Chat Transcript: Getting to the bottom of Notre Dame football's regression
Eric Hansen: Welcome to Notre Dame Football Live Chat brought to you by J&R Solutions.
Some quick programming notes:
► We will be chatting next week during the first of two bye weeks, in the normal Wednesday noon ET time slot.
► If you missed the last episode of our aspiring-to-be-viral Notre Dame Football YouTube show, Football Never Sleeps, it keeps its shelf life long after the live presentation. We’ve settled into our Monday night 7 ET time slot. Remember, if you miss the live show, you can catch up anytime on YouTube. Tyler James and I are also doing a live postgame show of our takeaways after every game. Here’s what last week’s show looked like. We’re also partnering with WSBT-TV this season, including collaborating on highlights and analysis. Here’s sports director Pete Byrne and me doing a quick run-through of this week’s game.
► On this week’s Inside ND Sports Podcast, former Notre Dame offensive tackle Sam Young joined Tyler James and me. Young, who played 10 seasons in the NFL, discussed how to get an offensive line out of a funk, how the Irish offensive line improved from 2007 to 2008, the importance of confidence for a line, how he watches games as a former lineman, the challenge of line rotation, what advantages pullers give a line, his expectations for ND's line to improve, the USC rivalry, practicing during midterms week and more, the value of his ND education and more. The podcast can be listened to via SoundCloud or on your preferred podcast platform including: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Podbean and Pocket Casts.
► And, finally, thanks to all who have been listening to WSBT radio this season, as I have rejoined Darin Pritchett as a co-host on Weekday SportsBeat (960 AM, live streaming at wsbtradio.com) on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the 2023 Notre Dame Football season. I'm also co-hosting the pregame shows with Darin and Tyler Horka (which is not a clever stage name for Tyler James). The pregame show on Saturday this week runs from 4-6:30 p.m. ET. The weekday shows run from 5-6 p.m. ET. This week’s pregame show starts at 9 a.m. ET. You can download episodes as podcasts.
Now on to this week's chat …
PLEASE remember to include your name and hometown along with your question(s).
Here are the rules:
Eric Hansen: The "no drinking" rule has been lifted for this week.
Off we go ...
Jim Tal from Valley Center, Calif.: Eric, thanks as always to one of the busiest men in sports journalism. I really don't know how you can juggle all those balls that require your attention. It is rather stunning to see the Irish actually regressing at a time in the season when improvement and development should be manifesting themselves. That is a very troubling fact. Particularly disturbing is the faltering of the offense whereas of late, Parker has shown very little creativity and ability to adjust and adapt. Moreover, neither Rudolph nor Stuckey appeared to be doing much to get needed production out of the positions they oversee. Big picture, in your opinion, what the heck is going on with the offense? What's currently going on simply shouldn't be happening.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jim, and thanks for the measured approach to this pretty emotional topic for a lot of ND fans. ... You are right, there shouldn't be regression at this point in the season, not even with four straight night games for the first time in school history and four straight ranked opponents for the sixth time in school history. ... Those can be contributing factors, but not the cause. ... Gerad Parker got off to a phenomenal start as offensive coordinator. Really good game plans, good in-game and lightning-delay adjustments ... produced the first stretch of 40+-point games coming out of the gate since 1900. But football is an evolutionary game, and a big part of being successful is getting ahead of the curve and STAYING ahead of the curve. As more of Parker's largely previously unknown philosophy was revealed and now on tape for study, defensive coordinators are going to have more data to pick apart, find stress points and attack those. There needs to be an ability to counterpunch.
Otherwise, defensive coordinators in subsequent games will have a nice starting point to game-plan and limit the ND offense with similar concepts. To me, Gerad Parker wouldn't have been a risky hire for Brian Kelly from an experience standpoint. Whatever you thought of BK, he was a backstop of sorts, someone who could fix things on offense. Now you combine Marcus Freeman's head-coaching experience and somewhat limited inventory for fixes on the offensive side of the ball with Parker, and the task becomes much greater. And this, to me, is why this is such a critical juncture for Marcus Freeman as a head coach.
