Michael Fredrick Denbrock Hired as Offensive Coordinator (2023)

[MacIrish75]

I wish him a pleasant and expedited retirement.

 

[NumbersGuy0520]

Nested into all of this… I’m losing faith in Mike Brown. If you can even call what I had in him going into this game “faith”. Maybe just acceptance/cautious optimism? We don’t have championship caliber receivers and never seem to.

- Faison’s solid but that’s about it. Maybe throw in Gilbert who was a nice surprise this year.
- Greathouse is too hot and cold, plus the drops.
- Absolutely struck out on transfer WRs. Graham is about as MIA as Porter, who is literally out for the season.
- Young guys supposedly have promise but we never see them in meaningful snaps?
- Heard so much about Bubba Frazier all offseason - where’s he? Or any of Bettis/Burress/Fitzgerald.

 

[ulukinatme]

Nested into all of this… I’m losing faith in Mike Brown. If you can even call what I had in him going into this game “faith”. Maybe just acceptance/cautious optimism? We don’t have championship caliber receivers and never seem to.

- Faison’s solid but that’s about it. Maybe throw in Gilbert who was a nice surprise this year.
- Greathouse is too hot and cold, plus the drops.
- Absolutely struck out on transfer WRs. Graham is about as MIA as Porter, who is literally out for the season.
- Young guys supposedly have promise but we never see them in meaningful snaps?
- Heard so much about Bubba Frazier all offseason - where’s he? Or any of Bettis/Burress/Fitzgerald.

Rob Ianello is the GM for Kansas right now. He was WR coach for Smardzija, Stovall, McKnight, Tate, and Floyd. Lets throw some money at him.

 

[Irish4life]

Y'all still gonna try and tell me this isn't the 2014 BK offense with a better QB?

 

[ulukinatme]

Y'all still gonna try and tell me this isn't the 2014 BK offense with a better QB?

Oh man...that might be an apt comparison. Golson could sling the ball, but he could sling a lot of turnovers too.

 

[DCDomer]

An errant fade ball just hit me in the head and woke me up.

 

[Irish#1]

His play calling has been as predictable as can be. Works against less talented teams but when the competition is much better you have to be more creative. BYU’s OC knew this.

 

[arrowryan]

I wonder if Weis Jr would be a realistic option

 

[TracyGraham]

I wonder if Weis Jr would be a realistic option

I that family hates ND don't they?

 

[notredomer23]

I wonder if Weis Jr would be a realistic option

Hell give me Weis Sr as a 1 year rental at OC

 

[arrowryan]

I that family hates ND don't they?

Not sure. He and I share some mutual friends so I could probably ask around.

 

[irishff1014]

I wonder if Weis Jr would be a realistic option

No it isn’t

 

[IA4irish]

Denbrock’s lack of play action has always confused me. We are a run first time. How can you not at least try to keep the defense honest? We just snap the ball and expect wide receivers to get open.

Denbrock and Mike Brown have 10 wide receivers to work with and we have 3 guys who can play. When asked about players, Denbrock will often demean them and say they need to learn consistency and the playbook. Freaking newsflash - a big part of that is on you to get them ready! Instead, we are running fade routes in the end zone to two tight ends in Flanigan and Larsen who are average at best.

 

[IA4irish]

I wonder if Weis Jr would be a realistic option

Not happening. Weis Sr. Had an interview with Mike Frank. They thought the administration did them dirty. Also didn’t like how Weis jr. Was attacked by fans for being on the field with his dad at the time.

 

[irishff1014]

Fuck this dude. We have all bitched about this soft as play calling and it caught up to us again.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

I wonder if Weis Jr would be a realistic option

Not happening. Weis Sr. Had an interview with Mike Frank. They thought the administration did them dirty. Also didn’t like how Weis jr. Was attacked by fans for being on the field with his dad at the time.

