Marcus Freeman named Dick Corbett Head Football Coach

[CanadalovesND]

What are you all expecting in terms of an extension?

He's three years into a six year contract. I believe it's been mentioned in the past that Freeman makes around $6.5-$6.75 million per season. I can see a new deal with three more years added on with an annual raise of $1.5-$2 million or so.

 

[NDFAN2008]

What are you all expecting in terms of an extension?

He's three years into a six year contract. I believe it's been mentioned in the past that Freeman makes around $6.5-$6.75 million per season. I can see a new deal with three more years added on with an annual raise of $1.5-$2 million or so.

6-8 years at 9 million a year

 

[IrishSteelhead]

Ridiculous take. Would never happen. I am all for Freeman outperforming my expectations. I just don't think he will. If he does, I will celebrate the second national championship in my lifetime along with the rest of Irish nation. AND Freeman will forever be established as one of the great ND coaches.

Not only that but I would be excited for a potential dynasty if he pulled off a natty this year. But even if he never built a dynasty (very tough to do anywhere by any coach), I would still hold him in high regard as one of the ND greats if he wins a National Championship at Notre Dame at any point in his career. But, none of that is required for my views to change on him this year. If he beats SC and wins a first round against anyone, my view will shift on him for the better.

If they beat USC and host a playoff game, he has already met the high water mark of BK’s entire tenure here.

If they beat USC and win a playoff game, he has already exceeded the high water mark of BK’s entire tenure here.

The only way your arguments make any sense is if you are measuring MF against things that happened 40+ years ago


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[JD Irish]

If they beat USC and host a playoff game, he has already met the high water mark of BK’s entire tenure here.

If they beat USC and win a playoff game, he has already exceeded the high water mark of BK’s entire tenure here.

The only way your arguments make any sense is if you are measuring MF against things that happened 40+ years ago


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What? Kelly's teams played in a national championship game and two more national semi finals.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

What? Kelly's teams played in a national championship game and two more national semi finals.

And got their shit kicked in. MF can do the same thing this year also, and maybe actually win one of those games.

Kelly’s crown jewel is a Citrus Bowl trophy. You are insane if you think winning a playoff game is less than that .


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[Fbolt]

Beating SMU/IU/BYU/Miami/AZ St/Clemson=Not enough

Wins against the premier teams such as Ore/OSU/TX/Tenn/GA would count. Even PSU and Bama (at least this year) to a (much) lessor extent.

There is a total lack of objectivity on the board. Love me some Marcus and am enjoying what he has done this year. However, ND (and MF) need to take a leap to get on that top tier level. Historically, how many times has this board jumped all over a coaches crank to only be disappointed later that year, or even a year(s) later. VanGorder anyone?

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Beating SMU/IU/BYU/Miami/AZ St/Clemson=Not enough

Wins against the premier teams such as Ore/OSU/TX/Tenn/GA would count. Even PSU and Bama (at least this year) to a (much) lessor extent.

There is a total lack of objectivity on the board. Love me some Marcus and am enjoying what he has done this year. However, ND (and MF) need to take a leap to get on that top tier level. Historically, how many times has this board jumped all over a coaches crank to only be disappointed later that year, or even a year(s) later. VanGorder anyone?

If MMFF wins a playoff game 3 years into his tenure and has won as many games against ranked teams that his teams have won, I’d say he’s accomplished more than BK did in his first 3 years. We can judge him further as his tenure continues but up to this point I think he’s headed on a higher trajectory. The loss against the team that shall remain unnamed this year appears to have allowed MF to adjust his approach. Let’s see the win at USC first before we put the cart before the horse but I, for one, am very optimistic. They have the ability to beat any team in the CFP this year.

 

[Irish du Nord]

Beating SMU/IU/BYU/Miami/AZ St/Clemson=Not enough

Wins against the premier teams such as Ore/OSU/TX/Tenn/GA would count. Even PSU and Bama (at least this year) to a (much) lessor extent.

There is a total lack of objectivity on the board. Love me some Marcus and am enjoying what he has done this year. However, ND (and MF) need to take a leap to get on that top tier level. Historically, how many times has this board jumped all over a coaches crank to only be disappointed later that year, or even a year(s) later. VanGorder anyone?

Let the games play out man

 

[IrishLax]

Pete Carroll lost as a FORTY ONE (!!!!) point favorite. Super Bowl and CFB National Championship winning coach... weird shit happens in college football. You can't pick and choose data points.

 

[calvegas04]

Some top 10 recruiting classes should be added into the contract stipulation

 

[GATTACA!]

Some top 10 recruiting classes should be added into the contract stipulation

Some underclassmen transfers should be added on the university's part.

 

[Rockin’Irish]

Some underclassmen transfers should be added on the university's part.

Some of the II podcasts have alluded to the idea that the university is loosening on this aspect but I guess we’ll see it when/if it happens.

