ND Coaching Search Megathread

[IrishLax]

I mean there was a "Wheels Up" flight from SB to Columbus yesterday.... and now its being reported on Bucknuts (not sure how many sources) that Freeman is expected to be the OSU DC by Friday. So.... we are prob screwing this up. Savvy Jack is prob saying "not gonna tell me what to do" and is playing hard ball to show his dominance. Yeah, we are screwing this up.

Seems quite likely that this is the case if there is truth to the rumor that Swarbrick prefers Fickel and that Fickel’s agent reached out the night that the news broke about Kelly. Being “willing to wait” for Fickel as Dodd reported would be a cataclysmic mistake.

If you’re Ohio State, why would you be anything other than all in on Freeman for DC and willing to write a blank check?

 

[NDPhilly]

Hold a tick, when was Rees eliminated? Don't get me wrong, I'm on the Freeman wagon for HC, just genuinely curious. I hope we do manage to retain him as OC either way. The players love both guys per the Assaf Twitter Space last night, and if LSU is willing to give him 400k more it speaks volumes what they think he'll do with more talent.

I saw this from Tranquill earlier tonight and it solidified my choice for Freeman to get the job:

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/DTranquill/status/1465843032457023489[/TWEET]

Imagine BK sending a text like that lol. No wonder everyone raves about him.

 

[WildMan80]

I can’t stop refreshing Twitter..

 

[Free Manera]

I don't think there is anything to this Ohio State stuff. Until a decision is made at ND he is not leaving to be a DC anywhere. He could also probably get the Duke head coaching job.

If he takes a job somewhere else, it means a decision was made at ND and we would be hearing something. But we're not, it's radio silence.

 

[IrishLax]

I was thinking about this last night. The key is how much is Jack paying attention to this? Do you think he's checking Twitter or is he working on the contract? Is his assistant or someone else in the AD office in his ear telling him what's happening? He knows where the players stand. Much guess is he's hearing about it from someone. He's in a win win situation by hiring Freeman.

I don’t think he’s paying much attention to it at all, which could be a problem or a good thing depending on your viewpoint. I know that two big money boosters that I’m familiar with (one with a building named after them) said early yesterday that they can’t get anyone except a lowly lieutenant to return a phone call right now. I understand that everyone was blindsided, but boosters are the lifeblood of your program and if you’re not taking calls from the people who write the checks that means you already have your mind made up or you’re scrambling so badly that you don’t want to talk to people until stuff is in a better place.

 

[NDty9]

May I ask a question ...

What exactly is the Down Side of taking a "Risk" on Freeman right now???? By all accounts hes an absolute stud that EVERYONE loves. He has a ceiling higher than nearly anyone we are looking at, AND he would most likely keep the majority of the two amazing recruiting classes we have right now (22 &23) !!

Are we worried that if he is truly not ready to be a HC yet, that we would have passed up on Luke Fickell????? Campbell??? ...... I get that they are safe plays and Fickell is done great things, but even if somehow Freeman fails, we can still re-group when/if the time comes and find another great coach. I don think Fickell is THAT great that we would regret it forever if we pass him to take a home run swing on Freeman

IDK, just my opinion ... deff open to be corrected here

 

[Free Manera]

May I ask a question ...

What exactly is the Down Side of taking a "Risk" on Freeman right now???? By all accounts hes an absolute stud that EVERYONE loves. He has a ceiling higher than nearly anyone we are looking at, AND he would most likely keep the majority of the two amazing recruiting classes we have right now (22 &23) !!

Are we worried that if he is truly not ready to be a HC yet, that we would have passed up on Luke Fickell????? Campbell??? ...... I get that they are safe plays and Fickell is done great things, but even if somehow Freeman fails, we can still re-group when/if the time comes and find another great coach. I don think Fickell is THAT great that we would regret it forever if we pass him to take a home run swing on Freeman

IDK, just my opinion ... deff open to be corrected here

Agree. Hiring Campbell or Fickell signals that ND is perfectly happy with a high floor and "being in the conversation." I have no faith in them having the balls to hire Freeman, but at the same time it's still what all the smoke leads you to.

 

[AvesEvo]

Seems quite likely that this is the case if there is truth to the rumor that Swarbrick prefers Fickel and that Fickel’s agent reached out the night that the news broke about Kelly. Being “willing to wait” for Fickel as Dodd reported would be a cataclysmic mistake.

If you’re Ohio State, why would you be anything other than all in on Freeman for DC and willing to write a blank check?

