JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 26, 2022

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 26, 2022

Eric Hansen

2:46

OK, that's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll be tied up next Wednesday with interviews with Marcus Freeman and the new coaches, so the chat will likely be Thursday or Friday. I'll let you know on Twitter (@EHansenND).

2:43

Players can't get the exemption to play right away if they're not in good academic standing when they hit the portal. And they can't land anywhere but a junior college if they don't meet minimum academic progress requirements. As far as decommits, that does happen from time to time, but it's been a while.

Stan in Siberia. Indiana

2:41

Some of the transfers and decommits likely are related to grades; how much of a factor is this?

Eric Hansen

2:38

Jeff, thanks for the reminder for me to check up on him. He hasn't found a landing spot yet. I believe the circumstances that helped coax him into the portal was Jack Kiser and the young talent at rover that didn't give him a clear path to playing time. Great guy with bad luck on the injury side of things. He deserves a happily ever after somewhere.

Jeff from Phoenix

2:36

Cheers Eric. I always thought Paul Moala brought a lot of character and energy to the team from day 1, so it was disappointing to see him announce he was leaving due to 'unforeseen circumstances'. Any more detail on what led to this decision and where he has/will end up? Thanks-

Eric Hansen

2:35

Marcus is deferring to OC Tommy Rees a lot, because he trusts him and thinks highly of him. In time, though, he wants to get more involved. Rees like to tailor his play calls and playbook to the talent he has one hand. They both would like the ability to be balanced. If you looked at Georgia, they were. Alabama was not. They had the best player in America at quarterback, but they couldn't run consistently and it finally came back to bite them. Notre Dame needs to be a much better running team, and that will help its passing game. And ND needs to be top 10-15 in passing efficiency, something it hasn't done since Jimmy Clausen 2009. That, in turn, will help the running game. ... I think where Marcus can help in the meeting rooms is talking about what kind of offenses, formations, plays and personnel gave him challenges as a defensive coordinator.

Mike from Ann Arbor

2:25

Hi Eric. Thank you for your excellent coverage of ND football.
What do you think Coach Freeman wants to have as an offensive identity? He has so far been very deferential to his offensive coordinator. Do you expect with their strong returning offensive line and mobile quarterback that they will be more run-oriented? In many ways they have become a more spread-out, finesse offensive team, which I think hurts them in short yardage and in the red zone.

Eric Hansen

2:25

If 2022 is a transition year, that would be a disappointment. There are some areas in which there's needs to be significant improvement, but I like this roster as much as any I've covered in the post-Lou Holtz Era. NOW, the coaching piece has to come together and those areas (secondary, WRs, QBs) have to shine, but I like the potential of this team so far.

Palm Beach Irish

2:22

Good day from sunny Florida home of the early bird special....4pm to 6 pm.....Bill Parcells famously said football is about 2 things....the QB AND THE QB IN THE 4TH QUARTER....Eric going into next season I don't see one on the horizon....can we do it with our roster or are we in for a transition year....thanks

Eric Hansen

2:22

Georgia's JT Daniels can't transfer until after spring, so I wouldn't write him off. But spring practice needs to play out first to see of that move makes sense. Because if he comes in, there's a chance someone will leave.

Guest

2:20

Nick - Granger, IN Any chance we see JT Daniels or are we ride or die with Buchner?

Eric Hansen

2:20

Hi Don. In short, Hiestand is a difference-maker in attention to detail and technique. He may not be a gung-ho recruiter, but he's good at it. Stuckey has the personality to be a top-level recruiter and the football chops to be really good on the field with the WRs. Al Washington is best at D-line (he's also coached linebackers) and is a proven strong recruiter. Brian Mason has consistently produced some of the best special teams units in the country, and is especially adept at his teams blocking kicks and punts. He also has good recruiting chops. The four defensive coordinator finalists -- Al Golden, Doug Belk, Joe Rossi, Tem Lukabu -- all bring something different. The top running back candidates are elite recruiters or at least have the potential to be.

Don in Phoenix

2:14

Hit return before the question. Turnover occurred on the staff. I think it's all good as it gives Freeman a chance to bring in new views while keeping enough of the old staff for continuity. What don't we see that walked out the door? We know HH will focus on the details but what's coming with the new guys that adds to what's there.

