Marcus Freeman named Dick Corbett Head Football Coach

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

I do agree Freeman is so much easier to like. I really hope he stays with ND and ND works to keep him as long as possible. He's a fast learner and he's really developing a great culture for coaches and players.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I do agree Freeman is so much easier to like. I really hope he stays with ND and ND works to keep him as long as possible. He's a fast learner and he's really developing a great culture for coaches and players.

The first three games are evident of this in so many ways. I remember last year in one of the game threads chuckling at someone who posted about how they want to see more "fire" out of him. If you haven't noticed, he's working the referees so far this season like a veteran coach and not a second year guy who is a thirtysomething. This is a smart guy who was not only drafted into the NFL but worked his way up very quickly to where he is as a coach, he has mentors who have won championship rings that span multiple silos of race, experience and levels of coaching.
Pregame prep, check. In game adjustments, check. Putting up points and putting opponents to bed who should be put to bed early. Check.

The tests are going to be more difficult in the weeks ahead, but you can't help but notice the differences on the stat sheet and with the eyeball tests. It's the best of both worlds.

 

[PutuporShutup]

I do agree Freeman is so much easier to like. I really hope he stays with ND and ND works to keep him as long as possible. He's a fast learner and he's really developing a great culture for coaches and players.

First - I really do like freeman and the culture he's building onto at ND. He's relentless no doubt about it.

I've always thought he was going to be a better HC than coordinator because he doesn't have to be the one scheming everything. Last year scared me though because other than QB, we were a way better team than 9-4. I really thought we had some poor schemes and struggled to adjust mightily in 2021 on D vs descent to good offenses. I like his ability to be the leader and main decision maker vs DC. I also think we've had some really bright coaches recently that made things way too complex and to freemans point "Clarity enables velocity" or something like that. I've always felt ND should be a really really smart team, but it's probably more of a balance.

I think the next step for him as a HC is to get clear improvement out of the team over the course of the season, specifically this year. If we can sure up oline a little more, get the WRs a little more confident beating press man, have the dline finish plays a little better, and safety group as a whole to tighten things up, we'll be there at the end. Not huge changes, but improvements needed.

 

[ACamp1900]

I really like Freeman, and most all our coaches... but I'm not sold fully on any of them just yet, still in wait-and-see mode. Fair to say it's trending up, however.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I really like Freeman, and most all our coaches... but I'm not sold fully on any of them just yet, still in wait-and-see mode. Fair to say it's trending up, however.

Big MF fan, but still hesitant to completely go all Jim Jones with him.

 

[StPaul_Irish]

I really like Freeman, and most all our coaches... but I'm not sold fully on any of them just yet, still in wait-and-see mode. Fair to say it's trending up, however.

I am most encouraged by how quickly they have adjusted, learned from mistakes and moved forward. On that same note, they are not trying to take the easy road/low hanging fruit. The are pushing the envelope in many ways. Sure there are bumps in the road, but they know that, learn from it and move on. I really dig it

 

[PutuporShutup]

I really like Freeman, and most all our coaches... but I'm not sold fully on any of them just yet, still in wait-and-see mode. Fair to say it's trending up, however.

I still need to see a lot more from WRs and Dline, still haven't really seen much improvement there yet. OSU will tell us I think all we know about both units

OSU will try to run the ball on our constant nickel package, and OSU D will make sure they slow down our run forcing our WRs to win 1-1 matchups. Staes could be the one that opens things up in the future, having that dynamic of a TE.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I still need to see a lot more from WRs and Dline, still haven't really seen much improvement there yet. OSU will tell us I think all we know about both units

OSU will try to run the ball on our constant nickel package, and OSU D will make sure they slow down our run forcing our WRs to win 1-1 matchups. Staes could be the one that opens things up in the future, having that dynamic of a TE.

WRs: It's nice to see different guys stepping up on different days. Tyree looks like he belongs, Holden Staes looked incredible last week, and Greathouse has proven game in and game out he's going to be a steady force. I think NCSt tried to neutralize Jayden Thomas as our leading receiver heading into Raleigh, and they got burned by Tyree, Tobias (nice to see him make some plays) and Staes as a result.

Colzie looked solid against Navy and Flores has flashed at times, and all of our RBs can catch the ball out of the backfield. There's no one player OSU can take away. If we buy Hartman time, he's going to find the right guy through his progressions and they're going to make plays. It's always nice to have superstars, but you don't need one if you have a QB who can distribute the ball as well and accurately as Hartman.

I don't think the key to the game against OSU will be "WRs" or TEs. They're going to make plays when given opportunities. The key will be establishing the run to keep the defense honest, and protecting Hartman when he drops back.

 

[dankgesang]

WRs: It's nice to see different guys stepping up on different days. Tyree looks like he belongs, Holden Staes looked incredible last week, and Greathouse has proven game in and game out he's going to be a steady force. I think NCSt tried to neutralize Jayden Thomas as our leading receiver heading into Raleigh, and they got burned by Tyree, Tobias (nice to see him make some plays) and Staes as a result.

Colzie looked solid against Navy and Flores has flashed at times, and all of our RBs can catch the ball out of the backfield. There's no one player OSU can take away. If we buy Hartman time, he's going to find the right guy through his progressions and they're going to make plays. It's always nice to have superstars, but you don't need one if you have a QB who can distribute the ball as well and accurately as Hartman.

