Notre Dame, Marcus Freeman hire NEW Defensive Coordinator and target ‘RISING STAR’ for next GM

Chris Ash has accepted the job as Notre Dame’s defensive coordinator according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Additionally, Notre Dame is targeting Texas Tech GM James Blanchard to replace Chad Bowden. Tyler Wojciak is joined by Greg Flammang of Irish Sports Daily to discuss the decision to hire Chris Ash and what it means for Mike Mickens’ future at Notre Dame. Then, they share their thoughts on James Blanchard as a candidate to be Notre Dame’s next GM.
Subscribe to the Locked On Irish Podcast: link.chtbl.com...
Follow Tyler on Twitter: / tylerwojciak
Follow Locked On Irish on Twitter: / lockedonirish
Follow Locked On Irish on Instagram: www.instagram....
Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!
Turbo Tax
Ready for stress-free taxes and the most money back, guaranteed? Head over to TurboTax.com today and get matched with your Expert. Only available with TurboTax Live Full Service. Real-time updates only in the iOS mobile app. See guarantee details at TurboTax.com/guarantees.
Gametime
Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONCOLLEGE for $20 off your first purchase. Terms apply. Download Gametime today. What time is it? Gametime.
FanDuel
You can start the season with a big return on FanDuel. New customers can place a FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get started with ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS in BONUS BETS - if you win your first FIVE DOLLAR BET ! Visit FANDUEL.COM to get started.
FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)

[@charliecox1051]

I'm not going to be second guessing Freeman until he gives me reasons to. He earned that in his 3rd season.

[@tomdyszkiewicz5054]

The university has become more focused on football since Pete became AD

[@billjefferson3317]

He has said he is obsessed with bringing a title back to the school.

[@arthurrobinson4644]

Great ​@@billjefferson3317

[@justinalley3399]

also helps that Pete was a punter at Notre Dame so he lives and breaths football

[@backbay2242]

I'm not convinced Mickens will stay but if he does this all seems unnecessarily complicated.

[@leemarie7724]

Mickens has yet to lead a defense on his own.....after this year I wouldn't put him in charge either

[@backbay2242]

@@leemarie7724 You gotta respect and trust MF's decision. It would have been easy to just go with MM. The hosts made some good points. I would not be popping champaign corks regarding Blanchard. TT will match any offer.

[@AnthonyDavis-ld6jt]

I think ND making it to the natty changed the outlook on Mickens becoming DC. If they get knocked out first or second round, I think it happens. The fact they made it, the expectations are that much higher. Parker doesn't help the case, but if they're going to make it back next year, I don't think he wanted to take the risk with a first time DC. Him staying behind to watch OSU celebrate I think ignited a deeper fire to finally be the team to beat

[@leemarie7724]

Agreed completely

[@BigMonty686]

@@AnthonyDavis-ld6jt Parker was a unique situation. We know he wasn’t Freeman’s first choice….( but wasn’t awful!) critical game time situations/experience can’t be dismissed. So, I do see where there may have been some reservations on CMF’s part. Mickens has the chops and his time is coming for sure. However, I agree that Freeman couldn’t risk a “stepback” with a first time DC, while possibly making another run at a title. The blowback would be huge!

[@JDorry-ty3vq]

From what I see Blanchard is home run hire he has great personality and great evaluater

[@BigMonty686]

@@JDorry-ty3vq Did they interview him yet or is Blanchard even interested?

[@lifeofrileythegoldenretrie4827]

I was on the fence with Ash but you guys have convinced me that Freeman doesn’t know what he is doing and Ash sucks! If I were Mickens I would give ND the one finger salute. Freeman has failed before hiring Rees and Parker so confidence level is low.

[@QuickRickspicks]

Im gonna trust Marcus after We tried to get Leonard & Knowles. Success breeds coaching changes. Part of sustaining success is great hires. We'll see.

[@Drex8731]

Safety coaching already looked pretty good with Mickens

[@BigMonty686]

@@Drex8731 100%…….Get that D-line/run defense leveled up!

[@xandercrews4729]

Hate the DC hire, really like the GM hire.