Eric Hansen

2:13

Thank you, Bob. It is believed to be $5 million, and LSU picked up the tab on it.

Bob Wyoming,pa

2:12

Eric: Congrats on your being selected to the Indiana Sports HOF! Well deserved. Do you know if Brian Kelly"s contract with ND had a buy out clause and the amount that LSU or Kelly had to pay? Thanks and keep up your great work.

Eric Hansen

2:09

Hi Mike. I'm going to limit it to the Brian Kelly/Marcus Freeman Era. Best. Harry Hiestand 2012 (and maybe 2021 as well). Most regrettable Brian VanGorder 2014, with runner-up offensive coordinator Charley Molnar 2010. Cheers back at you.

Mike, Lemont, IL

2:07

Eric, in your opinion who is the best and worst coaching hires since you have covered the IRISH? I would say hands down the best was Barry Alverez and the worst were VanGorder, Coletto and Gary Darnell. All the best. Cheers!

Eric Hansen

2:06

One more thing, before Jeff Quinn was the offensive line coach, he was an analyst, and in that role, he'd do all kinds of deep dives on game analytics to help coaches make the right in-game decisions.

2:03

Thanks Dan. Analysts vary in number and role from campus to campus. Their roles even very within a program. And in terms of entry-level or experienced coaches, it's both. And then last year, when ND was in a hiring freeze, it had to be creative in adding analysts Chad Bowden and Dre Brown. These were two incredibly impactful hires, and neither did traditional analyst duties. They were all about recruiting and upgrading those efforts. At some point, I think they'll get a title change. The one thing analysts CAN'T do per NCAA rules is actual coaching during practices or games. But they can still impact players. Chris Watt is expected to come back to ND, likely as an analyst. And that will be a significant addition.

Dan from Vernon Hills

1:52

Hi Eric,
Really enjoy the chats. I was wondering: what are the main duties of an analyst? Is there a limit on the number of analysts and is it an entry level position for would be coaches, a landing spot for former coaches or both? Thanks

Eric Hansen

1:51

It hasn't been too bad .. yet. Temps in the single digits today. 40s next Tuesday. ... Let's start with the usual level of decommitments. They really vary. In the last 13 cycles going back to Brian Kelly's first, it's been 5-2-0-1-3-6-0-2-3-3-4-4-3. And yet ND has poached way more than it's lost and in general high-caliber players. NOW, 2023 is a different animal, because ND is going to be dealing with higher-caliber prospects other schools aren't going to want to concede losing. So expect a lot more baby-sitting of those prospects, a lot more drama. Not necessarily decommits, but drama and rumors and visits to other schools. ... I don't think the player you described exists in this class ... but Drayk Bowen strikes me as a leader and a unifying force.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:42

Hi Eric, How is the snow in South Bend. In Jersey we will get hit this weekend following days of bitter cold. 2023 recruiting class looks awesome. Can the staff hold on to them with just the usual level of decommits? Is there a player/players who if he/they left the dam might break with other players following? The glue that holds the class together.

Eric Hansen

1:41

If he's healthy, I would expect that to be Tyler Buchner. As far as the portal possibilities, it's too late for Notre Dame to add someone for spring semester/spring practices as the third week of classes conclude Friday. The smart thing to do is first see what you have in Tyler Buchner, Drew Pyne and Steve Angeli. From a health standpoint after 15 spring practices and a development standpoint. There will be a whole 'nother wave of transfers after spring practices on other campuses, so there are two good reasons for ND to wait and evaluate in April.

Shaun- Boston

1:35

Who will be the starting quarterback in the Horse Shoe? What QBs in the portal are legitimate possibilities to land in South Bend? Thank you

Eric Hansen

1:35

Well Bob from Holland, Mich., there's already an offensive coordinator in place, in Tommy Rees -- unless you're advocating for a change. The only openings are for running backs coach and defensive coordinator. Marcus could be his own DC, but I don't think that's prudent at this stage of his head coaching career. I think being involved in defensive meetings will be an asset, however.

Guest

1:32

my question , would it be more beneficial for Coach Freeman to be the head coach and defensive coordinator and then hire a top offensive coordinator?