Wait, so we are now thinking that we have lost Freeman?!

 

[ulukinatme]

I seriously doubt Freeman takes the OSU DC job when millions more are on the table as a potential HC. He could use it to force his hand, but as long as he's in the running I wouldn't worry about any DC positions. Now if Ryan Day goes to Chicago, or if Swarbrick is all in for Fickell...bad odds he doesn't return to OSU.

 

[IrishLax]

May I ask a question ...

What exactly is the Down Side of taking a "Risk" on Freeman right now???? By all accounts hes an absolute stud that EVERYONE loves. He has a ceiling higher than nearly anyone we are looking at, AND he would most likely keep the majority of the two amazing recruiting classes we have right now (22 &23) !!

Are we worried that if he is truly not ready to be a HC yet, that we would have passed up on Luke Fickell????? Campbell??? ...... I get that they are safe plays and Fickell is done great things, but even if somehow Freeman fails, we can still re-group when/if the time comes and find another great coach. I don think Fickell is THAT great that we would regret it forever if we pass him to take a home run swing on Freeman

IDK, just my opinion ... deff open to be corrected here

There is no downside, only upside. The downside would be that he isn’t ready and fails, and then you go get a proven coach in a few years with more time to prepare for that hire.

 

[IrishLax]

Wait, so we are now thinking that we have lost Freeman?!

No no no. Just saying the hypothetical. The “if” doing a lot of work.

Everything I have heard since last night was that Swarbrick was working on contracts yesterday for existing staff including Freeman. But nothing is confirmed until it’s confirmed.

 

[Riddickulous]

There is no downside, only upside. The downside would be that he isn’t ready and fails, and then you go get a proven coach in a few years with more time to prepare for that hire.

Agreed. Even if Freeman fails, with his recruiting he'd be leaving behind a stacked roster for the next hire. If we go with Fickell, we're looking at a long rebuild IMO.

 

[arrowryan]

Seems quite likely that this is the case if there is truth to the rumor that Swarbrick prefers Fickel and that Fickel’s agent reached out the night that the news broke about Kelly. Being “willing to wait” for Fickel as Dodd reported would be a cataclysmic mistake.

If you’re Ohio State, why would you be anything other than all in on Freeman for DC and willing to write a blank check?

I'll turn in my season tickets if this is the case.

Loy doesn't think their is anything to the Freeman and OSU stuff.

 

[EvilleIrish]

No no no. Just saying the hypothetical. The “if” doing a lot of work.

Everything I have heard since last night was that Swarbrick was working on contracts yesterday for existing staff including Freeman. But nothing is confirmed until it’s confirmed.

Including Freeman as in HC or as DC?

 

[Kingbish01]

There is no downside, only upside. The downside would be that he isn’t ready and fails, and then you go get a proven coach in a few years with more time to prepare for that hire.

My thoughts exactly. You save two recruiting classes, and you give MF a shot at being the next young stud in the biz. If he fails, everyone including recruits will see it coming and then ND is in the driver seat in terms of finding a replacement. It's the only move that makes sense....If they go a different direction, ND deserves all fallout that comes from it.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

Head coaching experience is without a doubt a plus, but it should not be a deal breaker any longer. Freeman has been at ND for a year, so he's had that benefit and I think his heart and mind are in it (Davie's wasn't).
.

not germane to this thread, but what makes you think Davies heart and mind werent in it? I always thought he was handed a good situation, but got hamstrung by internal forces (the evil admin).

 

[Whiskeyjack]

There is no downside, only upside. The downside would be that he isn’t ready and fails, and then you go get a proven coach in a few years with more time to prepare for that hire.

And when the coaching carousel isn't spinning at Mach 3 and we're not competing with fourteen other major programs that are looking to fill vacancies ASAP.

 

[GoldenAura]

Including Freeman as in HC or as DC?

Freeman isn't staying as DC. It's Head Coach or gone for him.

 

[Rack Em]

But nothing is confirmed until it’s confirmed.

This is the hard hitting analysis I come here for!

 

[EvilleIrish]

My thoughts exactly. You save two recruiting classes, and you give MF a shot at being the next young stud in the biz. If he fails, everyone including recruits will see it coming and then ND is in the driver seat in terms of finding a replacement. It's the only move that makes sense....If they go a different direction, ND deserves all fallout that comes from it.

This is where I'm at. The program is in a position to take a high upside gamble.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

A young guy full of energy can quickly be overwhelmed by this job for reasons he doesn't fully understand ;

this is the truest sentence that’s ever been typed on IE.

