ND Coaching Search Megathread

[notredomer23]

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.

Honeymoon phase. I am excited as well too. This is the fun time. And if the team puts in some good shifts in the playoff or bowl game, that is only gonna create more excitement for the fall.

 

[IrishLax]

One of the weirder things to me is seeing national reporters drop tweets with info when I can’t conceive of how they possibly have better sources than people on the beat or sources in the athletic department/boosters. Makes me perpetually worried that what’s being reported is straight BS.

The three competing rumors are: Fickel’s agent reached out the night the news broke and Swarbrick would prefer Fickel; Swarbrick called Freeman back to campus immediately because it was always the plan to go with him and they’ve been hammering out the contract; Swarbrick is inclined to go with Freeman because of the groundswell of support for the hire but would probably prefer an older coach and might let Freeman get away intentionally or unintentionally.

Most people tend to believe it’s the second because there had been a grooming/transition plan proposed to Freeman when he was first recruited as the DC *and* because they want it to be true. Fingers crossed.

 

[dankgesang]

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.

100% this. I mean when I do think about it, seems like it's because you, me and everyone else on this board are credulous dorks who are more or less effortlessly led around by the nose by the sports media we consume all day every day to fill the hole where our grandmothers, grandfathers, moms and dads had real lives. Like you, I try not to think about it.

 

[ACamp1900]

We are happy because we are close but we all knew (admitted out loud or not) that for a long time it felt like BK couldn't take the next step... maybe MF can.

 

[arrowryan]

One of the weirder things to me is seeing national reporters drop tweets with info when I can’t conceive of how they possibly have better sources than people on the beat or sources in the athletic department/boosters. Makes me perpetually worried that what’s being reported is straight BS.

The three competing rumors are: Fickel’s agent reached out the night the news broke and Swarbrick would prefer Fickel; Swarbrick called Freeman back to campus immediately because it was always the plan to go with him and they’ve been hammering out the contract; Swarbrick is inclined to go with Freeman because of the groundswell of support for the hire but would probably prefer an older coach and might let Freeman get away intentionally or unintentionally.

Most people tend to believe it’s the second because there had been a grooming/transition plan proposed to Freeman when he was first recruited as the DC *and* because they want it to be true. Fingers crossed.

If it isn't the second option, then why retain Balis and work to retain Rees? That is putting the carriage in front of the horse.

 

[Irish#1]

One of the weirder things to me is seeing national reporters drop tweets with info when I can’t conceive of how they possibly have better sources than people on the beat or sources in the athletic department/boosters. Makes me perpetually worried that what’s being reported is straight BS.

The three competing rumors are: Fickel’s agent reached out the night the news broke and Swarbrick would prefer Fickel; Swarbrick called Freeman back to campus immediately because it was always the plan to go with him and they’ve been hammering out the contract; Swarbrick is inclined to go with Freeman because of the groundswell of support for the hire but would probably prefer an older coach and might let Freeman get away intentionally or unintentionally.

Most people tend to believe it’s the second because there had been a grooming/transition plan proposed to Freeman when he was first recruited as the DC *and* because they want it to be true. Fingers crossed.

Appreciate the update. Totally agree on questioning these national guys. Dodds doesn't mention ND forever and all of a sudden he's in the know? The beat writers are better connected.

If Freeman wasn't being considered, why call him back to campus? Leave him on the recruiting trail.

 

[Free Manera]

If they're worried about experience, bring back Cutcliffe to coach QBs and be assistant head coach. He would be an incredible mentor, knows the program, and actually is a good QB coach.

 

[rtrn2glory]

I'm willing to donate the first $1K for the statue of Marcus if we can sneak into the playoff and somehow pull off a win. I don't care if it's premature

 

[rtrn2glory]

If they're worried about experience, bring back Cutcliffe to coach QBs and be assistant head coach. He would be an incredible mentor, knows the program, and actually is a good QB coach.

I actually like the sound of this. Then MFMF can get in the Arch Manning sweepstakes and steal him from the south.....how epic would that be.

 

[wizards8507]

I’ve gotten absolutely nothing done besides getting the kids off the bus.

Oh shit, I forgot about the kids...

 

[Wild Bill]

If they're worried about experience, bring back Cutcliffe to coach QBs and be assistant head coach. He would be an incredible mentor, knows the program, and actually is a good QB coach.

High character guy that would be good to have around the team and would be great for Buechner in particular.

 

[Sea Turtle]

It's Marcus Freeman. It's always been him. You guys will be happy

I'm starting to warm up to the idea. If not is now then it's another power 5 school soon. I like the idea of an older experience coach to advise him on things.

