Ask Merckxe525 aka Dear Abby

[Kingbish01]

Buford's weight room looks more like a college than a high school, and the new football stadium they are building is incredible.

I love how big time high school football is here. Gainesville may be my favorite...meeting room, weight room, and locker room...all on par or better than a lot of colleges. Christ they even put a roof over their practice field to keep them out of the sun.

 

[ab2cmiller]

I love how big time high school football is here. Gainesville may be my favorite...meeting room, weight room, and locker room...all on par or better than a lot of colleges. Christ they even put a roof on their outdoor facility to keep them out of the sun. View attachment 3058323

I assumed that was where the red elephants were housed.

 

[Kingbish01]

I assumed that was where the red elephants were housed.

Haha...I edited that statement as it didn't make much sense. But needless to say, a few of these places have blown me away. And it makes all the sense in the world why some of these colleges need/better up their game.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

However, it became clear very early on, he was never going to start, or play extensively at Notre Dame.

Chan always had a reputation of being "soft" in HS. Even by opposing coaches who played against him in different sports. Not much changed.

 

[Irish#1]

I love how big time high school football is here. Gainesville may be my favorite...meeting room, weight room, and locker room...all on par or better than a lot of colleges. Christ they even put a roof over their practice field to keep them out of the sun. View attachment 3058323

The money they are pouring into these high schools is ridiculous.

 

[Dale]

@Merckxe525, Any hard intel on specific recruiting targets?

2008 might have a heart attack if one more kid has bad news

 

[irishnd31]

@Merckxe525, Any hard intel on specific recruiting targets?

2008 might have a heart attack if one more kid has bad news

And he will keep having heart attacks until these kids stop committing to other schools…

 

[Hautian Domer]

@Merckxe525 — I’m dead serious with this question and am legitimately curious as toyour intel … what’s Brian Kelly thought of by Freeman, in the Gug, throughout the university? We all know what we as fans think, or most of us at least. Kelly persuaded and got Freeman to Notre Dame, so he obviously had to think highly of Freeman. I understood that Freeman as considered a “coach in waiting,” but no one expected BK’s quick departure to LSU. With Denbrock back on staff, that obviously says a lot. Do they respect the guy? Like him? Hate him? Is he viewed as an enemy? Sorry if I’m misstating, but I believe you previously mentioned the staff does not like the staff at Penn State, Virginia, Indiana, and Pitt.

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

I just want to know that when someone reports "the Gug feels good about this".... who is the Gug? Lol.

 

[NDPhilly]

- Kelly wanted Freeman, but he's not the one who got that done.

- Almost universally, Kelly is not thought of well at Notre Dame.

- During Kelly's final 2 years, numerous people were well aware he was looking around, and nobody put up much of a fight to stop that from happening.

- Kelly wanted a long extension, and pushed for it numerous times, but was told no every single time.

- When Kelly first spoke to LSU, he was never offered an extension or raise.

- Marcus will never say so publicly, but he's not a fan of Kelly.

This is "Hot Goss" as my wife would say. Love my Soap Opera for dudes.

 

[MacIrish75]

- Kelly wanted Freeman, but he's not the one who got that done.

- Almost universally, Kelly is not thought of well at Notre Dame.

- During Kelly's final 2 years, numerous people were well aware he was looking around, and nobody put up much of a fight to stop that from happening.

- Kelly wanted a long extension, and pushed for it numerous times, but was told no every single time.

- When Kelly first spoke to LSU, he was never offered an extension or raise.

- Marcus will never say so publicly, but he's not a fan of Kelly.

With all sincerity, I really appreciate you answering all these questions and giving us these insights into the program. I’ve been on this board and various iterations of other boards and this is the best and most comprehensive inside information I’ve ever had access to—and I’ve been a paid member of two different paid sites.

 

[Irish5Saint]

With all sincerity, I really appreciate you answering all these questions and giving us these insights into the program. I’ve been on this board and various iterations of other boards and this is the best and most comprehensive inside information I’ve ever had access to—and I’ve been a paid member of two different paid sites.

@Merckxe525

You are a legend. Legitimately.

 

[notredomer23]

What are some of your hottest takes @Merckxe525 ? Give us some of your ND opinions. Make this your soap box.

 

[SoIll]

- There will be a statue of Marcus Freeman outside the stadium by the time he leaves ND.

- Nobody will ever see the exact numbers, but in reality, ND is the most profitable, valuable football program in the country.

- It won't look flashy, but the new facilities will not only be the best in the country when finished, they will remain so for several years.

- Carr is going to break every meaningful QB record in ND history.

In Young Merck we trust!

That said, Mike Frank is super super high on Minchey right now. Lets see how it plays out.

