JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 13, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 13, 2021

Eric Hansen

3:10

OK, that's going to have to do it for this week. Thanks for all the great questions. And since there's still a lot going on and so many questions I didn't get to, let's do it again next week ... Wednesday at noon ET.

3:09

I'd want to let it play out in spring practice to see what I have. If there's a spring practice, and I think there will be ... just later than usual. I agree with keeping Buchner off scout team.

Jeremy From Goshen, IN

3:08

Eric, What do you and your Team at the Tribune think of the QB situation going forward? Should ND ride through bumps of starting Buchner as a Freshman or accept the low ceiling that Coan and Pyne bring from a physical standpoint? I am open to your alternate 3rd option. To me, putting Buchner with the scout team is not acceptable.

Eric Hansen

3:08

Tom, thanks, appreciate you too. The old Kelly offenses, at least at Cincy and CMU, didn't have the running backs or tight ends that would have been able to win a playoff game at the FBS level. It is more of a personnel issue, and this is a big year, a big big year for wide receiver development and quarterback development for that matter. Mac Jones was No. 1 nationally in passing efficiency. Justin Fields 10th, Trevor Lawrence 12th ... and Ian Book 33rd. I love Book, but that number has to come up big time with the next QB if ND is going to compete. In the playoff the previous years, the QBs were 1, 2, 3 and 8 in passing efficiency. That's where ND needs to be.

Tom from Grand Rapids, MI

3:01

Eric- appreciate this entire season and everything you’ve done for the ND Community! I’ve watched Brian Kelly offenses at GVSU(my alma mater)CMU-Cincinnati ..... that entire time there was nothing passive or low octane about them. Is it a personnel issue or a change in offensive philosophy? Also do you potentially see the Freeman/Mickens tag team being a more dynamic/aggressive not only on the field but also in recruiting? Do you anticipate spring ball happening?

Eric Hansen

3:01

Dan, I don't know if Jack Coan is the answer. I'm curious if he can run in ND's offense (he was prolific in high school and not at all at Wisconsin). I like him as an option. Not sure until I see him practice to think if he's THE guy for 2021. Of the youngest receivers, I think there's a lot of promise with Jordan Johnson, Styles, Colzie and Watts. ... and thank you.

Dan, Grand Rapids, Mi.

2:58

Hi Eric, Do you think ANY of the current ND wr's are going to be comparable to any of the Big 3's? (OSU Clemson, 'Bama). Why is it that we can't beat anyone deep or even get open vs the elite teams? Is Jack Coan the answer for 1 year? Thanks for ALL your work and your patience in letting us vent! All the best and stay safe.

Eric Hansen

2:58

Very cool. Well let me say thank you to you as well.

James from Columbus

2:58

Just wanted to say thank you Eric.

Eric Hansen

2:57

Yes, the plans are drawn in great detail. It's about finding the money, which during a pandemic and with a financial crisis affecting all athletic departments, it's a tougher ask. It'll get done, just not in the original timeframe. Good to hear from you.

Doug, Coeur d Alene Id.

2:56

Doug from Coeur dAlene Idaho Have not been to ND for a while, any plans to update the Gug and other facilities

Eric Hansen

2:56

I think ND needs to show it can play ball control BUT also show it can make strides toward playing efficiently at tempo and being able to win games when it gets into a track meet. I think the biggest step for Rees to take next year is in-game adjustments.

Joe H Williams Bay Wi

2:54

Hi Eric Great chats as always I’m wondering what you think our personality will be on offense next year with all the new faces and also how you see Tommy Rees evolving in his second year as OC Thanks

Eric Hansen

2:54

I think we were watching the same game.

Erik (Granger, IN)

2:54

I couldn’t help but admire Alabama’s creativity on offense against OSU. Their route concepts just seem more interesting than ours. Maybe I’m mistaken and it’s just their elite talent that made the offense seem more effective. What do you think?

Eric Hansen

2:53

Not sure. A lot of people, in all walks of life, like to dig their heels in when they're wrong.

Duane from Canyon Lake, Ca.

2:53

In light of Alabama's crushing of Ohio State, and ND's defense holding Alabama to the3 lowest offensive output of the year, will the elite sports media haters admit that they are wrong about ND belonging in the playoffs?

Eric Hansen

2:53

Well, the thought in hiring him is that he's a promising young talent with an experience backstop in Kelly who will blossom and improve with each passing year and quickly. We'll see, but I can see the potential as well as the inexperience in this season's run.

Guest

2:51

Is Tommy Reese really our best play calling option?
Leo (Winona Lake)

Eric Hansen

2:50

Thanks, Tom. Kind of both. Sometimes there's not a matching class at ND, for instance. But ND is a stickler with undergrad transfers for regular students, not just athletes.

Tom from Pawleys Island, SC

2:48

Eric: Really appreciate your fine work. In your piece this morning you mention it is difficult for underclassmen to transfer their credits to ND. Is this because of the type of courses they have taken or the quality of the institution they may be coming from ?

Eric Hansen

2:48

Manny!!!!!!! Happy New Year to you and your exclamation points, and I mean that sincerely. The only two recruits from Michigan are Rocco Spindler (2021) and Nolan Ziegler (2022). Spindler's team lost in the playoff before there was the break for COVID. He is an early enrollee and it will not affect his timetable. Ziegler's team probably will win a state title, but he's a year away, so it's all good.

