JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 1, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Dec. 1, 2021

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Doug from Chesterton

1:37

Eric, did Swarbrick get caught with his pants down? If so, how long will it take him to get this crisis under control?

Eric Hansen

1:37

Generally, this is a week were they condition and lift. No practices. BK's departure won't change that. And there's no coaches in town to coach them anyway. They're on the road seeing recruits. ... I don't think Kyle Hamilton will come back to ND no matter who the coach is in 2022. Too much at stake and he's ready for the NFL now.

Jack, Boston, MA

1:36

Do players have the week off from practice? Wanting to know the general vibe amongst the players with this BK news and whether they are hungry to win their bowl game. Also, do you think Kyle Hamilton stays if Freeman is hired?

Eric Hansen

1:35

He never said that. His actions are saying IF he wins a national title at LSU (or not), he'll do so with a bigger bank account.

Dave from Tempe, AZ

1:34

Eric, what signal does Brian Kelly make to the football world (especially prospective recruits) when he leaves Notre Dame because he thinks he can win a national championship at LSU and not at ND?

Eric Hansen

1:34

I don't think Notre Dame would do that. Seems awfully petty if they did. I just don't see it. I know people are angry, but that's not the way to channel it.

John from Jackson, MS

1:33

What is the likelihood that ND, not vindictively, just slowly begins to add asterisks back to Kelly's win total and more or less concedes the vacated wins to retroactively not have him break Rockne's record? Just interested solely based on the idea that Kelly may have burned bridges with how he left. Also, would love Freeman as the new HC

Eric Hansen

1:32

A lot of you have similarly worded questions today (and by no fault of your own). So if I don't get to you, that's the reason why. I'm trying to explore as many different questions and angles as I can.

1:30

Hi Jim and thanks. So to your playoff question. I'm sure you saw my story about how Hamilton's knee and ND's coaching status can factor in when considering the Irish for a playoff spot. If there's hairs to be split on Sunday, it could give the committee an out. ... The last time Jack hired a head football coach it was a week and a half, and the recruiting cycle was different. Again, Fickell is the wild card. If it's anyone else, I think he gets it done before the signing period for recruits (Dec. 15-17).

Jim, Oakwood, OH

1:26

Hi Eric, Have you recovered from the seismic news yet? I’m not a grad … I’m an avid fan & NDI subscriber who reads all of the excellent reporting and analytical columns that you,Tyler & Tom write. I feel betrayed by BK. All of his talk/preaching about “traits … character… fit … team first …” and he leaves his team at the alter on the cusp of a NY6 bowl for what - a bag of $$$. He’s no more a Cajun than the man on the moon. He’s money ball Brian. My rant …thank you for listening. My questions and a comment: How likely will the Playoff Committee be to select ND for one of the top 4 spots next Sun. when ND is without a head coach? I was very impressed by the character and commitment to team & ND as reflected in the players’ and committed recruits’ tweets. Very encouraging and classy. JS also exhibited poise and class in his comments at the Tues. AM presser. Does JS have weeks or a month to select a new coach? That seems doubtful to me given the early signing period just 2 weeks away & all the poachers. Be well.

Eric Hansen

1:25

Marcus would be the first guy to defend Fickell's prowess as a coach, by the way. After a 4-8 transition season following Tommy Tuberville, he's 43-6 ... with one loss the past two season combined ... to Georgia, 24-21.

Bob Oxnard

1:22

Eric, If Luke Fickel had dropped one or two of their close games this year, no one would be talking about him. Now we want to kiss goodbye our recruiting classes for the guy? Hire Marcus now.

Eric Hansen

1:22

Stosh thanks. If you saw my appearance on the Dan Patrick Show Tuesday, you could guess what my sleep cycles look like. Ha. The length of the search in my opinion is tied to the level of interest Jack Swarbrick has in Luke Fickell and the timeline of Fickell's eventual availability.

Stosh from Canton

1:19

Eric, as always you are our lifeline! How much sleep have you had this week? As a journalist have you ever been hit so suddenly by a bombshell as what BK set off on a quiet Monday afternoon? Hang in there, Eric. Your factual reporting is a great antidote to all the internet rumor mongering. Just curious...but what are your inside sources telling you? Will this be a long search?

Eric Hansen

1:18

Hi Connie. I don't agree it's Freeman's job to lose, but as I've mentioned, I think he should and will be strongly considered.

Connie from Pacifica

1:17

In his press conference, A.D. Swarbrick emphasized that ND now has a high level football program and that all components of that program - facilities, staff, organization, culture, and student athletes - are second to none. In other words all the elements exist to create long term success. This is what leads me to believe that Swarbrick is tending toward promoting from within. He referenced that 12 years ago the program was in a dysfunctional state so he brought in a proven program builder. Now he doesn't need to do that. My thinking is that there are a lot of parallels to the women's basketball program where he went with Muffet's long time assistant, Niele. My gut tells me it's Freeman's job to lose. Do you agree, Eric?

