If ND needed to find a new head football coach...

I wouldn't want anything to do with him, but Tom Rees is the only one that fits your criteria that also has a resume that would be palatable to the fanbase... as long as the name was hidden at the top of the cover sheet.

Hatchet185 said:

And the criteria had to be: 1. You must be a former player and graduate, 2. You must be under 45 years of age, and 3. You must sign a 10-year contract. Who would you want to be the coach based on these parameters? Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and of course, Go Irish!

I’m assuming you mean a ND graduate? And if so based on this criteria it’s extremely slim pickings. I really don’t know? People ( some) will say Rees,but what about Anthony Weaver? I know his defense has been up and down with the dolphins, but based on the criteria he’s an option. Actually he’s probably older than 45. I got nothing. Weaver is exactly 45 years old.

Crash_Davis_8 said:

I wouldn't want anything to do with him, but Tom Rees is the only one that fits your criteria that also has a resume that would be palatable to the fanbase... as long as the name was hidden at the top of the cover sheet.

This! Tommy would be the only option. We have a bunch of former players as assistant coaches. The only other guy you can consider would be Tyler Stockton who's the Co DC for Boise State. But I'd rather have Tommy.

Make it stop. 😇

Crash_Davis_8 said:

I wouldn't want anything to do with him, but Tom Rees is the only one that fits your criteria that also has a resume that would be palatable to the fanbase... as long as the name was hidden at the top of the cover sheet.

Tommy is a brilliant football mind and he would bring an edge to the offense similar to what we have now if not more so. He loves to pound the rock, and I think he would fit in nicely in South Bend with his philosophy. Draws up great pass plays. the question would be will he be like Brian Kelly as it relates to his assistants and how good is he on the talent eval. I know it's only one data point but wanting to bring Tyler Buckner to Tuscaloosa really had me scratching my head. I wouldn't be happy about it but I'd be all in Tommy unless we could get a Harbaugh or other similar pedigree.

Tyler Stockton has been a d coordinator for a handful of years but that doesn’t meen I want him as our head coach.

Hatchet185 said:

And the criteria had to be: 1. You must be a former player and graduate, 2. You must be under 45 years of age, and 3. You must sign a 10-year contract. Who would you want to be the coach based on these parameters? Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and of course, Go Irish!

Are you for real? I get most of us are off this week but damn yall just be starting threads just to start things.

SDS123 said:

Make it stop. 😇

Sorry @irishfan_1983 - I don't mean to cheat on you....

Tommy Rees!!! I just had to throw up! Unless you guys want to return to a little above being average

SALittleGiant513 said:

Are you for real? I get most of us are off this week but damn yall just be starting threads just to start things.

Just asking a question. In no way am I insinuating Freeman is leaving. Just asking who people would want based on the criteria I suggested. The reason behind the question is simple, when was the last time a former ND player later became the head football coach? As far as I can find, the last was Terry Brennan who played at ND between 1945-1948, then later coached at ND between 1954-1958 (32-18 record during his tenure).

Rockne1988 said:

I’m assuming you mean a ND graduate? And if so based on this criteria it’s extremely slim pickings. I really don’t know? People ( some) will say Rees,but what about Anthony Weaver? I know his defense has been up and down with the dolphins, but based on the criteria he’s an option. Actually he’s probably older than 45. I got nothing. Weaver is exactly 45 years old.

Yes. ND graduate and former ND player.

So. The 13th different flavor of this thread.

Hatchet185 said:

Yes. ND graduate and former ND player.

👍

Hatchet185 said:

And the criteria had to be: 1. You must be a former player and graduate, 2. You must be under 45 years of age, and 3. You must sign a 10-year contract. Who would you want to be the coach based on these parameters? Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and of course, Go Irish!

A former player for some high-level team, I could live with. Do you realize your criteria would have excluded Marcus Freeman if you insist on a former ND guy? This fake purity test isn't realistic. The truth of the matter is that the head coaching job at ND is a lot more attractive now than it was when Kelly was in the job because what is clearly possible has been shown. Nobody believed the team could recruit this well before then, and the spending on facilities, support staff, and coaching staff have put ND at the top level of the sport. A big-time head coach from another program would be more likely to consider the job because he'd have seen what Marcus Freeman has done and realize it can probably be done by other high-quality coaches as well. My guess is this is a rhetorical exercise as I don't see coach Freeman leaving for an NFL job right now. He has too much left to prove and likely wants to be the one who brings the big trophy back to South Bend after all these years.

You can not go from Freeman to Rees an expect the same intensity in recruiting and this qualifications of the next coach must be not re Dame graduate is assigned. Which coach now is currently on the staff is a graduate of ND? These are probably the same people who did not want a first-time coach as the head coach

The smoke has to be real. Coach has been ultra quiet.

Bigteve79 said:

A former player for some high-level team, I could live with. Do you realize your criteria would have excluded Marcus Freeman if you insist on a former ND guy? This fake purity test isn't realistic. The truth of the matter is that the head coaching job at ND is a lot more attractive now than it was when Kelly was in the job because what is clearly possible has been shown. Nobody believed the team could recruit this well before then, and the spending on facilities, support staff, and coaching staff have put ND at the top level of the sport. A big-time head coach from another program would be more likely to consider the job because he'd have seen what Marcus Freeman has done and realize it can probably be done by other high-quality coaches as well. My guess is this is a rhetorical exercise as I don't see coach Freeman leaving for an NFL job right now. He has too much left to prove and likely wants to be the one who brings the big trophy back to South Bend after all these years.

I agree with your synopsis. I don't see Freeman leaving right now. I'm simply asking the question. I guess I'll answer my own question. I think one of the main guys on the radar, for these parameters, would be Manti. But my personal choice would be Tom Zbikowski. Defensive minded, played in the NFL, has coaching experience. Again, to hammer home the first word in the initial thread header, "IF."

OlyIrish said:

The smoke has to be real. Coach has been ultra quiet.

Most of us would be very re-assured if coach Freeman made a statement saying he was flattered by the interest from the Giants but was staying at ND.. Personally, if I'm an NFL GM or owner, I'd rather hire a guy who has NFL coordinator experience because that guy would already understand the nature of the league and be more ready for the challenge.

OlyIrish said:

The smoke has to be real. Coach has been ultra quiet.

Is it white or black smoke?

I think there are serious discussions between HCMF and Bevacqua taking place over an extended period. The discussion points essentially are that ND never has the 2025 situation happen again. The details are money allocated to the program, future scheduling and perhaps the current overall attitude toward ND. HCMF likely isn’t concerned about his own financial future. His concerns are what is the path forward for ND football in this CFB environment. This is pure speculation on my part but something is happening behind closed doors. I don’t think it’s any serious interest in the NFL, but HCMF wants to keep his staff and keep recruiting knowing there’s a clear path to a NC for ND.