Marcus Freeman Revisited

[Jimmy3Putt]

He has to hire a real DC. Is Tressel a realistic option?

 

[Irish Insanity]

Hands down the worst game of the MF HC era.

 

[bkess8]

He has to hire a real DC. Is Tressel a realistic option?

Was just thinking about this… also needs to get an OLine coach and WR coach.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Hard to be critical of Freeman. He was thrust in to the HC position with little time to prepare. One had to expect that once the emotional factor wore off the players and coaches would settle in and make the same positive adjustments they had made most of the year. It didn't happen and that's what Freeman must learn to navigate as the HC and not the DC. He is going to be fine and his personality will win over recruits that otherwise I don't believe Notre Dame would get. There's going to be some lumps along the way given the experience factor, but given time, and a couple of solid recruiting classes, and Freeman will be just fine. My Irish friends need to see the bigger picture and personally, I think it's brighter now than ever... even given the outcome of one game today.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Maybe he's just not that good? We will see.

First games interim head coaches win bowl games with far less talent.

 

[irishff1014]

It is one game you guys need to pump the breaks when's the last time ND came out firing and fired up in a bowl game like this? Give credit where credit is do, one thing they need to work on is half time adjustments. I didn't like how we came out in the second half and starting running more. But Sanders was probally right up there with Riddler for the best QB we have seen all year and our DB's got exposed like they have in years past.

if the players can’t come out all game pumped up to play for the coach they all wanted and got than we have some of the worst players in the country. Everyone one said it when we didn’t try at the end of the second half it was like we gave up a little. Well the just said F it and quit. Coaches and players.

 

[chicago51]

Perhaps this team was never that good and just played weak schedule?

 

[irishff1014]

Perhaps this team was never that good and just played weak schedule?

This very true. And we struggle with a lot of those teams because of Tommy Rees and Jack Coan.

 

[AKRowdy]

Everyone pissed at MF for losing the first game as HC in 1 month should probably just follow BK to LSU tbh.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Marcus Freeman proves he belongs:

https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1477400341297520641

 

[chicago51]

He needs to figure out a plan during the off-season for how involved he is going [needs] to be with the defensive play calling. His DC hire is going to determine that answer. Maybe I’m just paranoid and pissed about the game, but he looked lost and like he had nothing to do but cheerlead on the sidelines.

There were a lot of weird factors involved with this game though, and almost none of them should say anything definitive, either good or bad, about Marcus Freeman (or Tommy Rees) moving forward.

If getting wrecked in the third quarter becomes a trend after three or four games next season… then we need to revisit some things lol

It looked like he took over playing at some point. He had call sheet whole game but he talking into head set more during the 4th quarter (which was better than the 3rd quarter).

 

[IrishLax]

Marcus Freeman recruited literally zero of the players who played in this game.

The only thing I learned today from a HC standpoint was:
-He needs to hire a DC who is the real deal. He can’t be expected to have his hands on the defense if this is how a collaboration is going to work.
-He was being truthful about giving Tommy autonomy.
-He’s going to need to hit the portal for some back end defensive players.

 

[chicago51]

Reason why this hurts so bad is everyone knows Marcus Freeman is a first class human being even if he goes 0-12 next year. You just want the guy to succeed and it hurts when he doesn't. When BK failed it still sucked as a fan but you didn't feel for him because deep down you knew he was always kind of an ass.

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

Marcus Freeman recruited literally zero of the players who played in this game.

The only thing I learned today from a HC standpoint was:
-He needs to hire a DC who is the real deal. He can’t be expected to have his hands on the defense if this is how a collaboration is going to work.
-He was being truthful about giving Tommy autonomy.
-He’s going to need to hit the portal for some back end defensive players.

Today proved this is true, but also that it might have been unwise. He needed another voice in his ear at some point in the second half. We need to get someone else with offensive play calling experience on this staff.

 

[chicago51]

No one likes to hear it for some reason but I don’t see much to put on the coaches. Players play and every Sanders scramble had a missed tackle. Bauer blitzes and doesn’t make the tackle. Bauer spies and doesn’t make the tackle. What is Freeman/Elston supposed to do? They tried different options and the players didn’t execute whatever option we tried. Sanders scrambling and Lewis basically lost the game. So the one thing they could have tried but didn’t I suppose was bench Lewis.

On offense, 2 2H TOs, no run game and some drops/slight overthrows.

Freeman did mention in one of his press conference being worried about tackling and yet also saying they really couldn't tackle in bowl prep because guys would get hurt.

Personally I think you got to tackle some. But if someone gets hurt you're the biggest idiot ever, so it is a tough call.

 

[Irishize]

Perhaps this team was never that good and just played weak schedule?

I think this is conveniently dismissed by ND fans. They played some of the worst D in P5. What’s their best win…a four loss Wisconsin team? Anytime the D faced a QB who could run & pass, they struggled…Travis (FSU), Burmeister (VT), Howell (UNC) and now Sanders (OSU). Burmeister really wasn’t a good passer but happened to complete seemingly every 3rd & long…but stressed ND w/ his legs)

ND should’ve been prepared for a shootout after the first half but they double downed on what worked in the first half. If your’e defense is above average like ND but struggles w/ a QB who can both run & pass you better have a QB running your offense who can do the same b/c you have to at least trade scores until one side blinks. Coan played well for Coan but when OSU knew he wasn’t a threat w/ his legs, ND should’ve had an answer.

 

[Riddickulous]

Marcus Freeman recruited literally zero of the players who played in this game.

The only thing I learned today from a HC standpoint was:
-He needs to hire a DC who is the real deal. He can’t be expected to have his hands on the defense if this is how a collaboration is going to work.
-He was being truthful about giving Tommy autonomy.
-He’s going to need to hit the portal for some back end defensive players.

