ESPN First Take - Can Notre Dame Return To Glory?

[ab2cmiller]

First Take debates whether Notre Dame can become a national power again. At the end they answer what is probably an unfair question. "Will they ever be what they were?" Considering what ND was in college football at our peak, no team will ever be what we were at the height of our greatness.

Can Notre Dame Return To Glory? - ESPN Video - ESPN

 

[Sherm Sticky]

Considering what ND was in college football at our peak, no team will ever be what we were at the height of our greatness.

Scholarship limitations (85).

 

[Jerry]

I think the whole ND used to be the pipeline to the NFL and now it's not thing is a crock. Kids have been going across the country to play at USC, UCLA, Alabama, Texas, Oklahoma, ect for decades with plenty of exposure for the NFL. Notre Dame didn't get the NBC contract till after there last National Championship.

I think any of the big time programs (including Notre Dame) have the potential to put together a "dynasty" type decade if they get the right coaching staff and recruiting. If you look back at Notre Dame's history the dominance is directly tied to Rockne, Leahy, Ara, Devine and Lou.

All these blowhards want to talk about is the weather, TV contracts and NFL prep schools, but it really comes down to coaching and recruiting period.

 

[BeauBenken]

Well I think it's true that we probably don't have quite the pull we use to have with catholic high schools.

Let's just win a lot on a consistent basis again. That's all we need to do, really.

 

[irishtrain]

You can bet your @$$ they will return to prominence!!!!! I hear a train coming.

 

[OCIrish]

I am firm believer in Coach Kelly and the staff he's put together in South Bend. I truly believe that he has the drive, the determination, and the know how to bring us back to prominance, and I also believe that it's not going to be a 5 year plan. The team has plenty of talent, I know that we have a coach who can develop more than just a QB and WR's. He's a coach who knows how to develop a college program from the inside out. I'm excited about the future of the program and where Coach Kelly's taking it!!

 

[IrishLax]

Can Notre Dame return to glory is a stupid question. If Boise State or Utah can develop BCS teams then there is nothing stopping Notre Dame but our own incompetence.

No bullshit, if Notre Dame had elite defensive talent/a good defensive coordinator during the Charlie Weis era we would've gone to BCS games at least 3 out of 5 years. It's not some magic formula. Recruit well, coach well, play a manageable schedule. The only thing stopping us now is how we front load the hell out of our schedule. Need some cream puffs and, imo, we need to ditch Big Ten games with their refs. But that's minor details.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

No bullshit, if Notre Dame had elite defensive talent/a good defensive coordinator during the Charlie Weis era we would've gone to BCS games at least 3 out of 5 years. It's not some magic formula. Recruit well, coach well, play a manageable schedule. The only thing stopping us now is how we front load the hell out of our schedule. Need some cream puffs and, imo, we need to ditch Big Ten games with their refs. But that's minor details.

Hear hear. We're national; the Big Twelelve isn't. Time for our schedule to start reflecting that.

 

[GreatGolson]

If by "Glory Days" you mean winning 4 national championships in a decade like 40's or blowing out teams by 30 points in every single game. No, those days are gone, and can never come back, too much competition now. However, if you mean consistent BCS bowl appearances and occasional national championships (1 or 2 in a decade) the yes, that is possible, and will happen

 

[phgreek]

Scholarship limitations (85).

...alot of folks miss that one when they try and figure the dominance lost...

I think returning to glory means a NC every decade or so, BCS 3 out of any 5 years, no runs of 10 years where SC owns us, and sweeping the state of Michigan 2 out of every 3 years, and continuing a winning record against the SEC.

 

[irishtrinity]

yes we can and will...

 

[Rhode Irish]

Dominance is relative. This ain't the 20's/30's/40's. If/when ND is a consistent threat to win a NC we will be back.

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I really don't understand what they're arguing. Can ND win 5 titles a decade like it did 80 years ago? No, not team could. Can ND win a title every decade and compete in 6-8 BCS Bowls? Yeah I don't see why they can't. What the hell is this guy talking about ND not being able to get recruits? Recruiting hasn't been an issue for ND when they were winning 6 games a year? ND proved it can get recruits, and now, can hopefully develop them.

I hate Skip Bayless more then anyone on earth, hes an arrogant and dramatic assclown that never uses facts, just opinions. That other guy was even worse, he was making up things his whole time talking