JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 2, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 2, 2022

Eric Hansen

3:05

That's going to do it for this week. We'll probably wait until the coaching staff is in place and we've chatted with them to do the next chat. Keep an eye on our message board and on my Twitter, and I'll let you know when the next one is coming. Thanks for all the great questions this week.

3:03

Tom, the NFL had strict guidelines about contact, etc. when the coaching candidate is involved with potentially going from one NFL team to another. There are no such guidelines in place going from the NFL to college. However, the team or the individual may have a preference about that. I do believe there's been contact between Freeman and Golden, which is what has given Marcus the confidence and the assertion that waiting will be worth it. That doesn't mean things couldn't fall apart at the 11th hour, but it seems highly unlikely at this point.

Tom Kennesaw. GA

3:00

Eric, I've noticed that some NFL coaches are having interviews for other NFL openings even though their teams were still in the Playoffs. Do you know if ND has had any conversations with Al Golden via Zoom or in person yet? For Coach Freeman to be waiting this long to fill this opening I have to think that there should have been some form of contact before now. Help us out here. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:58

That's largely what analysts do. So there's data ready to help make decisions. There still can be surprises, especially when a team has an extra week to prepare.

Rog from Saint Louis

2:57

Does the coaching staff have someone who tries to anticipate the adjustments the other team will do (based upon what they are currently running), and come up with new strategies to have waiting or do they wait till the other team implements their adjustments, then try to come up with changes after the fact?

Eric Hansen

2:57

Paul, to be honest I have never given that any thought. I think diversity on coaching staffs is important, especially on campuses where there is a lack of it. But as far as recruiting, I think personality and perseverance rise about everything else.

Paul W. Toronto,Ontario

2:55

Hi Eric. Long time reader first time writer from North of the border. Minority hiring has been a hot topic in the football world. Do you feel the race of the coaching staff and recruiting team has any affect on a recruit and their family about which school they choose to attend.

Eric Hansen

2:54

Hi Jose. You have a right to be confused. In fact, if you weren't I would think there's something wrong with you. Players can receive things other than cash ... like free meals, or -- in the case of ND's offensive linemen -- dude wipes. Seriously. The NCAA let this mess happen. They could have had good guardrails in place to make NIL make more sense. It's hard to commit a violation the way the rules are set up. It's possible, but is it enforceable. There needs to be big changes in limits. NIL in and of itself is a great concept. The way it's being used now is not universally so. As far as ND goes, they're putting great effort into helping their student-athletes take advantage of NIL legally. Just yesterday it was announced they had hired Brandon Lee to the staff to work with players on NIL. Here's his bio.

Jose, Albuquerque, New Mexico

2:47

Eric, as an ND fan, it seems pretty rich to see SEC coaches complaining about NIL deals that other schools can now offer (A&M has been the focus of most everybody's ire in the 2022 recruiting cycle). How active is ND in offering NIL deals to recruits that fit academically and have an elite athletic profile? It seems to me that the ND alumni/booster network would have the deep pockets to compete with any university for a recruit save the normal restrictions academically that have always applied to ND. If there are more considerations than just dollars, can you please explain those.

Eric Hansen

2:46

Ok, sorry for the pause there. I had to look it up. Wasn't sure if Heartley "Hunk" Anderson jumped or pushed after succeeding Knute Rockne and coaching the Irish for three years. In going back in the New York Times archives, he indeed quit on his own, apparently over the school's scholarship limits for football players. He landed at NC State a short time later on Jan. 1, 1934. ... It does not say if he ever danced with recruits.

larrybe

forgot to put dayton ohio

2:37

i went to notre dame in ara;s second season . so i have been around for awhile did we ever have a coach leave like kelly did . left for another coaching job

Eric Hansen

2:34

My take is USC is the most bitter of the rivals that it's hard for fans sometimes to think pragmatically about the Trojans. Given that ND only plays in a championship game during the height of a pandemic, having a strong opponent every other late November is a big plus for Notre Dame's strength-of-schedule argument for inclusion into the College Football Playoff.

