Right now, Notre Dame fans understandably are miffed at how their program’s offensive coordinator search went down.
By refusing to deal with the $2.8 million buyout in Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig’s contract, Notre Dame showed its hand in what it would and wouldn’t do to fill the position vacated by Tommy Rees.
The Irish ended up promoting from within and gave [autotag]Gerad Parker[/autotag] the job. By then, it was too late to change many Irish fans’ belief that the university’s higher-ups are not serious about bringing another national championship to South Bend.
This drama brings to mind a quote allegedly once uttered by Chicago White Sox and Chicago Bulls chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. While appearing on Dan Le Batard’s podcast in 2019, former Miami Marlins president David Samson said the following:
“I was 32 years old, just in baseball for my first of 18 years. He said, ‘You know what, here’s my best advice to you: Finish in second place every single year. Because your fans will say, “Wow, we’ve got a shot, we’re in it.” But there’s always the carrot left. There’s always one more step to take.’ “
Reinsdorf denied ever giving this advice, but if he did, it wouldn’t surprise many Bulls and White Sox fans. Especially in recent years, Reinsdorf has been accused of not being serious about winning and instead being focused on saving money. One column by Chicago sports media personality Laurence Holmes published just this week questions Reinsdorf’s motives.
Recent inaction by both the Bulls and White Sox have disillusioned fans beyond belief. A struggling Bulls team was one of only two not to make a move at the NBA’s trade deadline, opting in favor of the continuity preached by the front office. Also, the Bulls have paid the luxury tax only once in franchise history, and they weren’t going to do it again by addressing glaring roster needs last offseason.
While the Sox did give out the richest contract in franchise history in the offseason (a laughable $75 million for Andrew Benintendi), they failed to address holes in right field and at second base. Their other free-agent signee, starting pitcher Mike Clevinger, is under investigation for domestic violence, and they didn’t sign anyone off the scrap heap as insurance in case Clevinger is suspended.
All ranting about Chicago sports aside, is it possible, dare we say likely, that [autotag]Jack Swarbrick[/autotag] and his bosses at Notre Dame are subscribing to a similar philosophy? Are they content to be just good enough and thus string fans along? When you show you’re not willing to spend the money necessary to get to the next level, it’s hard to change the narrative to anything else. Notre Dame’s reputation is set and not in a good way.
To not lure the best available coaching talent when you easily can will not help Notre Dame’s alleged quest to become a national title contender. Eventually, recruits, coaches and fans will see right through what’s really going on, and they’ll realize they’re better off taking their business elsewhere.
Notre Dame might like to bill itself as a school with a premier football program, but it’s not acting like one right now. The sooner it realizes this, the sooner people will stop using the program as leverage or a stepping stone or to a bigger program with more recent success.
Irish fans don’t want to see that carrot dangled in front of them. They want it fed to them, and they want it to taste good. Is there any chance Notre Dame’s administration will allow that to happen anytime soon? Chances are it will not, just like Reinsdorf will not with the fans of his teams.
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