Need to fill out the WR depth chart, as well. As you've indicated before, getting at least 2 of the 5th/6th year guys to return is a must. Ideally you add a couple of late additions to the '22 class if you can.

 

[T-Boone]

.
Along with that, he needs to make the hard decision on offense. Rees is obviously staying. But once again our receivers have failed us. We simply did not have enough talented depth out there today to compete for an entire game. There were plays to be made that we didn't make. And that same thing has been consistent. I don't care if they think Del can get better results in recruiting now somehow. Its not the results, but the process, that matters. Del's process has failed multiple times, and even the one success there was is now being threatened.
.

what is this?

 

[calvegas04]

Biggest take away was his lack of emotion on the sideline... I was expecting him to be more animated and show passion for the game

 

[ACamp1900]

Marcus Freeman recruited literally zero of the players who played in this game.

The only thing I learned today from a HC standpoint was:
-He needs to hire a DC who is the real deal. He can’t be expected to have his hands on the defense if this is how a collaboration is going to work.
-He was being truthful about giving Tommy autonomy.
-He’s going to need to hit the portal for some back end defensive players.

How are they supposed to get anyone impactful in the portal when it sounds like everyone else is throwing money at them?? Maybe I’m not understanding

 

[Irishize]

Marcus Freeman recruited literally zero of the players who played in this game.

No but his current staff did so he’s stuck with those recruits for a season or two. He doesn’t have to be stuck w/ the guys responsible for the poor recruiting so he needs to replace them. He can enhance them w/ younger players but how many true freshmen from his first recruiting class are going to be an instant impact in 2022? He didn’t recruit Patterson, Foskey, Ademilola, Lenzy, Austin, Wilkins or Avery Davis but needs to convince most of them to return.


This was supposed to be a rebuild but then they finished 11-1 vs a less than impressive schedule. Sucks losing yet another Fiesta Bowl to yet another team initialed OSU but we all knew this was basically a toss up. Freeman has never been a head coach. We all knew that too despite our euphoria of his hiring. They’re not an elite team yet. Hopefully, MF can get them there but there will be a learning curve that comes w/ some ugly losses.

 

[Dale]

No but his current staff did so he’s stuck with those recruits for a season or two. He doesn’t have to be stuck w/ the guys responsible for the poor recruiting so he needs to replace them. He can enhance them w/ younger players but how many true freshmen from his first recruiting class are going to be an instant impact in 2022? He didn’t recruit Patterson, Foskey, Ademilola, Lenzy, Austin, Wilkins or Avery Davis but needs to convince most of them to return.


This was supposed to be a rebuild but then they finished 11-1 vs a less than impressive schedule. Sucks losing yet another Fiesta Bowl to yet another team initialed OSU but we all knew this was basically a toss up. Freeman has never been a head coach. We all knew that too despite our euphoria of his hiring. They’re not an elite team yet. Hopefully, MF can get them there but there will be a learning curve that comes w/ some ugly losses.

O Leary is in Year 1 and Mickens in Year 2. Most of the secondary was “recruited” by Lea, Joseph and Lyght. That is not current staff.

 

[Irishnuke]

Marcus Freeman proves he belongs:

https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1477400341297520641

You are why we need neg reps back

 

[SouthSideChiDomer]

what is this?

There was the report that Del always only wanted to bring in 3 receivers per year which has left us a depleted depth chart due to attrition and not changing from this guideline, even this year when two of those three receivers were known to be looking around. Even the one class with success (Styles, Colzie, Thomas) has the best players looking at transferring per multiple reports on this site.

 

[Irish2155]

This is going to be bad. Bring your 5 stars. We’ll become a 9 win team under Freeman

 

[Rambler09]

I will begin by saying that tonight was devastating. The last time our team got significantly worse in the second half (from my memory) was when Brian VanGorder was still on the sidelines.

Nonetheless, I am optimistic about Marcus Freeman for two reasons:

1.) He is going to get up tomorrow morning and work harder than he did yesterday.

2.) He is going to significantly upgrade the talent at Notre Dame through recruiting (as evidenced by the 2023 class).

He and Tommy are both young, humble, and learning. They're also both incredibly talented and fierce competitors. They will get better.

Tonight was awful and all too familiar... but we have reason to think it will get better.

 

[Te'o4Heisman]

Marcus Freeman proves he belongs:

https://twitter.com/RedditCFB/status/1477400341297520641

Jesus christ I cant wait for the day you just go away…

 

[NDBoiler]

After having a little while to think about it, I’ve stepped back off the ledge a little. Need to give MF some time to complete his staff and get some of his recruits in place before full meltdown can commence.

 

[ThePiombino]

I will begin by saying that tonight was devastating. The last time our team got significantly worse in the second half (from my memory) was when Brian VanGorder was still on the sidelines.

Nonetheless, I am optimistic about Marcus Freeman for two reasons:

1.) He is going to get up tomorrow morning and work harder than he did yesterday.

2.) He is going to significantly upgrade the talent at Notre Dame through recruiting (as evidenced by the 2023 class).

He and Tommy are both young, humble, and learning. They're also both incredibly talented and fierce competitors. They will get better.

Tonight was awful and all too familiar... but we have reason to think it will get better.

I do have faith in the program, but I'm curious -- what makes you think Tommy is humble?

 

[Rambler09]

I do have faith in the program, but I'm curious -- what makes you think Tommy is humble?

I think it's his demeanor. As a quarterback with limited tools I felt like he always put his head down and worked hard to get better despite being surrounded by (more) talented quarterbacks.

I also talked to him out at a bar shortly after college - he's approachable and understated. I guess those are proxy markers for humility, but I tend to get a pretty quick read on people. My sense is that he's hungry and very willing to learn (in a way I never thought BK was).