I think the criticism of Joe Rudolph is warranted, especially if the O-line in-game rotation was his idea. However, when we talked to him last spring, it was clear that wasn't a concept he has typically embraced. So did he change his mind or were his hands tied? I think Chansi Stuckey has a relatively inexperienced group and I think what's happening on offense is more a reflection of bigger problems with the offense ... and injuries, rather than Stuckey being over his head.
Marcus Freeman has taken the posture of trying to spread the blame with himself being the primary target, and that's going to lead to some word salads in press conferences. I've seen other coaches in similar situations close ranks, limit access, get chippy in press conferences ... and Marcus Freeman has not lost his poise, which is one good sign. This Saturday night will be fascinating with all these dynamics and the program's biggest rival coming to town with a top 10-ranked team. I think it is reasonable to expect improvement. It is not a guarantee that it will happen.
Patrick from Boulder, Colo.: Hi Eric! Thanks as always for hosting these chats. Watching the game on Saturday, it seemed like the play calling was predictable, uncreative, and often doomed for failure (running repeatedly into a crowded box). When Coach Freeman says he had no concerns with the play calling but rather with the execution, is he just protecting his offensive staff or does he really believe that execution was the problem?
Eric Hansen: 'Hi Patrick, and thank you. You would think that Marcus Freeman would be protecting his staff, given the high standards he sets for the program, himself, and his own "question everything" mantra. If he did NOT have concerns about the offensive play-calling in that game, I would see that as a reason for concern about the program and its direction. Seriously.
Related Content
► How WR Jordan Faison came up big for Notre Dame football when elevated
► Transcript: OC Gerad Parker days after loss to Louisville
► Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden's press conference transcript for USC
► Analyzing which 2025 defensive targets could commit to Notre Dame next
► Notre Dame football depth chart projection for USC game
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Dan from Grand Rapids, Mich.: Hi Eric, What happened to Nolan Ziegler? I've not heard anything about him. Is he just behind the other LB's, or is there something else going on that we don't know about? Also, How can the O-Line be that bad vs L'ville? Supposed to be the best O-line in the country? How? And, how is ND favored vs SC? Thanks as always for all your insights!
Eric Hansen: Hey Dan, thank you. I'm not sure how closely you've followed Nolan's situation since early August or were just asking about this week in particular. so I'll assume you need to be completely caught up. Sophomore middle linebacker Nolan Ziegler, projected to be a key rotational piece, missed virtually all of preseason training camp and the first five weeks of in-season practice attending to a personal issue about which he's requested privacy. He has recently returned to practice, made the travel squad for the Louisville game and was available to play on special teams. That could happen as early as this week. We might be further away from him actually contributing key snaps as a linebacker.
Play-calling, execution and an ill-timed, in-game rotation of offensive linemen all contributed to the O-line's issues at Louisville. That and a good gameplan by Louisville that it probably got some hint of from watching the Duke film. The Cardinals were not a particularly good sacking team coming in, yet got five against the Irish. I'm bumfuzzled by the Vegas line. Notre Dame opened as a 2 1/2-point favorite and that is what the line is on Wednesday as we're doing this chat. USC's defense is awful. Their offense is the opposite of awful, so I am not sure I have an explanation for you.
Terry from Rangely, Maine: Hi Eric, one thing I cannot seem to understand is how Notre Dame's O-Line gets physically controlled and simply unable to establish any sort of run game vs Louisville. What gives? On paper we have an elite O-line and an elite stable of running backs.. Is it just the lack of respect Louisville had for our receivers that allowed them to make ND beat them through the air or would you attribute struggles to the OC and offensive gameplan? Lastly what are the internal rumblings regarding KK Smith, is he on a rehab and then developmental path or once healthy could he potentially contribute sooner rather than later? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and all the best to you.
Eric Hansen: Hi Terry. Louisville's game plan was to put more people in the box (committed to the run) than the Notre Dame offensive line could block. Duke did it the week before with eight in the box. Louisville has at times nine or 10. They dared the Irish to beat them in the pass game, something that was a little less risky when Duke did it, because of Jayden Thomas and Jaden Greathouse being out. Yet, Louisville was very successful with it, in part because of poor play-calling (and, yes, some execution issues) put ND in bad down-and-distance situations. As bad as USC's defense is, I'd look for them to commit to a similar strategy until/unless Gerad Parker and the Irish offense show that the Trojans will pay for that tactic. ... I asked about and wrote about KK Smith recently. ... and Matt Salerno. Salerno MIGHT return for a bowl game. It doesn't sound like there's any expectation Smith will be back this season, which is a much longer recovery than originally thought.