 

[WildMan80]

Heather Dinich just confirmed Jack not at the college expansion meeting and IS meeting with Marcus today.

LFG BOYS!!!

I don’t even want to try to figure out why I’m almost happy Kelly left & Marcus could be the HC..

His attitude & ability to reach these kids seems special.. This could be EXACTLY what we needed as wild as that is.

With that said I give Kelly all the credit for putting us back on the map. What he did for this program will not be forgotten by me.

 

[Rogue219]

I agree he's a risk worth taking from what little I know if him. He's is mid to low 30s, I think. A young guy full of energy can quickly be overwhelmed by this job for reasons he doesn't fully understand yet.

Maybe JS sees something there that is a concern. Maybe he hasn't seen enough to be convinced.

We all know the good things about him but none of us know the deficiencies. And there are some. Everyone has them.

​​​​​​

If you make an omelet, you have to break some eggs. Freeman turns 36 next month.

Deficiencies can be strengthened by hiring good assistants. I think that is going to be a major component for whoever gets hired.

 

[NorthDakota]

This is where I'm at. The program is in a position to take a high upside gamble.

Yep. Kelly established a high floor. Let's go for it.

 

[Rogue219]

not germane to this thread, but what makes you think Davies heart and mind werent in it? I always thought he was handed a good situation, but got hamstrung by internal forces (the evil admin).

He was happier at TAMU and I believe he's said so more recently in hindsight. I think at a speaking engagement he even said "Texas A&M" instead of Notre Dame.

I never thought it was a fit then and in looking back now it was the start of the downhill slide. Holtz endorsed him, though and that was that.

 

[Mavericknyc1980]

Heather Dinich just confirmed Jack not at the college expansion meeting and IS meeting with Marcus today.

LFG BOYS!!!

I don’t even want to try to figure out why I’m almost happy Kelly left & Marcus could be the HC..

His attitude & ability to reach these kids seems special.. This could be EXACTLY what we needed as wild as that is.

With that said I give Kelly all the credit for putting us back on the map. What he did for this program will not be forgotten by me.

please god let Freeman get it. We all wanted him to take over

 

[Kingbish01]

This whole situation for me went from "OMG how can this be happening" to excitement. There is so much upside with MF from recruiting to young energy in the locker room. BK always came off like you're talking to the CEO of Apple. I get it, it works...It's all biz...blah blah blah...but there is a reason Dabo (first time HC) has been able to do what he's done at Clemson. After listening to Ian Book talk about Rees, I can see these two pushing ND to the next level. No way MF and TR don't do a better job getting a big time QB and WR to South Bend and then develop them. Two positions BK has never been able to push to an elite level. I also can't see how young guys like that don't pump up a team before a big game better than BK. The last few years the losses always came in huge games in primetime...ND always looked ill prepared in big games...Miami/Stanford '17, Clemson '18, UM '2019, Clemson/Bama '20. Was it Talent??? Maybe, but ND isn't Boston College...they have talent. I'm happy BK has moved on and I appreciate all he's done. I think we have a much better chance to win a title going forward without him than we did with him.

 

[BoredIrish]

Heather Dinich just confirmed Jack not at the college expansion meeting and IS meeting with Marcus today.

LFG BOYS!!!

I don’t even want to try to figure out why I’m almost happy Kelly left & Marcus could be the HC..

His attitude & ability to reach these kids seems special.. This could be EXACTLY what we needed as wild as that is.

With that said I give Kelly all the credit for putting us back on the map. What he did for this program will not be forgotten by me.

Makes perfect sense.

Alot of people are questioning what the purpose of the Swarbrick presser was yesterday. To me, he got up there to announce an open competition... which was sending a signal to all the coaches and agents in the world that they should indicate their interest.

Yesterday, JS gets a good lay of the land to list his options. As long as neither Bellichek or Saban said they were interested, by the end of the day he had a list of realistic options compiled as well as any associated constraints (i.e. Fickell not available til Jan etc.). Based on that, they start at the top and interview the top candidates today (i.e. Freeman) and ask them what their staff would look like (i.e. Rees).

 

[WildMan80]

My wife is going to be thrilled when she gets home from work & I’m still on the couch refreshing Twitter & I’ve gotten absolutely nothing done besides getting the kids off the bus.

 

[rtrn2glory]

To all of you guys posting updates I really appreciate it. I can't be on my phone much, but it works out to be on the computer so much appreciated if you can keep posting!!