The Myth that ND Isn't a Desirable Destination

[IrishLax]

Notre Dame, Boise State voted the places to be for coaches - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

One of my many crusades is against the myth that ND is "hard to win at" or "not desirable" for coaches. This myth started in earnest around the time ND didn't get Urban Meyer from Utah (in truth he'd already agreed to the Florida job well before ND even came calling). Other favorite myths of mine include "ND is always overrated by the media" and "ND doesn't play anybody"... both of these you can easily destroy with facts.

Now, finally, the lie about Notre Dame as a premier coaching destination can be dispelled by facts. Thank you, Brett McMurphy.

When the day comes that Brian Kelly moves on, it's going to be very interesting to see if we go for an up-and-comer or more established coach.

 

[zelezo vlk]

So it looks like the coaches in the Group of 5 value the ND job the highest. I'm curious as to what the Power 5 coaches think. I'm rather surprised that the Power 5 coaches voted Army as the second best Group of 5 head coaching position.

 

[phgreek]

Notre Dame, Boise State voted the places to be for coaches - College Football Nation Blog - ESPN

One of my many crusades is against the myth that ND is "hard to win at" or "not desirable" for coaches. This myth started in earnest around the time ND didn't get Urban Meyer from Utah (in truth he'd already agreed to the Florida job well before ND even came calling). Other favorite myths of mine include "ND is always overrated by the media" and "ND doesn't play anybody"... both of these you can easily destroy with facts.

Now, finally, the lie about Notre Dame as a premier coaching destination can be dispelled by facts. Thank you, Brett McMurphy.

When the day comes that Brian Kelly moves on, it's going to be very interesting to see if we go for an up-and-comer or more established coach.

Group of 5 coaches like the ND job. Makes sense. I'd guess thats where the next coach comes from...or Chris Peterson type guy...mid level program.

I think the issue I'd seen discussed over the years is top flight coaches like Stoops, Urbie, Myles, etc. Those guys aren't taking the ND job.

 

[NDPhilly]

No Michigan in the top 22. surprising.

 

[ACamp1900]

Michigan was absolutely saved by Harbaugh, they were going the way of PSU and Nebraska real quick.

 

[Grahambo]

Was there a poll like this pre-BK?

 

[irishfan]

Stanford at #3 makes me scratch my head. My first reaction is that this was a group of young Urban Meyer types who probably think it would be refreshing to coach at a highly-rated academic school..but then choose Florida over ND if actually given the opportunity.

 

[tussin]

Michigan was absolutely saved by Harbaugh, they were going the way of PSU and Nebraska real quick.

I wouldn't compare PSU to Nebraska.

Franklin has shown that you can still recruit big time classes to State College... now if only he could coach.

 

[bkess8]

Group of 5 coaches like the ND job. Makes sense. I'd guess thats where the next coach comes from...or Chris Peterson type guy...mid level program.

I'm guessing the next coach is already on the staff, he's the OC!

 

[bobbyok1]

I'm guessing the next coach is already on the staff, he's the OC!

I've thought this as well. Anyone think it is possible this what Kelly has in mind? Hiring A young up and comer to groom in what it takes to run a "program" like he has done at ND and elsewhere. And then at the right time turn the keys over to him? This is my hope anyway

 

[ColinKSU]

Stanford at #3 makes me scratch my head. My first reaction is that this was a group of young Urban Meyer types who probably think it would be refreshing to coach at a highly-rated academic school..but then choose Florida over ND if actually given the opportunity.

Great conference, great location, great history, great academics, attracts kids who aren't headaches and, most importantly, a fanbase and administration who aren't blood thirsty.

 

[kmoose]

So it looks like the coaches in the Group of 5 value the ND job the highest. I'm curious as to what the Power 5 coaches think. I'm rather surprised that the Power 5 coaches voted Army as the second best Group of 5 head coaching position.

Seriously? If you aren't going to coach at a school where winning is a huge tradition, wouldn't you at least like to coach at a place where your players call you "Sir!", and you can guarantee that they will be in bed by 2100 every night?

 

[koonja]

I know people say to coach at ND you have to have been a HC first, but I wouldn't completely rule out Sanford if he has wild success in the next couple years and likes it here.

 

[wizards8507]

I know people say to coach at ND you have to have been a HC first, but I wouldn't completely rule out Sanford if he has wild success in the next couple years and likes it here.

I think Sanford will be a head coach at Notre Dame, though I don't know about the next head coach.

 

[koonja]

I think Sanford will be a head coach at Notre Dame, though I don't know about the next head coach.

If he's as bright as they say and the next star, and has a track record of success within his role at ND, and it's 2 years down the road, I'm not letting him walk without at least considering it.

 

[bkess8]

I think Sanford will be a head coach at Notre Dame, though I don't know about the next head coach.

If he leaves he won't be coming back! He will be to hot of a commodity by then!

 

[phillyirish]

I remember people saying the same things about Diaco.

 

[wizards8507]

If he leaves he won't be coming back! He will be to hot of a commodity by then!

