Rockne's Roundtable

I think it all started with the exodus of Lou. Davie wasn't a bad hire. He knew what he wanted to do. He came out publicly and criticized the admin about the way their coaching staff is forced to recruit versus the rest of the nation. He said at that time he can't compete with the Alabama's / USC's / Ohio States unless the administration made some changes. Who would have though that he was right. One of the few things he was right about during his tenure here. We had some bad years with Davie and then the O'Leary debacle which forced our hands with TY. I didn't think TY was a bad hire at the time but he just didn't seem to have the drive or desire to be one of the best in college football. Charlie came in and created some waves. He got the administration thinking and the tide has started to turn. We immediately had BCS success and we were back on the map. Or so we thought. Things are better now even though the record isn't where we want it. But things seem back on track. CW got the ball rolling and BK seems to have picked up steam. This year could be trying with the schedule but hopefully we can pull off an upset victory or two and hang our hats on a well played season. 2013 will be the benchmark of if we are back or if we are still in search of the next man to lead us to the promise land. Either way the recruiting victories we have had shows the youth still find us relevant and important. This class coupled with last class set our defense up nicely for a few years pending everyone develops as planned. We have some work to do on the o-line but I'm sure that will be the focus point next year. Now I'm ranting. Back to work.

It started in 1994 and I do think the R. Moss deal help it on it's way down hill .But even so, having some down years is gona happen . The fact is we have lost to teams that should not be on the same field as us , and we have lost on a consistant basis . That has to stop . I 'm not sure B K is the coachwe have been waiting for or not . I believe it is all about the coach more than the players . LSU between 1990 and 1999 went 54 and 58 . Alabama between 2000 and2007 went 52 and 46 .I think both those schools had talent during those years .In both cases it took a coach to change it. Nick Saban . It has to happen soon or it is not gone happen with BK . If he's not the one we just keep looking , we never give up becaese of who we are .

Believe it comes down to a handful of events which happened in the mid to late 90's.
Wadsworth hiring as a.d.
Moss scholly revoked (even Powlus would look All American throwing the ball up to Moss)
Lou forced out as coach
ESPN getting contract.

The damage created by Wadsworth, putting us behind in the clear recruiting advantage we held at ND in being able to bring in elite talent, put the program into a downward spiral we are finally just now getting out of. The loss of Moss probably cost us 1-2 wins each season for 3 years. ESPN was the final nail, as they did everything in their power to bring ND down in the public eye, as just another program. The magical aura which was ND football, was slowly removed by ESPN. The public perception is easily swayed by the media, and ND with its NBC contract was the "enemy" in ESPN's quest to reshape college football. Most press or coverage given to ND by ESPN was negative. This effect on the program cannot be understated. Combined with the aformentioned points, ND recruiting suffered, losses increased and the downward spiral went out of control. But...fear not, we are on the way back. Networks are slowly realizing that cfb is a better place with ND in the picture. Our a.d. realizes ND football IS important and working with Kelly. Realistically, we probably will lose 3 games this year, barring a stumble to BYU or the like, but watch out in 2013 and beyond. This will be a BCS team again...sooner, rather than later. And who knows? With a break or two, maybe even this year!

^^ Nice first post! Welcome!