This is correct. They are done here. Which is fine with me, because I’m not as sold on his “creativity” as everyone else seems to be. He’s JAG. We can do much better.

 

[irishrb]

I cannot imagine making $2 million to do what he does. He doesn’t even recruit anymore.

1000% agree. I just don’t understand how someone who has been doing this job for so long and is compensated at that level can seem so incapable of making the necessary adjustments. The game planning is highly questionable, the play calling rarely reflects the flow of the game, the personnel decisions are baffling, and there seems to be little effort to exploit an opponent’s defensive weaknesses or consistently play to his own team’s strengths. Denbrock has had his greatest success with a dual-threat quarterback because that type of player can create opportunities when the scheme breaks down and make plays when the play calling falls short. At some point, you have to look in the mirror and take accountability/responsibility and do better! For that kind of money and experience, the expectations have to be higher!

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

Denbrock’s lack of play action has always confused me. We are a run first time. How can you not at least try to keep the defense honest? We just snap the ball and expect wide receivers to get open.

This really seems like something Freeman needs to put his foot down about. It is leaving so much offense on the table by not utilizing it, and more than that, its something that fits perfectly with what Freeman has said our identity is.

 

[notredomer23]

The Denbrock defenders point to the pretty crazy offensive production in the course of the season. The facts are his offense is perfectly average in big games:

2024
Texas A&M 23
Indiana 27
Georgia 16
PSU 27
OSU 23

2025
Miami 24
Texas A&M 34

2026
BYU 24

He’s gone over 30 once and is averaging under 25 points per game. Perfectly average. ND deserves better.

 

[BilboBaggins]

Y'all still gonna try and tell me this isn't the 2014 BK offense with a better QB?

CJ Carr sucked last night. Denbrock didn't fumble a fucking spike attempt, or miss a wide open Faison for a walk in touchdown, or overthrow 8+ passes.

Notre Dame had 5 scoring drives and two end inside the ten, in inexplicable fashion, and you guys are acting like they had 200 yards of offense.

 

[Irish4life]

I wonder if Weis Jr would be a realistic option

I'd be down but 0% chance Freeman would go for a veer and shoot guy

 

[arrowryan]

I'd be down but 0% chance Freeman would go for a veer and shoot guy

I’ll take a veer and shoot guy over a don’t perform in big games guy.

 

[Irish4life]

I’ll take a veer and shoot guy over a don’t perform in big games guy.

I agree just can't see our defensive minded HC going for that

 

[bkess8]

I agree just can't see our defensive minded HC going for that

Saban had to adjust to survive so Freeman should watch the documentary and not be afraid to make some drastic changes if needed.

 

[irishff1014]

CJ Carr sucked last night. Denbrock didn't fumble a fucking spike attempt, or miss a wide open Faison for a walk in touchdown, or overthrow 8+ passes.

Notre Dame had 5 scoring drives and two end inside the ten, in inexplicable fashion, and you guys are acting like they had 200 yards of offense.

We were running the ball down their throat. When you realized that Carr didn’t have it you have to go with what’s working.

Or after the sanders int. The series was completely worthless. You know they aren’t going to stop. Stay aggressive burn more clock and push down the field. Going 3 and out completely unacceptable.

 

[dang227]

This jerk off will cost us the playoffs with a loaded roster. Waiting until the end of the year is too late.

 

[Dale]

If Carr hits open throws, nobody is talking about the play call. They score 20+ in the 1H and finish the game well over 28. That is the truth.

 

[Dale]

According to the board we only threw slot fades though:



CJ didn’t make the throws. That is a reality many have to come to grips with.

 

[Irish4life]

According to the board we only threw slot fades though:

View attachment 3065400

CJ didn’t make the throws. That is a reality many have to come to grips with.

He was awful too but the problems with this offense are baked in with the coordinator

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

An errant fade ball just hit me in the head and woke me up.

I heard a loud thump outside my bedroom wall and immediately thought Denbrook was still at it!