JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 22, 2023

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Feb. 22, 2023

Eric Hansen

3:15

OK, that's going to do it for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. I'm leaning heavily toward doing this again next Wednesday at noon ET. Will let you know via Twitter if the plans change.

3:13

Hi Doug in unrainy/unfreezing rainy Florida. I think being an outstanding teacher is way up on the list of priorities, so anyone who doesn't fit that will be eliminated quickly. Joe Rudolph has a great track record there. I think the candidates we've mentioned all check that box. As far as recruiters, Matt Luke is incredible and Cody Kennedy is growing into a real strong recruiter, but someone like Brian Callahan with ND's resources, could turn into one. I'll have a better idea of the frontrunner, hopefully, by tomorrow when io can dig in.

Doug from Sunny Florida

3:07

Eric, I felt that one of the best attributes of Harry H. was his ability to teach the o-line position and it's intricacies to young players which provided such a solid base in their development in later years. Which of the aforementioned options for his replacement would you regard as more of 'teachers', if any. Do any fit the mold of solid recruiters that Coach MF requires from his assistants? Lastly, who do you see as the frontrunner or feel will be the new o-line coach and will he be able to fill the shoes that HH leaves behind?

Eric Hansen

3:07

It always does with outside hires. It goes back to the George O'Leary debacle.

Tom from WA

3:06

Any idea why the QB coach announcement is taking this long?

Eric Hansen

3:06

I am a huge fan of his too as are many others. The hang-up is experience. Only one years as a full-time assistant coach. So, he will get a look but as a long shot.

Guest

3:06

I am a HUGE Chris Watt fan and want to see him be given the opportunity to be our next OL Coach. Does he have a chance? Dan (Plymouth, MI)

Eric Hansen

3:05

Thanks, Don.

Don in PHX

3:05

Eric, probably missed the live chat. No questions as I will read your answers to others. I certainly over responded to the OC search. Lesson for me is to listen to the folks on the beat not the voices on twitter and the net.

Eric Hansen

3:05

I think Tommy Rees would have said the same thing about that play.

Bill from St Joe, MI

3:04

Do you think that Tommy Rees felt Coach Freeman “threw him under the bus” when commenting that we should not have been throwing the ball under those circumstances which resulted in the 99 pick 6 against South Carolina in the Gator Bowl?

Eric Hansen

3:04

Our recruiting writer, Kyle Kelly, has moved on to another opportunity, and we wish him well. (Sounds like a coaching press release but we do). The ND OC search slowed us down. So we're looking at sometime in March.

Brian from Wauconda, IL (not Wakanda)

3:03

What is the timeline on hiring a replacement for Kyle Kelly?

Eric Hansen

3:02

Hi Len, your thoroughness is always appreciated. I do think I got lost on your math. If the NCAA does NOT add an 11th assistant (and John Brice on a recent podcast believes that's coming soon), you could add AHC to Parker's OC and tight ends coaching duties, but if you're going to hire yet another OC, Parker would still have to coach the tight ends and I'm not sure if he'd see ceding OC duties as a promotion.

Len from the Jersey Shore

2:58

Hello Eric, Thanks to you, Tyler and Kyle for keeping us informed in a time like no other. A comment and a question. With Hartman having a sixth year and being a previously successful QB I expect besides QB that Wide Receivers, TE's and running backs to be very potent and to flourish this year. What ND needs is the right O line coach to make it all work. On D I believe that CB's and safeties will be playoff quality. My concerns are with the front seven especially the D line. I cannot remember when my concerns would be with the D line and O line. More on that in future chats. With the changes in college football the Head Coach will need more support. Coach Freeman has a strong bond with Coach Parker. Do you see a scenario where Coach Parker becomes Asst. Head Coach assuming some additional responsibilities and Coach Freeman appoints(QB Coach) or recruits a new OC. This works whether NCAA adds another coach to the staff or not. Your thoughts as always are appreciated.

Eric Hansen

2:57

Hi Paul. Given that spring practice won't start early, I think Sam Hartman won't be trying to play catch-up. Especially given his experience level. I do think Parker's promotion makes things easier in the short term, though Andy Ludwig and Collin Klein would have brought schemes that were at least philosophically similar.

Paul from Toronto

2:54

Hi Eric. Going through a winter storm up here so the comings and goings of the coaches is a good distraction from the weather. Has the OC coaching search put Sam Hartman behind in learning the play book not knowing what offensive scheme he could be running and does the hiring of Parker make that easier?

Eric Hansen

2:54

Jerry, if I could answer this, I would qualify as a psychic and it shouldn't be that complicated. Just too many unknowns coupled with a position coach with something to prove.

Guest

2:53

Jerry M. from Dallas. Eric, How do you think the defensive line will be this year?

