Rockne's Roundtable

Lou, very nice piece. However, given Mrs. Lynch's involvement every step of the way, might this not be more of an "arranged" marriage than shotgun?

As for drawing any implications about this relative to Notre Dame's ability to attract and maintain certain kinds of athletes, this is a pretty small sample (one) from which to draw conclusions. Tee's situation had different circumstances. The situation with verbals changing their minds happens everywhere, including those who choose to switch to ND.

Aaron Lynch is a beast, and his talent will be missed to be sure, I'm not going to downplay the loss, it is huge.

While I have 0 inside information, I can't help but think, Aaron was somewhat of a cancer to the team, his attitude was always in question, he never seemed signed up for the big picture.

I believe it may useful to the rest of the squad to know that regardless of talent, the coaching staff will hold you accountable.

Lou,

While I can't quarrel with anything you said, I do think it fair to ask who's perception we are talking about. Undoubtedly, the media, including ESPN, CNN, USA Today, CBS, NBC, ABC, SN, etc. will say, almost categorically, that Lynch's decision reflects another footnote to ND's past glory. Dennis Dodd, Matt Hayes, Brian Hamilton will have a field day.

And, yes, our own board members may question whether ND ever will win a national championship (under any coach) and do more than, as you say, be more than a solid team with a ceiling of 10-2 or so.

However, in my view, I think the perception of two groups far outweighs any media or pundit perception: namely, the members of the current football team who overwhelmingly seem to want to be at ND and excel at ND and secondly, recruits, even recruits from the South. And, it appears that recruits seem still to be excited about ND and many still want to come here.

I agree 100% with you that it has always been and it will always be a struggle to recruit and keep elite prospects to ND on the defensive side of the ball, especially defensive linemen. But, I believe BK is committed to keep trying, and trying, and trying. We need these kinds of players and Aaron's decision doesn't mean that we have to give up trying to get them.

So, as long as the team, the coaches and recruits continue to believe that ND can be elite again, I agree we can weather the storm.

Good read.