USC’s woes have been well-documented. And they hired a guy that has never heard of the words honor, honest or rules. Now, Michigan’s (sucks) problems are on the radar, and by all accounts they’ve come from a toxic coach that has run the program into the ground. I don’t remember any of this under LLLLLLoyd. So what’s going on?

According to recent reports, there are 5 MAJOR NCAA infractions on the board for the skunkbears. We’ll get results around August on these, but it’s pretty clear that this is a big deal. Much bigger than some skunkbear fans would like to have you think.

But what did they do? Just a few extra hours of practice here and there? No no, that’s just the tip of the iceberg that led to the rest of the program’s troubles.

In addition to all the extra practice time (which some claim is just a few minutes here and there due to accounting, which I don’t buy in the least), there were more deliberate and, dare I say, sinister, things going on.

Michigan was cheating….

*By using Five (5!) extra coaches on staff. They used slots reserved for ‘quality control’ people and essentially used them as extra coaches. All that extra coaching didn’t seem to help much last year.

*By having extra workout hours, extra practices, and ‘voluntary’ workouts supervised by coaches. That’s a no-no. And, sadly for Michigan, didn’t help all that much.

*By having one of their GA’s lie to the NCAA during the investigation. That makes you look real innocent. Real, real innocent.

*By not monitoring anything pretty much. No logs on practice hours, shoddy records-keeping, and all that. They lay this right at RichRod’s feet, saying he failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance. RR has been toxic since the day he rolled into town, how can anyone be surprised by this claim?

*And finally, that the Athletic Dept failed to monitor the program. So, now we’re getting to the AD level. No wonder there was a change in leadership there recently.

So that ugly sub-.500 result you saw last year? Yep, that’s the result of TOO MANY hours of practice, and TOO MANY coaches, and NO TIME spent keeping records of anything.

Imagine how bad the RR-led Skunkbears would be if they hadn’t cheated. Wow.

(And we lost to them. C’MON.)

I don’t expect USC-level sanctions, but there will be serious hits to Michigan sucks football which will make them suck even more.

It’s seriously likely that ND’s two biggest rivals/enemies will be NCAA-hamstrung in the near future.

Jack Swarbrick’s scheduling job just got much, much more difficult.

Oh, and Rich Rodriguez is a horrible, horrible coach, in case you didn’t know.

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The NCAA just wrapped up their hearings regarding Southern Cal infractions this weekend. Some highlights of what happened outside of the closed-door sessions provided by the NYT:

The hearings were secret, and participants were required not to reveal anything to the news media. A decision will be made only after hours of conference calls between the members of the committee on infractions.

But there were signs from the hearings that make it highly improbable U.S.C. football will leave this multimillion-dollar, four-year investigation with a wrist slap. The first and most glaring hint came from a hotel bellhop, who practically grunted while pushing an industrial luggage cart full of documents out of the meeting room. There were seven boxes on the cart, including a six-inch-thick binder labeled U.S.C. Response Volume 1.

Tom Yeager, a former chairman of the infractions committee, noted in a telephone interview last week that the inside joke among committee members was whether or not a case was a “one-box” case or a “two-box” case.

When that joke was relayed to David Price, the N.C.A.A.’s vice president for enforcement services, he said that U.S.C.’s case in front of the N.C.A.A. was the longest in his 11 years with the committee.

Yes, yes, go on…

Price also said that most times the committee met, it heard cases from several universities, and this one was dedicated to U.S.C. In contrast, Alabama’s case before the N.C.A.A. in 2002, which resulted in five years of probation, a two-year postseason ban and crippling scholarship reductions, took two days.

Fascinating! Only two days, you say?

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Brian Kelly’s recent speech on how to win, from the baseball ‘opening night’ (which can be found in video on ISD here), is a great example of how he’s different from Weis. And I think this difference is the missing link for ND football.

I won’t go into the quotes and all that – but essentially, Kelly starts from the ground up with kids. He expects that they don’t know how to do things, that they need guidance. If you can’t do X in your sleep, then you’ll never do Y, because you’re just getting in your own way. And forget about Z if you can’t do Y.

Weis, somewhat famously, operated like an NFL coach: he assumed that you had the basics together, and built from there. The lack of development of some players/positions is well-documented with this approach. HS kids are, not-shockingly, very different from NFL players. While I think Weis was adjusting over time, he never quite got fully there on this.

Kelly is the exact opposite. He knows that players dont know what they dont know, and he needs to take steps to get them there. Step 1: Learn how to Organize Your Locker. Literally, that was one of the first things that Kelly emphasized to his players. Because if you have a sloppy locker, you dont know where things are, which slows you down, and may make it more difficult to do Step #2.

It’s extremely basic, and Step 1 should be done in a matter of minutes. But it allows Step 2 to be achieved, then that allows Step 3, etc. In time these basics become automatic, and provide a foundation for further growth and education.

ND has talent. They have the resources. The players need development, and it seems pretty clear that Kelly has a clear, strict method to get there.

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That’s the 27th arrest of Urban Meyer’s ’student-athletes’. The college football world barely blinks at this at this point, this is just so common.