Eric Hansen

2:53

I think the coach who can perpetuate both the relentless devotion to technique-driven teaching and the strong culture is the home run hire. If Chris Watt elects to stay on in his current role, he becomes someone who can smooth the transition even further. ... With Rees' departure, there was never going to be a good time. Wait a year, now here comes CJ Carr. But the Alabama opportunity may NEVER come around again for him.

2:49

Sean, thanks for the cryptic baseball prediction. ... Here's some aspects about the Parker hire that may nor may not alieve your hesitancy. He's coached WRs more often than any other position and he has a large pool of offensive systems he's worked in from which to pull. He also brings some continuity in terms of terminology and familiarity with much of ND's offensive personnel. Now the question, can he channel all that into a better offense? We'll get our first clues in the spring. I think Gino Guidugli, who will coach QBs and has coordinator chops, will be a valuable asset for Hartman and the offense. How much? I need to see with my own eyes first. (more)

Sean, Schaumburg, Il

2:39

Eric, I'm aware of your MLB allegiance. Second most WS Titles. I got Cubs over 77.5 wins. They win 83. I was encouraged by Freeman/Swarbrick presser/email statements. It had to be said to clear misunderstandings. I'm more concerned about Parker/O line hire. Hartman gives the whole team a higher ceiling. Will Parker enhance Hartman/WR play? Do the O lineman have that intrinsic knowledge to carry/propel Hiestand's teachings and meld them with the new O line coach? Like you both said on Football Never Sleeps-Parker/O line coach hires could define MF tenure. Al Washington MUST be better. What I haven't heard asked is(I may have missed it)-Why did Rees leave Notre Dame with, possibly, the best QB of his OC tenure? Some ascending WRs and studs at RB. Did Saban reach out first to Rees? We all knew Rees would leave eventually. Leaving now seems odd timing. Wouldn't Rees choreographing a top 15/10 offense lead to the opportunities he's seeking? Good thing Parker can ease into the season with Navy/Tennessee State.

Eric Hansen

2:38

Mike, thanks. We got a chance to interview the defensive newcomers a almost two weeks ago. I think as soon as Gino Guidugli is named QBs coach, we'll get to talk to Sam Hartman, Kaleb Smith the elder and the six early enrolled freshmen on offense. Maybe even late this week.

Mike -

2:36

Cincinnati, OH. I'm sure there will be lots of ranting and raving after the last few weeks of tumult and Coordinators and Coaches coming and going. I'm counting on you, Tyler, and the rest of your team to help us make sense of it all and separate fact from fiction. And if you've had a chance to talk to any of the players, let us know how the students are faring. As always, thanks for the insightful and great job you folks are doing.

Eric Hansen

2:34

Hey Jeff, thanks for the programming suggestion. Just as long as we can accomplish it without a new reality show: Eric and Tyler never sleep. As of this moment, there are no visitors scheduled for Blue-Gold weekend, but plenty in the weeks before the game starting in late March. Most are 2024s, which is the current cycle. I think as we get closer, there will be more prospects invited to and attending the weekend of the Blue-Gold Game (April 22), including the current commits. ... We're actually trying to work out a date to have Chad on the podcast. So unless he changes his mind, we'll let him tell his story. ... Not only is Hamilton back but Cole Kmet is too. Right before this tsunami of news, I was working to set up talks with both. Now that things are settling down, I'll revisit that and get you an answer. We are in a dead period for recruiting. So once, prospects start visiting in late March, I would imagine both players will be of assistance.

Jeff from Phoenix

2:25

Good morning Eric! Given the challenge of maintaining recruiting contacts/momentum through coaching changes, I have to think that if there was a podcast called “Football Recruiting Never Sleeps” that Marcus Freeman would repeatedly smash the ‘like’ button. So where do we stand with recruiting and the Blue Gold game exactly 2 months from today? Will it be a major event and will it be more focused on 2024 or 2025 targets? Does Chad Bowden have any new marketing approaches for the campus visitors? And finally, I see Kyle Hamilton is back on campus - is he informally involved with on campus visits? Good on KH for returning to finish his ND degree. Thanks-

Eric Hansen

2:23

I don't think negotiate has a deeper meaning in that sense that it's standard definition. It becomes part of the math when determining the overall offer. Ludwig's was just freakishly high for an assistant coach. And it's been asserted to me by a source that the number originally submitted to ND was a much lower figure than what it ended up being. We can debate all day who's fault that was, but I was told on background how it happened and I'm buying that.

Irish Mike, Altoona, PA

2:19

“In our line of business, part of college football and college business is we negotiate buyouts. Any coordinator or position coach that has a buyout, we talk about those things. We discuss it.” This is a direct quote from Marcus Freeman’s press conference. Do you think the word “negotiate” is a telling sign with Ludwig’s turning down the job? And, has Ludwig spoken, publicly yet, about the reason he stayed at Utah?