Joey G. Philadelphia, Pa

2:30

Hi Eric, As an older fan I must admit my fondest memories of the Irish were in the 70’s. I especially looked forward to the USC game. So many memorable games, players and coaches. I for one want USC to be a Top 10 team anytime we play them. What I don’t understand is why a lot of our fan base are knocking are greatest rival. And seem to want USC to be a cakewalk each year. Do you think it’s jealousy or maybe fear that USC will overtake us? And do you agree that it’s better for us when USC is a Top 10 program?

Eric Hansen

2:27

Not confident I know the answer to the surgery question. My sense is he could have had it done by the ND doctors, but doing it at home seems to make more sense with rehab and being closer to his doctors, since he doesn't enroll at ND until June.

2:23

Hi Tom, and thanks. We are very much so. ... and I think we'll need luck with the snow if the forecasters are right. We'll see. Notre Dame did put out a spring roster the other day with the freshmen on it. HOWEVER -- and this is a big HOWEVER -- the heights/weights of the freshmen are NOT updated. And in some cases they are very old. I talked to Jaylen Sneed just ahead of the Jan. 2 Under Armour All-American game. He told me he was 6-2, 212. The ND roster has him at 6-1 1/8 and 198 pounds. He said that was what his measurements were last summer. When we meet with those 12 on Friday, I'll ask if/when the roster will be updated. Tyler and I will also make a point to try to ask each of them what their current measurements are. (more)

Tom Kennesaw. GA

2:12

Hi Eric, I hope that you and Tyler are enjoying your new spot. I'm sure glad that you can still give us your insight into ND football like no one else. Good luck with the snow!! I feel bad for Mike Elston because it sure looks like Harbaugh is off to the Vikings. Not that he would have stayed at ND but certainly somewhere else that the coach didnt leave a week later. Question: does ND release height/weight or any other info on the early enrolment freshmen?? Would be interesting to see those numbers now and then after spring ball. Freshman TE Rairdon is back in Iowa rehabbing from knee surgery, si the Irish medical staff in touch with him on rehab? Because he had signed his LOL but not enrolled could the ND doctors preformed his surgery?? As always thanks for the chats. Go Irish!!

Eric Hansen

2:11

The unknown is how ell will Marcus and Al work together and how will the dynamic work with play-calling? Will Al Golden be comfortable with how involved Marcus wants to be with the defense? And how in touch with the college game is Al Golden after not having coached in college since 2015 and not having been a coordinator since 2005? Marcus Freeman must have received enough positive response to those questions that he's willing to elongate the hiring process until Golden is ready.

2:03

Ron, thanks for the follow and the good wishes. We'll take 'em. Some of it is just forming chemistry. That's a big unknown. Chip Long for instance deferred to Harry Hiestand and got along well with him in tour of duty 1. Chip and Jeff Quinn? Not a comfortable fit. Marcus has a history with Parker and Washington, so that helps. Harry knows Notre Dame, and that helps. ... I like the Al Golden hire, because he was a head coach for a decade at two different places, he's been a coordinator. He knows both sides of the ball well. He can absolutely recruit. And he'll have an NFL/Super Bowl vibe walking in the door -- if they can seal the deal. (more)

Ron Dover, De

1:58

Good Morning Eric. Glad to be able to follow you and Tyler on this site all the best with endeavor. Everyone was excited that the coaching staff looked to be stable after BK danced his way to LSU. But as we have seen there has been a number of coaches that have left. What do you think the challenges are for Marcus to build a strong staff with all these new faces he is hiring and continue to hire. Also If Al Golden is the D coordinator why should we be excited with that hire. Thanks for your thoughts.

