Marcus Freeman New DC

[Crazy Balki]

So does Mickens get all DB's now or do we continue to split? If so, does Cooks move into that role or does Freeman go get his own guy?

I think if Freeman has his own guy in mind, Kelly will (or probably already has) strongly consider him.

I do think somebody will be hired to coach the safeties. They need another assistant coach.

 

[Dale]

From some quotes from Denbrock that ND Insider got as well as some insights from the 247 UC reporter, I’d say a basic philosophical difference does exist between Lea and Freeman. Those that know more on either could correct but a basic Lea ideology was not bend but don’t break necessarily, which is lazy description and ideology, but to keep things in front and a belief that a Havoc causing play once every 5 or 6 whatever it is, then you get off the field.

Freeman reportedly feels much more aggressive. Lots of mentions of contest everything. Press on the outside. Shoot gaps. Pounce and tackle short stuff. Overall a bit more aggressive tone play to play. Lea a bit more we can get a kill shot once out of a few.

 

[Dale]

Another schematic note, is this second part a Larry Johnson/Ohio State thing anyone?

Freeman said in an Athletic article, they emphasize tackling and block destruction - also referred to as “the difference” which Fickell brought with him on winning one on one blocks.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Was unable to get on last night but super excited as well.

Also kudos to Freeman on how he played this process. I believe he wanted to go to nd all along but took a trip to baton rouge to more or less make sure that ND ponied up the dough. If you're good at something don't do it for free so we'll prolly never know the figures but that plane ride he took down south only increased the final figures to his contact imo.

Great news.... Hoping he can carry on our strong run off defenses and improve the backend while landing some studs in the recruiting game.

 

[Free Manera]

Was unable to get on last night but super excited as well.

Also kudos to Freeman on how he played this process. I believe he wanted to go to nd all along but took a trip to baton rouge to more or less make sure that ND ponied up the dough. If you're good at something don't do it for free so we'll prolly never know the figures but that plane ride he took down south only increased the final figures to his contact imo.

Great news.... Hoping he can carry on our strong run off defenses and improve the backend while landing some studs in the recruiting game.

Actually it doesn’t look like he was playing anyone. He told his Cincy guys he accepted the LSU job. LSU was saying done deal so he probably told them too. So this really was a matter of ND having to sack up and beat the offer.

 

[NDRock]

Actually it doesn’t look like he was playing anyone. He told his Cincy guys he accepted the LSU job. LSU was saying done deal so he probably told them too. So this really was a matter of ND having to sack up and beat the offer.

So, he pulled an Elko on them. Feels better to be on the winning side of that deal.

 

[Free Manera]

So, he pulled an Elko on them. Feels better to be on the winning side of that deal.

Amen!

 

[FDNYIrish1]

Real excited about this hire and the fact that he is flexible in his defense. I was hoping that we hired someone who could adapt to our personnel and BK hit a home run.

 

[Blaise]

Curious if we lose Elston... Dude has been passed over twice and other schools need a DC. Would hate to lose his recruiting ability

 

[IrishLion]

Another schematic note, is this second part a Larry Johnson/Ohio State thing anyone?

Freeman said in an Athletic article, they emphasize tackling and block destruction - also referred to as “the difference” which Fickell brought with him on winning one on one blocks.

The “block destruction” thing is how Mickens got his job at ND. I’ll have to find the article, but pretty sure it was Sampson via The Athletic that said the other CB coach candidates all started their presentations with coverage technique and ideas on how to coach players on them... Mickens’ presentation started with beating blocks and making tackles. BK loved it and pretty much knew he was hiring Mickens right away.

The Fickell coaching tree has been kind to BK and ND lol.

 

[Free Manera]

The “block destruction” thing is how Mickens got his job at ND. I’ll have to find the article, but pretty sure it was Sampson via The Athletic that said the other CB coach candidates all started their presentations with coverage technique and ideas on how to coach players on them... Mickens’ presentation started with beating blocks and making tackles. BK loved it and pretty much knew he was hiring Mickens right away.

The Fickell coaching tree has been kind to BK and ND lol.

Pretty soon the roots will be transplanted to ND. #Fickell2025

 

[ThePiombino]

Curious if we lose Elston... Dude has been passed over twice and other schools need a DC. Would hate to lose his recruiting ability

Three times actually. And that's only if your dont count the BVG hire.

EDIT: I know many will disagree and I don't want this to come across as a troll take, but I don't think his recruiting prowess is all that irreplaceable. Sure he's often gotten his guy, but I would like to see him (or someone else) aim a little higher.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Irish#1]

https://t.co/wQu6YW1grv

They did what everyone expected not only what they couldn’t, but WOULDN’T do. Huge step.

Read where LSU had offered $2.5M per year.

 

[BeauBenken]

Read where LSU had offered $2.5M per year.

The LSU amount was rumored to be anywhere between $2.5 - 4M. If I had to guess, we are probably paying right around that $2.5M range.

