Gerad Parker - Troy Head Coach :)

[ThePiombino]

I think if we had Washington's wide receiver groups, Parker wouldn't be able to scheme them open. It didn't help having so many injuries in an already weak group, but I don't think they ever had a chance.

Most would agree.

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[PutuporShutup]

Against good defenses it’s not that easy scheming guys open. Eventually you’re gonna need ballas who can make next level plays and run by guys.

Agree other than we had what michigan has, and that's a dominant run game. Notre dame played nickel almost all season because they only needed 6 to slow down most teams runs. Every team put 7 to 8 or more in the box vs ND. That congestion and numbers near the LOS should allow for much more opportunity to scheme wrs open. Michigan couldn't just march down running the ball against OSU, they sprinkled in PA. They have underwhelming wrs like ND, but really good TEs, and a great run game. It wasn't until the end that UM could run consistently well (Just like ND did vs OSU until they got cute).

ND had the top pass defense in the country, but it wasn't ALL due to the DBs, a big part of that was being able to play nickel at all times.

NDs running game is actually better than UMs statistically vs a better schedule. Just not in short yardage (Scheme). But parker had no clue how to compliment that vs good teams even with a 6th year QB.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

2023 offense is 13th in ESPN's opponent-adjusted efficiency metric, for what its worth. Calling it an absolute dumbster fire would be just incorrect.

Propped up by us demolishing inferior competition, and crumbling against a defense with a pulse (Duke, L'Ville, OSU, Clemson). Even USC was a weird ass game and that defense is pathetic.

 

[ulukinatme]

Maybe...Parker is already working on a job somewhere else and Freeman is covering for him? Doesn't want to throw his buddy under the bus?
I'm just reaching here. If Parker is OC here next year there absolutely needs to be a Co-OC, someone that can challenge him or provide some direction in games against teams with competent defenses.

 

[NDWarrior]

Great Athletic article today which highlighted the stark differences when contrasting cream puff games with the more challenging teams this year for ND. From the article: So how does Notre Dame’s head coach view offensive coordinator Gerad Parker after a season in which the Irish averaged 39.1 points per game and 6.95 yards per play? Both figures ranked ninth nationally. Both figures ranked second in Notre Dame history. Yet what was the cause for Notre Dame averaging just 19.5 points per game against Ohio State, Duke, Louisville and Clemson? What was the process that led to the Irish hitting the 45-point mark six times against overmatched opponents but looking bereft of ideas in big games? And if Notre Dame’s ultimate goal is winning in the College Football Playoff, not scoring eight touchdowns against Stanford, do the Irish have the right approach? Freeman could easily point to the full-season statistics as the reason to stay the course. More experienced coaches, including Brian Kelly, have done as much with coordinator decisions in the past. How will Freeman move forward? Does he see an opportunity to double down? Or is this a moment to change direction? We’re about to learn a lot about Freeman either way.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I love MF. I want him to be the guy so bad. But, people aren't always who we want them to be...sigh.

So, who are we looking at as realistic options if/when we need to move on?

Rees (if he has a somewhat successful year or two as HC first)?

Candle? Toledo to ND is a huge jump.

Elko if A&M gets bored of him by then?

 

[benneboy]

Porker is Freeman's boy. He's too nice of a guy to fire his friend which may end up being his downfall.

Hope I am wrong.

Freeman genuinely seems like a good dude, but nothing about what he's done so far has made me believe he's incapable of making the hard choices.

He replaced an incumbent starting QB in Tyler Buchner with Hartman which may seem like a no brainer now but that was not the case in the off season. There have also been 'medical scholarships' that were less optional than the name implies.

I don't see him handling coach changes any differently than how he's delt with roster management.

 

[NDPhilly]

We actually moved the ball well on OSU, especially considering the quality of their defense. Where we failed was converting yards to points. Shit we actually had more yards than Michigan.

 

[Irish#1]

Maybe...Parker is already working on a job somewhere else and Freeman is covering for him? Doesn't want to throw his buddy under the bus?
I'm just reaching here. If Parker is OC here next year there absolutely needs to be a Co-OC, someone that can challenge him or provide some direction in games against teams with competent defenses.

If Parker is involved in the offense, I hope someone else calls the plays.

