ND Coaching Search Megathread

[NDRock]

Fickell will be BK 2.0, best case. Not an elite recruiter who will go 10-2/11-1 by beating up on average teams and continuing to get blown out in big games. No thanks. Safe, boring, predictable hire. Swing for the fences on an elite recruiter who will close the gap by building a more talented roster.

FWIW, Driskell is saying on his live Youtube chat that Swarbrick wants Fickell but everyone else wants Freeman. He also said that he's hearing that players who are thinking about leaving (Kyren, Foskey) will leave for sure if Freeman isn't the HC.

I'm hearing Randy Edsell's name being thrown around.

 

[NDdomer2]

What's crazy though is that it seems like they called his bluff and were like "we know what he's going to ask for, and we are not having those discussions until after the season" with the expectation that there was no way he was actually going to take one of these jobs before the playoff situation was settled. It does not seem like they were ready for him to walk at this time, based on how unprepared Jack seemed in the moment. I think they were preparing for him to leave in 1-3 years, but I'd be really surprised if this all went down how they wanted and as part of some master plan.

the article doesnt say WHY that meeting never occured. Just because he requested doesnt mean he ISNT the reason the meeting didnt happen as well.

However, If it is because Jack/Admin were willing to call bluff, you would have to think they would be willing to deal with the consequences of him not actually bluffing. If you think that to be true, the only possible answer would be because they felt very confident about giving the job to Marcus Freeman.

 

[BleedingGold]

I still remember the complaints. Willingham can teach him how to play golf instead of going out recruiting.

 

[ACamp1900]

Me in 2009: Gary Patterson or bust!!!!!!!!!
Me in 2021: Gary Patterson is available...


It's called maturity.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

I'm hearing Randy Edsell's name being thrown around.

Gary Barnett is even more tanned, rested, and ready.

 

[BeauBenken]

Me in 2009: Gary Patterson or bust!!!!!!!!!
Me in 2021: Gary Patterson is available...


It's called maturity.

Patterson being on the staff in some capacity would be pretty cool though I thought I remember hearing he isn't the most likable figure.

But if he's coaching, no way it isn't down in Texas somewhere certainly.

 

[BleedingGold]

I am just really happy we aren't being tied to Lane. Can't stand that man. I would have to become a Connecticut fan. Rather root for a 0-12 team than supporting that man.

 

[NDRock]

Gary Barnett is even more tanned, rested, and ready.

He already removed himself from consideration. That one stings a little.

 

[ACamp1900]

Patterson being on the staff in some capacity would be pretty cool though I thought I remember hearing he isn't the most likable figure.

But if he's coaching, no way it isn't down in Texas somewhere certainly.

Matter of fact if y’all BK fan boys had freaking listened to me back then we wouldn’t be in this mess,… Patty and our Irish would be #1 in the country and we as a fan base would be swimming in natty trophies up to our dick holes,… but no, you had to have BKs leprechaun lookin ass, you freakin mo-mos


#maturity

 

[Wild Bill]

It's only embarrassing if you assume that they *wanted* to retain him. Maybe they didn't.

Then you tell him he's not getting a raise or they're not matching. You don't blow him off.

 

[GATTACA!]

“Captain’s Log: Stardate 2021.12.1. Ship out of control, spiraling downward toward imminent demise. Survival seems fleeting with lack of control at the helm.”

Dear Ethel,


I hope this letter finds you well. We've been a fortnight without provisions and march on the morrow. The weather is turning and our path looks fraught.

Give Mary and the boys my love. As always God, Country, Notre Dame.


P.S. Michigan can chortle my hairy nut sack.

 

[WaveDomer]

The Admin can definitely work more with the program, but it's also Brian Kelly. He was at ND for 12 years, which is a long time at ND and even a longer time for Kelly. He has a history of leaving programs in a similar fashion. He was interviewed right before the Bama Championship Game. That's who he is. Not good or bad. I don't think it's crazy he left this way. I think it's crazier he stayed 12 years.

 

[Rogue219]

Patterson being on the staff in some capacity would be pretty cool though I thought I remember hearing he isn't the most likable figure.

But if he's coaching, no way it isn't down in Texas somewhere certainly.

I am not interested in having coaches on the staff that have been fired in the last few months.

Mullen. Patterson. Cutcliffe. A Jedi craves not these.

 

[GATTACA!]

I am not interested in having coaches on the staff that have been fired in the last few months.

Mullen. Patterson. Cutcliffe. A Jedi craves not these.

Mullen will be the perfect BoB replacement for Saban.

 

[Dale]

Maybe not a recent fired coach but if it is Freeman and ESPECIALLY if Elston leaves, you need someone that’s been around the block.

 

[CrystalHead]

Great article by Sampson in the Athletic.

Wont share all of it... but this line is really interesting:

Freeman was scheduled to meet with Swarbrick on Wednesday, sources said, and though there are many steps between here and there, Freeman’s preferred choice of offensive coordinator is current OC Tommy Rees

Also heard Sampson on ESPN radio today that they already met with Rees last night and sounds like he wants to stay as OC. I doubt that means they are going outside to find a coach. Also expressed that he thinks Rees likes the idea of having complete control of the offense.