This time the gentleman scholar punched a woman, and then ’scratched’ another. WTF.

Love how the paper reporting it puts “Another” at the front – even the real reporters are mocking Urban’s lack of control at this point.

It’s all just laughable.

You know that Urban will say he has no responsibility here though, as always. But this time it’s a special dispensation – he’s on leave and all ya know.

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How many times can this happen before someone, anyone, actually catches on?

Urban Liar is back at it again. This time, he brings in a guy to be DC for the recruiting season, has that guy recruit a ton, and then (JUST COINCIDENTALLY NOW) the guy leaves the DAY AFTER SIGNING DAY. The day UF signs one of the top defensive classes in the country.

“C’mon kid, we have an NFL-level coach as D-coordinator. You get along great with him. He can’t wait to coach you and teach you what you need to make it to the pros.”

“Okay, coach, I’m in”

“Oh, sorry, he just left for the NFL again. Really, total surprise to me. Had no idea this would happen.”

This is exactly what happened with Hunter and Mattison. Why does anyone, anywhere, ever trust Urban Meyer?

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RichRod is back!

In talking about his latest recruiting class and their high morals and good works, this is what RR said:

“There’s nobody on this football team that we’ve signed that has a felony conviction,” Rodriguez said during his news conference. “There’s nobody on this football team we signed that has a misdemeanor conviction.”

WOW! Rich! SUCH lofty standards! I mean, none of them have EVER been CONVICTED even! Awesome.

Michigan Man for sure. Champions of the West my ass.

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As the #1 recruit in the nation, it’s sure been a ride for Henderson. Lots of attention, lots to think through. And while I am bummed he won’t be Irish, I wish nothing but the best for the kid. BUT, you have to admit, some of the things said about his choice of USC are fairly interesting/revealing.

Per this NYT article…

Reason #1) Because of LA and all that goes with it. Essentially, Henderson wants the big lights and big city after growing up in small town midwest. I get it, but I hope he understands that living in LA doesn’t mean fame and all that just because American Idol says it does.

“I felt like it was the greatest spot for me with L.A. and everything.”

Reason #2) He may actually qualify there. He hasn’t yet, but Lord knows he has a better shot at USC than most places. It’s a legit move, really. Why go where you won’t be able to go?

Reason #3) Lane Kiffin, stand up guy that he his, said that the NCAA won’t be coming down hard on USC at all. Because, you know, Lane Kiffin is an honest guy.

But while visiting the Hendersons last week in Minneapolis, Lane Kiffin told them not to be worried, Sean Henderson said.

“As far as he’s been informed — he was very, very choosy with his words — there shouldn’t be anything going wrong because there was no knowledge of anything going on by the staff,” Sean Henderson said.

The Hendersons asked Kiffin to be clear about what impact the N.C.A.A. might have on the Trojans’ football program, Sean Henderson said. Just before Seantreal chose U.S.C. on Wednesday, Kiffin reiterated not to listen to others who said the Trojans might face sanctions. “We don’t want it to have any negative effect on Seantrel’s future,” Sean Henderson said.

Even Kiffin’s words, and the Dad’s quote ABOUT Kiffin’s words, make it seem like Kiffin wasn’t too sure about this. Run, Sean, Run!!!!

Reason #4) Kiffin didn’t interrupt his hair appointment

The day after U.S.C.’s visit, Miami Coach Randy Shannon made his home visit, but it was delayed by an hour and a half while Seantrel was having his hair done.

Reason #5) He wants to check out the LA Club Scene. The article had tons of space dedicated to his clubbing. How that goes down when he’s in HS is beyond me – Miami clubs are NOT under 21 – but yeah, ND couldn’t compete here. LA vs Miami vs South Bend? ummm….

Reason #6) Tressel pretending to like rap, when he’s so boring he puts recruits to sleep in meet and greets, pushed him from Ohio State. Man, that’s painful to even think about. (And the Columbus Club Scene is just plain weak)

Reason #7) BY FAR THE BEST REASON EVER FOR A RECRUIT TO CHOOSE A SCHOOL EVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRR!!!!

Henderson thinks it’s fate. Well, you know, because….

Henderson also thought it was interesting that U.S.C. would appear before the N.C.A.A.’s committee on infractions between Feb. 19 and 21 because Seantrel’s two sisters have birthdays on Feb. 20 and Feb. 21.

“It’s just a lot,” he said. “It kind of seems like fate to a certain extent.”

OH YEAH! It’s like fate. When the school I want to go to is getting the beatdown by the NCAA for consistently cheating, and for hiring a cheater, I’ll be eating cake with my baby sisters. It’s a sign!!!!!!!

WTF??????? That’s the weirdest thing I’ve ever heard/seen/read/whatever. Awesome.

ND was out forever ago with this kid. We HAD to be. My guess is that he kept us in the running for the uniqueness of having ND on the board. There’s a reason why we didn’t send a LOI to the family today – bc we were never really in it.

But really, he isn’t qualified yet, most of the things he likes about USC are focused around the size of the city and the club scene, and his logic around the ‘fate’ thing is just nuts.