1:31

Hi my name is Bob Vale.

Eric Hansen

1:31

If I'm understanding you correctly, you are asking about what he's going to do going forward rather than why he didn't do it in the bowl game? The head coaches who are play-callers are in the minority and usually on offense. That doesn't make it the wrong move. But I think Marcus giving up the play-calling but staying involved in the defense, which is the plan, makes the most sense. Two main reasons, he wants to establish relationships with the offensive players too, which will help him grow as a coach and help him in recruiting. Also, the Notre Dame head coach is pulled in a lot more directions than most college head coaches, so he's better of delegating some things ... and that's one of them.

NaplesNeil

1:23

Many head coaches are successful coordinators first. After watching Fiesta bowl why wouldn’t Marcus continue to call the D schemes during the game? Ohio St head calls plays, even KC Chiefs head coach calls the play.

Eric Hansen

1:23

Kirk, they absolutely do. Jarrett Patterson mentioned the other day that the coaches are showing up for player workouts. something Marcus Freeman wants in the winter time. The players are loving it. Now, as soon as these guys are being named, they've gone out on the road recruiting. So the contact has been somewhere limited. That recruiting contact period comes to an end Saturday. So once they get into a rhythm with the players, I'll be glad to share how that's going.

Kirk - Chantilly VA

1:11

Do the new position coaches get to meet with players during winter training? Would love some Intel on how they are being received by the team.

Eric Hansen

1:10

Hi Jeremy. I do think Ramon will stay at safety. He was starting at the end of the year, and Notre Dame will probably play four or five in its rotation. There are only six on the roster and three (Houston Griffith, DJ Brown and Brandon Joseph) will all be gone after this season if everything goes as planned. So Henderson would move up. And the way he's playing, he could beat out two of the more-experience safeties to start alongside Joseph in 2022. Let's see how he does in spring. Marcus Freeman was really impressed with the way Ramon was able to adapt to a new position on the fly in the middle of a season.

Guest

1:02

Hey Eric good afternoon. My name is Jeremy Cobb I'm from Bakersfield CA . I have a question regarding my hometown young man Ramon Henderson. With his steady improvement this past year I have a two part question. First part do you believe he (Ramon) stays at safety with a chance to share time with the all American stud from Northwestern transferring in? Second part as someone who is extremely proud of Ramon being from Bakersfield Ca and playing for our beloved Irish. What if anything has the coaching staff ( Marcus) in particular thought of Ramon's progression and what their expectations or outlook is for him this next Fall?Thanks for your insight and always a job well done,and one last thing . Go Irish!!!

Eric Hansen

1:01

I think we're getting close on both. Al Golden is the linebackers coach with the Bengals, and their success has perhaps slowed the process. NFL coaches whose teams are alive can interview for other jobs, but it's up to the team and the coach himself if they want to do that. And if the Bengals went to the Super Bowl, it'd be difficult for Golden to give his full attention to ND in time to get things ready for spring practice.

Frank ftom Royse City, Texas

12:58

when you think ND will name a DC and RB coach?

Eric Hansen

12:58

Hi Jake. If you want a little more depth on this, I've written about that, and we discussed it on our most recent podcast. ... As you look at all four finalists, they all have a history of being scheme-adaptable or they run something similar currently. So Marcus has kept his word on keeping a lot of continuity defensively.

Jake from LaPorte

12:54

Eric, Was wondering with freeman taking his time on hiring a DC can we assume he is looking for someone specific who will run the defence his way or maybe someone who isn't going to come in and change his type of scheme? It seems like he would have a tough time giving that roll up but knows he has to.

Eric Hansen

12:52

That is not true. I addressed Mike Elston's exit in last week's chat. Here's a link to the the transcript.

John - South Bend

12:50

Have been hearing a lot around South Bend that Elston was not welcomed back, after he mentioned wanting to stay here long-term. Any truth to this?

Eric Hansen

12:49

Hi Rick. His football IQ is off the charts, and that showed up in his NFL career. I'm not sure if you had a chance to see my piece with Brady Quinn on Chansi, but it shed some light on how he could be such a good fit with so little actual coaching experience. Tyler James has a piece coming next week likely that will provide even more insight ... on his coaching and his recruiting prowess.

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