ND Coaching Search Megathread

[rtrn2glory]

Much like Kelly. Not his strong suit.

I thought he was actually pretty good... He's got Cincy competing for top level dudes despite being group of five?

 

[Huntr]

To be clear, Loy said he still expects some assistants to follow BK but just that they weren't on the flight.

The significance of that is, of course we were going to lose some of them, that was probably going to happen regardless. But, this way it sounds like we'll at least get a shot to decide who we want to try and retain. If they were on that plane, very likely we never get that chance. Small victories for the program that BK just set fire too.

I mean, he can take Del, no problem.

 

[Riddickulous]

Really don't think anyone knows shit right now, honestly.

 

[pumpdog20]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/dennisdoddcbs/status/1465779091232202752[/TWEET]

If this is true, maybe the powers that be were like: we made all these concessions for the last guy, and he just did us raw. Lets go back to our roots...

 

[Riddickulous]

I don't think Rees would stick around to be Freeman's #2 but who knows. Would think Fickell would be more likely in that case.

Would Fickell not want to pick his own OC? Nothing is adding up right now.

 

[irishff1014]

If you have 247 go read the article regarding assistants. This doesn't feel right and we are probably getting ready to see some bad news. Duke has interest in freeman as head coach!

 

[SaltyND24]

I don't know why this is such a difficult decision. There are no sure things. If Freeman was your "HC in-waiting" when he was brought over, it makes no sense to hold to the timeline when it has gotten blown up. Even if Freeman doesn't pan out, I'm almost positive that the cupboard wouldn't be left bare for the next coach. If Freeman is a home-run, they look like geniuses for rolling the dice. If he isn't, well it wasn't like they backed up the Brink's truck to really make it happen and can choose a CEO-like figure. Makes sense in both the short and long-term.

Doing anything else sets us up for a painful rebuild.

Don't get me started on the Catholic schools comment...That's laughable.

 

[Huntr]

If this is true, maybe the powers that be were like: we made all these concessions for the last guy, and he just did us raw. Lets go back to our roots...

If you want to never beat an SEC team in the championship or whatever CLR builds at Southern California, then by all means.

 

[IRISHMAN]

with the way BK handled his departure i cant imagine freeman and reese leaving ND to follow BK to LSU, but what the hell do i know at this point.

 

[irishff1014]

We are reading some information right now i don't know what's right or wrong anymore. Loy, and the guys at 247 have been accurate for the most past and if they aren't hearing much that concerns me.

 

[RDU Irish]

I don't know why this is such a difficult decision. There are no sure things. If Freeman was your "HC in-waiting" when he was brought over, it makes no sense to hold to the timeline when it has gotten blown up. Even if Freeman doesn't pan out, I'm almost positive that the cupboard wouldn't be left bare for the next coach. If Freeman is a home-run, they look like geniuses for rolling the dice. If he isn't, well it wasn't like they backed up the Brink's truck to really make it happen and can choose a CEO-like figure. Makes sense in both the short and long-term.

Doing anything else sets us up for a painful rebuild.

Don't get me started on the Catholic schools comment...That's laughable.

This is so on point - very easy to move on from Freeman if he can't take us over the hump (we could probably have a separate thread on what "failure" would look like). The bar is set at 10 win seasons - any dip below that is heating up the seat.

 

[rtrn2glory]

Am I the only one that feels like the longer this drags out the worst the news we're going to get will be?

 

[BoredIrish]

Hopefully for Tommy, there is something to be said for staying at ND as the OC under a defensive coach and being given free reign to totally control his side of the ball.

I dont know this for a fact, but I cant help but think that as long as BK was around, Tommy never was truly the man on offense.

 

[Luckylucci]

Am I the only one that feels like the longer this drags out the worst the news we're going to get will be?

Right now we are (Swarbrick is) letting BK and LSU control the narrative. For the most part. The longer this goes on without direction the worse it'll probably be. Sometimes perception is reality. If we are perceived to be a rutter less ship then recruits will react accordingly. Even if Fickell is a very good hire which I think he's a very good HC it might not matter. Decisions might be made without us.

 

[Dale]

We are reading some information right now i don't know what's right or wrong anymore. Loy, and the guys at 247 have been accurate for the most past and if they aren't hearing much that concerns me.

Loy is very large into just info straight from Gug staffers who are probably scrambling wondering if they need a new job before giving Loy any goods they’d even have

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Don’t mess this up ND… FREEMAN OR BUST!!!

You do realize the Fickell was the D coordinator at OSU and was the mentor to Freeman, correct?
Fickell's resume is way more long.
Fickell's experience is way higher.
Fickell beat Freeman 1v1.

I think Freeman is the sexy, big get for the kids and clearly a recruting favorite. But you have to factor in all evidence.

And IF they can get Fickell AND Freeman...now we'd be in a real nice spot.

 

[wizards8507]

If this is true, maybe the powers that be were like: we made all these concessions for the last guy, and he just did us raw. Lets go back to our roots...

I mean... this is our strength in 'crooting.

 

[Luckylucci]

You do realize the Fickell was the D coordinator at OSU and was the mentor to Freeman, correct?
Fickell's resume is way more long.
Fickell's experience is way higher.
Fickell beat Freeman 1v1.

I think Freeman is the sexy, big get for the kids and clearly a recruting favorite. But you have to factor in all evidence.