 

[thekid33]

Just throwing some names out there if we need to move on in 12-24 months. Which, I would not have thought likely at this time last year.

 

[jpachuta33]

Unreal... Grow a pair MF or else fall on the sword with him. Us fans deserve better, and more importantly, the players deserve better.

 

[IrishLax]

Great Athletic article today which highlighted the stark differences when contrasting cream puff games with the more challenging teams this year for ND. From the article: So how does Notre Dame’s head coach view offensive coordinator Gerad Parker after a season in which the Irish averaged 39.1 points per game and 6.95 yards per play? Both figures ranked ninth nationally. Both figures ranked second in Notre Dame history. Yet what was the cause for Notre Dame averaging just 19.5 points per game against Ohio State, Duke, Louisville and Clemson? What was the process that led to the Irish hitting the 45-point mark six times against overmatched opponents but looking bereft of ideas in big games? And if Notre Dame’s ultimate goal is winning in the College Football Playoff, not scoring eight touchdowns against Stanford, do the Irish have the right approach? Freeman could easily point to the full-season statistics as the reason to stay the course. More experienced coaches, including Brian Kelly, have done as much with coordinator decisions in the past. How will Freeman move forward? Does he see an opportunity to double down? Or is this a moment to change direction? We’re about to learn a lot about Freeman either way.

This is interesting, and to add some color to that here are how the "good" teams that ND played finished the season on defense per F+ (FEI combined with SP+):
NC State - #17
Ohio State - #1
Duke - #24
Louisville - #19
Clemson - #7

NC State was the only "good" team where ND had a modicum of success, and that was with 21 of 45 points coming off of three NC State turnovers late in the game. So every game against a good defense where ND didn't get short fields / game changing plays from the defense was a train wreck.

Here are the defenses that ND torched:
Navy - 59th
TSU - FCS team
CMU - 124th
USC - 101st
Pitt - 44th
Wake - 53rd
Stanford - 112th

 

[NDQuebec]

Holy hell some of you need some time away. Who realistically thought Freeman would come out today and say anything of substance? His number one goal this week is recruiting. Nothing else. Why would he create any churn in the program right now?

By the way, since when does everything a coach say at a press conference equate truth?

I might need some time away, as you might too. You can bet your bottom dollar that, after what Freeman said, Parker will be the OC next year. It was plain as day before his presser and it's even clearer since.

 

[Grahambo]

Not all position coaches are meant to be coordinators. Not all coordinators are meant to be head coaches. It’s okay to be a really good position coach but not a good coordinator. There’s a reason GP was demoted rather quickly at his previous stop. And a reason you never saw his name linked with other OC openings (let alone NFL jobs).

If he can’t design an offense or just can’t figure out how to call a game, that’s okay. Move him back to TE coach where he excels and hire someone who does know how to do it. Bring in someone that can design proper route combos, understands motion and play action, and knows how to call a game.

I can’t think of another coordinator that magically became worlds better in less than a year. Genuinely, if someone has examples, I’m all ears.

If MF is staking his ND HC career on GP then so be it. If next season is similar to this one, they both can go.

 

[HouseofPain]

I feel Freeman is like Prime...great for recruiting, great for energy (except last presser), and someone the players want to play for. What he isnt good at is developing players, winning games against challenging competition, and knowing how to pick a quality coaching staff.

If what the article I just read is true how Freeman wants to retain all the coaching staff for next year, then ND fans need to prepare for a 3-4 loss season in 2024.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Just throwing some names out there if we need to move on in 12-24 months. Which, I would not have thought likely at this time last year.

Sure, I get it.

What I don't get is why.

 

[NDWarrior]

Not all position coaches are meant to be coordinators. Not all coordinators are meant to be head coaches. It’s okay to be a really good position coach but not a good coordinator. There’s a reason GP was demoted rather quickly at his previous stop. And a reason you never saw his name linked with other OC openings (let alone NFL jobs).

If he can’t design an offense or just can’t figure out how to call a game, that’s okay. Move him back to TE coach where he excels and hire someone who does know how to do it. Bring in someone that can design proper route combos, understands motion and play action, and knows how to call a game.

I can’t think of another coordinator that magically became worlds better in less than a year. Genuinely, if someone has examples, I’m all ears.