He's like 32. We could send him to a small school for three years to get some HC experience and then bring him back when he's more seasoned.

 

[BobbyMac]

If all things were the same, I'm sure more than 14% of head coaches would take the ND job over any other job. But the money isn't the same and the pressure and demands are greater than only a handful that rival ND at the top.

What I'm trying to say is there are millions of reasons every year that other jobs are better than ND.

If every coach got $1M per... ND would be the best job to between half and 2/3 of all coaches (I'd guess)

 

[MNIrishman]

We have the option of performing a coaching search like OSU, when they put a coordinator in as the interim coach for a year and got Urban Meyer after they realized that the coordinator wasn't terribly effective. It's a safe way to go about it, I think.

 

[IrishLax]

Great conference, great location, great history, great academics, attracts kids who aren't headaches and, most importantly, a fanbase and administration who aren't blood thirsty.

It's mostly this. A school that almost never fills their stadium and won't fire you for mediocre seasons. All you have to do is field a decent team full of good kids, and kick back and enjoy the weather + large checks that might be half the size of what most B1G/SEC schools will pay but are still more than enough to live on comfortably. Stanford offers ultimate stability, and that appeals to a certain type of person.

 

[ColinKSU]

It's mostly this. A school that almost never fills their stadium and won't fire you for mediocre seasons. All you have to do is field a decent team full of good kids, and kick back and enjoy the weather + large checks that might be half the size of what most B1G/SEC schools will pay but are still more than enough to live on comfortably. Stanford offers ultimate stability, and that appeals to a certain type of person.

Totally.

I don't think it's insane to say you can compete a national title at Stanford either, and what else could you ask for in college football but the title? It's not easy in the slightest and it won't happen consistently, or even as much as it can at Notre Dame, but the Cardinal have been darn close a couple of times in recent history. They'll always be able to get great QB talent and great skill talent. If you get enough tough kids on the lines, you can do something special there in a conference with "softer" teams.

But more importantly, you don't have to be in the playoff every year because the fans and decision makers aren't that caught up in going undefeated every season. It's a perfect storm for a lot of coaches in a number of ways.

I was honestly shocked at first to see Texas and Alabama on that list, but I can see why. They're *such* strong brands that they're going to be attractive to a lot of coaches. You couldn't open the bank enough to get me to go there, though -- what a nightmare between the fans, alumni and money people. No way in hell.

I'd love to hear the reasoning for Army among the G5 schools. I'm sure the kids are really unique there, but that program can end a career before it even gets going.

 

[bkess8]

He's like 32. We could send him to a small school for three years to get some HC experience and then bring him back when he's more seasoned.

Who are you going to hire for just a 3 year contract? I don't think Sanford is a guy you can just stash away and hope he comes back.

 

[tussin]

Who are you going to hire for just a 3 year contract? I don't think Sanford is a guy you can just stash away and hope he comes back.

First time head coaches do not do well at major programs (especially ND). I can think of Chip Kelly, Jimbo Fisher, and Mark Richt as exceptions.

 

[pkt77242]

First time head coaches do not do well at major programs (especially ND). I can think of Chip Kelly, Jimbo Fisher, and Mark Richt as exceptions.

Bob Stoops.

 

[bkess8]

First time head coaches do not do well at major programs (especially ND). I can think of Chip Kelly, Jimbo Fisher, and Mark Richt as exceptions.

Well I for one would like to give him a chance, pair him with a good D coordinator and see what he's got. I surely don't want to see him at a powerhouse coaching against us.

 

[OCIrish]

Don't overlook Chuck Martin........call me crazy, but I wouldn't overlook him for our next HC job

 

[koonja]

I had no idea Chip Kelly, Jimbo, Richt, and Bob Stoops were all first time coaches at their respectivery schools. To me that says if you have what it takes, you don't need a little gig as a pre-req. Those are some damn successful coaches. 2 title winners and one who's never won but would be a top 3 coach in CFB if he stayed.

 

[tussin]

I had no idea Chip Kelly, Jimbo, Richt, and Bob Stoops were all first time coaches at their respectivery schools. To me that says if you have what it takes, you don't need a little gig as a pre-req. Those are some damn successful coaches. 2 title winners and one who's never won but would be a top 3 coach in CFB if he stayed.

Those are the four exceptions from a list of failures. I love Sanford, he's great... but I can't believe people are anointing him the next HC after four games as QB coach (not to mention having lived through Davie and Weis).

 

[bkess8]

Those are the four exceptions from a list of failures. I love Sanford, he's great... but I can't believe people are anointing him the next HC after four games as QB coach (not to mention having lived through Davie and Weis).

Not saying that he is the best candidate but from what I have seen before he was at ND and now what I am currently seeing through this short season I believe it would be a smooth transition for the kids and fan base. I don't think it would affect the incoming recruits to much (whenever BK decides to leave, and please let him take his time), and I don't think it would affect the type of personnel that we need to recruit either. I also like how he reacts with the kids, I think it would be nice to have some young fire in charge of this program.