Eric Hansen

1:58

Hi Mike. I love the chats too, because of fun conversations like this one with you. ... Jack Swarbrick is very involved. Given his experience in college athletics and his knowledge of what a Notre Dame fit looks like, I'd say that more than makes sense. ... When you say "pushing" I think it's more like a conversation, exchanging ideas about what might be best. And I think Marcus welcomes the feedback, given this is his first shot at putting a staff together, He has ideas of what he's looking for, but everyone has their blind spots. ... I know with some of Brian Kelly's hires, the players were involved in some of those. I would imagine that's still the case ... at least formulating what traits they'd like in a coach, but I will have to double check and get back next chat with you on that. I haven't had a chance to research that answer.

Mike from Rockville, MD

1:52

Hi, Eric! Love these chats! How much is Jack Swarbrick involved in the interview process for coaches? I'm curious to know if Swarbrick is pushing for Freeman to have an experienced DC who can also possibly give him head coaching advice. Also, do you know who else is involved in the process? For instance, are all/some of the assistant coaches and/or current players involved in these interviews? Thanks! Mike

Eric Hansen

1:52

I think Mike would land on his feet somewhere, because he's that well thought of, but it wouldn't be back at Notre Dame.

Bill from St Joe

1:50

Eric, a tough question for you (and certainly a lot of what ifs) if the rumors about Jim Harbaugh moving back to the NFL turn out to be true and there is no position there either at Michigan or with Harbaugh at the NFL) for Mike Elston, do you think he would be welcomed back to ND in some capacity?

Eric Hansen

1:49

The remaining opening -- defensive coordinator/linebackers coach -- came from Marcus Freeman being elevated to head coach. ... The last time ND had seven new faces (which included strength and conditioning coach) it was after the 2016 season. The Irish then went on to produce the most wins in a five-year span in school history. Not saying that will happen this time, but sometimes change is good.

1:47

The reasons for coaches leaving was hardly universal. And I think across the country there's been an incredible amount of movement (and it's still not over). So to review: O-line coach Jeff Quinn and WR coach Del Alexander were not invited back after the bowl. Marcus/Rees wanted to make changes there. RBs coach Lance Taylor and TEs coach John McNulty had the opportunity to become Power 5 offensive coordinators. Hard to turn that down. Mike Elston's hope to get a shot at the DC job through the back door fizzled with bowl game. He decided to take a lateral move that he hopes will fast track his ambitions to be a head coach. STs coach Brian Polian didn't have an avenue to return, but did have an invite from Brian Kelly to go to LSU, and he took it. (more)

Greg from Chicago

1:42

It seemed initially that very few coaches were going to leave ND and would stay with Freeman. Lately it seems like the floodgates opened with Elston leaving then several others. DC, for one, still hasn’t been filled. I can’t recall in prior years this many vacancies as we head into February. Am I crazy? If not, in your opinion, what is the reason? Doesn’t seem like it’s only ND. Harbaugh leaving Michigan now would be bad form, not that anyone seems to care about those things anymore.

Eric Hansen

1:42

Hi Frank. The closer the ND defense will be schematically similar and the closer technique and terminology are, the less urgent it is to push up the timetable on the defensive coordinator hire. If the change was as dramatic as it was going from Clark Lea to Marcus Freeman was, I'd be concerned. And the change should NOT be dramatic this time. If it were, it would be a missed opportunity with all the veteran players and a chance to build upon the learning from last season. ... I do like the hiring of Gerad Parker as tight ends coach, but I do wonder why Tim Brewster wasn't more strongly considered. He intrigued me as well.

Frank from rainy Madison, IN

1:38

What kind of an impact on not having a DC/LB/TE coach this close to spring football is this going to have on player development and scheme development? Also who is your favorite option to be the new tight ends coach?

Eric Hansen

1:38

Hi Denis. It doesn't appear that it will apply since both early-enrolled freshman Dasan and high school senior Daeh have announced on Twitter they're going to honor their commitments to Indiana University. I haven't seen Deland II make one yet, but I think transferring again without a degree in hand would be complicated (he was at Miami, Ohio). But let's say there were in play. I don't have the info off the top of my head, but there's a difference in privileges, access, etc., between someone on athletic scholarship and someone receiving free tuition. I believe that's why Ron Powlus III is on scholarship instead of just going the free-tuition route.