 

[ndfanatic78]

- There will be a statue of Marcus Freeman outside the stadium by the time he leaves ND.

- Nobody will ever see the exact numbers, but in reality, ND is the most profitable, valuable football program in the country.

- It won't look flashy, but the new facilities will not only be the best in the country when finished, they will remain so for several years.

- Carr is going to break every meaningful QB record in ND history.

I really hope you are not a big con because you just made it move a little.

 

[lcaps20]

- There will be a statue of Marcus Freeman outside the stadium by the time he leaves ND.

- Nobody will ever see the exact numbers, but in reality, ND is the most profitable, valuable football program in the country.

- It won't look flashy, but the new facilities will not only be the best in the country when finished, they will remain so for several years.

- Carr is going to break every meaningful QB record in ND history.

Seems like points 1 & 4 go hand in hand.

Also inject any CJ Carr hype directly into my veins please. As a Michigan resident it would give me so much happiness to have him be the face of the program when ND finally wins a natty again.

 

[ozzman]

After the Michigan loss and OSU fans out with pitchforks for Day's head, were there any back channel communications put out to Freeman to gauge interest?

 

[Rizzophil]

- There will be a statue of Marcus Freeman outside the stadium by the time he leaves ND.

- Nobody will ever see the exact numbers, but in reality, ND is the most profitable, valuable football program in the country.

- It won't look flashy, but the new facilities will not only be the best in the country when finished, they will remain so for several years.

- Carr is going to break every meaningful QB record in ND history.

Hot Dang!

 

[Rizzophil]

- Kelly wanted Freeman, but he's not the one who got that done.

- Almost universally, Kelly is not thought of well at Notre Dame.

- During Kelly's final 2 years, numerous people were well aware he was looking around, and nobody put up much of a fight to stop that from happening.

- Kelly wanted a long extension, and pushed for it numerous times, but was told no every single time.

- When Kelly first spoke to LSU, he was never offered an extension or raise.

- Marcus will never say so publicly, but he's not a fan of Kelly.

So what was the tipping point for Marcus Freeman to join ND while BK was here? Just family not wanting to go to LSU?

 

[GrangerIrish24]

So what was the tipping point for Marcus Freeman to join ND while BK was here? Just family not wanting to go to LSU?

He was sold on how great his neighbors could be in Granger.

 

[ozzman]

No, not to my knowledge.

Thanks. I really believe that Freeman gets ND and is perfect for the job, but there's always the thought in the back of my mind that he'd go back home if called.

 

[IAIrish]

I echo the thanks to @Merckxe525 for the boatload of scoop over the past month. True insights where the vast majority of us contribute rational/irrational speculation or bad jokes and regional food takes.

Now I'm curious why you've entered and participate in this board? If I had insider knowledge, I don't know if I would do the same.

 

[NotKoon]

In recent history has the staff ever looked at a QB and thought we finally found an elite guy the way it seems they are viewing CJ now?

 

[MacIrish75]

I echo the thanks to @Merckxe525 for the boatload of scoop over the past month. True insights where the vast majority of us contribute rational/irrational speculation or bad jokes and regional food takes.

Now I'm curious why you've entered and participate in this board? If I had insider knowledge, I don't know if I would do the same.

If I remember correctly—he was continually being brought up over here as dropping these nuggets on one of the other sites. He got wind we were talking about him. Came over here. Got hounded. Checked out the Dante Moore thread. Avoided the politics thread. And decided to become one of us. And he can seal it with his favorite recipe for salsa.

 

[Madmasher67]

I believe there will be a statue of Merckxe525 on IE before he retires.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

I just want to know that when someone reports "the Gug feels good about this".... who is the Gug? Lol.

Bill Rees, Drew Mentock, Chad Bowden, Reilly Fangman, the voices in Loy's head

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Joanna wanted ND

She also needs a statue.

 

[BuaConstrictor]

and Kelly hadn't destroyed his confidence.

Everett Golson has entered the chat.

 

[Irish#1]

- Kelly wanted Freeman, but he's not the one who got that done.

- Almost universally, Kelly is not thought of well at Notre Dame.

- During Kelly's final 2 years, numerous people were well aware he was looking around, and nobody put up much of a fight to stop that from happening.

- Kelly wanted a long extension, and pushed for it numerous times, but was told no every single time.

- When Kelly first spoke to LSU, he was never offered an extension or raise.

- Marcus will never say so publicly, but he's not a fan of Kelly.

For all of you Nancy boys that were down on Swarbrick, we accept your apology.

 

[Irish8248]

Bill Rees, Drew Mentock, Chad Bowden, Reilly Fangman, the voices in Loy's head