10 hours ago, Jack of all Trades said:

How about Jim Harbaugh, Jimbo Fisher or Urban Meyer as next coach? 

Maybe John Harbaugh or Matt Campbell. I could see the Harbaugh vs Harbaugh game becoming the biggest rivalry in college football.

7 hours ago, Jumper_Dad said:

That would be incredibly fast, if they were in fact blindsided today, to have this all wrapped up.

The conversation was probably something like this.

ND:  Marcus?
Marcus:  Yes!

45 minutes ago, 9068 said:

Why Freeman? No HC experience, not even an interim. The money involved is SICK! My wife just told me Kelly is getting 15 MILLION.... that's unbelievable. Be interesting to see terms. Hope UC wins this weekend so we don't have to listen to talking heads speculate that they were "distracted".

 

Freeman is an extremely sharp dude with a great work ethic that relates well to the players and those he works closest with. If Notre Dame doesn't promote him, they will likely lose him to a different head coaching job. He's already being mentioned with both Va Tech and Duke and isn't staying to be the DC again next year. 

Notre Dame in a more stable place this time around to make a hire like this. They would risk losing arguably their best recruiting class in the history of the program if he leaves. Freeman has recruited at an unreal level since taking the DC role. You have to have talent to win and Marcus has plenty coming in to help keep the program at a high level. I think their current staff would stay mostly intact under him as well so there would be continuity.

7 hours ago, Walter said:

I said months ago...if Kelly leaves, Freeman is likely the next head coach at ND. 

Players, recruits, other members on staff, and most importantly administration/boosters love him

I think he's the best fit. If he does get the job, as a fan I'm happy.

9 hours ago, Walter said:

The problem is... Notre Dame isn't waiting til Jan 1st or 11th for him to take over. 

Was hearing this argument on the radio coming to work this morning.  Here's the counter to that...if you truly think that this is THE guy you believe is the best fit for your program/situation...then why wouldn't you wait?  I mean if Nick Saban said he'd take the job...you going to turn him down, if he said he wanted to finish out the season?

By sticking to your firm start date, I think you are potentially throwing the baby out with the bath water, in getting the best guy.  For a guy that you believe/want to be the head of your program for the next 10 years, waiting a month is a small price to pay.  Taking the next guy in line is just settling, imo.

  

If ND never attemps to get Fickell now, they'll be kicking themselves when he ends up in Columbus. 

I agree with CFS, if Fickell is THE GUY...then you wait 4 weeks for him.

21 minutes ago, CincySportsFan said:

Was hearing this argument on the radio coming to work this morning.  Here's the counter to that...if you truly think that this is THE guy you believe is the best fit for your program/situation...then why wouldn't you wait?  I mean if Nick Saban said he'd take the job...you going to turn him down, if he said he wanted to finish out the season?

By sticking to your firm start date, I think you are potentially throwing the baby out with the bath water, in getting the best guy.  For a guy that you believe/want to be the head of your program for the next 10 years, waiting a month is a small price to pay.  Taking the next guy in line is just settling, imo.

  

I think National Signing Day being moved up to December 15th is a big reason you're seeing programs like USC and LSU throw out a ridiculous amount of money to have a head coach in place so quickly. 

Notre Dame is no different. They want to have their next coach announced before NSD so recruiting isn't affected by the transition. 

 

 

5 minutes ago, Walter said:

I think National Signing Day being moved up to December 15th is a big reason you're seeing programs like USC and LSU throw out a ridiculous amount of money to have a head coach in place so quickly. 

Notre Dame is no different. They want to have their next coach announced before NSD so recruiting isn't affected by the transition. 

 

 

That makes sense.

In short, we are going to be seeing more of this.

If ND won't wait for Fickell, then Fickell isn't the guy they want. 

12 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

If ND never attemps to get Fickell now, they'll be kicking themselves when he ends up in Columbus. 

I agree with CFS, if Fickell is THE GUY...then you wait 4 weeks for him.

A lot of those close to the program don't think Fickell is THE GUY though. Would no doubt be a great hire but many feel Marcus Freeman is a better fit and would be a smoother transition than bringing an "outsider" in. 

And many in the ND camp feel they can get whoever they want, so why wait 4 weeks for someone?

There's a good majority of OSU fans that don't want Fickell either. They still hold that interim season against him, which is crazy considering he's been one of the most successful coaches in college football over the past 4 years. 

26 minutes ago, Jumper_Dad said:

If ND never attemps to get Fickell now, they'll be kicking themselves when he ends up in Columbus. 

I agree with CFS, if Fickell is THE GUY...then you wait 4 weeks for him.

I don't think being the ND coach would matter to Luke if the OSU job became available.  If Luke goes to ND and 2 years from now the Buckeye job opened, he's going to Columbus.  The powers that be at ND probably are factoring that in their decision.

49 minutes ago, REALSPORT said:

I don't think being the ND coach would matter to Luke if the OSU job became available.  If Luke goes to ND and 2 years from now the Buckeye job opened, he's going to Columbus.  The powers that be at ND probably are factoring that in their decision.

How do you know this?  Has Fickell ever stated he is a Buckeye or bust?  Just asking not criticizing your take on him but curious as to your basis on this.

1 hour ago, Walter said:

A lot of those close to the program don't think Fickell is THE GUY though. Would no doubt be a great hire but many feel Marcus Freeman is a better fit and would be a smoother transition than bringing an "outsider" in. 

And many in the ND camp feel they can get whoever they want, so why wait 4 weeks for someone?

There's a good majority of OSU fans that don't want Fickell either. They still hold that interim season against him, which is crazy considering he's been one of the most successful coaches in college football over the past 4 years. 

I think Freeman could be a very good head coach, but for me I don’t like just giving him his first Head Coaching job at Notre Dame without at least opening it up first. He definitely should be one of the candidates, but I don’t think they should limit themselves to just him. Truly open it up and see if he still the best fit after. You never know who you could possibly get if you don’t at least open it up and try. 

2 minutes ago, cincyswords said:

How do you know this?  Has Fickell ever stated he is a Buckeye or bust?  Just asking not criticizing your take on him but curious as to your basis on this.

He obviously hasn't said this but he does wear the brand on his leg. LOL  

If ND hires Freeman, this is a huge win for UC.  The marquee jobs would be filled and Fickell stays at UC until Columbus opens up.