Denis from Niagara Falls, ON

1:29

Hi Eric. Regarding Deland McCullough and his sons. As I understand, staff children are entitled to free tuition at ND.

Eric Hansen

1:29

The portal is rocking everyone's world. There's record player movement on the FBS level. But again, ND can add from the portal. It's just more challenging to do so with underclassmen. The staff has been diligent about monitoring it and making contacts when prudent to do so. And if they need to make moves after spring, with even more talent hitting the portal, they will be ready.

Kevin from Memphis

1:27

Hi Eric! The numbers seem a bit low this year. The last I read ND is at 86 scholarship players, That includes Flemister and Salerno, plus 2 kickers and 2 long snappers. Given the usual attrition after spring practices, and other unforeseen losses, what's ND's plan?

Eric Hansen

1:27

I watched Brian Daboll's press conference yesterday. He's s first-time head coach, and pretty deep into his career, with the New York Giants. I wanted to see what his process was .. especially having coached under both Nick Saban and Bill Belichick at different junctures. And one of the things he admitted he's got to figure out is when to lean on those resources and who else might be a good one to do so with. He said, "I don't have all the answers." And I think that's an astute and pragmatic way of looking at things. I think Marcus looks at his job the same way and will have to work his way through how the supports can best work for him.

1:22

I don't think it's a matter of what he's missing as it is getting to things further down the laundry list in terms of how he becomes the CEO of this team. It even took Kelly a while to figure that out. And if evolved over time. So how does he delegate? How much does he have a voice in the offense, or it is all Tommy Rees for now? How do he and the new DC (presumably Al Golden) mesh on gameday? That was a disaster in the bowl game. Wrong personnel groups in the game at certain points. Players not getting the play calls in on time to them. (more)

Don in Phoenix

1:18

Thanks for the response. My sense is Freeman is making all the right moves. A hire or two may not work out but he seems to have jumped on a treadmill that's moving pretty fast and hasn't missed a beat. If he's missing anything what do you think it is?

Eric Hansen

1:18

Hi David. Unless there are a run of injuries or rehab setbacks amongst the wide receivers, I think Xavier will stay where he is. And even if those occur, he likely would still stay where he is. He's got a very good chance of being a rotational player this year and a starter in 2023. If everything goes right for Brandon Joseph and DJ Brown, they won't be back in 2023. Houston Griffith can't be back in 2023. So Ramon Henderson, Watts and Justin Walters are the future at that position.

David, Chicago

1:14

Hey Eric, What do you think the odds of Xavier Watts moving back to WR this season are? Go Irish!

Eric Hansen

1:13

Hi Marie. With Brian Kelly .-- especially earlier in his time at ND -- there was less tolerance of that. Some of the loosening of that policy came from the fact that for 15 months kids couldn't take visits anywhere per NCAA rules because of the pandemic. So, there was the thinking that kids were antsy to take visits and deserved to get out and see places they had only experience on Zoom. With higher-in-demand recruits, with the portal dynamic and with the craziest and more protracted coaching carousel that I can remember, I think it makes sense to be more tolerant. AS LONG AS, the recruit does a good job of communicating about it and being honest about his intentions. There shouldn't be surprise visits.

Marie from Atlanta

1:01

Hi Eric, I hope are managing to stay warm in that crazy winter weather. I once read if you are are committed to Clemson and you want to take visits to other schools that Dabo requires that you decommit from Clemson before doing so. Given the current lack of stability in college football with regards to both players and coaches, do you think ND and other teams will begin to require more firm commitments from players? For example, when Amorion Walker was supposedly committed but was going on all kinds of visits, can ND say to him that's fine but we are pursuing other players at your position and if one of them is willing to give us a firm commitment you no longer have your offer? It prevents the team from ending up empty handed at the position. I know this approach might not work well whit he 5 stars however with the more interchangeable players it could ensure that they don't use their commitment as a place holder. Thanks for hosting the chat even during a blizzard!

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