JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 12, 2025

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 12, 2025

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Eric Hansen

3:08

OK, that's going to do it for today. Thanks for all the great questions. I failed miserably in emptying the question portal, but we'll be back again next week to try. See you next Wednesday at noon ET.

3:07

As to why Niele Ivey plays her frontline players longer than it would seem necessary, this is my observation. The roster isn't as big as you might think. She also wants the team to have the mentality of keeping their football on the gas. You look at the two losses, to Utah and TCU. The Irish went into the fourth quarter against TCU leading 56-45 and got outscored 31-12. Against Utah, they were up five at halftime and got outscored by 16 in the second half. Notre Dame is blowing out top 25 teams. Imagine what they'll do to Pitt on Thursday night. You can't pull your starters every game or ask them to play in a different gear and then try to turn it back on in March. This team too is still adjusting to new roles and new pieces playing together after getting Westbeld and Karlen back from injuries. I hope that helps.

3:01

Jack, the who reports to who is more collaborative than perhaps you're envisioning that a straight-up rigid food chain. But if you want to get really technical, he'd report to Marcus who reports to the AD. How it's different from what Ron Powlus does, it would be a much shorter list on what is similar about these roles. Again, if you ready today's story, it will probably answer a lot of these questions. Two things to keep in mind, how the general manager is structured, who he (or she) answers to, what their responsibilities are is not the same at Notre Dame as it is at USC as it is at Auburn as it is at Temple. Nor is the GM position in 2025 at ND the same as it will be in 2026. (more)

Jack, Strongsville,Ohio

2:55

Hi Eric. Question about the GM position. Does he report to the HC or AD? Who has hiring authority and delegates responsibilities to him? How is this position different from what Ron Powlus does? Seems like people could be stepping on one another's toes. A second area about WBB. Why does Niele Ivey leave her starters in blowout games such a long time? Hannah Hidalgo was in until the last minute against Cal. Thanks for your great work on all your numerous outlets.

Eric Hansen

2:54

There's going to be a lot of good choices to sift through at both of those roles, including some players who don't arrive until June. I think Faison is really good at the punt return role. I think going from football to lacrosse to football to lacrosse to football makes him less ideal. I'd lean into Greathouse and Aneyas Williams as the frontrunners. At KOR I'd like to see Jadarian Price back in that role. There are otheers, but I'd start there.

Guest

2:51

ced walker Saginaw michigan aka sagnasty Saginaw pride who do you see being on kick return and punt return (Jordan faison , jaden greathouse , aneyas williams jadarian price god bless this football here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us

Eric Hansen

2:51

Hi Mike/Mo. I've seen that suggestion in a few places. I'm not sure Brady would want to fill that role with young children at home and wanting to be present in their lives. Could he? I think Brady Quinn could be good at just about anything he put his passion into. But this job is much more than a face of the program. Brady Quinn can still be an asset to the program without being its GM.

Mike AKA "Mo" from Maumee OH

2:49

Greetings!! Now that the fake news about the GM hiring has passed, are there any true leads about who IS in ND's sights? Is Brady Quinn a possibility? He would seem to be the perfect face of ND to prospects & his experience in successfully launching the FUND Foundation (now closed as the NIL juggernaut moves ahead) would seem to be invaluable. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:49

Zero concerns. Explained in the opening question of you can wade through it.

Stan, Harrisburg, PA

2:48

Has Seider been hired? No announcements yet reason for concern?

Eric Hansen

2:48

come back and the two transfers coming in and competing. My guess for starters ... Rubio and Onye, with Dawson and Hinish key pieces of that rotation.