We definitely ponied up some dough. But I just also think this is a much better position right now than the LSU spot. Think about this, if Ed O stinks it up again this year on top of all the crap going on off the field down there, how long can he survive? They also just fired a DC after one year.

Meanwhile, you know BK is here probably until he retires from CFB, you won't get canned immediately barring some off the field issues, and yes, LSU won the ship last year, but in that conference they haven't seriously been in the playoff race outside of last year. If you want to consistently compete at that level, enjoy a great family environment and campus, have job stability, and be able to successfully parlay the gig into a HC job? ND wins out IMO. ND ponying up definitely still helps though.

 

[ThePiombino]

Looks like MF won't have any time to eff around. Going to to at least replace Joseph (and possibly Elston if rumors of Purdue DC job are true).

My question is what does this all mean for Lezynski? Was really hoping we could promote him to LB coach. Wonder if there's any flexibility with Freeman and/or Lezynski as to which position they can coach.

 

[ThePiombino]

Go check out SEC Rant. The rest of the SEC fans are taunting LSU on the main page. Couple pages already of Tigers melting down in the LSU subforum: https://www.tigerdroppings.com/rant/lsu-sports/

LOTS of vitriol over there atm. I especially like this one:

"I hate Catholics"

That said, a lot of reason as well. But it's clear there is a stench of entitlement in the south and an overwhelming belief that Notre Dame is living purely on rep. Hopefully this will be the 1st of many donkey punches we deliver to that narrative.

 

[Dale]

Looks like MF won't have any time to eff around. Going to to at least replace Joseph (and possibly Elston if rumors of Purdue DC job are true).

My question is what does this all mean for Lezynski? Was really hoping we could promote him to LB coach. Wonder if there's any flexibility with Freeman and/or Lezynski as to which position they can coach.

Freeman is the LB coach, that is official.

I’d think Nick goes to Vandy

 

[NDFAN420]

Freeman is the LB coach, that is official.

I’d think Nick goes to Vandy

You're probably right. That's too bad but I understand.

 

[ThePiombino]

Freeman is the LB coach, that is official.

I’d think Nick goes to Vandy

Hate to lose Lezynski in all this. He has been a trooper and (by all accounts) an absolutel asset serving as a GA/LB coach. I'm sure that was invaluable to Lea so he could focus on other DC-level items. Would love the same for Freeman, but I can't see Lezynski being anything less than an assistant this year. Good for him if he can land the Vandy job, but I thought Lea already filled that position, no?

 

[rtrn2glory]

We need to bring in more dogs on the recruiting trail that can coach too. I'm hoping MF has got some ties that will help him build an elite staff

 

[GoldenToTheGrave]

I don't mind Cincy being a feeder school for coach recruiting.

 

[Irishize]

Hate to lose Lezynski in all this. He has been a trooper and (by all accounts) an absolutel asset serving as a GA/LB coach. I'm sure that was invaluable to Lea so he could focus on other DC-level items. Would love the same for Freeman, but I can't see Lezynski being anything less than an assistant this year. Good for him if he can land the Vandy job, but I thought Lea already filled that position, no?

That was my understanding as well. The Irish Illustrated guys said Lea had already filled that role so Nick was ND’s to keep if they chose.

 

[Irishize]

I don't mind Cincy being a feeder school for coach recruiting.

We’ll get to see him up close and personal in 2021 when they roll into South Bend as a possible Top 10 team..

 

[TorontoGold]

Any notable recruits excited by this hire? I guess it'll be more of a gradual impact?

 

[ThePiombino]

We’ll get to see him up close and personal in 2021 when they roll into South Bend as a possible Top 10 team..

Yep, and Ridder is coming back as well, so it won't be an easy feat for our D boys.

 

[irishandy]

ND lost a home run DC coach in Lea and they replaced him with a home run hire in Freeman. Welcome to ND!!

I hope Elston stays at ND.

 

[WilliamWallace]

I like the potential of creating a coaching tree from within. Hopefully this home run hire produces no brainer promotions when Freeman makes his jump.

On another note I read on Irish Illustrated that Freeman’s corners press the receivers allowing safeties to roam to the football. That’s reads to me that we will be getting corners who can match speed with receivers. Can’t wait to see if this happens.

 

[ThePiombino]

I like the potential of creating a coaching tree from within. Hopefully this home run hire produces no brainer promotions when Freeman makes his jump.

On another note I read on Irish Illustrated that Freeman’s corners press the receivers allowing safeties to roam to the football. That’s reads to me that we will be getting corners who can match speed with receivers. Can’t wait to see if this happens.

And Hamilton feasts. Nom nom.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[WilliamWallace]

And Hamilton feasts. Nom nom.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

Yeah I feel some pick6 action coming in the near future.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

The one thing id like to see changed is how our DB’s sit back and play off guys against teams like Clemson this kills you QB’s just sit back and pick us apart