Dave from DC: Hi Eric, troubled times for ND fans. Could you rank the following factors, from most significant to least, contributing to the team's disappointing season:
Lack of development of the WRs
Poor offensive line play
Missed tackles
Team schedule
Coaching (penalties)
Coaching (offensive gameplan and play calling)
Talent/recruiting
Eric Hansen: Hi Dave, I am going to rank them as you asked, by how significant they are in contributing to where the Irish are at this very moment. If I were including fixability, I would likely have a different order. So, No. 1 is most significant ...
4 Lack of development of the WRs
2 Poor offensive line play
3 Missed tackles
6 Team schedule
5 Coaching (penalties)
1 Coaching (offensive gameplan and play calling)
7 Talent/recruiting
Ced Walker from Saginaw, Mich.: im still upset on how we lost to louisville last saturday I really question marcus freeman going for 4th and 11 at his own 35 yd the new rotation at the offensive line we must throw the ball down field vs usc to win saturday im still patient with marcus freeman it s only his 2nd year here come the irish trust the process the golden standard rally we are nd god country go irish love thee notre dame our mother pray for us
Eric Hansen: Hi Ced. I don't see a question in there, but I was stunned at the fourth-and-11 decision and thought it was a bad one even if ND made it there. The Irish were a combined 3-of-15 on third- and fourth-down calls.
Steve from St Louis: Hi Eric. There have been some head scratching decisions/statements made the last several weeks. Is the coaching staff costing the team wins?
Eric Hansen: On Saturday night, in my opinion, they did.
Marie from Atlanta: Hi Eric, I hope you’re having a great week. Must be very busy with the disappointment of Saturday’s game and the upcoming USC rivalry game. No 17-part questions today but three separate questions. Are you at all concerned that the offense is not doing enough self-evaluation/self scouting? I realize that a lot of this is done in the bye week, but certainly is also done week to week and it feels like things are not being approved upon and the learning curve seems flat. The defense seems to be doing a much better job of this. Though I know nothing will ever be announced publicly, do you think behind closed doors, the balance of who’s calling the offensive plays will change this week, perhaps Guidugli has previous OC experience is it possible that his influence might be more waited for play-calling in the games ahead? I know Chansi Stuckey has done a great job recruiting, though, Delta said the bar extremely low, but how do you feel he is doing as far as development goes with the wide receivers? I know Greathouse and Flores are only freshmen, so they are learning a lot, but do you feel that Jayden Thomas has really improved a lot in the last year? It’s hard to tell with Colzie since he’s been injured.
Eric Hansen: Hi Marie. No matter how busy ... and it is ... I'm always grateful for the blessing I have in my life, and there are many. .... And doing this chat is one of the highlights of the work part of my life. ... To your questions. I'm not concerned with whether there's enough self-scouting. Marcus Freeman bakes that in win or lose, one of the things I do like about his coaching style. How effective that self-scouting is and the solutions that came from appear to be the issue there to this point this season.
Changing play-callers at this juncture is not something I would predict or endorse. Sometimes if the head coach is a really good play-caller, you could make that work. The situation you suggest, I think, would make matters worse at this point in the season. Maybe during a bye week? Maybe after the season? I want to see what this week holds for play-calling first. ... As far as Chansi Stuckey, I watched him a lot in August and talked to him a few times and I do like what he's doing. And I think eventually the strengths of Stuckey will show up. And yes, recruiting players like Cam Williams and the freshmen who are already playing should not be discounted.
Rico Flores Jr. has 14 receptions and Jaden Greathouse, in more limited action recently, has 12. The number of freshman WRs with more catches for the entire freshman seasons since 2010? Three. Kevin Stepherson, Lorenzo Styles and TJ Jones. Some others besides Jones who were eventually drafted ... Chase Claypool 5, Will Fuller 6, Equanimeous St. Brown 0, Miles Boykin 0.
Marie from Atlanta: Also, one final question, if Tyree really wants to play in the NFL, do you think he will consider staying for another year and honing his skills as a wide receiver? As always thanks for hosting the chat and for all your great insights.
