When Notre Dame lost to Clark Lea before the college football playoff game against Alabama, Brian Kelly knew he had to find an equally high thought of a replacement. This is exactly what Kelly did when she hired Marcus Freeman outside of Cincinnati.
It was universally praised as a landlord rental, which could make a significant change to the entire program. In a good way, actually in a fantastic way. Even before Freeman coached a single game, we’ve seen a rebound in the hiring of Irish, a change in philosophy for the better. It looks like the profile has changed, after high-end talent has produced great results.
Forde-Yard Dash, second quarter: Ten schools that underwent major coordinator changes during the off-season. How will they work? https://t.co/v4SWlV8Q9r
– Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) August 30, 2021
When college football writer Pat Forde began reviewing what to expect this fall, it seemed good that he is your new coordinator. It’s something that happens every year in major sports and you can add Forde to the large number of people who believe Freeman will change the game.
It’s about Kelly pulling out a Saban, who loses a great coaching talent and replaces him with a great coaching talent.
It’s a new phrase, “pulling a Saban,” but if there’s one program that everyone is trying to emulate across the country, it’s Alabama. You may hate them, but you have to respect what Nick Saban has done during his tenure at Tuscaloosa. So if Kelly pulls out a page from Saban’s book, it’s very likely to be a very good thing.