Eric Hansen

2:19

Sean, I can't tell if you're messing with me or not in your opening disclaimer, but I'll just answer your question. I'll take the 2023 offense over 2022 without blinking.

Sean, Portland OR

2:18

I've stepped away from the day-to-day ND FB news since the bowl game win for the most part... However I've had people sending me rumblings about a bungled OC search. Do you still expect this offense to take a good step forward next year? Losing Rees/Pyne/Mayer/Lenzy/Patterson/Heistand... taking in Parker/Hartman/Buchner and growth of the WR's... are you taking the 2023 offense or the 2022 offense?

Eric Hansen

2:17

Hi Tim, the oversimplified answer is Notre Dame did not have a passing game beyond Michael Mayer that could make opposing defenses pay. And until the Gator Bowl, they did not have a quarterback capable of making them pay with his legs, either. In Sam Hartman, ND has a quarterback who can make those defenses pay.

Tim from Atlanta

2:15

Freeman and Parker alluded to different run calls/plays/schemes when defenses stack the box as a possible "enhancement" to Rees's offensive structure. From your perspective--and without having seen Parker's ND offense will--what could this running game or scheme look like? To recall Aaron Taylor's comments during the season, I imagine the stacked box look and d-line stunts will be the blueprint against ND until the offense consistently exposes their weaknesses. Given your knowledge of the Irish, what did the offense fail to do in those moments? The losses as well as the late Navy comeback come to mind... Thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:14

So much of the reporting in this story was from anonymous sources and even some of that in my case was from sources who requested some info not be reported at all, because it would reveal their identity. So it became "background" for me to chew on. The sources with whom I spoke I feel very confident about their integrity. But not everyone talks to the same people and I'm convinced some people might not have reliable sources at all. And that's where this story went sideways. And that's why I stand by the column a referenced at the top of the chat, that How Notre Dame moves on from OC search is now what matters most.

2:08

Jorge, always love your questions. However, when someone starts out with "Don't you think" rather than "Do you think" it kind of suggest to me what you hope my answer will be. Where things blew up was in the small window when it was seemingly universally believed that ND refused to play a coach's buyout and that ended that coach's candidacy. But then there was an alternative narrative in which the buyout wasn't balked at. If the first were true, that's a huge story, because it struck a nerve with the fan base like I have rarely seen in my career. If Marcus did not feel fully supported, that's a huge story. Whichever narrative you're a fan of, Marcus Freeman said with conviction on Monday he feels the administration has his back. On-the-record statements matter, whether you agree with them or not. (more)

Jorge, Rowlett, TX

1:56

Don't you think this whole situation with Ludwig was a little overblown by the media and fans? We have to keep in mind that none of us on the outside looking in are privy to the inner workings of negotiations between prospective coaching hires and UND. I read and saw so many headlines regarding ND's unwillingness to pay to compete and not wanting to pay the buyouts for coaching prospects. It felt like so many folks were ready to throw Freeman and Swarbrick under the bus for messing this situation up. Could it have actually been an informed to decision to not offer him the position based on interviews, scheme, culture, etc.? Please be the voice of reason Eric...

Eric Hansen

1:56

Thanks James. He's gone.

James from Columbus

1:56

Hi Eric, really enjoy your coverage and the podcast with Tyler. My questions is Bill Rees still with the football program or is he moving on as well?

Eric Hansen

1:56

Thanks, Tom. I don't think that Marcus is close to calling offensive plays, but it's very evident he's much more invested in and knowledgeable the nuances on that side of the ball. I could see him having more suggestions on play calls, but not edicts. I don't have stats on head coaches as play callers, but it really depends on the situation. Brian Kelly was far and away a more effective play caller at Cincinnati than he was at Notre Dame. My theory there is that he was simply pulled in some many more directions at ND and couldn't focus as much on it. I think another variable is a particular coach's expertise in offensive play-calling. But if you look at Georgia, Kirby Smart wasn't making a lot of decisions on offense, for instance.

Tom from Toronto

1:50

Hi Eric, Coach Freeman has sure been on a roller coaster the last few weeks. I hope that he has been able to keep his sense of humour. A positive result of all that happened is that Coach Freeman may get to spend more time in dealing with the offence than he originally planned. I expect that he will learn quickly and that the results will be positive. A couple of questions, both of which may require a crystal ball or research. Do you expect that Coach Freeman will call some of the offensive plays from the sidelines this year? Second, do you have a sense or even some statistics as to whether head coaches who call their own offensive plays get better results in the win/loss column? As usual, thank you for your excellent work and your valuable insights.

Eric Hansen

1:49

Pete, thank you. I am not going to be able to give you a nuanced answer, because I haven't studied it enough nationally, but it is prevalent in college basketball, probably much less so in college football. Hopefully, this all changes and we won't be having these discussion, because that's not what NIL was supposed to be. But we're not close to that happening yet.

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