I’m not gonna go with the ‘dodged bullet’ thing, because at ND this kid could’ve thrived. And man, we could’ve used him. Big time. Much like Shaq Evans, who was a bit of a head case in HS, he could come to a place where the coaches wouldnt let him run his own shite to grow and develop. He could’ve come to a place that would teach him discipline, values, and the importance of learning. Shaq took that path, and in the long run will be a much better man for it. Henderson, apparently, didn’t want that path. He was drawn to a program that cheats repeatedly, and even after a coaching change where a big-time cheater came in to replace another cheater, he remained on board. But, it’s obviously his choice, and I hope it ends up working out for him. But man, it’s just all kinda weird, isn’t it?

NOTE: Henderson is now having second thoughts, and hasn’t yet signed with USC. Story here. More time in the spotlight, just the way he likes it, but at least he’s thinking about it and seeing what goes down with the NCAA. C’mon kid, make a smart move here. Bail on Kiffin. But maybe don’t take extra extra long just for the attention? Ah, nevermind, go for it…YOU DA MAN!

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Really? THIS is what we’re getting worked up about?

ND’s Team Ranking by Rivals: 15
ND’s Team Ranking by Rivals based on quality alone (avg stars, ignoring # in the class): 16

ND’s Team Ranking by Scout: 23
ND’s Team Raning by Scout based on quality alone (not quantity): 21

So, on average, we’re looking at a class that’s coming out right around #19 in the country. Both when you include quantity, and when you exclude it and look only at Average # of Stars.

In a transition year.

With a brand-new coach.

And a brand-new staff.

That only started recruiting full time in January (3.5 weeks ago)

And could still land some big-time guys tomorrow to bump us up a bit.

And, we’ll bump up a bit anyway to #17 or so, simply because all of our guys will qualify, and 30% of most teams’ guys won’t (and 50% of Alabama’s guys).

We’re starting from scratch, and our CLASS IS BETTER THAN 100 OTHER FBS TEAMS!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! What are we ever going to freaking DOOOOO? How can we even compete, come CLOSE to competing, for a National Championship with THESE guys? How will we ever get by? Survive? Let alone THRIVE??!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?

………

WHO can seriously complain about this? There are 100 out of 119 teams that would trade their class for ours (assuming everything else – needs, evaluations, etc – are equal).

I don’t get it. Only at ND could we find a significant amount of people to whine about this class. Could it have been Top 10 if no one had defected? Yes. Was there any chance of NO ONE defecting with a coaching change? No! (Ask every transition program ever. It’s normal.)

Does this mean that Kelly is AIMING for the #19 class in the country? No. Do I think we can win under him with the #19 class in the country ever year? Yes. Why? Because he won with the #1,342nd in Cincy.

Note:

Top 5 Classes from Rivals as of Today:

1. UF 2. Texas 3. AUB 4. Bama 5. Oklahoma

Looking just at average stars:

1. USC (and it ain’t close) 2. UF 3. Texas 4. Bama 5. AUB

Top 5 from Scout:

1. UF 2. Texas 3. Oklahoma (ooooooh, how original) 4. Bama 5. Auburn

If you go based on stars only:

1. USC 2. Texas 3. UF 4. Penn State 5. Oklahoma

Perfectly calm.

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NOTE: This is, in no way, an argument disagreeing with DMQ’s post below. In fact, I agree with DMQ 100%. There are toxic people involved in CFB – players, coaches, fans, administrators, you name it. But they’re not all that way. Hence…

There are a few things that make me love college football. I love the tradition, the pageantry, the variety of skill level and the difference in schemes, the personalities, the politics, the rivalries (all 70 of them for ND), and the joy of just sitting back with a beer in my hand for 7 hours straight on a saturday.

But what is it that I love most?

The fans.

NOT the (relatively small) part of the fanbase that are unreasonable zealots about which DMQ rants below. But the rest of the fanbase. The ones that don’t wish death on a kid because he chose another school. The ones that understand that the education is just as important as the football. Those fans that love the game for the game, and are actually saddened when they see a 19-year-old opposing player break a leg to end a career. 99% of the folks I encounter around ND football, and on this blog, are this way.

People that LOVE the game, and LOVE Notre Dame, but that always keep their fandom and the game in perspective.

There are an absolute TON of these people. And while they tend to be a bit quieter, these are awesome people. These are my friends, these are the folks that give me a random high-five on my way into Notre Dame Stadium, these are the folks that pass along pictures of their game experiences, that talk about how Notre Dame football brought the family together every Saturday.

Yes, it’s a game. And yes, there are annoying people associated with it. But even with all the ugliness that can come out of college football – all the undeserved vitriol and hate – it can also be beautiful. It can be a spirited contest of wills. It can be about underdog stories and grit and determination. It can be about overcoming the odds and it can be about bonding with your friends and family around a sport you love.

Here’s hoping that more people can see it that way.

Here’s hoping that we all can.

Here’s hoping that I can talk DMQ off the freaking ledge of blowing up HLS. Cuz if he does, I’ll have to go back to work.

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