And IF they can get Fickell AND Freeman...now we'd be in a real nice spot.

I'd call it a homerun if they can get Fickell to come as HC while Freeman stays on as DC. Maybe with the thought that Fickell heads to OSU in 1-2 years at which point Freeman gets his HC spot at ND on his previously expected timeline.

I don't see this happening but that would be best case scenario, IMO.

 

[ACamp1900]

And IF they can get Fickell AND Freeman...now we'd be in a real nice spot.

Judging by how long it will prob take to get Fickell in, do you honestly think there is any real chance of keeping Freeman??? Because currently, I don't.

 

[IrishLion]

How is Fickle as a recruiter?

Much like Kelly. Not his strong suit.

Hard disagree with Whiskey on this one, with the caveat that I'm obviously a UC homer, too, so probably biased a bit.

But Fickell has UC recruiting at a top-25 level currently, and hasn't missed much of a beat without his ace recruiter (Freeman).

His strong suit is identifying developmental prospects that fit what he needs in a very successful defensive system. He has a particularly good eye for hybrid linebackers/safeties, much like BK and underrecruited WR's, or Clark Lean and future rovers.

The strongest endorsement, though, is probably the development of UC's skill players on offense. They have a good hit rate on the guys they go after in recruiting, and aren't over-reliant on P5 washouts like Tubberville was. That means Fickell is either helping with identifying skill guys, or empowering Denbrock, Guidugli, etc. to find the guys that they KNOW will pan out.

He's also much more involved in recruiting and willing to be more than just a "closer," unlike BK. He will work hard on the trail, and I expect that would elevate his classes at ND.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

Urban came out and denied interest in the vacancy. Is this really a rumor? or some reporter spit balling and threw the question at him? I know we joke about it, but i didn't realize it was a legit thing.

 

[ACamp1900]

Honestly, if there is any shred of truth to the Freeman becoming head coach when BK retires stuff then just make him the head coach now. What amount of grooming (1-2 more years) would really make a difference given the current state of affairs?

 

[Riddickulous]

IMO it's Fickell OR Freeman. Can't have both.

 

[ACamp1900]

Urban came out and denied interest in the vacancy. Is this really a rumor? or some reporter spit balling and threw the question at him? I know we joke about it, but i didn't realize it was a legit thing.

It's not an option but let's be honest,.. the last person who would give anyone reliable information on Urban Meyer's coaching future would be Urban Meyer.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Judging by how long it will prob take to get Fickell in, do you honestly think there is any real chance of keeping Freeman??? Because currently, I don't.

Swarbrick could be in the talks with Fickell (and Freeman) agree to let Cincy / ND scenario playout then announce after. You can have backroom talks before the announcement.
The problem with this is recruiting. Sure Freeman could tell the recruits but the leaks...

 

[irishog77]

My take on this - Hire Freeman as HC, bring in David Cutcliffe as OC, and call either Morgan Scalley from Utah or Nate Woody at Army for DC and swing for the fences........

I thought of something like that for ND, but a source who played for Cut (and knows the Mannings very well) says there's a lot of talk and motion for him the be QB coach at Ole Miss for a few years. Cutcliffe's son coaches HS in Oxford and is killing it there (and he has 4 sons, so grandsons of David living there). He'd be given the job and not even expected to do all the BS that goes along with college coaching, nor recruit...except for one player- Arch Manning.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Hard disagree with Whiskey on this one, with the caveat that I'm obviously a UC homer, too, so probably biased a bit.

But Fickell has UC recruiting at a top-25 level pretty consistently, and hasn't missed much of a beat without his ace recruiter (Freeman).

His strong suit is identifying developmental prospects that fit what he needs in a very successful defensive system. He has a particularly good eye for hybrid linebackers/safeties, much like BK and underrecruited WR's, or Clark Lean and future rovers.

The strongest endorsement, though, is probably the development of UC's skill players on offense. They have a good hit rate on the guys they go after in recruiting, and aren't over-reliant on P5 washouts like Tubberville was. That means Fickell is either helping with identifying skill guys, or empowering Denbrock, Guidugli, etc. to find the guys that they KNOW will pan out.

He's also much more involved in recruiting and willing to be more than just a "closer," unlike BK. He will work hard on the trail, and I expect that would elevate his classes at ND.

Couldn't you have said most of this about BK before he abruptly left Cinci? I just see Fickell as a BK clone. I think his style and results at ND would be extremely similar.

Ironically, most Cinci fans on /r/cfb are praying that we promote Freeman so that they can keep Fickell. That seems to be what most here want as well. Would you prefer we take Fickell so that Freeman can be HC at Cinci?

 

[irishff1014]

Am I the only one that feels like the longer this drags out the worst the news we're going to get will be?

No sir you are not.

 

[NDPhilly]

While I don't think Fickell would be a bad hire by any means, hiring Marcus Freeman changes the brand, face, and perception of Notre Dame over night. ND's brand under Kelly was down-right boring. Part of that is ND marketing but most is his "business-like" approach. Think it is tough for a lot of kids to get excited about ND right now.

 

[ACamp1900]

Am I the only one that feels like the longer this drags out the worst the news we're going to get will be?

It's the other way around really,... if we have ANY poster that thinks this dragging out is a could thing I'd love for that poster to stand up and explain.