2:47

Hi Matt. Let's say all what you laid out is 100% accurate. And let's say USC almost tripled Bowden's salary. Is it worth overpaying for that role and then creating a crisis among some of your on-field assistant coaches or other support staff who say: Where's mine? There has to be a point where you do what's fiscally responsible. Keep in mind too that the GM position is evolving. And there are elements of in the college sports world that coming soon in which Bowden hasn't necessarily been tested and proven in. Could he pass the tests? Sure. Could he labor with those changes? That's also a possibility. I don't blame ND for moving on. As far as position battles ... and some will play out later as injured players return, but the safety battles opposite Adon Shuler and how deep that rotation goes is going to be run. I think Stroman wins that but I think Urlacher, Talich, Tae Johnson and even JaDon Blair would all get in the mix. The interior defensive line positions intrigue me with Onye on track to (More)

Matt from Austin

2:40

Hi Eric. Hope you are well. Two questions. 1. I have read that ND had a chance to match Bowden's offer from the school out West, but chose not to do so. If the GM position is as important as we are led to believe, and he was such a major factor in recruiting, etc., why would we let him go? (Yes, I'm sure that money was involved). Any insights? 2. Heading into the spring, what are the true position battles that you envision, outside of quarterback, and who do sense will prevail? Thanks Eric. Matt

Eric Hansen

2:40

Hi Frank. I know linebacker Preston Zinter played some tight end in high school, but at 6-2, 235 could he be one in college that gets on the field? Maybe in the Davis Sherwood role, but that doesn't seem likely. If ND wants to deeper its tight end corps or go out and get a potential No. 2 to replace injured Cooper Flanagan, the portal makes more sense. But spring could produce some surprises and maybe Jack Larsen steps up? James Flanigan and Ty Washington won't arrive until spring. The flip side of Zinter is with all the linebacker talent, can he get on the field on defense. Interesting spring for him.

Frank from Royse City,Texas

2:31

Eric, do you think ND will move Zinter to TE or go after another TE in the Spring Portal?

Eric Hansen

2:31

Roger, thanks for the kind words. I also blame that for distracting me as I was trying to see if we had it in our budget to hire you as my hype man. .... I would have said Morrison as well, even though he told me in an August interview how good Leonard Moore was. Morrison had the most proven track record of those five coming into the season. And not only for Moore to start, but for him to play as many reps as he did without a safety net of depth, wow. For your 2025 question, let's assume nobody transfers (which won't happen), but it makes it easier to answer the question knowing who the backups are. For me, it's Love with the starting QB a close second. To the culture question, it is and it isn't. Why it might be more impressive with this team in this time is the changing dynamics of college sports around it that tug at that culture that could potentially disrupt it. That's what is so impressive.

2:22

Roger, sorry didn't mean to skip you. I got a phone call and forget to plug my brain back in ... now to your questions.

2:21

Hi Michael. The transfer portal doesn't reopen until four days after Notre Dame spring football ends, so there will be no addition or subtraction before April 16. That window closes on April 25.

Michael, San Antonio

2:20

Do you think ND will add more players from the portal? Or are they done until after Spring ball is complete to take a look at where they stand?

Eric Hansen

2:19

Hi Ryan, what a blessing Jack was able to come back for a sixth year. And he made such a difference, not only with his play but helping to raise the level of the young linebackers around him. Yes, I do think Irish fans will miss him and will also be excited about the continued growth of that linebacker corps.

Ryan Frankfort illinois

2:18

Good afternoon Eric what do you think about the Season Jack Kiser had Irish fans will miss him next season GO IRISH ☘️☘️☘️🏈🏈🏈

Roger from Peoria

2:13

Eric: As always, thanks for being Eric Hansen, simply the best. Two questions. If just prior to the A&M kickoff you were told Morrison, Mills, Bothello, Traore and Craig would be injured during the '24 season and not return by season end, which one would you have said would be the hardest to replace? IMO, it would have been Morrison, but boy would I have been wrong. Question #1 to you is, if just prior to the Miami kickoff you are told Love, Schrauth, Bowen, Young and the starting QB will be injured during the '25 season but not return during the '25 season, which one will be the hardest to replace? Question #2 involves culture. The culture of the '24 Irish has been identified repeatedly as one key to the successful season. From your observation, was the '24 team culture markedly different than the culture of any other Irish team you have covered, and, if so, to what do you attribute that positive culture? GO IRISH!!!

Eric Hansen

2:13

Hi Bob. Yes there is a staff of them, perhaps not as out front as when Amber Selking was here under Brian Kelly and she was on the sideline and way more visible with podcasts and social media. And probably more of a need basis than specific programming, for lack of a better term. ... As far as managing the offseason, Notre Dame is leaning way into sports science. And Loren Landow having worked with the longer NFL season has experience with this as well. And the staff is being very intentional about recovery. Even Jordan Faison is just now starting to practice with the lacrosse team and won't play in the team's first three games, with the season opener set for tonight. But remember this is unprecedented for college football, so there will be learning curve for the team involved with the deepest runs.

