Gerad Parker - Troy Head Coach :)

[BleedBlueGold]

If this is true, we’ll have a Head Coach Search thread up next December

Breaking: Mike Elko returns to South Bend.

Italics aside, I'm rooting for Freeman. He truly seems like a genuine dude and a great ambassador for the University.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I'm going to throw out a very REAL question that hasn't been touched on.

Does Marcus Freeman get extended at ND this off season?

It's been reported he signed a 5 year deal with ND, if ND decision makers like him it would make sense for them to lock him in for a longer term with a bigger buyout.

Has he done enough to warrant this, absolutely NOT. But, he's done just enough where many other large (not the best) programs would want him and pay him a lot. ND probably has to decide do they try to lock him up for a longer term, or wait out a little more to see how next year goes, knowing it possibly gives him more leverage and the ability to be bought out to another school if he improves. If he improves and has a great 2024 he can do whatever he wants with minimal buyout, that's the negative, if he does bad, ND can do whatever they want with minimal buyout.

I hadn't though of this until now, but this thought process ND has to make could be impacting what they do with Parker. Franklin and Riley are locked in with long term contracts and huge buyouts, meaning (since they aren't A&M) the schools are all in with them and need to support whatever change they want.

If ND isn't willing to extend Freeman right now, would they be willing to spend a ton on HIS OC of choosing right now?

 

[dublinirish]

Breaking: Mike Elko returns to South Bend.

Italics aside, I'm rooting for Freeman. He truly seems like a genuine dude and a great ambassador for the University.

I feel the same he just needs to grow/develop at a freaskishly fast past to succeed at ND. Like he just can't afford to make any mistake twice

 

[BleedBlueGold]

@PutuporShutup , We may not know the answer to that until the new AD arrives, you think?

 

[arrowryan]

Breaking: Mike Elko returns to South Bend.

Italics aside, I'm rooting for Freeman. He truly seems like a genuine dude and a great ambassador for the University.

I agree, but he needs to start making big boy decisions. I’ll lose confidence in him quickly if he doesn’t.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

Big picture whats the point of firing him now? win or lose the next two games, doesn't matter, we're still playing in the toilet bowl. Additionally MF and GP are CHEAP in comparison. If they suck it up again next year the new AD can hire 'his' guy(s).

But, on the flip side, maybe MF was pissy yesterday because Jack told him he has to demote or fire GP and he doesn't want to?

Maybe Jack is forcing him the have Gino get more involved? There is no way they're just sitting on their hands, right?

 

[dublinirish]

Big picture whats the point of firing him now? win or lose the next two games, doesn't matter, we're still playing in the toilet bowl. Additionally MF and GP are CHEAP in comparison. If they suck it up again next year the new AD can hire 'his' guy(s).

But, on the flip side, maybe MF was pissy yesterday because Jack told him he has to demote or fire GP and he doesn't want to?

Maybe Jack is forcing him the have Gino get more involved? There is no way they're just sitting on their hands, right?

Highly unlikely

 

[PutuporShutup]

@PutuporShutup , We may not know the answer to that until the new AD arrives, you think?

Of course, but man, it has me thinking. ND really has some decision making to do this off season. Freeman has put them in a tough spot with underperforming seasons, but a few big wins each season, and he held it together to keep it from a disaster (assume we win out this year or lose bowl at worst).

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Big picture whats the point of firing him now? win or lose the next two games, doesn't matter, we're still playing in the toilet bowl. Additionally MF and GP are CHEAP in comparison. If they suck it up again next year the new AD can hire 'his' guy(s).

But, on the flip side, maybe MF was pissy yesterday because Jack told him he has to demote or fire GP and he doesn't want to?

Maybe Jack is forcing him the have Gino get more involved? There is no way they're just sitting on their hands, right?

My read on Freeman's pissy PC was that he expected to get hammered with questions about Parker. I think he knows that he needs to make a tough decision and it's weighing on him. Just my opinion.

 

[thekid33]

If Parker is the OC next season then next season is Freeman's last season.

I really want MF to succeed, so I hope he is smart/brave enough to pull the trigger and bring in an offensive version of Golden that can properly utilize the talent we are getting.

 

[arrowryan]

The Parker hire felt weird and rushed when they got him from WV. If I remember correctly, it was reported that Rees didn't like the hire. So, similar to the previous HC, it was a buddy hire.

 

[Irishdrunk]

Listening to Irish illustrated sounded like Parker will be back. The most cringeworthy part was Brice saying he has a seven figure buyout which could be prohibitive. If ND is really that cheap then we have no business even trying to play high level football. We aren’t talking about a jimbo situation here

7 Figure Buyout????

My first reaction isn't that ND is too cheap. My first reaction is ND is just too stupid. What a shitshow if they keep this OC. Logic prevails that if you have an inexperienced HC that happens to be experienced on the defensive side of the ball that you pair him with a highly experienced OC. Basically, why give an inexperienced OC a large Buy-Out. Stupid but nothing fucking surprises me anymore about Savvy Jack. The smartest guy in the room created this mess.

 

[Irishdrunk]

This 100%

I always assumed we'd be awesome this year, hide his deficiencies as caller and developer of offense, then in 2024 really find out who he is. We already found this out, and it's bad.

I didn't. I always had 9-3 as the record. Why??? Coaching matters. Experience matters.

 

[forkbeard3777]

Listening to Irish illustrated sounded like Parker will be back. The most cringeworthy part was Brice saying he has a seven figure buyout which could be prohibitive. If ND is really that cheap then we have no business even trying to play high level football. We aren’t talking about a jimbo situation here

I'd imagine this is coming from the higher ups. MF didn't want GP as his OC in the first place (cue the hockey game with Ludwig and GP).

