Notre Dame hasn't been an elite program since the early 90s. The landscape of CFB has changed so dramatically since ND was truly elite. They have had some good teams, but watching ND fans try to play the morally elite and physically elite card is why people mock them. This season was a success though. There have been 9 teams who have made the playoffs in 5 years and ND is one of them. Not Michigan, not Penn St, not Miami, not LSU, not USC, not Texas. That's some pretty rarified air, yet the minute they good housed by Clemson, the talk was ND didn't belong. Nevermind that in 10 semifinal games, only 2 have been decided by less than 2 TD's. Clemson was a juggernaut this year and ND isn't on that level. There aren't many teams on that level, but being consistently on the next level isn't a bad thing. We will see if they can build on the last couple of years and get there.
This is a good post. The whole staying in school thing is big. We launch kids for stuff other schools give 2 days of practice off for all to often.
My opinion is that I like ND for what it is...and what it isn't. We should not strive to be everything to everyone; that's part of what makes ND unique. Does it make it harder on the program? Absolutely. However that's part of the challenge, that's part of our identity. I like that and find it to be a selling point. This year was an unmitigated success and the program is in as strong a position as it ever has been since I attended school there. Kelly is a very good coach, and him embracing the CEO role was a much needed evolution - however as others have stated, he hasn't proven to be elite in the sense he can win a National Championship. He has however brought our program back to levels where We can again legitimately dream of having a shot at the Championship. That's huge, and in the modern age, that's an accomplishment in itself. Do I think he will get us over that hump? Probably not. Do I think we can get over that hump with some upgrades in a few key areas? Yes I do, and I don't think those changes require us to become just like any other school (e.g. lower standards, athletic dorms, etc.). improved, sustained recruiting, smarter scheduling, elite staff at all levels, and an elite HC can get us there. We likely won't win title after title like the Alabama's or Clemson's, but we could at least have more frequent shots at it. I don't that think that's so far fetched. I don't that think that's too unrealistic.
Our defens I don't have enough spine to have an opinion. But if I did, it would sound a lot like this.
That’s not how our program works at all. We had like a half dozen walk ons on scholarship this season, and signed like 31 kids combined between 2017-2018. We undersign most years and don’t run off kids nearly as much under Dabo as we did under Tommy Bowden. We do have an ultra modern training table/nutrition approach though.
Based on education stuff, religion stuff, and overall approach, Dabo would actually be a phenomenal fit for all the challenges we see at ND. Would just never happen unless we offered an absurd sum of money. Probably still wouldn’t.
Willingham was a North Carolina guy. Holtz was born in West Virginia, but was at Arkansas before us. Otherwise, I can’t think of any.
I had forgotten about the Willingham era. Knew he was from NC. I think it would be funny watching Dabo and your fanbase/media mesh.
I love Dabo, as soon as he started praising Jesus post game the gold seaters would probably have heart attacks and die from the excitement.
I don't think the aww shucks country boy act would work at ND at all. And I don't mean that as a slight against Dabo in any way. The same is probably true for most schools outside the south.
MDT to transfer to Minnesota. We were always gonna lose a few guys to get to 85, so better its one of the guys you want
Yup that’s not a bad loss and he’s in a good spot for him. Sounds like Wimbush to UCF is all but official.
Honestly don't get this for Wimbush. Isn't Milton's backup pretty legit? You'd think he'd want to go somewhere without a lot of competition
and by my count we had 12 guys out of eligibility and with boykin, wimbush, love, mack, MDT that would leave 6 spots that need to still open up (assuming we get both turner and foskey)
I think the Mack kid is basically a less talented BW without the mental issues. If they can get him confident he’ll do well there.
Irish bball at UNC in 8 minutes. Who the hell knows what's going to happen given the last few days of acc basketball
lol at the banked 3 by hubb. not sure how i feel about him getting that bc i'm scared it'll give him too much confidence to throw up more prayers
thought it was funny (in a sad way) when rece kept talking about how good a shooter nate is. "the normally reliable nate laszewski". not quite rece. not since he stepped foot on campus
I'm willing to say this. This team is going to be really good next year. It's going to be a monster in 2 years.
I didn't realize we lose no one going into next year.... yeah that team is gonna be lit. Rex has a redshirt, correct?
still not sure where this new hubb came from, but i like it edit: of course, as i type that he airballs a shot
If this team messes around and makes the tourney that would be insane. I know I am way ahead of myself, But, That shit Brey.
I need to see it again, real time I thought dude raked his right hand hard. He needs to be stronger but that looked like a trash call to me.