 

[nsisk157]

Also heard Sampson on ESPN radio today that they already met with Rees last night and sounds like he wants to stay as OC. I doubt that means they are going outside to find a coach. Also expressed that he thinks Rees likes the idea of having complete control of the offense.

I agree. Was a great article. Gave me some hope after moments of sadness lol

 

[Rogue219]

Maybe not a recent fired coach but if it is Freeman and ESPECIALLY if Elston leaves, you need someone that’s been around the block.

The last trip around the block ended in them all being fired.

Sure. Totally get what you're saying, though. Experience over talent and brains. Kind of like Congress.

 

[Irish#1]

I am not interested in having coaches on the staff that have been fired in the last few months.

Mullen. Patterson. Cutcliffe. A Jedi craves not these.

Just because a guy is fired doesn't mean he's a total failure. The coaching landscape is littered with solid coordinators that bombed as HC's. You need to get everyone in the right seats when you get them on the bus.

 

[GowerND11]

The last trip around the block ended in them all being fired.

Sure. Totally get what you're saying, though. Experience over talent and brains. Kind of like Congress.

Yeah, good thing Alabama never hires fired coaches...

 

[IRISHMAN]

Also heard Sampson on ESPN radio today that they already met with Rees last night and sounds like he wants to stay as OC. I doubt that means they are going outside to find a coach. Also expressed that he thinks Rees likes the idea of having complete control of the offense.

did rees have complete control of the offense the last two seasons or was BK still in his ear when it came to play calling

 

[ACamp1900]

I agree. Was a great article. Gave me some hope after moments of sadness lol

Kind of like hearing your wife say that of all the men in your family, you have the biggest penis....

 

[BoredIrish]

Brian Kelly on appeal of LSU job: 'I want to be on the Broadway stage'

... I hope its Les Miserables.

 

[Rogue219]

Just because a guy is fired doesn't mean he's a total failure. The coaching landscape is littered with solid coordinators that bombed as HC's. You need to get everyone in the right seats when you get them on the bus.

Dan Mullen doesn't enjoy recruiting. He and his team celebrated in the locker room after beating Samford 70-52. He's being connected to the Auburn OC job.

Gary Patterson in recent years has been erratic. He's 61 and last coached east of the Mississippi River in 1995 at Navy.

David Cutcliffe was going to come to ND with Charlie Weis and had a heart attack. 15 years later we want to kill the guy so Arch Manning signs with Alabama anyway?

Dude, we can do better when it comes to recently fired people. Better yet, how about building a staff with younger and more talented guys that are hungry and want to get after it rather than just sliding into their next paycheck.

I'd hire Jerrod Johnson as QB coach in a blink before David Cutcliffe.

 

[Luckylucci]

Also heard Sampson on ESPN radio today that they already met with Rees last night and sounds like he wants to stay as OC. I doubt that means they are going outside to find a coach. Also expressed that he thinks Rees likes the idea of having complete control of the offense.

I would love this idea. I know I've been fairly critical of Rees, as of late. Which is more a product of how close we are to putting it over the top versus the job he's done. The space between where we are and where we want to be is littered with failures. What puts us over the top is that extra juice that's been missing.

But I do think he's got it in him we just need to push it over the top. Maybe this is what does it. Freeman to Rees, you eat what you kill. Let's go kill us some Tigers!

 

[Rogue219]

Yeah, good thing Alabama never hires fired coaches...

Good thing Notre Dame and Alabama are the same thing.

 

[Dale]

The last trip around the block ended in them all being fired.

Sure. Totally get what you're saying, though. Experience over talent and brains. Kind of like Congress.

There are experienced coaches that have more talent and brains than having a staff of all guys under 40 and McNulty. Dismissing experience is very silly

 

[Free Manera]

did rees have complete control of the offense the last two seasons or was BK still in his ear when it came to play calling

The consensus is Rees had autonomy over actually calling the plays on game day But not in creating the playbook. And probably not in gameplanning either.

 

[Rogue219]

There are experienced coaches that have more talent and brains than having a staff of all guys under 40 and McNulty. Dismissing experience is very silly

Who said they have to be under 40? Plenty of "young" coaches are in their forties and looking for opportunity. They've even viable candidates to come to ND. Marcus Freeman surrounding himself with a bunch of former head coaches at Notre Dame that probably think they can have his job might not be the best recipe for success. If the reports are accurate, Freeman wants Rees as OC because they've helped build the current culture together in the last 12 months. It's a good culture. That and having tireless recruiters go a very long way into building a championship team.

You want experience, talent and brains for the decisions on Saturdays for 60 minutes, of course, but there are guys on the staff currently that can give them that. Rees and Freeman, don't forget, actually PLAYED college football at a high level. Factor that into the equation as well.

Mullen, Cutcliffe and Patterson are being mentioned because they're available. Plenty of experienced guys currently have jobs right now. Unemployed guys are low hanging fruit.

 

[Rogue219]

The consensus is Rees had autonomy over actually calling the plays on game day But not in creating the playbook. And probably not in gameplanning either.

No wonder Kelly wants him to come to LSU. Jesus.