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Why I'm disappointed but optimistic


4thand1

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Obviously the start of this season is terrible and has fans losing their minds.  I am not happy but I remain optimistic long term.  Here's why.

HC - For the 1st time in a while there's no arrogance and ego.  I'm confident Coach Freeman is going to examine everything which I believe he stated in the post game interview.  I believe he will make changes where they are warranted.  I am fairly sure he's confident in his coaching staff but improvement will be demanded and outcomes evaluated for job security beyond this season.  Freeman is going to go all in on recruiting to sell the recruits on the future.  Poor on field results means future opportunity for new players!

I think what we are seeing is the culmination of poor recruiting in too many areas.  Position groups either have no depth or are depleted altogether.   

 

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22 minutes ago, 4thand1 said:

Obviously the start of this season is terrible and has fans losing their minds.  I am not happy but I remain optimistic long term.  Here's why.

HC - For the 1st time in a while there's no arrogance and ego.  I'm confident Coach Freeman is going to examine everything which I believe he stated in the post game interview.  I believe he will make changes where they are warranted.  I am fairly sure he's confident in his coaching staff but improvement will be demanded and outcomes evaluated for job security beyond this season.  Freeman is going to go all in on recruiting to sell the recruits on the future.  Poor on field results means future opportunity for new players!

I think what we are seeing is the culmination of poor recruiting in too many areas.  Position groups either have no depth or are depleted altogether.   

This is going to have to be his biggest selling pitch right now.  Let's hope he is a good salesman!

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5 hours ago, ndmike88 said:

Freemen will turn the ship around, the man needs time to develop his system. 

The problem is he’s never been a head coach. This is not the place to learn on the job. 
 

ND probably expected this to be like Stoops to Riley and Meyer to Day transition, however it’s been anything but. ND hasn’t invested much into Freeman, he better turn it around or they’ll be calling Fickell soon. 

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20 minutes ago, ndomer4 said:

The problem is he’s never been a head coach. This is not the place to learn on the job. 
 

ND probably expected this to be like Stoops to Riley and Meyer to Day transition, however it’s been anything but. ND hasn’t invested much into Freeman, he better turn it around or they’ll be calling Fickell soon. 

I know Matt Campbell would take ND’s job in a heart beat. Not sure anymore on Fickell. But I think the coaching prospects would be better this time around. 

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Here's why I am somewhat optimistic. We all know Ohio State is a very good team. Even if they were "off" for their first game. They are still a Top 5 team and we hung with them for the vast majority of the game. Were we "off" for Marshall? I think if we played Marshall first we would have killed them. We play every team from here on out like we played the #2 team in the nation, we're going to do fine.

My only worry is that let's say Tommy is just that bad of a coach. Tommy was loyal to Marcus and didn't leave. Does Marcus have the balls to fire Tommy and not be as loyal to him as Tommy was? I mean if he Marcus really needs to fire Tommy. Will Marcus do it? Let's face it, ND deserves a top notch OC that can run the offense so Marcus can focus more on the rest of the team and especially the defense. Marcus was an excellent DC and I, for one, would like him to be more involved with the defense during games.

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4 hours ago, Rocketsan said:

I think EVERYONE would understand if Tommy isn’t cut up for this and is let go. Would be shocked if MF would settle or stick with him out of loyalty. 

As far as "loyalty" goes, maybe they could find him another job in the sports department or help him find a HC'ing job at a non power 5 school.

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I would suggest that those who want to criticize at least listen to some of the free ND podcasts that are available.  Particularly Irish Illustrated, Irish Sports Daily and Irish Breakdown.  If you still want to criticize after that, at least you will do so while being better informed.  

Most everyone in the football community thinks Rees is extremely talented and knowledgeable.  However, he still has a lot to learn.  In his defense, when you are saddled with an OL that isn't performing well, your success is limited no matter what.  

What I see and hear is that too often the Irish coaches haven't been willing to scale down the scheme or techniques that they are asking the players to learn.  Not only that but if some younger and more talented players aren't up to speed with everything that is demanded of them, the staff will play lesser players that know the system better. As a coach you have to check your ego at the door and work with what you have.  Not playing Merriweather because he doesn't fully know the offensive system/scheme is like cutting off your nose to spite your face.  A limited Merriweather is still better than a more knowledgeable Salerno, Thomas and Lenzy.  

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