Manny From San Pedro

2:42

Eric!!!!! Hope your having an amazing 2021!! Seems like there has been a lot of stuff to keep you busy. With some high school football ( Michigan ) starting back up in Jan for their playoffs. Does any of these effect ND’s early enrollees?

Eric Hansen

2:41

Well the answer I gave on the two the hurt the most are the two that also surprised me -- Houston Griffith and Ovie Oghoufo. I don't see there being a U-turn back to ND, given the number of players who'd have to leave to even the scholarship ledger.

Michael from Chicago

2:40

Which ND players that have entered the transfer portal surprised you? Which, if any, have a realistic chance to come back to ND?

Eric Hansen

2:39

Fair enough, Tom. I won't answer a question that doesn't exist and that wasn't too manifesto-ish, so there you have it.

Tom from Toronto

2:37

Hi Eric, I hope that this finds you and your family well. I do not have a question but a few observations. I think that the coaches need to up their game. There is no way that Chris Tyree should have tried to return the kickoff in the Alabama game. The goal was to get the ball into the hands of the offense and have them drive the field for a touchdown. The unfortunate turn of events was a recovered fumble on the ten yard line and a problematic start. I expect that this took the wind out of their sails. I also think that Brian Kelly has to figure out how to motivate his teams to play in and win the big games. He did very well in Clemson 1. It was clear that there was no way that ND was going to lose that game. He did not do well in Clemson 2 or Alabama 1. I would suggest that he pick the brains of anyone willing to allow him to do so, possibly starting with Lou (“Leave Jimmie Johnson to me – his ass is mine”) Holtz. Football is often a game of momentum and motivation. They need to do better. Thanks.

Eric Hansen

2:37

I do remember it. Vividly. And it wasn't a fun time. I'm not sure it's overstating it that he "saved" college football, but he was the face and muscle behind a movement that certainly shifted public opinion and rhetoric. I know when i saw his tweets, I thought to myself, "This is really cool on so many levels." Obviously, safety comes first, but the players' desire to play through this and to have a voice was a necessary part of the equation to play. Much, much respect for Trevor Lawrence for a great career and a powerful voice off the field.

Peter Loomis from Telluride Colo

2:33

Remember August of 2020? The college football world was crumbling and the Big 10 and Pac 12 cancelled their seasons. In your opinion Eric, did Trevor Lawrence save college football with his "We Want To Play Movement"? It seemed to be the point that turned things around. His comments to the media were that college football players were safer from Covid19 when training and playing than going back home and taking classes via Zoom. Your thoughts?

Eric Hansen

2:30

Just based on math and scholarship limits, there'll be at least four more players leave the roster between now and August and probably more. As I mentioned earlier, Mike Elston might leave. I don't anticipate any others.

Guest

2:28

How many more transfers leaving or coming and any more assistants leaving? Thanks,PJE Columbus, OH

Eric Hansen

2:28

For me, it's Houston Griffith No. 1 and Ovie Oghoufo No. 2.

JIm from Fremont, Ohio

2:27

Eric, thank you for continuing the chats into January. Ill be quick and to the point, of all the players who have entered the transfer portal so far who do you think the team will miss the most? Or who do you think leaves the biggest hole for Coach Kelly and staff to fill. Thanks!

Eric Hansen

2:26

Carter Karels, a fairly recent Texas A&M grad in our sports department will probably challenge me on this, but here's how I look at it: Notre Dame played a closer game against Alabama. They beat North Carolina by the exact same margin, but the Tar Heels had four players who made All-America teams (LB, two RBs and a WR) all opt out for the bowl game. I also think ND's win over Clemson, even without Trevor Lawrence, was more impressive than A&M's win over Florida. So based on those data points, I gave the edge to ND.

john in park city, ut

2:22

Hi Eric - Thanks for all your work! I don't think #4 v. #5 is a big deal, but do you see any way to say that A&M had a better resume this season than ND?

Eric Hansen

2:22

Wow, this is a fun day to be me. I'm kind of blown away. Thank you.

Henry from Stockton

2:21

Hi Eric. I want to add my name to the long list of ND fans thanking your for this chat and especially for your work this bizarre season. You have provided a tremendous service to all with your level headed insights and steady hand. I wish you and your family all the best in 2021. No questions.

Eric Hansen

2:19

Stephen, I think he played to the strengths and weaknesses of his current roster. And the ball control/complementary football model did get ND to the playoff. It just couldn't make them competitive once they arrived. BK knows the roster and the philosophy both must evolve. And there is speed and talent in the next wave of receivers.

Stephen from Toledo OH

2:17

Hi Eric! I must say after the loss to Alabama I was convinced the difference between us and them was the academic standard restrictions and that we could only be a top 5 team but never THEE top team. After watching them dismantle a very good Ohio state team my opinion changed a bit. Do you think Brian Kelly will make changes to the offensive playbook allowing for a more explosive offense like Bama or will he continue to try his hand at a conservative game management style that he played this year?

Eric Hansen

2:17

Seriously, thank you for the compliments. My face just turned beet red. I'll try to answer this honestly. Two things. I was very fortunate early in my career that people believed in me and took a chance on me when I probably hadn't earned that. Secondly, I promised myself when I started to have one goal above all others: Learn from others and get better every day. I hope I have kept my promise to myself.

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