Eric Hansen: I think going into this season his expectation was to do well and move on to the NFL. If Chris Tyree did return for another year, I'm not sure it would be to Notre Dame, given the other WRs who will be coming back and who's coming in. The next 5-6 games will be telling.
Denny from Beaverton, Ore.: Like everyone else, I watched the game and wondered what the heck was going on. I had this same feeling 4 years ago after that inexplicable game against Michigan. I was absolutely shocked to see our Captain and All American candidate left tackle absolutely run over and put on his backside on at least two occasions that I remember. He said after the game that the Irish were not physically dominated but suffered from a lack of confidence. Did the lack of confidence cause the physical domination or was it the other way around? That question is just rhetorical Eric. Something else that really bothers me. People say that ND has to figure out how to beat teams that stack the box against the run. I thought that problem was supposed to be solved by getting a QB that was capable of throwing the ball deep. Didn't we learn anything last year when teams stacked the box every game against Pyne? What do you think Eric? That performance Saturday night was an embarrassment.
Eric Hansen: Denny, getting to the heart of your question and letting your venting stand on its own, I think the wide receiver injury situation was understandable how it mitigated the dynamic you spoke of with Sam Hartman, deep ball, unloading the box, etc. I don't think it holds water against Louisville, so yes, your frustration/bewilderment is well-founded.
Gene from New York: Hi Eric - Thanks for the great coverage! When I left the Ohio St game I felt they would have won if they had a pass rush, and the OL was showing progression to where they needed to be. But on the bright side, the coaches had insight to make in game adjustments. Two weeks later, boy was I off! Throw out the first four games against much lesser competition (except NC St, whose offense imploded in the second half). It seems we’re now in a reality of OL regressing against better competition, DL not being able to establish anything, and, worst of all, the offensive coaching staff seems incapable of making adjustments or figuring out how to use their assets! My suggestions/questions: 1) is there any hope for DL with their current coach 2) suggestion for OC Parker - find a Pop Warner playbook and see if you can learn what a ‘misdirection’ play is, then, unrelated, think 88, 88, 88! 3) finally, do you think they have a shot at Jan. 1 Bowl if they beat USC?
Eric Hansen: Hi Gene and thanks. 1) The short answer is yes, but I do think ND can do better with that coaching position. 2) Seems more like a comment than a question. 3) Absolutely, but it's more important that these critical problems are fixed for the long term.
Tanner in Tulsa: Is there a way to ask/suggest to the stadium supervisors in charge of the music and video board to put the lyrics to the ND songs (“Rally sons of ND.., Go Irish, Beat ..”, etc) that the band plays on the video boards as they play them? I haven’t been to a home game since ‘21 v SC and that atmosphere was incredible. I heard/read that “Heaven is a place on earth” and the LED bracelets didn’t go over so well at the OSU game but I love the different things they are at least trying to enhance the fan experience. I can think back to 2002, 2006 & 2010 and it was not as entertaining May I suggest in place of Belinda Carlisle to try and pump up the crowd, White Stripes’ “Hardest Button to Button” or “Icky Thump” intros? Van Halen as well would be amazing.
Eric Hansen: Hi Tanner, nice to have a change-of-pace question. I think the best way may be to hope the music decision-makers read this chat. Otherwise, it's way out of my purview. I do appreciate great music, in the stadium or otherwise. I have some suggestions of my own and glad you included yours.
Ryan from the San Francisco area: Eric, I was a walk-on athlete at ND (not football). I went on to be a repeat conference champ, conference record holder, school record holder, and team MVP... and yet never received a scholarship. Coach kept them for incoming athletes. I was grateful for the opportunity to travel and compete for ND, but that always left a bitter taste in my mouth. It makes me so happy when I see kids like Jordan Faison receive a scholarship. It's incredibly motivating to walk-ons and improves team morale. I remember WR Finke becoming a star and earning one. Are there any others in recent memory that have not only earned a scholarship, but excelled to that level?
