Chuck Martin

Credit: AP Photo

Why You Should Be Thrilled About Bob Diaco to UCONN

December 12, 2013 by Ryan Ritter

No, that title isn't click-bait. Notre Dame football fans should all be genuinely excited that yet another coach has been plucked from the ranks of Brian Kelly's staff. First, it was Chuck Martin to the "Cradle of Coaches" at Miami University and now, Bob Diaco is off to take the reigns of UCONN, securing a 5 year, $1.5 million/year contract according to Bruce Feldman of CBS Sports. UPDATE: Diaco's final contract is now a confirmed 5-year, $8 million contract. Diaco's contact also includes ...

Yep, this pretty much sums it up. (Screen capture from @SuperManTDJesus)

Snap Judgment: Pitt

November 10, 2013 by Ryan Ritter

So where do we even start with Notre Dame's debacle in Pittsburgh last night? Perhaps we could start with Tommy Rees. Tommy, quite frankly, had one of his worse games in his career at ND. He may have had 300+ yards through the air, but he did so with a sub-50% completion rate and 2 INTs which may have been two of the worst balls that I've ever seen him throw. One of these came in the endzone and when Notre Dame was on Pitt's 2 yard line no less. Or perhaps we could point to T.J. Jones' ...

Packaging Rhythm Throws with Base Run Plays

October 14, 2013 by Blog Davie

After rushing for nearly 190 yards per game in 2012, Notre Dame is averaging a meager 137 yards per game this season. While there are a number of reasons why the run game has struggled (graduation of key personnel, playing from behind, etc.), it is clear that the Irish miss Everett Golson's mobility. Defenses are attacking the line of scrimmage with little fear that Tommy Rees will make them pay for over-pursuing the Irish running backs. Although Rees will never be a running threat, Brian Kelly ...

Irish Blogger Gathering: Spring Fling with NDNation

April 24, 2013 by Ryan Ritter

Yes, you read the title correctly: The Subway Domer has pulled a recruiting coup for the IBG and NDNation has joined the fold. For the post Blue/Gold Game edition, we got the first crack at asking questions of Mike Coffey, aka El Kabong, of NDNation. He, in turn, has asked his questions three of Kieth Arnold of Inside the Irish who will eventually have Subway's answers up. And you can find my answers over at The Subway Domer this week. Eventually, we will have the Strong and True blog back in ...

Irish Blogger Gathering: In a Happy Place

September 6, 2012 by Ryan Ritter

This time last year, the members of the IBG were beside themselves, trying desperately to find silver lining against the disaster that was the turnover-laden USF game. This year, the IBG marches into week 2 with a 40-point victory and loads of confidence heading into Purdue. We are definitely in our happy place. This week, HLS teams up with Keith Arnold of Inside the Irish for IBG duties. His answers to my questions are below and you can check out my responses to his trio of questions over at ...

12 & 13 – The ND Power Running Game

September 4, 2012 by Ryan Ritter

One of the most striking things of note during the ND/Navy game this past Saturday was just how much we ran the ball. Notre Dame ended the contest with 46 runs and 23 passes -- that's right, the rushes doubled the passes. More striking though was the fashion in which we ran the football as we saw a mix of personnel packages unlike anything we've ever seen in the Kelly era. ...