It can’t be the easiest thing for Marcus Freeman transitioning to his role of head football coach at Notre Dame after being on the campus for just over a year and never having head coaching experience before. He does however have a lot of resources at his side and because of some unique circumstances this spring, that means a weekly meeting with a Notre Dame legend and Pro Football Hall of Famer.
Jerome Bettis is on campus this semester finishing the necessary credit hours to graduate from the university. Freeman, who already had Bettis speak to the team last month, has been meeting with “The Bus” weekly to go over a variety of different things both past and present.
“More than anything, it’s to benefit me. Since he’s gotten to campus, we meet once a week to talk. It could be a 20-30 minute chat or a 2-hour chat. I run things by him in terms of former players, I run things by him regarding helping our current players. He has this credibility because of who he is and so the ability to have that guy talk to your team and not telling him what to say, but he said the same things that you’re preaching as a head coach. The players have upheld standards. The players held each other accountable because the players want each teammate to be the best and he emphasized team. This is a team and my job is to make you better. When you hear him say those things, it’s just affirmation that we’re saying the right things. He’s been great. Everybody knows who he is in terms of recruits, in terms of obviously players, current players, former players, so he’s been awesome for us.” – Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame has as rich of football tradition as any team in all of college football, even Alabama. Instead of just selling Knute Rockne and Frank Leahy’s accomplishments generations ago, it’s nice to see superstars I actually remember watching in blue and gold having their thoughts valued.
It isn’t something that I think ultimately puts Notre Dame over the top but it’s a card that few other programs nationally can play like Freeman and the Irish can, so why not play it?
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