Notre Dame started its next recruiting class by going international. On Monday morning head coach Charlie Weis offered a scholarship to Notre Dame legacy Mike Golic Jr., whose father Mike Golic Sr. played defensive end and linebacker for the Irish from 1981-84. The junior offensive lineman from West Hartford, Conn., accepted on the spot, doing so during a class trip to Italy. Golic made his verbal commitment, the first in Notre Dame's 2008 class, after a tour of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. According to his father, now a popular football analyst at ESPN, the 6-foot-5, 260-pound athlete was ready to commit to the Irish whenever and wherever he was in Italy. "On Ash Wednesday he's going to be at the Vatican and he said 'If I have to call Charlie from the Vatican, I'm calling Charlie from the Vatican,'" Golic Sr. said. "Charlie would be getting preferential treatment over the Pope. I don't know if the Pope would appreciate that." The junior center at Northwest Catholic also held an offer from Connecticut with heavy interest coming from Florida, Penn State, Michigan, Nebraska, Maryland and Virginia among others. Golic camped at Notre Dame last summer.
Golic <r>Terry,<br/> <br/> think we can keep the poachers away from him from now to signing day? I did notice Florida was on the list of schools showing interest. Seroiously though, the kid plays both DT and OC. <E>8)</E></r>
It's possible that the bigger programs were expecting him to commit to ND and did not want to waste the effort. I'm sure that there are similar "legacy" situations at all programs where this kind of thing happens.
Golic <r>Sid,<br/> <br/> The kid is a big time prospect but like most of the kids the big time schools are just starting to make offers to these HS juniors. I was just joking about FL poaching but the kld will probably end up with offers from several of the major schools. <E>8)</E></r>
After reading this I'm 100% sure Golic will not even be considering any other offers: Mike Golic Jr. commits to Notre Dame By Michael Rothstein The Journal Gazette Mike Golic Sr. called his son, Mike, as he was stepping out of the Leaning Tower of Pisa in Italy on Monday. His message – separate yourself from your class trip and give Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis a call. The result of the expensive long-distance phone call -- Notre Dame’s first oral commitment for the Class of 2008. Golic Jr., a 6-foot-5, 260-pound center/defensive tackle from Northwest Catholic in Connecticut and the son of the former Notre Dame defensive star, gave Weis his non-binding pledge. It had been a conversation father and son had before the son even left for Italy. “He said if Notre Dame called or wanted him to call within the rules, that he would commit,” said Golic Sr., now a syndicated radio host on ESPN’s "Mike & Mike in the Morning." “You make sure that you commit. It’s more than just committing. It’s a life lesson on giving your word on something. I know circumstances can change, but you want to be known as a guy on your word.” It was the point Golic Sr. stressed to his son – important considering Weis made a similar philosophy known during his signing-day news conference less than two weeks ago about how he’ll handle recruiting in the future. Even though Golic Sr. and his brother, Bob, played at Notre Dame and Golic Jr.’s mom graduated from St. Mary’s, the family never pressured him to choose the Irish. “Deep down there is a love of Notre Dame and hoping it would be the school they choose, but it is your kid,” Golic Sr. said. “Blood is thicker than my relationship with Notre Dame.” Now, though, Golic Sr. doesn’t have to worry about that at all. The biggest concern might be that he’s handled all the media interviews since his son’s signing. “I actually feel bad,” Golic Sr. said. “I’ve done four or five interviews that he should be doing. "I tell everyone to please call back and talk to him. I’m sitting here doing interviews for him. He’s going to think I set it up.” There will be one interview he’ll be able to accommodate, though. Golic Sr. said he is going to try to have his son on the radio today. Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis is unable to comment on recruits until National Letter of Intent day in February 2008.
re: "Even though Golic Sr. and his brother, Bob, played at Notre Dame and Golic Jr.’s mom graduated from St. Mary’s, the family never pressured him to choose the Irish. " Oh no, we wouldn't want to pressure anybody. BTW son, we've already given your room to your little brother...
I.... <t>Listened to the kid this morning on the way to work. Very impressive. There is yet another SOPH brother on the way as well that they said would be heavily recruited.<br/> <br/> Think Mike is proud today?</t>
I don't listen to Mike and Mike on ESPN Radio but somebody posted this summary of the 20 minutes that they talked about Golic Jr. commitment to Notre Dame.
Pressure? What pressure? So since the time he was 3 he's been going to ND to see football games with his dad. So above his playpen was the sign "Play like a champion today." So the doorbell in the Golic household plays the ND Victory March. Pressure? What Pressure.
Golic <r>Terry,<br/> <br/> It's a good story. Great kid for ND. I saw Mike and Mike this morning. Golic sounded really proud of his son. Said he couldn't wait to see him in a ND uniform. <E></E></r>
Re: Golic <t>If he plays the game with the same fire that his Dad and Uncle did he'll be a good one..<br/> <br/> <br/> PJ in Jersey</t>
There is another Legacy that the Irish are after, but he's a Penn State legacy...David Posluszny, Paul's younger brother. He's a top 100 type of LB and he already has an Irish offer and he might like us quite a bit as he's already been to ND four times! If he's as good as his brother Paul, I really want this kid!! Terry