't hurt so many photographers.

Don't get me wrong, I want this team to be great no matter who's playing, but I'm not sugar coating this crap anymore. Dwight Ellick? C'mon.

[Rip Rap]

It is never correct to insult the players. They need a coaching staff that will make them rise to the level we know they are capable of. If they are being asked to do something they are incapable of, or are being played when they shouldn't, that too is a coaching problem.

[NDLyght37]

We don't lack talent...just team speed. Especially in the secondary.

In many ways, we still have option personell in key positions on our squad. Good players, but if you want to hang with the "big dogs", you need speed...even Oklahoma has learned that lesson.

[timm3117]

You do need speed. But pretty much what ESPN is saying is that fast people are stupid, talented people are stupid. So ND is dead. But its a myth the reason ND has had trouble, is why would you goto ND to play for a 5-7 or 6-5 team. If ND won 9 games (which they should have this year) there will be kids lining up to go there. And thats why people want to kick us while where down, just hoping we dont get up. Because if ND gets back up, there in trouble, and they know it.

[Vince Young]

People said we couldn't get a good coach after 10 lousy years under Terry Brennan, Joe Kuharich and Hugh Devore.

Then we hired Ara Parseghian.

People said we couldn't get a good coach after 5 lousy years under Gerry Faust.

Then we hired Lou Holtz.

Now, people are saying we can't get a good coach after 8 mediocre years under Bob Davie and Ty Willingham.

People don't learn, do they?

Let 'em talk. It'll be all the sweeter when we hoist that crystal trophy over our heads a couple of years from now.