Assuming that's correct, this reads like the underlying intent between Swarbrick and Bevacqua is to ultimately remove MF. It's simply unfathomable to have GP back (and why would he stick around should he be demoted from OC to TE coach). We all know that handcuffing MF to GP is only likely to produce inadequate results in 2024, and obviously, new ADs like to hire their guys -- maybe Bevacqua has someone else in mind?

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I'm sure the recruits would be ecstatic to have this offense back

 

[forkbeard3777]

The Parker hire felt weird and rushed when they got him from WV. If I remember correctly, it was reported that Rees didn't like the hire. So, similar to the previous HC, it was a buddy hire.

The only overlap between the two was their time together at Purdue, right? I know GP was the interim head coach for approximately half the season. Maybe MF liked GP's additional experience acting as the interim HC all the while ignoring his 0-6 record as interim?

 

[SoIll]

I'd imagine this is coming from the higher ups. MF didn't want GP as his OC in the first place (cue the hockey game with Ludwig and GP).

Assuming that's correct, this reads like the underlying intent between Swarbrick and Bevacqua is to ultimately remove MF. It's simply unfathomable to have GP back (and why would he stick around should he be demoted from OC to TE coach). We all know that handcuffing MF to GP is only likely to produce inadequate results in 2024, and obviously, new ADs like to hire their guys -- maybe Bevacqua has someone else in mind?

Is that really true???

had plenty of other better options even after the Ludwig debacle.. He chose Gerad.....

 

[thekid33]

My read on the situation was they (Freeman, Savvy Jack, at al.) panicked after the Ludwig disaster and quickly pivoted to Gerard since they knew they wouldn't be rejected.

 

[Kingbish01]

I agree with the last 20 posts on this thread. The only thing I'll add as I really do like Freeman is....Do we really want a coach that can't fix the obvious. I don't, and the fan base SHOULD turn on him if he brings back Parker.

 

[FWIrish4]

Is that really true???

had plenty of other better options even after the Ludwig debacle.. He chose Gerad.....

It was only a few weeks until spring ball so there definitely wasn’t “plenty” of options.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

It was only a few weeks until spring ball so there definitely wasn’t “plenty” of options.

This, it was hey, spring ball is here, we want to keep Sam ect ect.... We need a guy in here NOW. It always seemed as it was a temp/fill and just see what happens. We have seen what happened so now lets move on, and now it's not the last second.

 

[Irishdrunk]

Is that really true???

had plenty of other better options even after the Ludwig debacle.. He chose Gerad.....

Don't get your Intel from an LSU fan. LOL

 

[NDWarrior]

Well Tommy leaving that time of year so late in the season meant it maybe was going to take a while to get another top OC lined up and so yes, maybe they panicked and said let's go with GP for at least this season and see how it works out. But it was an important enough hire for MF and ND at that time for all the reasons mentioned here so it would have been worth it if took another 2-3 weeks.

 

[ColinKSU]

Even the pros are doing it, Marcus. It’s OK.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

I'd imagine this is coming from the higher ups. MF didn't want GP as his OC in the first place (cue the hockey game with Ludwig and GP).

Assuming that's correct, this reads like the underlying intent between Swarbrick and Bevacqua is to ultimately remove MF. It's simply unfathomable to have GP back (and why would he stick around should he be demoted from OC to TE coach). We all know that handcuffing MF to GP is only likely to produce inadequate results in 2024, and obviously, new ADs like to hire their guys -- maybe Bevacqua has someone else in mind?

This is exactly where i'm at. Bevacqua will hire his guy and leverage his NBC background and get a ND/Big Ten deal done which ultimately gets us in The Big Ten. He'll get his feet wet in 24' let Football play out however it plays out and make his move's in 25'

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

Even the pros are doing it, Marcus. It’s OK.

I am by no means a Bill's fan but this seems unfair. That o-line is garbage and Allen has been average at best this season. He's a good OC someone will scoop him up in a hurry.

 

[arrowryan]

Even the pros are doing it, Marcus. It’s OK.

You put the italics, but it just further proves the point that it doesn’t matter how far into the season you are. If you’re not performing to the required standard, then your shit should be out.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

False. Grinch was shit for him at two stops over 4 years. He wasted time and a generational arm talent.

Seriously? Lincoln Riley took 5 years to fire Alex Grinch. He was terrible at OU too and Riley had the chance to leave him behind and took him with him. This comparison is ridiculous.

 

[ab2cmiller]

The vast majority of assistant coach hires are based off an existing relationship. The head coach has had direct experience working with another coach, respects them, and believes they would be a great addition. The potential assistant coach knows what kind of guy the head coach is and has a desire to work with him.

Obviously this isn't the rule 100% of the time. It is a concern with MF because his direct experience working with other coaches is significantly lacking when compared to other head coaches. This means that he's more reliant on other people already on staff feeding him names that they respect.

Otherwise it can be a crap shoot. You increase the likelihood you end up with a guy like Long, that isn't a good fit, and can cause problems within the coaching staff.

 

[NDWarrior]

I'm no expert but it would seem reviewing / vetting the market is tough work but it has to be done and is part of being the HC for a major CFB team. I would hope he has staff to help him do that vetting, set up interviews, etc. As we saw in results this season, this is an important function that needs to be done right. Besides, although the relationship angle is of course how the real world of hiring works, the problem here, is MF didn't really have a lot of working relationship w/ GP where he was the actual OC for their common teams so this was just as much a leap of faith (but much worse since the one stint on record at WVU was not a good one and a big red flag) than not knowing 100% everything about a prospective OC brought in from the outside.