The genius of the Reality TV age was program producers realizing PEOPLE LOVE DRAMA. It doesn’t matter what the context is. Hell, just make up the context. Big, sweeping shocking revelations. Schemes, plots, capers. TV viewers consumed it all without question. College football’s no different. Sports fans love the game because it is unscripted drama. Fans love the underdog story, David defeating Goliath, last second kicks, blown opportunities all the same. Consume. React. Analyze. It’s enjoyable and life crippling all at the same time.
Notre Dame offseason has a life of its own. It knows the hunger is out there for the drama. It feeds off of this insatiable appetite for any football related nugget. This offseason’s early programming is entitled “As the Coaching World Turns.” As we sit here on Saturday, Februrary 7, 2015, we are onto Day 7 straight of “news” involving possible changes to the ND coaching staff. What’s the reason for the unrest? Who knows!? I suggest we strap some Go Pros onto these coaches and get an HBO series called “Under the Dome” going. Who’s with me?
The most recent rumor comes from Irish Illustrated. Posted at 9:30 PM on Friday night, Pete Sampson reports that Urban Meyer is targeting ND running backs coach Tony Alford to fill the vacant spot at tOSU. There are no named sources in the article. Presumably the information is coming from someone inside the program, but who really knows?
As HLS author andrewwinn noted last night via Twitter:
Let’s review: At 11:18 a.m., @MattSBN speculated Tony Alford as one of 6 possible candidates at tOSU. http://t.co/3JHVcFFUcc
— Jude (@andrewwinn) February 7, 2015
At 9:45 p.m., @PeteSampson_ has learned Meyer is targeting Alford. Who is his source? Dunno. Pete doesn’t say. http://t.co/LTBW6F66gL — Jude (@andrewwinn) February 7, 2015
And now more from Tim Prister of Irish Illustrated this morning via Twitter:
A name to keep an eye on to replace Tony Alford as #NotreDame RB coach is @autrydenson, who just took job w/ USF.
— Tim Prister (@timprister) February 7, 2015
LET’S GET TO NAMING REPLACEMENTS GUYS!!!! I’m thinking maybe recent ND hire Brady Hok…..oh wait. So you’re saying that coaching rumors sometimes aren’t true? That doesn’t sound right….
UPDATE: 11:15 AM, Saturday February 7, 2015. Just after posting, FootballScoop.com sent the following tweet out suggesting tOSU got their guy:
Urban got his guy…per source, Notre Dame’s Tony Alford plans to join the Ohio State staff http://t.co/sNnVtycOD5
— FootballScoop Staff (@FootballScoop) February 7, 2015
I’m not blaming Irish Illustrated. If they have information, they should run with it. Feed the beast. Just trying to let everyone know what the latest is. Well, like I said, part of the fun is getting to react. So feel free to leave your thoughts below about Coach Alford. I, tangentially shared mine earlier this week while discussing Coach Cooks’ departure. Just be respectful with your comments. A chance to react is good. I’m a known aficionado of hot sports takes, but keep it reasonable.
And while you’re around, HLS’ editor in chief let us know yesterday that today was his birthday AND that he’d be finding out the gender of soon-to-be baby Tex. With that in mind. Feel free to leave your guesses as to the outcome: Boy? Girl? Next great Notre Dame Fullback? OHHHHH………NOTRE DAME’S NEXT RUNNING BACKS COACH!!!
Happy weekend, all.
– Moons
If rumor proves to be true, it will be a Huge loss on the sidelines and on the recruiting trail. I have a ton of respect for T. Alford and his huge recruiting efforts. He had a lot of ‘big gets’ over the past few years. Wish him well in his endeavors. I wouldn’t mind seeing him back on ND’s sidelines as Head Coach in a few years if things change.
Tex totally is having a girl.
Sadly, the rumors are confirmed. Thanks for the comments. Wholeheartedly agree about Coach Alford.