 

[NDdomer2]

Didn't basketball just take one?

Gotta be right kid I'm sure but seems possible

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Some top 10 recruiting classes should be added into the contract stipulation

If he is finding and developing kids and legitimately winning, who gives a rats ass what his recruiting class rankings are. In the current world of college football, being able to develop kids and cultivate a culture of toughness, grit, we/me, and loving and playing for each other will be huge.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

If he is finding and developing kids and legitimately winning, who gives a rats ass what his recruiting class rankings are. In the current world of college football, being able to develop kids and cultivate a culture of toughness, grit, we/me, and loving and playing for each other will be huge.

I think the implication is he gets a longer leash on the recruiting trail like Holtz did for a few “special exceptions” every cycle, and legit underclassmen transfers, not grad transfers.

Wisconsin and Iowa had a decade of finding and developing kids and winning with them. That simply isn’t enough to win the big games.


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[Irish4life]

Some underclassmen transfers should be added on the university's part.

Leonard is an undergrad transfer

 

[irishff1014]

If he is finding and developing kids and legitimately winning, who gives a rats ass what his recruiting class rankings are. In the current world of college football, being able to develop kids and cultivate a culture of toughness, grit, we/me, and loving and playing for each other will be huge.

You are not wrong here but you have supplement that with some flat out stars.

It is important to get 2 or 3 top 50 and another 6 to 8 in the top 150. Yes some of them don’t live up to their ranking but a lot of the do.

I am not saying we have to have 4 five stars and 10 top 100 players. I mean it would be nice but we all know especially now that won’t happen.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

High school boys, dude.

 

[ThePiombino]

What are you all expecting in terms of an extension?

He's three years into a six year contract. I believe it's been mentioned in the past that Freeman makes around $6.5-$6.75 million per season. I can see a new deal with three more years added on with an annual raise of $1.5-$2 million or so.

I don't care what they give him, back the brinks truck up for all I care. The one thing I want the admin to do this time is not only include a massive buyout, but actually enforce it as well. Kelly walking for free was a bunch of BS, as much as the program was better off for it in hindsight, no one knew that at the time. Giving him a way to LSU for free was weak AF.

 

[bobbyok1]

If they beat USC and host a playoff game, he has already met the high water mark of BK’s entire tenure here.

If they beat USC and win a playoff game, he has already exceeded the high water mark of BK’s entire tenure here.

The only way your arguments make any sense is if you are measuring MF against things that happened 40+ years ago


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First, I am not a Kelly guy. I appreciated his building the program back up after 15 years of abysmal coaching under Davie, Willingham and Weis. But it was time for him to go, and he had reached his peak at ND.

However, you're measuring Freeman's 4-team playoff era (his first two years), and his now 12-team playoff era (this season), with Kelly's BCS era (first four years), and 4-team playoff era (his last 8 years).

If they beat USC and host a playoff game, he has already met the high watermark of BK’s entire tenure here. Kelly didn't have a 12-team playoff to enter. For his first FOUR years, he didn't even have a 4-team playoff; the BCS was a top-two winner-take-all.

If they beat USC and win a playoff game, he has already exceeded the high watermark of BK’s entire tenure here. It's the same apples-to-oranges comparison.

Not to mention Freeman inherited a program in far better shape than what Kelly inherited. Again, I am glad Kelly is gone. And I had high hopes for Freeman (and to some extent still do, though I don't expect it will happen). But your comparison here does not make logical sense if you are trying to compare like things.

 

[NDpendent]

If he is bringing Dembrock and Golden with him then extend him as long as possible

 

[IrishSteelhead]

First, I am not a Kelly guy. I appreciated his building the program back up after 15 years of abysmal coaching under Davie, Willingham and Weis. But it was time for him to go, and he had reached his peak at ND.

However, you're measuring Freeman's 4-team playoff era (his first two years), and his now 12-team playoff era (this season), with Kelly's BCS era (first four years), and 4-team playoff era (his last 8 years).

If they beat USC and host a playoff game, he has already met the high watermark of BK’s entire tenure here. Kelly didn't have a 12-team playoff to enter. For his first FOUR years, he didn't even have a 4-team playoff; the BCS was a top-two winner-take-all.

If they beat USC and win a playoff game, he has already exceeded the high watermark of BK’s entire tenure here. It's the same apples-to-oranges comparison.

Not to mention Freeman inherited a program in far better shape than what Kelly inherited. Again, I am glad Kelly is gone. And I had high hopes for Freeman (and to some extent still do, though I don't expect it will happen). But your comparison here does not make logical sense if you are trying to compare like things.

I get it, but the idea your perception will only shift favorably if MF wins a playoff game doesn’t compute.

Kelly literally never won a post season game of consequence his entire tenure here. Why would MF need to do something BK never could to gather any support then?

