JotCast | Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 6, 2021

Notre Dame Football Live Chat Jan. 6, 2021

Eric Hansen

4:04

OK overtime is over. I have an interview I need to do. Thanks for all the great questions. We'll go at it again next week — Wednesday at noon — as there is the interest and the news to keep us going in weekly mode.

4:03

Tony, I addressed a couple of elements of this .. and agree with you pumping the brakes on Coan for now. ... If Tyler Buchner had played a senior season in high school and Brendon Clark was 100 percent healthy, then maybe a transfer QB was not the right move. But considering that and really limited reps for Drew Pyne, it makes sense to have Jack Coan come in and compete.

Tony, Fairfax, VA

4:00

Hi Eric, probably a lot of questions related to Jack Coan, but want to add another. Drew Pyne was still a pretty highly regarded recruit, Brendon Clark was not as much, but I heard is a real competitor. Does the staff not think he is progressing in practice enough or is Jack more of an insurance policy i.e. do they think that he will be needed or more want to have him there to push Drew and Brendon. Coan isn't much of a runner/scrambler and I think that aspect is critical for this offenses success. So curious your take from what you have seen because it almost makes me nervous that we don't trust the guys we have that Jack is being seen as a GREAT pickup, and I am not sure I see it that way. I would almost rather have a guy that will be here a few years start then have an experienced good qb that puts the inexperience clock back an additional year. If you don't think you will compete for a natty I'm 2021 why not get someone experience in 2021 that will be make 2022 more likely?

Eric Hansen

3:58

Larry. thank you and I am humbled by your non-question. Truly.

Larry

3:58

Larry from Topton, PA. - Not really a question… I just want to thank you for another great year of ND coverage for us fans. I read all your stuff, and especially enjoy the chats. I know they will be less frequent during the offseason, but we will take as many of them as you can give us. And the Pods Of Gold are great; I just wish there were more of them, and I hope they continue periodically during the offseason (I am used to listening to you daily on the radio, so hearing you only once a week has caused me to suffer from withdrawal). Happy New Year Eric!

Eric Hansen

3:57

I've addressed some of this in previous questions. The part I wanted to address is whether Kelly calling plays next year made the most sense. Part of his post-2016 makeover was to more accessible to the players, be more involved in the defense. That doesn't square with retaking the reins of the offense.

Michael from West Virginia

3:54

Is Tom Rees the answer for offensive coordinator moving forward. Personally I would rather see Kelly go back to calling plays with the offense he ran at Cincinnati. Would be better than anything he has had at N. D. I know coach has said he ran those offenses to put people in the seats and placed too much stress on the defense but I think it would be worth a try.

Eric Hansen

3:49

Duly noted. And Happy New Year.

Denny from Beaverton

3:48

Hi Eric and Happy New Year! Comment...I think there were two things to be especially thankful for this past year. The fact that we had a great football season at all (think back to July/Aug) is a testament to the courage and discipline of the players, coaches and administration. Also thank you Ian Book for what you did for Notre Dame. You, as much as anyone who has ever attended Notre Dame, demonstrated what it is the be an exemplary Notre Dame man. You were a great leader, you persevered in difficult circumstances and you always gave all you had and left everything on the field. You were never quite good enough for the media and some critical fans but you will Always fit the definition of a true SPORTSMAN. Notre Dame was fortunate to have you and I know you feel Blessed to have played for the Fighting Irish. Thank You!

Eric Hansen

3:47

It happened in 2012 with Amari Cooper and KeiVarae Russell. You put your best players on the field. Would you have felt better if it were a junior playing against DeVonta Smith and he got torched?

Guest

3:44

Howard from Gainesville, VA. Hi Eric: Somehow the Irish D managed to have a freshman corner go 1-on-1 with probably the best player in the country for much of the game. The result was predictable. How could that happen?

Eric Hansen

3:43

Rich, it's a head-scratcher. Smart, hard-working, fluid, tough athlete. Sometimes all the tumblers don't click into place until later in a career. Sometimes they never do. In Simon's case, I believe he's worth keeping the faith in and letting him compete. The competition will be even tougher next year, because Kiser and Liufau will be more complete.

Rich-Key West

3:41

I know Shayne Simon must have some outstanding qualities that earn him the playing time he received this season. Those qualities just don't seem to result in many tackles. What am I missing?

Eric Hansen

3:37

Dave, I hope I captured all parts of your questions. There's a lot there, but let me get to what I think is the core. First off, if you're going into your 12th year and you're relying only on the lessons learned in, say, year 7 or 10, or 2, you're toast. Football is an evolutionary game. In recruiting too. The questions change and so do the answers. Continuity can be an asset if you can learn from mistakes. I think Brian Kelly largely has. You want him to make the next step, He wants to take the next step. You're not satisfied. He's not satisfied. I think that's a good place to be, actually.

Dave from South Bend

first, Eric, thanks for your good work and insight into ND football. Questions: 2. how does Kelly have any credibility anymore?