 

[Pops Freshenmeyer]

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).

Davie was in that position because of profuse assurances that he wouldn't fight the administration about how to run the program.

 

[EvilleIrish]

It's Marcus Freeman. It's always been him. You guys will be happy

I'm starting to warm up to the idea. If not is now then it's another power 5 school soon. I like the idea of an older experience coach to advise him on things.

Speculating or sourced?

 

[IrishLax]

If it isn't the second option, then why retain Balis and work to retain Rees? That is putting the carriage in front of the horse.

Agreed, all of the tea leaves point to Freeman. The only way it adds up to not being Freeman would be some very convoluted scenarios.

 

[NDty9]

High character guy that would be good to have around the team and would be great for Buechner in particular.

not to mention a great addition for Reese if he should stay

 

[NDRock]

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.

Now I’m worried.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Speculating or sourced?

Both

 

[NDRock]

If it isn't the second option, then why retain Balis and work to retain Rees? That is putting the carriage in front of the horse.

Never underestimate the ability of people to be incompetent. UT did the same thing after they fired Pruitt.

 

[BoredIrish]

Great article by Sampson in the Athletic.

Wont share all of it... but this line is really interesting:

Freeman was scheduled to meet with Swarbrick on Wednesday, sources said, and though there are many steps between here and there, Freeman’s preferred choice of offensive coordinator is current OC Tommy Rees

 

[Cackalacky2.0]

What are sources inside the Gug saying?

 

[Rogue219]

If they're worried about experience, bring back Cutcliffe to coach QBs and be assistant head coach. He would be an incredible mentor, knows the program, and actually is a good QB coach.

The guy wants to retire, doesn't he?

 

[NDty9]

Great article by Sampson in the Athletic.

Wont share all of it... but this line is really interesting:

Freeman was scheduled to meet with Swarbrick on Wednesday, sources said, and though there are many steps between here and there, Freeman’s preferred choice of offensive coordinator is current OC Tommy Rees

ummmm,..... that sure sounds like a HC speaking, no?

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

This is something I could see him doing. If somehow it looks like we can get that #3 spot against Cincy, he'll announce Saturday night. If it's #4 against UGA or left out, announce next week lol

I look at it from the opposite lens. Jack has nothing to lose if we make the playoff. Whether or not he announces a coach by Sunday, the excuse of "well, we lost our head coach of 12 years on short notice" would definitely be valid if we get pantsed by UGA.

However, this seems to be the most wide-open playoff we've ever had. UGA's defense is elite but their offense seems beatable. I'm not saying ND would win, but I'm just saying that we'd be crazy not to shoot our shot here. There isn't a 2020 Bama, a 2019 LSU or a 2018 Clemson in this CFP.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

interesting because he was visiting Bowen yesterday
https://twitter.com/mattfreemanisd/status/1465388255294152704?s=21

well, your tweet is real. He clearly visited. The other news from the buckeye message board and a "wheels up flight to Columbus" is speculation. What if they were visiting a recruit? We don't even know that it was Freeman.

 

[ShamrockOnHelmet]

We are happy because we are close but we all knew (admitted out loud or not) that for a long time it felt like BK couldn't take the next step... maybe MF can.

Careful now. I’ve been saying that here for a few years, and I’m a “hater”…

lolz

 

[ACamp1900]

Careful now. I’ve been saying that here for a few years, and I’m a “hater”…

lolz

I have too,... but no one has respect for a guy with a Donald Duck avatar so I never got any blow back.... 3d Chess on you rookies...

 

[NDPhilly]

Even if it is Freeman, the underlying issues with what caused a top 10 coach to leave ND remain. Not super hopeful that changes with a 36-year old HC but maybe he can at least add some Gug renovations guarantees to his contract.

It shouldn't need to be "hard" to get things done at a blue blood football program and that more than anything likely drove Kelly to leave. These SEC schools bend over backwards in order to stay competitive.

 

[goldandblue]

Even if it is Freeman, the underlying issues with what caused a top 10 coach to leave ND remain. Not super hopeful that changes with a 36-year old HC but maybe he can at least add some Gug renovations guarantees to his contract.

It shouldn't need to be "hard" to get things done at a blue blood football program and that more than anything likely drove Kelly to leave. These SEC schools bend over backwards in order to stay competitive.

Great point.

 

[Dale]

This is where the grapevine gets dangerous. Bucknuts is not reporting anything on Freeman. A random poster ON the Bucknuts board said the Freeman nugget.