Eric Hansen: Hi Ryan, thanks for sharing your story. And speaking of Jordan Faison, Tyler James just posted an entertaining one on him this morning. ... In the 2000s, Shane Walton, who came over from the ND soccer team, reached All-America status. Besides Faison, long snapper Michael Vinson and tight end Davis Sherwood are two on the current team who were awarded scholarships and who have made significant contributions in games. A lot of the lesser-known ones make significant contributions in practice, on scout team. I think safety/special-teamer Luke Talich will likely be the next one. Without pausing the chat, I can't give you a comprehensive list today (good idea for a story down the road), but off the top of my head linebacker Joe Schmidt was the team MVP in 2014 and Mike Anello was one of the best special teams players I have ever seen.
Tom from Kennesaw, Ga.: Hi Eric, lots of fans on the ledges after the past two weeks. After Duke, the coaches had to know UL was going to do something similar to Duke's defense and they still had no answers. VERY disappointing. How do they fix it this week and beat the Trojans?? Also, what Irish team are the oddsmakers watching to make us a 3 point favorite and 60% chance to win???!!! Do you think some quick "rub" slant routes would open things us a little?? Very few crossing routes?? Who is faster: Tyree or Faison? Thanks, sorry so many ???'s. Go Irish!!!!
Eric Hansen: Hi Tom. I appreciate your questions and your perspective. The short answer on offense on how to fix it is being prepared for USC -- the No. 1 team in tackles for loss and No. 5 in sacks and awful in most defensive categories -- to bring that pressure until ND can make them pay for it. And then as USC adjusts its defensive game plan, adjust your own. Defensively, it's about getting enough pressure on Caleb Williams so that he can't extend plays and yet being smart enough to not leave lanes open for him to gash you with his adlib runs. I'd make sure Jaylen Sneed was in the defensive game plan. I like your offensive suggestions. ... I think Tyree is faster but not by a lot.
Mike, Phoenix: Eric, I only have one question, 17 parts. Similar to Back to school. J/k. What does the special teams coach do? On kickoffs they run in a straight line. On punt returns, Tyree catches the ball right at him but on the punts that are short, he lets bounce and cost us 15+ yards of field position. Special teams are terrible. Is Blake Fisher the answer at right tackle? I may be getting a bit old. I asked the Louisville fans in front of me if they could sit down. They stood the entire 4 quarters. Is this too much to ask or am I out of line? Hope you at least had a few moments to enjoy Louisville. Cheers!
Eric Hansen: Haha Mike. I like it. I have been disappointed in the special teams performances when it comes to the return game and coverage, which is a big part of it. I do think Blake Fisher is the answer at right tackle long term. As far as the standing thing, I don't have a great point of reference. The only games I attend as a fan are baseball games, and usually I'm out of my seat a lot taking my grandkids to get something to eat or to the bathroom. Or I'm at their games and what you described at Louisville is not an issue. I did attend a Garth Brooks concert and had amazing seats and the people in front of me never sat down, and I kind of wished they would but I did not ask them to ... nor do I imagine they would have complied.
Mike from Costa Mesa, Calif.: ERIC - Has losing BALIS affected the teams play ? Do you think ND will keep the current S & C coach ? How many assistant coaches will be gone after this year? Thank You.
Eric Hansen: Hi Mike. We got the first of your questions in the podcast the other day, and I do think director of football performance Matt Balis' influence and reach with the team went far beyond his job description. I don't necessarily think it has affected the team's play as much as he might have been part of the solution to the team's play. I think interim S&C coach Fred Hale will get an interview in a national search. I have no idea what the assistant coach turnover will look like after the season going into game 8. There's not enough info to base that on. And I assume you mean terminations, but some assistant coaches will get offers to go elsewhere. I believe Marcus Freeman noted last spring that every assistant coach on his staff had at least one other job offer in the offseason.
Jonathan from Hideaway, Texas: Eric, please explain: (1) The complete failure of Meriweather to contribute is an indictment of ND’s ability to develop and evaluate receivers. Yet you are defending the WRs coach here and redirecting blame to play calling, no? You are a smart dude, so I want to understand. Help. (2) Like everybody else, I’ve seen the whiffed tackles and lack of production at Vyper. But this defense has been remarkably successful in first halves and, frankly, all the way till they’ve been worn out by their offensive counterparts’ inability to give them a rest. Your previous ranking of missed tackles and statement about the DL coach are just minor complaints, aren’t they? They surely don’t compare to the failures on the offensive side of the ball, do they? So appreciate your willingness to address hard issues and interact with your fan club here. Your chats are a highlight of my week too.
