Monday saw Notre Dame introduce new offensive coordinator Gerad Parker in a press conference. In a move that some saw as a bit controversial, Parker will now get the opportunity to lead the Fighting Irish offense as the program tries to establish more consistent prominence.
But the process Notre Dame took in its hiring is still coming under fire.
After head coach Marcus Freeman took Utah’s Andy Ludwig (and Parker) out to a hockey game together earlier this month, Ludwig eventually opted to stay with the Utes. Freeman was asked if this sort of strategy for coach recruitment was wise, and he didn’t hold back.
He simply wants to do anything to bring the best people (players or coaches) to Notre Dame:
"Why not bring an offensive coordinator candidate to the hockey game? Because why? If we don't get him people are going to say, 'Well, you tried and you lost.' That's life. He decided to make a decision that was best for him. I wouldn't change that if I had to." pic.twitter.com/1YjAFv2T81
— Matt Freeman (@mattfreemanISD) February 21, 2023
Honestly, I find it hard to disagree. Coaching jobs in college football are arguably just as hot of a commodity as any top-level recruits. And Ludwig’s Utah had the 17th-best offense in college football last year. If Freeman thought that was the optimal way to try and bring a top-level coach to South Bend, so be it.
Sometimes you must pull out all the stops, even if you are part of a big-name program like Notre Dame.