[@justinalley3399]

Chris Ash didnt call plays for texas in 2020 he was the CO DC Coleman Hutzler called plays for texas in 2020

[@ragmanintx]

Well no duh, everyone wants a recently proven commodity. Not much in the way of brilliant analysis.

[@orlandoalvarado]

Saber took guys that have failed at other places as head coach.

[@Drex8731]

Parker wasn't a great hire

[@sbnative574]

CMF was forced to hire GP. I wouldn't say the hire was bad without a full body of work. I will say Sam Hartman was trash. Slow feet, no creativity after the first read, and benefit from playing in a system. If GP had Jaden Daniels from LSU, everyone would call him a top OC. Players make some coaches look better than they are like Mike Denbrock.

[@BigMonty686]

@@sbnative574Where was all of that production when JD was at ASU?

[@lifeofrileythegoldenretrie4827]

I think Parker had better numbers than Rees. If Rees hadn’t played at ND, he would be considered a huge failure based on offensive production and WR and QB recruiting and development.

[@tonykidd199]

Don't matter..ND will start the season 0-1 ..LETS GO CANES!!!!!!!!

[@BigMonty686]

Lol…..came all the way to an ND channel to say that!?!? You’re scared already……! Thanks for stopping by! Smh

[@tonykidd199]

@BigMonty686 i definitely didn't go looking for yall...but since I saw it, might as well put it out there so I can refer back in 9 months..Maybe yall will score more than 8pts this time..GO CANES BABY!! WE INVENTED SWAG!

[@leemarie7724]

Trolling ND sites already?

[@tonykidd199]

@leemarie7724 I promise I'm not...MIAMI WILL BEAT ND IN 9MONTHS. !!

[@tonykidd199]

@leemarie7724 Miami would have beat yall this season will Cam..yall probably would have scored 40pts on our defense but we would have scored more. .

[@leemarie7724]

Don't become a Bryan Driskell who always has a problem with any new coach, picks at him the first year until he proves himself (to him?), and his minions carry that negativity toward that coach as long as Driskell tells you he's terrible.

[@sbnative574]

BD is a tool. The dude thinks his takes are smarter than everyone, and his thoughts are gold. Eveyone on his show kisses his ass.....and afraid to share their opinions. They are scared to give a different opinion.

[@BigMonty686]

You hear Driskell….you don’t listen! I find it interesting that you have an issue with his “negativity” WHILE being negative about him AND his staff. Driskell is actually one of the best….he read his quote on his concerns at the time with the Golden hire. In a nutshell, he stated…..#1) Golden is a smart coach but hasn’t run a defense in almost 20 years! #2) Coming from the NFL, the defenses tend to be a bit complex…..(which proved true and Golden had to adjust how he installed aspects of what he wanted done.) not because these young men weren’t capable but because they have other responsibilities on campus, as a well having limits on the amount of time he could be in contact with players. #3) Golden is older and (not that he was bad!) however didn’t see recruiting as his strength! ……(NIL wasn’t even an issue yet!) ALL concerns ended up being true. Guess what else was true… Damn near EVERY ND FAN wanted Golden AND Washington gone after one season! Fast forward a couple years and look at what this defense turned into. That all being said, I could pick Tyler AND Greg’s shows and styles apart….! These two are both my LEAST favorite ND podcasters….however, I respect the work that they do…(even if I don’t agree with all of their takes and opinions!) I don’t go to other comment sections to 💩 on the work of other channels. Lots of different choices for different tastes! ✌🏾

[@leemarie7724]

@ just another Driskell lover....don't ya just love how everyone else is an idiot or stupid? He is NOT close to ND football and scrapes gossip from town.

[@BigMonty686]

@ you solidified my point! Name calling right out of the gate! I don’t think you are any of those things. A difference in opinion doesn’t make you an “idiot”! Nor does it make someone a “lover”. You do seem to have a real issue with BD. Did he cut you off in traffic?

[@sbnative574]

@BigMonty686 BD is the guy who spoke negativity against Al Washington and tried to sell everyone on Tommy Rees smart and creativity. AW has done more than TR in 3 years vs. TR 7 years. TR is 🗑. Nepotism is the only reason TR is relevant.