Eric Hansen: Hi Jonathan, more than happy to tackle the tough issues, and thanks for the way you approached this. 1. The Tobias Merriweather question is one of the most difficult to give you a conclusive answer on, because there's more chapters to be written. I've seen other players in a very similar situation fade. I've also seen them transcend their situation EVENTUALLY and thrive. But let's break it down where it is at this very moment. If you ask the Notre Dame defensive backs who the toughest cover is, who the best receiver will be, who's the freakiest athlete, you're going to be hard pressed to find someone who says someone other than Tobias. But talent is one part of evaluation and development. There's a mental side. Living up to expectations, other people's expectations. There's dealing with the noise. There's the academic/athletic balance. There's dealing with too much success and too much non-success. To me, when I did not see Tobias dominating in August, I did wonder about how he was dealing with the mental side.
And after talking to him, I was impressed with his approach but wasn't convinced he was in a great place in that regard. Here is the story I wrote about that very thing: Notre Dame WR Tobias Merriweather playing catch-up with consistency ... Given Tobias' family background and his support system, I leaned toward him being able to conquer this, and he still very well may. The ND coaching staff did too, which is why they invested so many game reps, hoping it would transform him. Against Louisville, they rolled those back to a season-low 25 snaps. Saturday night will be intriguing to see what his role is. My question/concern is he getting the mental coaching he needs?
I do not think the defensive flaws are comparable to the offensive flaws at this point, and you're spot on about how complementary football works and what it looks like when that's not happening to both sides of the ball. But I do think there are improvements to be made that will help the defense get better, and there are areas that must be (and in many cases are) addressed through recruiting.
Alex from Cincinnati: Hi Eric. No trick questions on the weather this week, I promise ;). If you thought Freeman's press conference had a lot of word salad, what did you think of Gerard Parker's press conference? Was that word stew?
Eric Hansen: Hi Alex, It is actually supposed to rain Saturday and be cool (40s and 50s), but I appreciate your owning that weather question ... I was with Al Golden when Gerad Parker was speaking, but I did read every work of the transcript. Gerad Parker, the offensive coordinator, is very different than Gerad Parker the tight ends coach. I think he puts more pressure on himself to say the right things and might have his antenna up too far about how they're perceived. It's good experience, though, for him for the long run or his career. I think some of Brian Kelly's assistants could have benefited from that kind of exposure. When coaches talk to the media, though, it's a tough balance between providing information and not hurting your team by your approach or providing too many trade secrets. But I did not gain a lot of insight into how the offense might get fixed, so you are on point.
Bob from Oxnard, Calif.: These are the times that try a man’s soul. Well, it’s not THAT bad. But can’t be fun running the site when we lose big. How are you guys holding up?
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. I think the toughest thing for me to see are games that prompt fans to believe Notre Dame will NEVER ascend any higher than it is now, which I don't think is the case. The cool thing is people care. When they stop caring, when they're indifferent, that's when the coach/the program is in trouble. And that's when it's most difficult to be on this beat, because the best thing about covering Notre Dame football is how much it does matter to people, even if/when they decide to make me their target of frustration.
Tino from Chicago, Ill.: Hi Eric, what does this team most need in order to salvage this season at this point? In your view what does a successful season now look like realistically? I feel all ND fans, myself included, got seduced into this idealistic flash CFP run with all the Hartman excitement and optics through the first 4-5 games.. So now it feels a bit disorienting to be sitting here 5-2 with a lot of questions/doubts and several dangerous teams remaining on the slate. Looking forward on your insights on where ND goes from here.
Eric Hansen: Frankly, I'm pleasantly stunned at the quality of questions this week, and here comes another one. I think a successful season is one in which Notre Dame recaptures and takes advantage of Sam Hartman's decision to transfer to ND. I still think he's a special quarterback who can help the Irish transcend SOME of their flaws. I think a successful season allows us to evaluate who Gerad Parker is as an OC and what that would look like beyond the 2023 season. A successful season is one in which this team used the Louisville loss as a turning point, and inflection point to greater success in 2023 and beyond. And if all that can be bundled into a 10-2 package and a bowl win, all the better. I do think hoping/expecting that a special season could be possible with Sam Hartman was reasonable. The Ohio State loss wasn't the end of the world. Louisville isn't either, but it's much closer to that, the way it played out. So there's a huge opportunity here for Marcus Freeman in this crisis.
