ND Coaching Search Megathread

[NorthDakota]

$80m facility upgrade w/ Freeman recruiting the Midwest... the Big10 might fold.

Might as well start up a B1G/MAC challenge because they'll all be getting leftovers

 

[Irish#1]

Wait is Hiestand coming back a real possibility?

What’s the deal with you showing up after being MIA for quite a while? You finally finish building that custom shoe rack for all your loafers? Lol

good to see you back.

 

[greyhammer90]

Might as well start up a B1G/MAC challenge because they'll all be getting leftovers

Take your like and get out of my sight.

 

[greyhammer90]

Wait is Hiestand coming back a real possibility?

No indication except the thirst of ND fans.

 

[ACamp1900]

Of all the rumors today the one that makes the least sense to me is the gug upgrade stuff,… nothing yet about working on a official contract for any given coach but we are giving said coach what BK apparently just left over?? Makes my mind melt

 

[Armyirish47]

Of all the rumors today the one that makes the least sense to me is the gug upgrade stuff,… nothing yet about working on a official contract for any given coach but we are giving said coach what BK apparently just left over?? Makes my mind melt

This has been part of the conversation for a while though, from an Indystar article last February, https://www.indystar.com/story/spor...rbick-addresses-football-program/6861675002/:

"Q: Where does the Gug expansion stand, given the financial constraints of the pandemic? Is that on hold? Is there some progress and collecting some of the funding for that still going on?

JS: “It’s important to continue to invest in our facilities generally. The Irish Indoor Athletic Facility was the priority. And we got that done, and I think it’s been a great asset for us. And so now yes we turn to how to make the Gug more functional.

“Time flies. It’s a long time now in facility terms from when it was built (completed in 2005) until today. And it just doesn’t provide some of the functional space that we need. So with the indoor facility in place, where we are is sort of relooking at what we need. And we’re in the process of thinking about that. We’re not in the process of sort of doing anything tomorrow.

“We’re trying to nail down what this might look like phased in over time to give us what we need in the facility.”"

 

[calvegas04]

Wait is Hiestand coming back a real possibility?

Hope not, let's get someone who is hungry to teach and recruit

 

[ND88]

I mean, who hear really thinks that ND could beat the like of UGA/Mich in back to back weeks when our best win is Purdue? Wisconsin? I think this team way overperformed and had a light schedule to help it. I don't think they could realistically win a title.

That said, BK has always been about BK. Was it money / boredom after 12 years / fear of having a backslide in SB / not feeling "loved" ? Who knows. But I think in the end, BK will be a Mark Richt type for LSU. They will be top 15 good, might even have a top 5 year. But there will be a hump that he will never get over. At that point, the legacy of BK will be stamped across for all to see...he was college footballs John Cooper in results, while thinking he was Bud Wilkinson.

Who here thinks Kelly took a knee on this season with his bullshit patterns and stubborn behavior. It’s very possible his leadership was overinflated this season. One way I could see Tommy staying is to escape from under Kelly’s control and shadow.

 

[wizards8507]

What’s the deal with you showing up after being MIA for quite a while? You finally finish building that custom shoe rack for all your loafers? Lol

good to see you back.

Obviously.

 

[ACamp1900]

I’m fully aware I’m overthinking but it’s ND football and all that,… the fact there has been so little news or leaks since this morning on who they are targeting has me thinking it may not be Freeman?? If it were you’d think things would at least be smoking by now,… it’s much quieter than I’d have thought

 

[BilboBaggins]

I’m fully aware I’m overthinking but it’s ND football and all that,… the fact there has been so little news or leaks since this morning on who they are targeting has me thinking it may not be Freeman?? If it were you’d think things would at least be smoking by now,… it’s much quieter than I’d have thought

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

To piggy back on this, it seemed like Loy was alluding to Freeman (and some others) actually doing a formal interview with Swarbrick. But the tea leaves of having Balis stay and trying to get Tommy to stay, I would have a hard time thinking a coach like Fickell would just accept those dudes as part of his staff if he comes. I'm thinking we may see some smoke towards the end of the week, but if this starts to reach out towards the end of next week with nothing, then it may be Fickell.

 

[BeauBenken]

Those are the threads. I realize they have separate purposes, but a lot of what’s being posted is duplicated or similar. No biggie. I can live with it.

I made a news only thread. That help at all?

 

[ACamp1900]

Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence.

Noted. It would still be wild considering it’s the focus of the sports world today and no one has been able to break anything to this point

 

[BeauBenken]

Most signs point Freeman.

But Fickell I'm sure will definitely be considered.

 

[BeauBenken]

Obviously.

TinyEye shows zero matches for this photo.

This mad man actually just took a pic of his shoe closet, uploaded it to the internet, and posted it here just to make a joke.

 

[tussin]

So. Many. Duck. Boots.

 

[Free Manera]

To piggy back on this, it seemed like Loy was alluding to Freeman (and some others) actually doing a formal interview with Swarbrick. But the tea leaves of having Balis stay and trying to get Tommy to stay, I would have a hard time thinking a coach like Fickell would just accept those dudes as part of his staff if he comes. I'm thinking we may see some smoke towards the end of the week, but if this starts to reach out towards the end of next week with nothing, then it may be Fickell.

