I really like the potential of Alt and Fisher, and Kristofic really came along as a first time starter, Patterson is maybe a first round draft pick. If HH is in fact all that some think he is, then he has a very good group to work with, only RG is up in the air. Rocco Spindler has loads of potential at RG.
No word on the DCoord yet but rumors are everywhere that Purdue WR coach, JaMarcus Shepard, will interview this week, for the WR position. Also some talk that the Alabama WR coach, Holman Wiggins, may also interview sometime.
Saw this: Jarrett Patterson, Notre Dame’s starting center for the past three seasons, will be back in the middle of the Irish offensive front in 2022. Good news again on returning players. I'm still hurting from the bowl loss though.
I imagine coming back to ND will be a backup plan for Watt. After being the OL coach for Tulane last season he wasn't retained by Willie Fritz. I would be shocked if he isn't at the Coaches Convention shaking a lot of hands and hoping to get a chance to coach again next season. If he fails he's got to eat so an analyst or GA position at ND would look good
So the OL that after a whole season helped produce 42 rushing yds. in 21 carries in the Fiesta Bowl is coming back. We're going to need a whole lot more than potential to play with Ohio St. and a probably pissed off Clemson team.
I'm a glass half full guy, you are the half empty. I blame the game plan, and I do give credit to that Oklahoma State defense.
well maybe our star RB, whoever that turns out to be, will decide to play every game. That might help. Also, our new Oline coach, Heistand, will do a better job with the talent we have.
I recall thinking that the OL had improved over the season and then realized on Jan. 1 that they were the same crew that couldn't handle Toledo in Sept. The evidence contradicts the hope.
I think they did improve, and given that Alt and Fisher are both true freshmen, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect improvement, especially if you buy that Quinn was a mediocre OL coach and HH is a superior OL coach. Then factor in another year in the S&C program. I am optimistic, in spite of the lack of productivity in the bowl game.
Its useful to remember that our game with Oklahoma State was a pick-'em. It ended in a two point difference. We prepped for the game by playing a weak November schedule and then taking five weeks off. And we did not have our #1 offensive weapon. It was ugly the way it transpired but the ending was just about what was expected.
I or someone may have mentioned this before(yes I'm old and don't remember sometimes) Avery Davis is coming back. I still think he is a great player who will eventually find a spot in the NFL after leaving ND. For now, it's great to see him back for another season.
Irish Basketball got a good win vs Clemson tonight. They got out to big lead and cruised to a 16 point win. Clemson was just horrible shooting from 3 pt land 18% to the Irish 38%. 4-1 in the ACC, going to Blacksburg Sat for a game with a Va. Tech squad that is struggling. It's being reported that Freeman has hired a new WR coach. Notre Dame is expected to hire Baylor wide receiver coach Chansi Stuckey to the same position with the Irish, a source tells The Athletic. Stuckey, who played five seasons in the NFL from 2007 to 2011, spent 2021 on Dave Aranda's staff in Waco after beginning his coaching career at his alma mater Clemson.
On the DCOORD, it's being reported that Iowa States, Jon Heacock, is the top choice for the job. In South Bend this week for an interview.
Pro Football Scoop Heacock is a native of the Midwest, originally from Ohio, and a former head coach at former Football Championship Subdivision power Youngstown State. Heacock has spent the past six seasons with Matt Campbell at Iowa State, where Heacock has carved a reputation as one of college football’s great tacticians – especially as the Cyclones have leveled the playing field for their program in the Big 12 despite oftentimes not having the same depth of talent as the Oklahomas and Texases in the league.