Eric Hansen

1:15

Thanks, Marty. It's exhilarating and exhausting, and more the former than the latter. The last time I had a coaching search and a bowl game was 2004. Usually, it's one or the other. I did not get the impression that Marcus is not a candidate. Jack mentioned four qualities of potential candidates that will help drive the search: Fit, understanding how to build and manage staff, an X’s and O’s philosophy that works, and the ability to recruit and develop players. He measures up very well in 1 and 4. Three depends on who he'd hire as an offensive coordinator. Two is the wild card and the unknown. When I talked to Jack about this in 2019 in hypothetical terms, he did not rule out hiring someone without head coaching experience. In December of 2009, it would have been a deal breaker. in 2021, it's not that at all, because he said the program is in a different place and a better place.

Marty from Lake Oswego,OR

1:07

Hello Eric. This must be a busy and exciting week for you. Listening to Jack Swarbrick on Tuesday, It sounded like he will be searching externally for a proven head coach. Since you were at the press conference, did you get the impression that Marcus Freeman is not being seriously considered? I would hate to lose him. Do you have any info on who is likely to be considered? How do feel about it? Jack And thanks for chats, very entertaining.

Eric Hansen

1:07

Len. Thanks, and again, since you didn't ask me to weigh in on these, I won't.

Len from the Jersey Shore

1:06

hi Eric, This should be an interesting chat. I read all your articles and everything else I could. I am going to sit back and listen to your perspective on all of this. Coach Kelly at ND had more to deal with then other schools. He sounded frustrated when asked about empty seats and quipped do I need to sell tickets too. That is when I knew he was a short timer. That and other statements showed the frustration of moving things forward, facilities, recruiting coordinators etc., at ND, a different place, were taking its toll I thought it would be retirement. It looks like he chose an easier path to a champonship than ND. The irony would be if ND gets into the playoff and wins a game.

Eric Hansen

1:05

Hi Marie. That's difficult for me to gauge, because sometimes money talks more loudly than anything else. I would imagine there are assistant coaches who would factor in the way Brian hit the exit door.

Marie from Atlanta

12:59

Hi Eric, I hope you are surviving this crazy week. Do you think the deplorable way in which BK left ND, will effect his ability to hire staff/assistant coaches at LSU? His pattern of lack of consideration for anyone but himself in these situations has escalated throughout his career, do you think potential hires look at that realize they could very easily be the next colleague to be mistreated and embarrassed by him? In the non football world this is a consideration of anyone taking a job. Already some, (Balis and Alford) have declined to follow him do think they considered this aspect of his personality? Thanks for all your incredible work this week.

Eric Hansen

12:57

The player/recruit support for Freeman shouldn't be the deciding factor, but it is not insignificant. It says something that a guy who's only been at Notre Dame for 11 months is viewed as a leader. I think Jack Swarbrick should and will consider that when doing his calculus on a new head coach. Again, not a deciding factor, but one that needs to be in the formula for the decision.

12:55

Matt, this is new for me too in a sense. I've only covered one coaching search in almost four decades of doing this in which the coach left for another job. That was Sam Wyche who was at Indiana University for one whole year (1984) before he took the head coaching job with the Cincinnati Bengals. The others: Lee Corso (fired), Bill Mallory (fired after I left the beat), Leon Burtnett (fired), Fred Akers (fired), Jim Colletto (fired after I left the beat), Bob Davie (fired). Tyrone Willingham (fired), Charlie Weis (fired) ... and in men's hoops ... Bob Knight (fired after I left the beat), Gene Keady (retired after I left the beat) and John MacLeod (fired after I left the beat). More ...

Matt from Los Angeles

12:47

Immediately after Kelly's departure there seemed to be an outpouring of support from current ND players as well as ND commits for Marcus Freeman to take over as HC. That seems to speak to not just the team's support for Freeman but their willingness to move on from BK so quickly. As an ND fan, I haven't closely followed any coaching changes in 12 years. In your time covering college football, have you ever seen that type of public support for a candidate from a team/recruits? Do you think it will have any effect on Swarbrick's decision?

Eric Hansen

12:47

Fickell comes with some timing issues, especially if Cincinnati wins Saturday in the AAC title game against Houston. ... So the more I ponder the equation, the more I want to get to the bottom of whether Freeman would work and the more I start to believe he could be the outlier who might be able to pull it off. ... There are other good candidates out there -- Matt Campbell at Iowa State, Mark Stoops at Kentucky are a couple. But if I'm Jack Swarbrick, my focus is on Fickell and Freeman.

