'21 IL OG Pat Coogan (Notre Dame Signee)

[JerseyIrishMan]

So ND "promises" certain players starting jobs in advance of camp, and just has to decide which players get those promises? Or does ND tell everyone they have to compete for a job, and make no promises, even if players have a sense of whether they are likely to start given the other players on the roster?

Hard to imagine a world where the staff tells a guy like Coogan to hit the portal, but... and that guy loves ND.

There should absolutely be a competition for every position group without making promises. Buy in to what we're doing or don't be here. Coogan was definitely bought in. And he's bought in now, too. Difference is in what's being sold.

 

[irishandy]

Imagine being in Coogan's shoes the past 2 years and the team's he's been on at ND and now at IU.

 

[fightingirish26]

So ND "promises" certain players starting jobs in advance of camp, and just has to decide which players get those promises? Or does ND tell everyone they have to compete for a job, and make no promises, even if players have a sense of whether they are likely to start given the other players on the roster?

They didn't promise Craig the job, they just didn't promise Coogan it

 

[IrishTusker]

They didn't promise Craig the job, they just didn't promise Coogan it

Right, I'm just asking if they promise any players a starting job. If they are promising other players a starting job but not Coogan, I would say there's a colorable argument that ND coaches made a mistake in not promising him the job. If they don't promise any players starting jobs, though, and IU does, it's harder to say ND coaches made a mistake.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

They promised nothing
They offered him nonstarter money
This isn't hard to figure out

 

[IrishLax]

So ND "promises" certain players starting jobs in advance of camp, and just has to decide which players get those promises? Or does ND tell everyone they have to compete for a job, and make no promises, even if players have a sense of whether they are likely to start given the other players on the roster?

In the era of rev share you are talking about projected roles and having to sign guys to contracts in the offseason. It's a lot like the NFL, and these guys all have agents. The three guys ND lost to the portal -- Pendleton, Coogan, Spindler -- it was clear that *at best* they would be competing for jobs and they were getting offered better than that from other places. Spindler knew he would be behind Scheauth and Jagusah but they still wanted to keep him. Coogan knew he'd be competing again with a guy who had previously beat him out and IU offered good money + guaranteed starting spot. Even if ignoring the money, if you want to get to the NFL and you're someone in Coogan's shoes you're going to transfer. They had 7 starter quality guys for 5 spots.

 

[IrishLax]

They didn't promise Craig the job, they just didn't promise Coogan it

Exactly.

 

[Dale]

Yeah I dunno if Rudolph actually knows what he's doing between Knapp at OT and not promising him the starting center spot. I get that Craig is a better athlete AND Jagusah hasn't gotten hurt yet but Coogan could've started at either guard or center for ND this year.

What if you promise Coogan the job so Craig leaves and then Coogan gets hurt instead? Impossible game to play with promising spots especially when injury happens

 

[ulukinatme]

Yeah I dunno if Rudolph actually knows what he's doing between Knapp at OT and not promising him the starting center spot. I get that Craig is a better athlete AND Jagusah hasn't gotten hurt yet but Coogan could've started at either guard or center for ND this year.

Not to mention the fact he's a motivator and a leader. When you couple that with his dependability and flexibility I don't know how you let him go.

 

[T-Boone]

I was fine with him being let go. The "four quarters of F-you football" speech was good and all but big deal. As it turns out yeah we should have kept him because Craig is injured.

 

[SDIrishFan]

 

[Southside Sully]

With those piss missle kicks, we should have held on to him to be our kicker this year

 

[DCDomer]

He's going to be one of those OL who weigh about 180 when he's done playing. He's listed at 310 - doesn't look anywhere near that. Eating is probably a chore.

 

[Armyirish47]

He's going to be one of those OL who weigh about 180 when he's done playing. He's listed at 310 - doesn't look anywhere near that. Eating is probably a chore.

4 orders of fuck you French fries!