Marcus Freeman named Dick Corbett Head Football Coach

[NDWarrior]

You really have to give it to Marcus Freeman and his confidence in key players this year, even when we all here on IE were ready to burn down his house with pitchforks. I think most of us are tolerant of a few unexpected losses in his first few years, maybe not having the team ready for some of these games, etc., and that we gave him some leeway and saw these missteps as first time HC growing pains. But, come on, this year, there were hardly any of us (I was def. in that camp) who thought RL was actually going to develop enough of a passing game and turn things around, and even when he continued to look like shit, week after week through like week 5 or 6, MMFF never wavered in his confidence in RL and his decision to keep playing him, and then suddenly, by week 7 or so, RL started to look a lot better. And that wasn't even the last of it... How many of us thought wtf is MF doing not finding a new kicker for the team in light of atrocious kicks (and blocks of his kicks) by Mitch Jeter. Again, MF never wavered and said publicly, he's our kicker! I'll be damned, it all worked out. That's some special coaching right there... Good on you MMFF!! You're the man, you're our guy, and you're the hot damn best coach in MF CFB!

 

[bobbyok1]

Again I cannot give Freeman enough credit. I just didn’t see it. I didn’t see the Riley Leonard thing working out. I didn’t see Freeman becoming an in game execution coach. I just didn’t see it.

Once again, I recant my lack of belief. Marcus is a very good head coach and he just might be great. Well done Coach Freeman. Never been so glad to be wrong. Go Irish ☘️ beat PSU!

 

[Dale]

With injuries, I actually don’t know if this team is better than the 2020 team.

But it is significantly better coached starting with good ole fashion belief from the top

 

[arrowryan]

Freeman had me questioning everything, two weeks into the season.

He turned things around in a hurry and is reaching levels that BK can’t even reach at LSU.

 

[Riddickulous]

With injuries, I actually don’t know if this team is better than the 2020 team.

But it is significantly better coached starting with good ole fashion belief from the top

At full strength I think this is the best team since Holtz.

 

[NDWarrior]

 

[irishff1014]

With injuries, I actually don’t know if this team is better than the 2020 team.

But it is significantly better coached starting with good ole fashion belief from the top

This team team kicks 2020 ass. Especially the defense.

 

[NDFAN2008]

The difference between Freeman and Kelly culture is night and day. How many times did we play in bowl games under Kelly to find out 1-2 players were suspended for staying out past curfew? Has any players been suspended under Freeman? I don't know Onye situation but lets be real. Freeman also has balls that Kelly doesn't. Kelly would be find punting on 4th and 1 with the game on the line from their own 45, not Freeman. I'm glad we locked him up and have the admins finally backing the football team (I think Jack held ND back), just wait until the new facilities are built. Hopefully this puts a spark in the recruiting for 2026.

 

[irishff1014]

The difference between Freeman and Kelly culture is night and day. How many times did we play in bowl games under Kelly to find out 1-2 players were suspended for staying out past curfew? Has any players been suspended under Freeman? I don't know Onye situation but lets be real. Freeman also has balls that Kelly doesn't. Kelly would be find punting on 4th and 1 with the game on the line from their own 45, not Freeman. I'm glad we locked him up and have the admins finally backing the football team (I think Jack held ND back), just wait until the new facilities are built. Hopefully this puts a spark in the recruiting for 2026.

I didn’t always like Jacks decisions but are you serious.

Jack hired freeman

Jack set us up to be 14 million dollars richer than any other school.

Jack had his hands in the renovations of the stadium and the new practice facility. And Jack the new GUG being built.

And Jack picked his own replacement. That seems to be even more friendly to the football team.

 

[IrishLax]

At full strength I think this is the best team since Holtz.

Yeah full strength this team would smack PSU and be headed to the natty. It has been a remarkable job to lose Morrison and then Mills/Cross for extended periods of time -> go 6-0 vs ranked teams including two playoff wins.

 

[irishff1014]

 

[Veritate Duce Progredi]

The difference between Freeman and Kelly culture is night and day. How many times did we play in bowl games under Kelly to find out 1-2 players were suspended for staying out past curfew? Has any players been suspended under Freeman? I don't know Onye situation but lets be real. Freeman also has balls that Kelly doesn't. Kelly would be find punting on 4th and 1 with the game on the line from their own 45, not Freeman. I'm glad we locked him up and have the admins finally backing the football team (I think Jack held ND back), just wait until the new facilities are built. Hopefully this puts a spark in the recruiting for 2026.

Swarbrick built the whole damn thing. Jack negotiated the deal that put ND in this position. Jack had faith Freeman was the guy and hired him. Jack spun everything up and then handed it to Bevacqua to push it even further.

I don't know how anyone can discredit Jack and what he did. Take a snapshot of ND football before he arrived (facilities, culture, W/L) and then look at where they were when he handed the keys over to his successor.

And Freeman has been his best hire. Freeman made some of the best hires: entire staff including Landow.

 

[NDFAN2008]

I didn’t always like Jacks decisions but are you serious.

Jack hired freeman

Jack set us up to be 14 million dollars richer than any other school.

