ND Coaching Search Megathread

[Irish#1]

I think anyone thinking Jack was going to come on here within 12 hours of the news breaking and have answers is clueless. I would imagine that we are in negotiations with the assistants on staying/leaving, not to mention they arent even on site.

I for one am happy we didnt rush to name Freeman the HC. He may end up getting the gig and great for him and ND if thats the case but we dont know who those are that reached out to him.

Let's give Savvy Jack more than 12 hours to actually be, you know, savvy.

Solid post.

 

[BeauBenken]

Look. The kids on the team and the ones committed all seem to want Freeman. I mean the outcry for him is insane.

Do we not name him interim so he can get his potential HC career started on the right foot and not in a freaking playoff game? Or are we doing it because we just don't know what will happen in the next 72 hours?

Good news is that the kids haven't started calling it quits yet. The culture has stood strong so far.

 

[ThePiombino]

so your best case scenario was him to show up and name Freeman the next HC?

I just dont know what people expected here. By all accounts literally everyone was blindsided. Sure Jack claims to have known BKs time was coming to an end but personally there needs to be some due dilligence in this search and that aint happening over night.

But dont allow me to stop your good time, carry on!

It's not that hard to understand how that presser could have been handled better. Jack could just as easily have said that he had a feeling and thusly DOES have a short-list of candidates. Even if he doesn't, it still projects a level of confidence that is desperately needed right now, ESPECIALLY being so close to ESD.

 

[Ndaccountant]

so your best case scenario was him to show up and name Freeman the next HC?

I just dont know what people expected here. By all accounts literally everyone was blindsided. Sure Jack claims to have known BKs time was coming to an end but personally there needs to be some due dilligence in this search and that aint happening over night.

But dont allow me to stop your good time, carry on!

Or....release a press statement. Make a comment but don't take questions. Anything.....I repeat....ANYTHING would have been more productive than that. Imagine now you are Freeman or Elston or anyone else trying to salvage the recruiting class. Bad enough BK leaves, but to have this clown show of a press conference that screams "amateur hour" makes it 10X harder. He was best to keep his mouth shut.

 

[ndgoldendomer]

I rarely post but love the site, especially for information. First, how do you not name an interim head coach on the eve of a possible playoff game? Second, you leave two stellar recruiting classes at risk by sitting on your hands. If he takes weeks to do this that is gone. Look no further than what is happening at OU. Third, Freeman is a no-brainer. Elite recruiter, massive talent on defense, and support of alumni, recruits, and current players. Please don't kid yourself. with the transfer portal and social media, the players really do have a say in who is going to be coaching ND.

 

[BoredIrish]

Reading between the lines:

1. Freeman has options and it is in his interests to keep them open for the time being.
2. Jack isnt sold on Freeman as the slam dunk candidate.
3. A full search is going to take time because some of the possible candidates (Fickell, Rhule, Harbaugh???) arent available right now.

 

[Huntr]

Guys. Relax. Swarbrick wouldn't say shit if he had a mouthful. Everything he said could be interpreted to mean a new HC will be in place shortly.

Trust the process.

 

[ThePiombino]

Or....release a press statement. Make a comment but don't take questions. Anything.....I repeat....ANYTHING would have been more productive than that. Imagine now you are Freeman or Elston or anyone else trying to salvage the recruiting class. Bad enough BK leaves, but to have this clown show of a press conference that screams "amateur hour" makes it 10X harder. He was best to keep his mouth shut.

Seriously. I don't get how someone can't understand how the optics of a program this level not having a plan is worse than having a plan. Again, even if you don't, JUST SAY YOU DO, then go figure it out. WTF.

 

[Riddickulous]

Kelly was hired 10 days after Weis was let go. IMO we'll have a coach named before NSD.

 

[ThePiombino]

Kelly was hired 10 days after Weis was let go. IMO we'll have a coach named before NSD.

Holy shit, was it really that quick?

 

[Ndaccountant]

Reading between the lines:

1. Freeman has options and it is in his interests to keep them open for the time being.
2. Jack isnt sold on Freeman as the slam dunk candidate.
3. A full search is going to take time because some of the possible candidates (Fickell, Rhule, Harbaugh???) arent available right now.

According to Brice (second guy who asked a question), there is a HUGE amount of support for Freeman, both within the admin and with mega donors. We'll see.

 

[Irish#1]

If he is actually on the verge of having answers then it was a mistake to hold a press conference this morning.

I won't argue with that, but Jack has always had a plan. The less he shares the better for him to get it done.

I've had employees whom I thought might be looking. Little telltale signs. I asked and they flat denied it. Not much you can do. Fire them on a hunch? Open yourself up to litigation?

 

[Wild Bill]

Not naming an interim coach implies they have a candidate (Rees or Freeman). There will be no search.

I'm not saying you're wrong but I got the exact opposite impression. There will be a search and those two aren't candidates. What's your reasoning here?

 

[Ndaccountant]

Kelly was hired 10 days after Weis was let go. IMO we'll have a coach named before NSD.

Big difference there though was that NSD was still in Feb at that point. Waiting 10 days now is about 5 days too many. The kids that are thinking about other places won't wait for 10 days IMO.

