I guess what bothers me about Parker’s hiring is that from day one, when MF was introduced to the team as their new head coach with that arm swing and walk to embrace the players, was that he seemed different.
He was a guy who seemingly got ND, embraced the uniqueness of ND, and the challenges of ND, but saw them as an opportunity. He was the anti-Burnt Ends.
He would work tirelessly to recruit players, and demand his staff did the same. If he didn’t know something, he would figure it out. In short, he would work his ass off to give ND, the players, and the fans every opportunity to win.
Then he preached is mantra of “challenge everything.”
Now, he’s met some obstacles, and seemingly has abandoned why so many of us fell in love with the him by making the easy hire. What’s he challenging by hiring Parker? Is he really working his ass off by hiring Parker? Is he embracing all the opportunities of what ND has to offer by hiring Parker?
I hope Parker is great and the team wins. But this hire can’t help but feel like a Burnt Ends hire that is safe, easy, comfortable…and gets him back out on the golf course as fast as possible.