I don't think the key to the game against OSU will be "WRs" or TEs. They're going to make plays when given opportunities. The key will be establishing the run to keep the defense honest, and protecting Hartman when he drops back.

Agree with everything here. OSU is going to try do everything they can to rattle and/or flat injure Hartman, and as early as possible. I think Knowles is overrated and the general starting point in Sam's head should be "if it looks like no blitz, six guys are coming and they are going to try and break my fucking legs. If it looks like six guys are coming, three of them are dropping into coverage." I am also dumb as hell though so who knows.

 

[1219Booopa]

This seems to be the best staff in terms of both on field development/production and recruiting that ND has had in a while.

Kudos to MF

 

[DCDomer]

Cool piece on FOX just now. He is a smooth f'n operator.

 

[Ophiocordyceps]

“And I have the utmost respect for him and really the excitement he's bringing to college football. I'm a college football fan and to be able to bring that excitement and the intentions”

Marcus Freeman on Deion Sanders. Completely agree on the excitement.

 

[calvegas04]

Let's not bump his two coordinators threads but not his

 

[irishff1014]

Love the guy he has done some much for this program but he keeps beating himself. You take one the radio and tell Parker under 4 mins we are going to run the ball and that’s it.

Going for it in the first 4th down was not smart and might have cost us. Not sure if the kicker makes it. Can hit from 60 yards but never accurate.

It sucks to lose but when you beat yourself it’s worse.

 

[Irishdrunk]

It’s really hard for Notre Dame to compete against elite programs. Kelly did it for a while but it’s hard.

 

[Circa]

FIRE HIM!


He Is an Idiot. 10 men on D, 2 plays in a row, after 2 timeouts?

 

[Circa]

It’s really hard for Notre Dame to compete against elite programs. Kelly did it for a while but it’s hard.

 

[Circa]

We gotta wait for Freeman to grow up... I'm not interested in what a few players think.

 

[Irishdrunk]

Wut? Kelly had us Top 5 often. Freeman can’t get us there!!

 

[fightingirish26]

One of the biggest things hurting us on the trail (not to mention the field) is Marcus' inexperience,
and teams pointed to marshall and stanford and claimed he was incompetent. 10 men on the final two plays reallllly doesnt help, that's a lasting stain. He better learn and grow up quick.

 

[Katzenboyer]

I wish he played a more active role with the defense. Al Golden sucks.

 

[FOTY977]

if mental errors plague the rest of the meaningful games on the schedule he’s got some serious questions to answer.

 

[INLaw]

Love Marcus Freeman. Glad to have a coach that I can actually respect.

 

[CanadalovesND]

Freeman is smart enough to learn from mistakes. These are growing pains.

See the big picture of what a long-term rebuilding of a college football program looks like. And add to it an inexperienced coach that is learning game by game, season by season.

I'm patient. Are you?

 

[irishff1014]

Freeman is smart enough to learn from mistakes. These are growing pains.

See the big picture of what a long-term rebuilding of a college football program looks like. And add to it an inexperienced coach that is learning game by game, season by season.

I'm patient. Are you?

I don’t watch other coaches enough but Freeman is supposed to be a smart coach.

I think he is a good guy, cares about the team , the players, the recruits but you can’t make these mental errors that he is making. And at ND it won’t get him fired but other places it would.

It’s sad at the end of the day he got out coached by Ryan Day.

I am beginning to think top 5 and a national championship is just far fetched.

 

[CanadalovesND]

I don’t watch other coaches enough but Freeman is supposed to be a smart coach.

I think he is a good guy, cares about the team , the players, the recruits but you can’t make these mental errors that he is making. And at ND it won’t get him fired but other places it would.

It’s sad at the end of the day he got out coached by Ryan Day.

I am beginning to think top 5 and a national championship is just far fetched.

It took Dabo a while before he knew what to do. Kirby Smart was 8-5 in his first year.

Again, we can overreact, or we can understand that there are growing pains.

 

[Irish4life]

Of all the things, this shakes my confidence in Freeman more than anything. More than Stanford, more than Marshall. Not close.

 

[Sea Turtle]

I don’t watch other coaches enough but Freeman is supposed to be a smart coach.

I think he is a good guy, cares about the team , the players, the recruits but you can’t make these mental errors that he is making. And at ND it won’t get him fired but other places it would.

It’s sad at the end of the day he got out coached by Ryan Day.

I am beginning to think top 5 and a national championship is just far fetched.

National championship?? We can't even win a NY6 bowl.

🤣 😂 🤣

 

[irishff1014]

Any time we're across the 50, I mean, it's -- I'm probably going to go for it on fourth and one. And, you know, that's -- you play the percentage. You're either going to be all in and do it or not. And, obviously, when you don't get it, it's terrible. The percentages show you, man, fourth and one, you
have to -- across the 50, you have to go for it because of the percentages of getting that. The call was getting big personnel in and, really, trying to get them to think we're going to run and take a shot and be aggressive.

From his press conference. Gonna put the defense in some tricky situations. Maybe he’ll rethink this.

 

[irishff1014]

Freeman said they don’t want to risk injury practicing tackling. Well you better do something because talking isn’t working.