Bob (Oxnard)

(I am concerned about how we will hold up for another (hopefully) long 2025 season if we don’t get enough downtime.)

2. Do you think the team will obtain enough down time between the end of the National Championship game and the beginning of winter conditioning and then spring football?

2:07

Hi Eric, do we still have the sports psychologist on staff?

Eric Hansen

2:07

I think Marcus is looking at all options as he resets the search. NFL, internal, college. But I made the point in the story I posted this morning (likely after you submitted your question), there are NFL parallels to this job potentially but there are so very stark differences that would make someone with ONLY NFL experience not the right fit. .... three players on each side of the ball to track this spring excluding QBs? Cam Williams, Charles Jagusah, Eli Raridon ... DL Jason Onye (and the two transfer DTs), Jalen Stroman (all the safeties really) and Madden Faraimo at LB.

1:54

Hi Marie. I am doing great in part because I didn't run out and buy bread and milk that I'd never consume ahead of the raging snowstorm we were supposed to get that's been downgraded to ho-hum snowfall. ... How surprised? I knew it was a really attractive job for a number of reasons and I knew Notre Dame had the resources to pay ... but Ju'Juan Seider is a wow hire. So a little surprised he was willing to leave Penn State for less than a coordinator or head coaching position. ... Biggest strengths? Recruiting, player development and a valuable voice in meetings about game strategy etc. with his background as a QB as a player and as a co-offensive coordinator at Penn State. (more)

Marie from Atlanta

1:43

Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a fantastic week. How surprised were you that ND was able to hire Seider? What do you think his biggest strengths will be as running backs coach? Are there a couple people you can name that you would really like ND to take a good look at for the general manager position? Also, what do you think the chances are that that person will come from the NFL as opposed to from the college ranks? Finally, which three players on offense, quarterbacks not included, and which three players on defense. Are you most excited to track this spring? As always, thanks for hosting the chat and for all the great insights.

Eric Hansen

1:43

Hi Jeff. Thanks for the question and really spitballing here off the top of my head ... Some of the ones I would consider being future coaches might be playing for a while in the NFL. Ben Morrison comes to mind, maybe Xavier Watts as well. ... Maybe more immediate, I could see someone like Max Hurleman, maybe Devyn Ford. I'm sure I'm leaving out some good ones.

Jeff from Phoenix

1:34

Hey Eric! I've been waiting for the off-season to ask this question, and now with coaching careers and changes being more in the spotlight, want to get your thoughts. With the players leaving this year, for football or other career paths, are there a couple that you could see as graduate assistant coaches in the near future, with an eye toward a longer-term coaching career? Realizing that someone like Jack Kiser likely has a successful business career ahead of him, but he certainly has the equivalent of a PhD in Football Smarts. Other players that might come to mind? Thanks!

Eric Hansen

1:34

As far as best position, Joe Rudolph told me down in Atlanta they'll determine that through practice reps. So you may see Knapp and Jagusah both getting guard and tackle reps in the spring, at least to start. 4) Going into spring my expectation is that Greathouse and Faison are going to be starters with Fields rising to No. 1 once he gets to campus in June. The really intriguing guys to me is where the three sophomores-to-be fit -- Logan Saldate, Micah Gilbert and Cam Williams. There's a huge opportunity for all three to earn a spot in the WR rotation ... and thanks for putting up with me!