 

[TorontoGold]

To summarize the press conference:

Jack arriving at the press conference

Jack during the press conference

Fans after the press conference

 

[notredomer23]

I'm not saying you're wrong but I got the exact opposite impression. There will be a search and those two aren't candidates. What's your reasoning here?

He completely dodged any question about the profile of a candidate having to have prior HC experience and if they might be on the current staff.

 

[NDPhilly]

I can understand why Swarbrick wants to kick the tires on other options before settling on Freeman. When is the last time a blue blood job came available after rattling off 5 straight 10 wins seasons? This isn't a total rebuild like USC - hypothetically we should be an attractive opportunity to any coach seeking a change.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I won't argue with that, but Jack has always had a plan. The less he shares the better for him to get it done.

I've had employees whom I thought might be looking. Little telltale signs. I asked and they flat denied it. Not much you can do. Fire them on a hunch? Open yourself up to litigation?

No offense, but there is a pretty big difference between your (I believe) IT department and ND football. Jack is paid millions a year for this reason. If he wasn't actively "monitoring the landscape", he failed one of his most important tasks.

 

[greyhammer90]

Rule 1 as AD in situations like this has got to be "do no harm." What a terrible presser. Made ND look clueless, made Kelly look smart, and managed to really sell to the entire country how flat footed we were all caught.

 

[Irish#1]

Look. The kids on the team and the ones committed all seem to want Freeman. I mean the outcry for him is insane.

Do we not name him interim so he can get his potential HC career started on the right foot and not in a freaking playoff game? Or are we doing it because we just don't know what will happen in the next 72 hours?

Good news is that the kids haven't started calling it quits yet. The culture has stood strong so far.

Isn't Freeman on the recruiting trail? For all we know, Jack may have had a conversation with Freeman and is waiting for him to get back on campus to finish up.

 

[Wild Bill]

Kelly was hired 10 days after Weis was let go. IMO we'll have a coach named before NSD.

Yeah, but how long were they looking before they fired Weis?

 

[Ndaccountant]

I can understand why Swarbrick wants to kick the tires on other options before settling on Freeman. When is the last time a blue blood job came available after rattling off 5 straight 10 wins seasons? This isn't a total rebuild like USC - hypothetically we should be an attractive opportunity to any coach seeking a change.

Ohio State at the end of 2018. At that point, from 2005 until 2018 they had one season of less than 10 wins (Fickell year) and handed the reins to a guy who had roughly the same amount of years coordinating an offense that Freeman has had coordinating a defense.

 

[NorthDakota]

Isn't Freeman on the recruiting trail? For all we know, Jack may have had a conversation with Freeman and is waiting for him to get back on campus to finish up.

I mean that's entirely possible but this press conference inspired zero confidence and projected zero power. It made ND look dumb.

 

[NDty9]

I reallly think we need to settle down here . Seems to be a lot of people freaking out about Jacks presser. He’s NOT gonna say much, nor should he. He’s not hear to give us a scoop, he’s here to make the right decisions. I trust he will because he has in the past.

i don’t think he’s at alllll inferred that Freeman isn’t the coach, if anything maybe the opposite. But either way, we will all know soon and we can move on and STILL BE NOTRE DAME !!!

it’s gonna suck if our next two recruiting classes fall apart , BUT, idk about you guys, I’m pretty F***ing pumped up !! WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE THE NEXT STEP! The one Kelly got us too but couldn’t take.

LFG IRISH!

 

[NDMatt91]

I can understand why Swarbrick wants to kick the tires on other options before settling on Freeman. When is the last time a blue blood job came available after rattling off 5 straight 10 wins seasons? This isn't a total rebuild like USC - hypothetically we should be an attractive opportunity to any coach seeking a change.

I think the issue is that the "other options" will likely not include swinging for the fences on big-time names, even if they just say no.

 

[Irish#1]

No offense, but there is a pretty big difference between your (I believe) IT department and ND football. Jack is paid millions a year for this reason. If he wasn't actively "monitoring the landscape", he failed one of his most important tasks.

lol......No offense taken, but the point still remains the same. For all we know Jack may have said something to Kelly. Jack isn't going to open that can of worms to the press. And if he did and Kelly denies, it doesn't change anything. Jack isn't going to fire Kelly on a hunch.

 

[NDFAN2008]

Here's the problem you run into if you don't name Freeman Head Coach. He is responsible for 80% of the reason why 2023 class is off to such a good start. You don't higher him then you run the risk of another team coming after him. Worst case they wait till Feb to announce a coach and hopefully most of the recruits wait it out, best case they announce Freeman by the beginning of next week and don't mess around.

 

[tussin]

These are all straight political dodge answers -- Savvy Jack is still savvy if they are working out contract details with Freeman right now and he was just up there to say absolutely nothing for 15 minutes.

 

[Irish#1]

I mean that's entirely possible but this press conference inspired zero confidence and projected zero power. It made ND look dumb.

And I don't disagree about the PC. Just seems many were expecting Jack to lay out his master plan. I suspect at a minimum we will have an interim coach named here in 24-48 hours.

 

[NDPhilly]

These are all straight political dodge answers -- Savvy Jack is still savvy if they are working out contract details with Freeman right now and he was just up there to say absolutely nothing for 15 minutes.

Yeah I think this is the case. I have a hard time believing the players would all be blasting Freeman pictures / support onto Social Media if this wasn't close to done. They are media trained too well for that.