Pat Haden Brodcasts ND for NBC, but did you know who he played for in college?

[Sweeney6083]

His position as the Notre Dame color commentator is ironic in that he helped architect one of Notre Dame's greatest losses (and, conversely, archrival USC's greatest wins) as the USC quarterback in 1974. USC tailback Anthony Davis and Haden were despised by Irish followers after the 55-24 comeback victory which began with USC down 24-6 after halftime.

Can we get him fired , I mean he is ok but I am not really happy to hear this news. I am sure alot of prople already knew this but its new to me. So whoever wants to write the letter I will sign it. Sorry for the random topic I just don't want to think about the game tomorrow night. Go ND beat USC.

 

[WinOverAll08]

Don't worry about it buddy. It is surprising, but I admit that he is one of the few who does a good job with the color commentary. Also, don't lose sleep over it because you won't hear him until next year. We're on ABC tomorrow and FOX for the bowl game.

 

[Easton Pa ND Fan]

Haden is pro-Irish...

Haden is pro-Irish...

Haden mentioned during one game that he wanted
to go to ND, but he was not admitted.

He also said that he lit candles for his Mom
at the grotto. This is a sign of the respect
that he holds for ND...Tom

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Why get him fired? He's a pretty good commentator...and frankly, when we were playing like crap, he tried his hardest to be nice. LOL

 

[Óglaigh_na_hÉireann]

I like him, personally and I think his presence is a testament to the unbiased nature of the commentary. Quite possibly the only team out there with better commentators are the Cleveland Indians.

 

[BGIF]

The announcers are hired by NBC not ND.

ND fans got their hearts broken by Haden a couple years before the '74 game. He was an All-American QB for Bishop Amat (Joey Getherall, Kory Minor) in '68-'70. He was widely thought to be an ND recruit but his senior year his parents moved North (San Francisco, Seattle, ?). He stayed behind and moved in with his teammate and best friend. A receiver named J.J. McKay.

Haden was hotly recruited all the majors made a run at him. But the Catholic connection was considered to be ND's edge. J.J.'s dad used to like to tell the story of how he especially like recruiting season that year. He really got a kick out of welcoming those college coaches to his home to meet with Haden. Mr. McKay took extreme pleasure when Ara Parshegian came knocking at his door. Seems Mr. McKay was the head coach of the University of Southern California Trojans. Haden joined his HS teammate and signed with USC.

John McKay won more games than other USC coach. He was 8-6-2 against ND and won 6 of those against Parshegian. Ara only won once while Haden was on the Trojans.

 

[irish9331]

Leave Haden there, get rid of Hammond. Bring ND grad Don Criqui in to do the games. He does them on the radio

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I like him, personally and I think his presence is a testament to the unbiased nature of the commentary. Quite possibly the only team out there with better commentators are the Cleveland Indians.

Agreed. Tom Hamilton is the cream of the crop in my opinion. He also does quite well with the Big 10 football and basketball games he's on.

 

[Sweeney6083]

Ok,Ok

Ok,Ok

Uncle, I agree he does a fair job, but my point was about the comeback. I was trying to connect it to today's game. I am fine with the job he does overall. I guess I am on island. I am looking for a rescue helicopter.

 

[ND_Ownz!]

Haden isn't so bad, if your going to shit can someone get rid of that ASSHAT Tom Hammond...

Even my wife was like, who is that guy with the enormous head?

 

[UNTITLEDPROJECT]

Vote Tony Roberts.

Although, I grew up with the current crew, I have no issues with them. And I did know about that SC game. My uncle told me when I was a kid.

 

[Sweeney6083]

I enjoy Tony's voice when he used to say Touchdown Irish it gave me chills.

 

[Master Guns]

I think he is great for the ND football telecast. He is admired by the ND staff, he knows his stuff and he is very pro-ND. Not to mention, he and Tom have a Heisman vote and they watched BQ at every home game at a minimum.

 

[Master Guns]

Haden isn't so bad, if your going to shit can someone get rid of that ASSHAT Tom Hammond...

Even my wife was like, who is that guy with the enormous head?

Hammond, former Kentucky sports brodcaster and on the news there in Lexington, has a Heisman vote, so pray that he has some homer in him doing the Irish games all these years.

Keep your friends close, keep your enemy closer.

 

[NDgettysburg]

You'll never do better than Tony Roberts & Tom Pagna, IMO.

 

[wahoo]

Actually Pat is pretty good at color commentary. The idiot I can't stand to listen to is Brent MUSHburger!!...

 

[GREENJERSEYS'07]

Uncle, I agree he does a fair job, but my point was about the comeback. I was trying to connect it to today's game. I am fine with the job he does overall. I guess I am on island. I am looking for a rescue helicopter.

yeah,maybe you would have been better off not to post this.You really just found out that haden played for usc?
If you are around 16-17 years old then I'll forgive you.If not,then there are other football teams outside of south bend you know?

 

[NDgettysburg]

yeah,maybe you would have been better off not to post this.You really just found out that haden played for usc?
If you are around 16-17 years old then I'll forgive you.If not,then there are other football teams outside of south bend you know?

yeah, I kinda thought it was common knowledge....he (Haden) was a Rhodes Scholar too!

 

[Sweeney6083]

Take it easy

Take it easy

yeah,maybe you would have been better off not to post this.You really just found out that haden played for usc?
If you are around 16-17 years old then I'll forgive you.If not,then there are other football teams outside of south bend you know?

Get over yourself, you are not in charge of who should and should not be a fan.Why don't you find a new team that acts like you, maybe tOSU or Texas. Get real. I love people who act tough over a computer , you can tell they would never say that to someone's face.

 

[GoshenGipper]

IMO the best guys NBC could choose at the moment are Tony Roberts and Steve Buerlin.

http://old.irishsports.com/stories/subscription/2005/08/15/isr_football.20050814-isr-TRIB-SS18-Roberts_answered_the.fff.sto

Roberts is never afraid to point out faulty strategy, questionable coaching or even outstanding plays by the opponent during the Irish broadcasts.

"I don't think there's a better play-by-play man in the business," said Tom Pagna, a former offensive assistant coach under Ara Parseghian and who later teamed with Roberts for 16 years first on Mutual, then on the Westwood One radio network.

"I know when I got into the business, I didn't want to be a homer," Pagna continued. "I'd heard that on the radio with other guys, and it always left a bad taste in my mouth. And as much as Tony has come to love Notre Dame, he tried not to be that either. And I really appreciated that. He was completely fair. If the opponent got a raw deal on a call, he was the first one to bring it up. And to me that's the honesty and integrity in the announcing end of it."