1:30

Tom thanks for the plug on our YouTube show. Football Never Sleeps. I appreciate the huge live audience we had last night, despite having to move time slots to Tuesday night (7 ET) both this week and next. ... To your multi-part question, which was still under the 17-part limit .... 1) Given the rest of the defensive staff is on place, that Ash is a base 4-3 guy and not 3-4 and that he will embrace SOME of the Golden concepts, I don't think this is going to be a major upheaval. 2) The five-man rotation worked pretty well last year and would seem to make sense to keep in place this year. The question is with only losing Jack Kiser so far, is five the right number. Also what will Jaylen Sneed's primary role be? Does he settle into more of the WILL position or is that KVA's slot? 3) I think the top eight is pretty clear, but there are always surprises. I don't think the top five is going to be difficult either. Two things ... does Craig stay on schedule to be ready for the start of the season? (more)

Tom F, Kennesaw, GA

1:21

Hi Eric. With the chaos that has surrounded ND fb this "offseason" how appropriate your podcast is "Football Never Sleeps"!!! With the success of this past season, the bar and expectations are definitely high for '25. There will be a lot to sort out in Spring. Please give your thoughts on the following: 1) Team adjusting to a new DC and possibly a new system. 2) Seeing the development of the LB's and how they might best work together. Glad Bowen is concentrating on FB. He made a lot of big plays last year. 3) Try to figure out OL's best 5 and also the best positions for each player to play their best. 4) Finally, finding some WR's we can count on to beat opponents one-on-one regularly. Greathouse and Faison look to have made big strides in late season/playoffs. Who do you think have the best chance to develop into true #1 and #2 receivers??? Recently we've had a lot of OK WR's but no one the other team had to worry about. Thanks for continuing to listen to our questions/comments!!!! Go Irish!!!!

Eric Hansen

1:20

Hey Tony. Great to meet you and your entourage. Let's have a beer sometime! (not before the game Coffee is a better option then). I think there will be two at home this coming season. ... not my reporting, my hunch. The 2025 season was the first since 2019 and the second since 2015 to only have one home night game. Keep in mind Marcus Freeman would like to see even more, and I can see why based on the atmosphere. To me, the two that likely would get PM kick times are Texas A&M and USC. Notre Dame loves to have that mid-October night game for recruiting purposes and when the weather might still be kind of good.

2581

1:13

Tony from Lexington, KY --- Great meeting you before the women's basketball game on Sunday, Eric ! Any insight into how many home games will kick off under the lights in 2025? I assume that Texas A&M will be in prime time, and I am hoping that Boise State is considered a big enough name to garner prime time consideration (if Ashton Jeanty hadn'r declared for the NFL draft, that might have helped raise Boise State's profile...). I know that we sometimes play Southern Cal at night, but I would prefer Boise State if ND only has two night games this season...

Eric Hansen

1:11

Playing those ACC name brands on a more regular basis makes sense for both sides, but it is a negotiation. I don't think necessarily the chip Pete wants to player is fewer than give games vs. the ACC per year, but say including games against Stanford as part of fulfilling that five-game ACC commitment rather than an outlier series that doesn't count toward the commitment.

1:09

Hi Kevin, thanks for making time to join in. Jadarian Price would start for most college football teams. He knows that. So then the question becomes how important would that be to him? ... versus completing his Notre Dame degree work ... versus being willing to be a back in rotates in on a really good team, more likely than not a playoff team? Though he will be a senior academically in 2025, he does have 2026 eligibility available from his medical redshirt year as a freshman in 2022. I'm sure he'll be interested and get a feel this spring of how Ja'Juan Seider plans to use him, so he can make an informed decision. (more)

Kevin from Calgary

1:03

Eric, thanks for keeping the chats going in the dead of winter. Leaves some hope that spring can’t be that far away. Two questions: With all the (justified) hype surrounding Jeremiyah Love for the upcoming season, is there a chance that could force Jadarian Price into the portal and is the arrival of Ja’Juan Seider something that could convince him to stay? Also, with talk of the ACC scheduling two of Miami, Clemson and FSU as ND opponents every year (to appease ESPN) is there a chance Pete Bevacqua will ask for a reduction in the mandatory five ACC games the Irish currently have to schedule, giving him a little more flexibility in finding different opponents?

Eric Hansen

1:01

I am glad you qualified it with "way too early" or else I would have to fire up the Magic 8-ball to help me. I would say from left tackle to right tackles and assuming everyone is full healthy (Ashton Craig): I would go Charles Jagusah, Billy Schrauth, Ashton Craig, Anthonie Knapp and Aamil Wagner with Sullivan Absher, Guerby Lambert and maybe Will Black knocking hardest on the door.

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