12:40

He certainly deserves an interview. I think Luke Fickell is the safer and better candidate. Freeman brings risk that Fickell does not. but there's both timing and continuity issues here that make that risk easier to stomach. Brian Kelly was wary about elevating Clark Lea when Mike Elko left, because he'd never been a coordinator. But he did no Elko's system inside and out, he he showed great potential. BK wanted continuity at that point, and his gamble paid off. So is the gamble worth it for Jack Swarbrick. My initial though was that no one is. (more)

12:36

Hi Mark. Thanks for being here. The last five Notre Dame head football coaches hired with no previous head coaching experience were Charlie Weis, Bob Davie, Gerry Faust, Joe Kuharich and Terry Brennan. None of them ended well and some of them were at the top of the list of ND's worst head coaches EVER. And this spans many decades and eras. Having said that, I am intrigued by Marcus Freeman and believe if there's someone who might break that mold, it might be him. (more)

Mark, Orange County CA

12:27

Hi Eric, As always thank you for hosting these chats. Would you agree that the ND head coaching position is not a job for someone without head coaching experience? I appreciate that Marcus Freeman is a great recruiter and a very good DC but, unlike so many ND fans on the message boards, I think the program needs an experienced head coach, but certainly not Urban Meyer. Secondly, now looking back at this season and Kelly, did you sense anything from BK that he was ready for a change. Finally, who are some candidates that you think would be a good fit for ND?

Eric Hansen

12:26

Brian Kelly couldn't have delayed his decision until after the bowl game. ... But to your question, I think if Freeman is not selected, it's difficult to concoct a plausible scenario that would keep him at ND. ... He could go to LSU with Brian Kelly. If ND selects Luke Fickell, he might be tempted to stay at ND, but Cincinnati likely would offer him its head coaching job. He also will have other head coaching offers to consider. As far as losing recruits, ND lost Devin Moore yesterday. How many more will depend on how long the search lasts and who ND ends up with as Kelly's successor.

12:20

Sorry about that Ron, I forget to hit the publish button on the second part of Jeff's question. So we'll get to your answer now.

12:19

This is an unusual situation for Notre Dame that may never repeat. The outgoing coach wasn't fired. In Charlie Weis's case in 2009, there was nowhere for those assistants to go right away. Many of these assistants will get invites to jin BK at LSU, so it's a different dynamic.

Ron Delaware

12:19

Best of luck with the chat I assume you maybe deluged with questions surrounding Kelley. I am disappointed in Kelley not delaying this process or one decision until after the bowl game as he was obviously in drivers seat especially after Riley took USC. I think he owed to his players. My question is do you feel if coach Freemen is not selected you lose him and present players who seem so supportive of him for the job. Secondly the 2022 recruiting class has lost already one player any sense how many more may decommit if no decision is made before December 15 signing date. Thanks for your thoughts.

Eric Hansen

12:17

Hi Jeff. I asked the interim question right out of the gate at Tuesday's press conference, and I was still dissecting the answer on the drive home. My assessment is that he was OK having shared leadership during this time ... at least at first. He could have named Jeff Quinn or Brian Polian (both of whom had been head coaches), one of the coordinators (Freeman or Rees) or Mike Elston, who had been associate head coach for a few years until taking over recruiting. Let's say he names Elston, but then Elston (theoretically) wants to join BK at LSU. Then he would have to name another interim coach ... who may go to LSU. (more)

Jeff from Phoenix

12:13

Hey Eric, I want to ask about Swarbrick's comments on not wanting to name an interim coach. Do you think this is because he plans to name a new head coach soon or because he doesnt want to put Freeman in an awkward position as 'interim' with the bowl game being possibly perceived as his head coach job interview? Or another reason? And how exactly would it work to prep for the bowl game(s) with no head coach, interim or otherwise? Much thanks-

Eric Hansen

12:12

Kevin, you were able to express your rant succinctly enough that I'm willing to include it. And I'll do so without comment, so that wasn't asked of me. ... To your question, Notre Dame is a much-improved team from its September version. But what happens on the field, still has to matter. Ohio State, for instance, would be favored in Vegas against most of the teams ahead of it, but the Buckeyes lost twice. Notre Dame doesn't have a top 25 win. That's a tough sell when comparing résumés against Oklahoma State and Cincinnati -- two teams I think the Irish would beat.

Kevin_Tampa

12:07

Eric, ND is playing like one of the best teams in CFB and is better now than Cin. and OKST. Deserve a slot over both those teams and AL if they lose to Ga. Do you agree, why or why not? My 2¢ on BK is that he "got caught" looking at NFL job in 2012, almost lost the team with his "these aren't all my guys" comments in 2010, too many bad loses, never won a big post season gm, lost the program in 2016, never developed great elite QB's, sideline temper tantrums, and lied about never leaving last week. He is no Lou, Ara, Dabbo, or NS. Good riddance BK. Looking forward to a new honorable coach who can win big games & championships.

Eric Hansen

Buckle up.

12:05

One thing I do insist upon ... PLEASE INCLUDE your NAME and HOMETOWN along with your question.

12:04

Here are the rules. However, just this once they will not be strictly enforced.