And Saturday night's game will tell us a lot about how this will end this season and what the next steps need to look like.
Rick from Ohio: With the success Jordan Faison had in his limited playing time why do you think he wasn’t inserted back into the game?
Eric Hansen: Former walk-on wide receiver Jordan Faison received 15 out of the 68 offensive snaps Saturday night in his season/career debut. So he may have been in and out a little bit more than you noticed. Given that he was learning/running other teams' offenses through much of training camp and the first few weeks of the season, and not Notre Dame's, that doesn't feel too far out of whack. But given his success in a game (and what we saw of him in person in August), I'd say his production has earned him some consideration for more opportunities this week.
Eric Hansen: I don't want to wrap up on this note, but we're getting near the end. I wanted to address this topic. Joey G, thanks for your questions and your criticisms. I did not include your rants, because quite frankly, I think you're better than that and I know this chat is. And I didn't want to take up- valuable chat time, with so many legit questions and even rants, with that. But there was one element I think would be helpful for the chat-heads this week. And that's the concept of how press conferences work.
Joey wanted to know why the reporters, including me, use kids gloves with Marcus Freeman and why we don't demand more competent answers from Freeman. I and others get this a lot when a team loses a game like that or (via Twitter) if they are just trailing or unimpressive early in a game. The point of a press conference and the questions we ask is to get information. But the implication here is that we could be scolding the coach and not give up the microphone until, I supposed, he runs off the stage, puts himself in timeout and turns to Twitter for coaching advice. Remember, the goal is to get information. So if, as a media member, you think the best way to do that is to be confrontational, do that. If you try another way that's not going to put the coach on the defensive, you may have a better chance of getting the info. Sometimes neither way works. But demanding a coach answer questions in the manner we would like him to is beyond delusional.
Again, sorry for not pulling up the rant that preceded it, but I didn't see any value in taking the gloves off and pushing back hard. I'd like everyone to feel like there's no such thing as a silly question in this forum and feel comfortable that I'm going to be fair in how I treat you all.
Dave from Ponte Vedra, Fla.: I’m not ready to jump off the ledge yet, but I’ve got the window open. Where on earth are our wide receivers? Outside of Flores and a lacrosse player, where are all the highly recruited studs?
Eric Hansen: Hi Dave. Some of them are hurt (Matt Salerno, Deion Colzie, KK Smith), one retired (Kaleb Smith) and some of the others are fresh out of the oven from baking ... and some of not being used properly in the context of game-planning and play-calling.
Joe from Massapequa, N.Y.: Hi Eric. It looks like the players are either worn out or have lost confidence in themselves last Saturday night. Do you think the players are beginning to question this coaching staff? Does Parker retain his job based on the 1st 7 games?
Eric Hansen: I'm not getting that the players have lost confidence in the staff, but this weekend will be telling. ... and too early on Gerad Parker. If this were year three of Parker, I might have another opinion.
The Beaver from Grand Rapids: Eric: Coach Freeman’s 2 most egregious coaching gaffes this season (back to back 10 men on the field vs OSU on the two determinative plays and 4th and 12 attempt from deep in its own territory with almost 10 minutes left vs Louisville) came after time outs. The coaches are wired and interconnected as evidenced by the slick Instagram feed ND put together following the game-winning drive against Duke. With the 4th and 12 decision, it’s hard to believe the coaching brain trust would not attempt to counter any head coach argument that going for it in that scenario is “playing the percentages”. My question relates to whether MF is not getting the needed input from the coaching staff? Or whether he is not listening to them? Were his boys attempting to talk him off the ledge? Through his first year and a half as head coach, Coach Freeman has always demonstrated a humble ability to listen and adapt. Is MF not listening? Or is nobody talking? Thanks and love your work.