If MF is staking his ND HC career on GP then so be it. If next season is similar to this one, they both can go.

Sadly, if so, it can be a long, excruciating season as you could see with the schedule, maybe we get beat pretty good game 1 but all will say it's Texas A&M, the first game, and on the road. But then, nothing too challenging until the FSU and USC games towards end of season and we don't know how they'll be next year so everyone is like we're good. Then, if we're fortunate, ND makes the 12-team CFP but then wondering if there is an ugly first playoff game where ND is exposed badly like Louisville or even worse.

 

[thekid33]

Sure, I get it.

What I don't get is why.

Because if Parker's running the offense next season it has a chance to be VanGorder 2.0.

@A&M = L
FSU = L
USC = coin flip

And then they're bound to lose one game they shouldn't.

So, with Parker as the actual OC the best case scenario against a weak schedule is probably 9-3 again.

Worst case scenario is 8-4 or even worse.

That would be 3 straight non double digit win regular seasons.

At that point, you can give MF another year but there would need to be an ultimatum to change OC.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Because if Parker's running the offense next season it has a chance to be VanGorder 2.0.

@A&M = L
FSU = L
USC = coin flip

And then they're bound to lose one game they shouldn't.

So, with Parker as the actual OC the best case scenario against a weak schedule is probably 9-3 again.

Worst case scenario is 8-4 or even worse.

That would be 3 straight non double digit win regular seasons.

At that point, you can give MF another year but there would need to be an ultimatum to change OC.

You know all of this the Monday after the regular season just ended?

 

[ThePiombino]

You know all of this the Monday after the regular season just ended?

The writing is on the wall wrt Parker. But if you can give us one good reason to believe that not only is Parker up to the challenge, but he's also the best ND can do at OC, I'm all ears...

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[thekid33]

You know all of this the Monday after the regular season just ended?

Yes

 

[T-Boone]

If he’s keeping Parker, I don’t think it’d be the craziest thing if the admins had a Head Coaching Hot Board post in the drafts for two seasons from now.

I actually think we should have permanent next OC and next DC threads so names like Marion can get mentioned earlier so we can follow them.

 

[drayer54]

View attachment 3054861

Told you. Still here.

 

[T-Boone]

If a new OC gets put on and Parker leaves rather than going back to TE that is him quitting on the team.
You can’t tell me the players would respect that. Not like in my day 1900-2010 when you would get an insulting demotion then work your way back up.

 

[Irish#1]

I feel Freeman is like Prime...great for recruiting, great for energy (except last presser), and someone the players want to play for. What he isnt good at is developing players, winning games against challenging competition, and knowing how to pick a quality coaching staff.

If what the article I just read is true how Freeman wants to retain all the coaching staff for next year, then ND fans need to prepare for a 3-4 loss season in 2024.

You do realize that he didn't say Parker would definitely be the OC next year don't you?

 

[T-Boone]

The writing is on the wall wrt Parker. But if you can give us one good reason to believe that not only is Parker up to the challenge, but he's also the best ND can do at OC, I'm all ears...

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That’s my problem. Seems like retaining him would be because he is fine rather than the best we can get.

 

[ThePiombino]

That’s my problem. Seems like retaining him would be because he is fine rather than the best we can get.

It wreaks of laziness and/or nepotism to a fault. Really both. Not a single team with NC aspirations would offer this guy the OC position.

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[Jiggafini19Deux]

The writing is on the wall wrt Parker. But if you can give us one good reason to believe that not only is Parker up to the challenge, but he's also the best ND can do at OC, I'm all ears...

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What writing? What are you talking about?

I'm not the one talking out of my ass here. I'm trying to understand what code breaking skills some of you all have based on what was said today by the head coach.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

You do realize that he didn't say Parker would definitely be the OC next year don't you?

I think this particular fact escapes quite a few people at the moment.

 

[ThePiombino]

What writing? What are you talking about?

I'm not the one talking out of my ass here. I'm trying to understand what code breaking skills some of you all have based on what was said today by the head coach.

I wasn't referring to what was said in the presser. I'm referring to Parker not being up to the job. Writing on the wall was the product on the field -- the one that fell flat on its face against every defense with a pulse.