Jack had his hands in the renovations of the stadium and the new practice facility. And Jack the new GUG being built.

And Jack picked his own replacement. That seems to be even more friendly to the football team.

Jack wouldn't have picked Freeman if the players weren't demanding him to pick him. He woulda taken Fickell.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

I feel like i might would run through my wood paneled wall if Freeman told me to

Nothing says wood paneled walls like Notre Dame, Penn State, Texas and Ohio State.

That and smoking cigarettes inside listening to an 8 track.

 

[dublinirish]

 

[Katzenboyer]

I didn’t always like Jacks decisions but are you serious.

Jack hired freeman

Jack set us up to be 14 million dollars richer than any other school.

Jack had his hands in the renovations of the stadium and the new practice facility. And Jack the new GUG being built.

And Jack picked his own replacement. That seems to be even more friendly to the football team.

I do not get the Swarbrick hate at all. If you want to look at all the reasons why we're where we are right now, the list starts with Swarbrick.

 

[Katzenboyer]

Yeah full strength this team would smack PSU and be headed to the natty. It has been a remarkable job to lose Morrison and then Mills/Cross for extended periods of time -> go 6-0 vs ranked teams including two playoff wins.

Yup. And as currently constructed, I think this team still smacks the 2020 squad.

We've got a fast, physical, nasty, rocked up bunch of guys on the defensive side of the football. This defense is effing elite.

 

[tussin]

Marcus Freeman is a DOG and we cannot lose him. It is only going to get better boys!

 

[IHateMarkMay]

Jack wouldn't have picked Freeman if the players weren't demanding him to pick him. He woulda taken Fickell.

Asking because I don't know/remember. Is there evidence that this is accurate? I know the players wanted Freeman, but did Jack want Fickell more than Freeman?

 

[stlnd01]

Asking because I don't know/remember. Is there evidence that this is accurate? I know the players wanted Freeman, but did Jack want Fickell more than Freeman?

No. There’s no evidence that Jack wanted Fickell over Freeman.

Continuity was the (stated) priority (and probably a top priority in reality too). Also remember Cincy was in the playoffs at the time and the thought was that hiring Fickell would mean waiting a month (bc who would bail on Cincy about to play its biggest game ever?).

I think Fickell was widely seen as the best traditional candidate vs. a first-timer, and the players made their support for Freeman quite clear. But if Fickell was actually Swarbrick’s first choice that was never really came out.

 

[IAIrish]

With this run we're on, it seems inevitable that Marcus wins a championship at ND. They've got a shot this year, but I fully expect were seeing the beginning of a snowball rolling down the mountain that turns into an avalanche.

There's too much momentum to stop it.

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

Marcus Freeman is a DOG and we cannot lose him. It is only going to get better boys!

Marcus is a wolf. He eats dogs. And next week, cats. And seeing he's from Ohio, I'll see myself out now.

 

[NDohio]

Marcus is a wolf. He eats dogs. And next week, cats. And seeing he's from Ohio, I'll see myself out now.

Well, he did live only about twenty minutes from Springfield...you may be onto something...

 

[GC90ND]

Jack wouldn't have picked Freeman if the players weren't demanding him to pick him. He woulda taken Fickell.

This is absolutely untrue.

 

[Free Manera]

According to insiders on 247, Freeman already had the support of literally the entire administration and boosters, to the point people (whales, really) are throwing money at NIL. This win will only strengthen their resolve. ND supposedly has $40 million in NIL reserves right now, undergrad transfers are no longer persona non grata, and admissions is working with the program because they have developed a trust that Freeman will not take non-fits.

I said it once I'll say it again, the giant is awake.

 

[NDFAN2008]

According to insiders on 247, Freeman already had the support of literally the entire administration and boosters, to the point people (whales, really) are throwing money at NIL. This win will only strengthen their resolve. ND supposedly has $40 million in NIL reserves right now, undergrad transfers are no longer persona non grata, and admissions is working with the program because they have developed a trust that Freeman will not take non-fits.

I said it once I'll say it again, the giant is awake.

Lordy well I hope something changes where we start throwing some money at some big time highschool kids

 

[KPENN]

Lordy well I hope something changes where we start throwing some money at some big time highschool kids

How about no?

 

[Jiggafini19Deux]

According to insiders on 247, Freeman already had the support of literally the entire administration and boosters, to the point people (whales, really) are throwing money at NIL. This win will only strengthen their resolve. ND supposedly has $40 million in NIL reserves right now, undergrad transfers are no longer persona non grata, and admissions is working with the program because they have developed a trust that Freeman will not take non-fits.

I said it once I'll say it again, the giant is awake.

Your lips to Lord Rockne's ears.

 

[MNIrishman]

Lordy well I hope something changes where we start throwing some money at some big time highschool kids

I conceptually hate this, but the thing is...NIL/paying players is a huge advantage for good schools. I never wanted it, but now that it's here, let's go out and set the world on fire.

 

[NDisme]

I think a big reason ND is willing to make these changes has to do with the landscape in CFB etc but I really think it’s the fact that they have a coach who is such a great representative of the university and isn’t constantly clashing with the admin and from all accounts isn’t an ass hole.