This is just my opinion, but the “BK inherited a mess” angle is overplayed. It is borderline impossible to argue the 2022 team had more talent than the 2010 team.


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[Fbolt]

Pragmatism and logic do not work with this emotion-laden IE fanbase.

 

[SWirishfan]

I get it, but the idea your perception will only shift favorably if MF wins a playoff game doesn’t compute.

Kelly literally never won a post season game of consequence his entire tenure here. Why would MF need to do something BK never could to gather any support then?

This is just my opinion, but the “BK inherited a mess” angle is overplayed. It is borderline impossible to argue the 2022 team had more talent than the 2010 team.


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If I accept that Kelly inherited a mess, and I really dont. There was talent there that was not being developed all that well (outside of The Golden Tate and the Ostrich). So he turned that ship around and then proceeded to run it aground again in 2016.

It took 5 years for him to take the program from USF Purple Face Kelly to PTBIHB (Put the BVG IHB)

Do tell when we get to announce having passed beyond that measure of success.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Some top 10 recruiting classes should be added into the contract stipulation

Am I understanding this correctly that you want it in Freeman's contract that he land top ten recruiting classes?

If so, What does this contract language even look like?

Rivals ranks the current class 9th, 247 and On3 say 12th and ESPN says 15th. Do Dowd and Bevacqua spin a wheel or something to determine the class' "rank"?

 

[IrishFren]

Am I understanding this correctly that you want it in Freeman's contract that he land top ten recruiting classes?

If so, What does this contract language even look like?

Rivals ranks the current class 9th, 247 and On3 say 12th and ESPN says 15th. Do Dowd and Bevacqua spin a wheel or something to determine the class' "rank"?

could be something like: sign 8 players rated as a 5 star, by at least one service, over the next 3 cycles. more incentives based than as a stipulation tho

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

You are not wrong here but you have supplement that with some flat out stars.

It is important to get 2 or 3 top 50 and another 6 to 8 in the top 150. Yes some of them don’t live up to their ranking but a lot of the do.

I am not saying we have to have 4 five stars and 10 top 100 players. I mean it would be nice but we all know especially now that won’t happen.

Do any coaches currently have anything like this written into their contract? This is like the equivalent of winning a HS National Championship when USA Today "ranks" you number one in America.

ND is currently ranked anywhere from 9th to 15th by four different recruiting services.

Charlie Weis had classes ranked 8, 8, 2, 21 and 14th (when he got fired). The 21 ranked class in 2009 included Manti Te'o, Zack Martin and Tyler Eifert.

Recruiting at the end of Kelly's tenure and to start Freeman's has not prohibited the program from winning games and falling into the abyss. What about retention, winning games, team GPA, graduation rate, etc.? Is this all just bullshit nobody cares about anymore because Michigan gave a high school kid 30 minutes from their campus $12M?

On the cusp of an 11-1 season and a playoff birth, but we're beating a dead recruiting horse in every other thread for the last several weeks. The situation isn't anywhere near as dire and doomed as people are making it out to be.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

could be something like: sign 8 players rated as a 5 star, by at least one service, over the next 3 cycles. more incentives based than as a stipulation tho

When five of them transfer before earning their degree, then what? Pay the incentives earned back?

It would also require them to make enormous concessions to the coaching staff in order to accomplish it, and we all know that isn't going to happen.

There were 29 cornerbacks ranked ahead of Benjamin Morrison on Rivals. One of them was Jaden Mickey. If I'm asking for incentives in my contract, I want to get paid for who Benny Mo ends up, not what he was coming out of high school.

Again, I can appreciate the importance of recruiting at a quality level along with the sense of urgency and the frustration that can come with it, but I think there is a minority here who have gotten beyond frustrated to the point that we've reached "getting carried away" territory.

 

[IrishSteelhead]

If I accept that Kelly inherited a mess, and I really dont. There was talent there that was not being developed all that well (outside of The Golden Tate and the Ostrich). So he turned that ship around and then proceeded to run it aground again in 2016.

It took 5 years for him to take the program from USF Purple Face Kelly to PTBIHB (Put the BVG IHB)

Do tell when we get to announce having passed beyond that measure of success.

IMO, we can announce we have passed that measure of success with a playoff win, regardless of format/structure/opponent.

The bar will be raised, and no longer just be “make a significant game only to get boat raced in it.”

Maybe we lose to USC in a few days.

Maybe we lose the first playoff game at home.

Anything is possible, but I sure as hell feel better about playing anyone, anywhere, any time with MF than in the past.


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[Luckylucci]

I feel like I have to always leave this caveat, #FBK!

But winning a playoff game against a top 12 team is not the same as winning a playoff game against a top 4. And that’s not even including that top 4 teams are not what they used to be either. 2012 Bama, 2018 Clemson, and 2020 Bama would destroy this field of teams. The game is about parity which makes the bar lower. Great for ND but in no way an apples to apples comparison.