3:32

Whoops. Questions 1) is this the new standard at Notre Dame? Celebrating statistical improvements? being glad to “stay in the game?” Is this program going to do what is necessary to bring in enough players to compete for championships, or not? A child can see we aren’t close to having enough athletes to win a championship. I mean, next year is his 12th year. does there ever come a point where this job becomes merit based? As in, it’s time to win a championship or it’s time to go somewhere else? 2) when is someone going to hold Kelly accountable for his ridiculous post game conferences? we competed in that game? There was literally not a single minute where it felt like we were competing in the game. And not a single person that I talk to disagrees. And, side question, why does Kelly constantly talk as if defense is the reason we lost? The offensive genius and his pupils have managed to score ten points outside of garbage time in the last TWO playoff games. Unbelievable that this guy is still here. Get lost.

Eric Hansen

3:32

Dave, that equation is always going to depend on a lot of things going right in the offseason. Since 2016, ND has been accomplishing that pretty consistently. But to take the next step, there also needs to be an evolution to the approach to offensive football, and recruiting and player development to match that new model. That's oversimplified and vague, but it's January.

Dave Cary NC

3:30

Hope you are staying safe and healthy. With all the people leaving the program, both for the draft and via transfer, what is you early crystal ball view for the 2021 season? Enough guys to step up at an elite level? Thanks

Eric Hansen

3:29

Um. Where's Waldo?

Shaw From

3:29

Thanks for your articles and educated opinions, Eric. I have one simple question: Where was Kenny?

Eric Hansen

3:26

A lot of it has to do with numbers. Do they have room? Then you factor in need post-spring. So yes, that's a possibility. Now again, most of the transfers would be grad transfers and not underclassmen without their degrees. It's very difficult (not impossible) to get the credits to match up.

Joe Asbury Pk Nj

3:25

Do you think ND goes to the Transfer Portal even further at other positions short term or at the end of spring practice when more of this movement occurs ?

Eric Hansen

3:24

Well, I think it's relative. Marty Gilyard was a fourth-round draft pick and Tony Pike was a sixth-rounder. So I'm pretty sure I'd take Chase Claypool, Miles Boykin, etc. over that bunch.

Pat from Bordentown, NJ

3:22

Hi Eric - Thanks for all the outstanding coverage (again) this season. Always the #1 source for ND football info! Curious on your take - at Cincinnati, Coach Kelly ran a spread offense with talented/speedy skill guys. Why can he not seem to get those kind of players at ND?

Eric Hansen

3:19

I think there's some flexibility in being the son of an ND employee that he could be a non-countable player toward the 85 if the Irish need that scholarship. And they very well could need it in the 2022 recruiting cycle.

Jason, Amber, PA

3:17

Why was Ron Powlus III given a scholarship? Scholarships are needed for good and elite players so why waste one on someone who will never do anything but run the scout team. The Alabama and Clemson games showed us how far we are behind the best programs. We can't afford to waste scholarships.

Eric Hansen

3:17

I don't see that as a match. I also don't see it as a need.

Michael from Chicago

3:16

Will ND have a conversation with Markese Stepp now that he's in the portal? How many (if any) other transfers do you expect ND to take? One would think a candidate to start at CB and/or S?

Eric Hansen

3:16

I do. He has a pro future whenever he leaves. It would seem to me another year would improve his standing with the pros.

John Clarke from South Egremont,

3:16

I read an article that Tommy Tremble is on the bubble as far as returning but probably will return. Is that the way you see it?

Eric Hansen

3:15

I understand Marcus Freeman has done a Zoom interview and likely an in-person meeting is next. There are other external candidates being considered and of course Mike Elston internally. I don't expect this to drag on.

Stephen from Toledo OH

3:13

hey Eric! Hope the new year finds you well! I’m loving all the offensive questions here but my first primary concern is who our DC will be and the extra coach hired (if it’s Elston). Any word on the DC hunt/interview situation?

Eric Hansen

3:13

Chris, I'm not sure there's going to be a uniform policy from sport to sport and team to team. A lot can happen between now and September. What if there is relative herd immunity by then? We just have to let this play out a little more.

Chris, Louisville

3:12

Eric, thanks for keeping us sane this year. My question is with fans for next year. Do you see policy being in line with the summer olympics? In that fans will have to provide proof of vaccination to be allowed in the stadium?

Eric Hansen

3:11

I've said from the start, my top internal candidate is Mike Elston and my top external candidate is Marcus Freeman. And I'm going to stick to those two.

Dan, Palatine IL

3:10

Eric, Thank you for all of your coverage of ND football, I really enjoy the content you provide. What are your thought on the right candidate to replace Clark Lea? Would you consider Mike Elko (if the rumors are true) or pursue someone like Freeman from Cinci?

Eric Hansen

3:10

Stan, thanks. I am looking forward to that too, but my job is also to overcome any obstacles. And quite frankly, I was happy to have a season to cover. So far, there has not been additional allowances for more coach/player interactions during the offseason. I think Brian Kelly would settle for a "normal" spring practice ... which I expect will be held later than usual this year.

Stan of Stancakes in Chester VA

3:10

From what you say about the potential talent pool in the skilled positions, it would seem the Irish could be an offensive juggernaut next season, but unless the O line jells, no matter who the skilled athletes are, getting production could be more than a little offensive. Has the NCAA made allowances for COVID19 and permitted coaching staffs to spend more time with the team than would be normally be allowed? BTW I really appreciate your work and look forward to the time you can get one-on-one access to the coaching staff. It must be frustrating to have such limited contact. Hope 2021 treats you far better than the previous one.

Eric Hansen

If I forget to do that after a nice compliment, it's because I get too absorbed in the question. But I do appreciate the kind words.

3:07

and thank you.

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