Eric Hansen: Another great question. Thank you. I do think Marcus Freeman is listening, and I think that's an encouraging aspect in where he can drive this from here. But I also think perhaps he's leaning too much on analytics. Marcus Freeman has the final word on these decisions. And this is definitely a week to make the voices, and not solely the numbers, heard in meetings.
Aaron from Washington, D.C.: Hi Eric, appreciate you taking the time today. I think both ND and Louisville have a bye on Oct. 21. Seems like a massive mistake to not give the team a break this past weekend. Is ND at the mercy of the ACC? I would think Swarbrick would have some kind of vote on the scheduling, right? Did he just drop the ball? As far as the criticism directed toward Coach Parker, isn’t the o-line the crux of the problem (as you noted in your latest article)? If the o-line plays like it should, the running game improves and Hartman has more time to pass. Run calls are not bad play calls if Estime has somewhere to go. Rudolph appeared to be a great hire and a highly respected coach but we’re not seeing that show up on Saturdays. What’s the coaching problem? I hate to play hypotheticals but I don’t think we would be having this discussion with Coach Heistand in the seat. With ND's talent, getting one-yard should never be in question. Fair statement?
Eric Hansen: Hi Aaron, we're into overtime where, so I am going to have to compress my answers to very legit questions. ... The coaching problem is not adapting to the changes defenses have made to Parker's initial coaching game. As I mentioned in the very first question, coaching is about evolving. Or you get left behind. Adjust and counterpunch. Look, Harry Hiestand is the best. Comparing him to anyone else is not exactly fair, considering having him stay this season was not an option in Harry's mind. They didn't push him out. He chose to leave. But I'm not sure Harry would have been able to fix what's going on with Parker. Not by himself.
Chris in Albuquerque: Hey Eric, I was shocked the ND offense didn't do any quick passes such as slants, running back screens just to get the defense off the line of scrimmage. I am also shocked that J. Love does not get involved more in the offense as he seems to have next level speed. Am I wrong in this evaluation from your perspective? Thanks as always and Go Irish!
Eric Hansen: That game was suited well for Jeremiyah Love, and actually he fits as the No. 2 option very well moving forward. But Audric Estimé would thrive in a better-conceived offense as well.
Len from the Jersey Shore: Eric, I did my take on list showing why I had different numbers than you on some items. I thought he put out a good list for discussion:
3 Lack of development of the WRs
5 Poor offensive line play
2 Missed tackles - higher because of shortage of LB speed, tacking has to be much better
6 Team schedule
4 Coaching (penalties) indicates a lack of discipline and attention to detail needed for other aspects of game
1 Coaching (offensive gameplan and play calling)
7 Talent/recruiting
Eric Hansen: Thanks, Len.
Michael from Elkview, W.Va.: Are Jaden Greathouse and Jayden Thomas healthy? Thomas seemed to lip late in the Louisville game.
Eric Hansen: That's what we are told. Jaden Greathouse, though, was limited against Louisville even though he played.
Bob from Loganville, Ga.: Eric, hope all is well. If I didn't know better I would think ND hired a different OC after the 4th game this season. When the schedule got harder (and more tape for the opposition to study) the offense regressed which reminded me of last season. Since MF is the common denominator over the last 2 years I wanted to ask if this is his vision of how he wants the offense to operate?
Eric Hansen: Hi Bob. This is not his vision. Ideally, he wants a balanced offense that can open up the pass with the run and open up the run with the pass. Part II was strong out of the gate and is now in crisis mode.
Tony from Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Hi Eric, i am puzzled that a walk-on is ready for action before highly touted freaky talented guys like Braylon James? Especially given the need for dynamic play at WR to force defenses to respect the pass threat.. What needs to happen to establish that play this year or is it a multi-year project that we can only patch this season?
Eric Hansen: Hi Tony, Jordan Faison is not your ordinary walk-on and there are all kinds of factors, some beyond football, that affect freshman readiness that may not affect them as sophomores and behind. Kyren Williams, as a running back, is a good example, or someone who seemed ready but very much was not as a freshman due to issues on and off the field. Then he changed everything in the offseason after that freshman year.
Eric Hansen: OK, that's going to do it for this week. Sorry for all of you stuck in the queue. Thanks for all the great questions answered and unanswered. Seriously, really impressed this week. We will be back in the bye week for another chat, Wednesday at noon ET.
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