All of this plus:

1. Freeman is the obvious choice for an interim coach. But they haven’t named him interim.

2. Freeman was called back to meet with Swarbrick this morning while the other coaches were told to stay on the road.

The circumstantial evidence is definitely pointing to Freeman.

 

[Irishokie]

Has anyone created a post to keep track of coaches that have expressed their desire to stay?

Please not a fourth thread to read the same material. (More) centralized please!

 

[BilboBaggins]

All of this plus:

1. Freeman is the obvious choice for an interim coach. But they haven’t named him interim.

2. Freeman was called back to meet with Swarbrick this morning while the other coaches were told to stay on the road.

The circumstantial evidence is definitely pointing to Freeman.

Didn't Swarbrick say that if they named an interim coach then they wouldn't be the next head coach? I took that as an immediate sign that Freeman was the guy.

 

[Free Manera]

Didn't Swarbrick say that if they named an interim coach then they wouldn't be the next head coach? I took that as an immediate sign that Freeman was the guy.

Yeah exactly

 

[NDBoiler]

TinyEye shows zero matches for this photo.

This mad man actually just took a pic of his shoe closet, uploaded it to the internet, and posted it here just to make a joke.

He can’t help it, he’s an attention craving dork.

 

[NorthDakota]

All of this plus:

1. Freeman is the obvious choice for an interim coach. But they haven’t named him interim.

2. Freeman was called back to meet with Swarbrick this morning while the other coaches were told to stay on the road.

The circumstantial evidence is definitely pointing to Freeman.

Worth remembering these are self-imposed "rules" and Swarbrick can change them as he sees fit.

 

[ACamp1900]

All of this plus:

1. Freeman is the obvious choice for an interim coach. But they haven’t named him interim.

2. Freeman was called back to meet with Swarbrick this morning while the other coaches were told to stay on the road.

The circumstantial evidence is definitely pointing to Freeman.

Yeah point 1 really hits,…



but it’s my ND head coach and I want him named now!!!

 

[N_D_Fighting_Irish]

To piggy back on this, it seemed like Loy was alluding to Freeman (and some others) actually doing a formal interview with Swarbrick. But the tea leaves of having Balis stay and trying to get Tommy to stay, I would have a hard time thinking a coach like Fickell would just accept those dudes as part of his staff if he comes. I'm thinking we may see some smoke towards the end of the week, but if this starts to reach out towards the end of next week with nothing, then it may be Fickell.

Correct. Since Rees has been eliminated as a candidate, the job is Freeman's. Like you pointed out, an external hire would bring his own staff/coaches.

This is similar to the nationwide search for the OC position. I hope I am wrong but I think the decision has been made. The question is when they will announce Freeman as HC.

Why not ask Freeman to become the interim coach? My guess is that Freeman was offered interim and he declined. Freeman is negotiating to become the head coach. A coach with Freeman's resume "negotiating" would be absurd, but Kelly's shocking departure has given Freeman PR leverage. The admin has been caught off guard and have no leverage. Now you have players and delusional fans pushing for him on social media. It really blows my mind. He has NO head coach experience and little coordinator experience. He is not going to out recruit the semi pro teams; and due to his inexperience, he lacks the ability to out scheme or out gameplan the big boys. Promoting him will be disaster.

 

[IrishBoognish]

I know I'm setting myself up for a letdown... and its a weird sentiment to have right now (one of the steps of the grieving process?)

But the prospect of Freeman as HC and keeping key staff has me more wildly optimistic than I've been in a long time as an ND fan.

The team seems striaght up rallied together. Recruiting would go through the roof. And they would run through the walls of the stadium to play whoevers in front of them come playoff/bowl time.

lfg

 

[Dale]

Correct. Since Rees has been eliminated as a candidate, the job is Freeman's. Like you pointed out, an external hire would bring his own staff/coaches.

This is similar to the nationwide search for the OC position. I hope I am wrong but I think the decision has been made. The question is when they will announce Freeman as HC.

Why not ask Freeman to become the interim coach? My guess is that Freeman was offered interim and he declined. Freeman is negotiating to become the head coach. A coach with Freeman's resume "negotiating" would be absurd, but Kelly's shocking departure has given Freeman PR leverage. The admin has been caught off guard and have no leverage. Now you have players and delusional fans pushing for him on social media. It really blows my mind. He has NO head coach experience and little coordinator experience. He is not going to out recruit the semi pro teams; and due to his inexperience, he lacks the ability to out scheme or out gameplan the big boys. Promoting him will be disaster.

Marcus Freeman:
2016: Co-DC @ Purdue
2017 - 2020: DC @ UC
2021: DC @ ND

Lincoln Riley
2010 - 2014: OC @ ECU (1 as AHC)
2015 - 2016: OC @ OU

Ryan Day
2017: Co-OC @ OSU
2018 : OC/Acting HC @ OSU

Dabo Swinney
2007 - 2008: AHC @ Clemson
2009: OC/Interim HC @ Clemson

 

[Dizzyphil]

Yeah point 1 really hits,…



but it’s my ND head coach and I want him named now!!!

Welp, ND hiring Boston College’s Jeff Hafley by JS and PJ is coming back through the portal as the starting QB…..

 

[ACamp1900]

Come on Jack,… you know playin with my ND head coaching position is like playing with my emotions!!

 

[irishandy]

I hope it's Freeman...when can we play LSU?

Are renovations to the Gug true??