[Austroturf]

Who?

Better an unknown than a name brand like Meyer or a rising star like the Cincy coach.

I wonder what USB fans think of the hire.

This demonstrates how little you know about the inner workings of ND football. Not that you should know, but the fan base is ECSTATIC about making Freeman the HC. It's kind of analogous to when Harbaugh left. Stanford fans were really happy David Shaw was elevated to HC from being a coordinator on the staff.

Like Shaw, Freeman oversaw an impressive unit and does well on camera.  Freeman, perhaps unlike Shaw, is also known as a fantastic recruiter, though I think in Shaw's case that box was checked by the "who better than a guy who played at Stanford" to sell it. So a lot of similarities between Freeman and Shaw. Plus, they are both Black men if that is materially relevant.

First, not all Stanford fans were pleased Shaw was named successor to Harbaugh.  In fact, I'd venture 50/50 split.

There is one GINORMOUS distinction between Freeman and Shaw (as Sea Hang on TOS noted):  the former is a hot commodity (in addition to being an excellent recruiter), the latter was the furthest thing from it when Harbaugh left.  Word is that Kelly tried to get both Freeman and Rees to join him in Baton Rouge.  Harbaugh did not invite Shaw to the 'Niners.  In fact, there is a real question as to where Shaw would have gone had he not secured the Stanford gig.  Freeman, otoh, is smoking hot and has developed an enthusiastic and avid following amongst the players.  I don't recall that being the case for Shaw back then - though I do recall Baldwin being an advocate for him.

The word on the street back in the wake of the 2010 season, when Harbaugh bolted for the 'Niners, was that Shaw's selection had a lot to do with continuity: the 2010 team, at 11-1 in the regular season, had been one Oregon loss away from the BCS championship game; and continuing Harbaugh's legacy, at least for the immediate future, was seen as top priority.  The general consensus was that Shaw would ensure that continuity; and with Luck coming back for an additional season, 2011 might be Stanford's magic year if all the stars (including the coach) were to align. Well, they almost did; but another loss to Oregon, this time at home, meant we would not be contending for a national championship.  Instead, Bama got to exact revenge for their 6-9 regular season OT loss to LSU and shut out the Bayou Bengals in the BCS championship game 21-0.

[Austroturf]

Who?

Better an unknown than a name brand like Meyer or a rising star like the Cincy coach.

I wonder what USB fans think of the hire.

This demonstrates how little you know about the inner workings of ND football. Not that you should know, but the fan base is ECSTATIC about making Freeman the HC. It's kind of analogous to when Harbaugh left. Stanford fans were really happy David Shaw was elevated to HC from being a coordinator on the staff.

Like Shaw, Freeman oversaw an impressive unit and does well on camera.  Freeman, perhaps unlike Shaw, is also known as a fantastic recruiter, though I think in Shaw's case that box was checked by the "who better than a guy who played at Stanford" to sell it. So a lot of similarities between Freeman and Shaw. Plus, they are both Black men if that is materially relevant.

First, not all Stanford fans were pleased Shaw was named successor to Harbaugh.  In fact, I'd venture 50/50 split.

There is one GINORMOUS distinction between Freeman and Shaw (as Sea Hang on TOS noted):  the former is a hot commodity (in addition to being an excellent recruiter), the latter was the furthest thing from it when Harbaugh left.  Word is that Kelly tried to get both Freeman and Rees to join him in Baton Rouge.  Harbaugh did not invite Shaw to the 'Niners.  In fact, there is a real question as to where Shaw would have gone had he not secured the Stanford gig.  Freeman, otoh, is smoking hot and has developed an enthusiastic and avid following amongst the players.  I don't recall that being the case for Shaw back then - though I do recall Baldwin being an advocate for him.

The word on the street back in the wake of the 2010 season, when Harbaugh bolted for the 'Niners, was that Shaw's selection had a lot to do with continuity: the 2010 team, at 11-1 in the regular season, had been one Oregon loss away from the BCS championship game; and continuing Harbaugh's legacy, at least for the immediate future, was seen as top priority.  The general consensus was that Shaw would ensure that continuity; and with Luck coming back for an additional season, 2011 might be Stanford's magic year if all the stars (including the coach) were to align. Well, they almost did; but another loss to Oregon, this time at home, meant we would not be contending for a national championship.  Instead, Bama got to exact revenge for their 6-9 regular season OT loss to LSU and shut out the Bayou Bengals in the BCS championship game 21-0.