Recruiting Rankings -- ND Lookin' Good!

Just took a "lap" around a number of the services that rank the incoming recruiting classes for college football.  As things stand today -- a couple of weeks before National Signing Day (February 2nd) -- the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame appear to be looking at a TOP TEN Recruiting Class!  Here's the latest rankings:



LINK:  ESPN -- RECRUITING RANKINGS 

LINK:  RIVALS -- RECRUITING RANKINGS

LINK:  SCOUT -- RECRUITING RANKINGS

LINK:  MAX PREPS -- RECRUITING RANKINGS 

PHOTO OF THE DAY: Father Ted and MLK Jr.

On this day that celebrates the life and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. -- I thought it would be appropriate to display this photo of the University of Notre Dame's Rev. Theodore Hesburgh "Father Ted" standing arm-in-arm with Martin Luther King, Jr. at a rally celebrating the passing of the 1964 Civil Rights Act at Chicago's Soldier Field.  The significance of this photo is this -- Chicago’s Cardinal John Cody refused to appear at the event (as did the city’s other prominent Catholic leader, Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley) so Hesburgh drove up from Notre Dame to provide a national Catholic presence.

A Giant Snowman @ Notre Dame

WNDU-TV ran this story yesterday -- of a giant snow man that was constructed on the Notre Dame campus by students returning for the "Spring" Semester.  You'll recall -- the campus was hit with a major snow event last week, with upwards of three feet of snow falling in a 36 hour period.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  GIANT SNOW MAN @ NOTRE DAME

High School "All-Star" Games -- Big Surprises!

Brian Kelly and staff will be pleased to see "three" of their verbal commitments named among the "Top Ten Surprises" at the recent high school All-Star football games played across the country -- by the "recruiting experts" at Rivals.com.  I won't spoil the story -- but, the #1 surprise in the country is a ND commit!  Here's the link:


LINK:  TOP TEN SURPRISES @ HIGH SCHOOL ALL-STAR GAMES

Video of "GO IRISH" chant in Ethiopia!

Notre Dame alum, Matt Desmond is involved in Run Across Ethiopia -- a group that is running the equivalent of a marathon -- EVERY SINGLE DAY -- for ten straight days in Ethiopia, to raise money to build three schools in this African country.  They began the run last Sunday -- and as you'll see in the links below -- Matt is thinking about Notre Dame along the way.  In the first video, you'll find Matt teaching a number of Ethiopian children how to yell "GO IRISH" and "Michael Floyd."  In the second video, Matt teaches them how to yell "Ishaq Negus" -- the first and middle name of the high school All-American, Ishaq Williams -- who committed to Brian Kelly this week.  Only at Notre Dame!

LINK:  ETHIOPIAN CHILDREN YELLING "GO IRISH!" 

LINK:  ETHIOPIAN CHILDREN YELLING "ISHAQ NEGUS" 

LINK:  FACEBOOK -- RUN ACROSS ETHIOPIA 

LINK:  BLOG: RUN ACROSS ETHIOPIA

All the Notre Dame Men @ Florida

If you've been paying any attention at all to the Florida Gators football program the past five years under Urban Meyer -- and now a month into the Will Muschamp era -- you will have found one common trait amongst each of their coaching staffs:  a relationship to the University of Notre Dame.

FACT:  Each of the last six (including current) Florida Gator football coaching staffs have spent more years; attending, coaching or playing football at Notre Dame -- than Brian Kelly's current staff.

Think about that...

Meyer, a former Notre Dame assistant coach under Lou Holtz -- hired a number of coaches who had ties to the University of Notre Dame football program during his five years at Florida:

• Steve Addazzio -- Offensive Coordinator, was on Bob Davie's staff at Notre Dame
• Greg Mattison -- Co-Defensive Coordinator, was on Davie's and Willingham's staff at Notre Dame
• Charlie Strong -- Defensive Coordinator, was on Lou Holtz and Bob Davie's staff at Notre Dame
• Chuck Heater -- Co-Defensive Coordinator, was on Lou Holtz's staff at Notre Dame
• Anthony Weaver -- Grad Assistant, former Notre Dame starting defensive end

Will Muschamp, who was named as Meyer's replacement this past month -- has already followed suit -- hiring two Notre Dame grads to his staff:

• Charlie Weis '78 -- Offensive Coordinator -- ND alum and former Head Coach of the Irish
• Bryant Young '94 -- Defensive Line Coach -- ND alum, former Irish All-American and Grad Assistant on Charlie Weis' staff at Notre Dame

Don't they say; "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Irish Women's Hoops -- Smash Pitt Panthers!

Muffet's 12th ranked Fighting Irish traveled to Pittsburgh last night to take on the 9-7 Pitt Panthers -- and it looked like they had a "little fun" in the process, leading 50-19 at halftime!  Notre Dame went on to beat Pitt 82-50 -- taking their record to 15-4 for the season and 4-1 in the Big East.   Surprisingly, Notre Dame had lost its last two games against Pitt. Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  SBT:  IRISH ROUT PITT

Aaron Lynch Commits to Notre Dame!

One of the top defensive ends in the country -- Aaron Lynch (Cape Coral, FL) gave his verbal commitment to Notre Dame this morning!  Lynch, who put on a show this past Saturday rushing the QB at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl -- will "enroll early" at ND -- meaning he'll begin classes this next Tuesday.  Lynch, is the second All-American to commit to Notre Dame in as many days -- joining U.S. Army All-American teammate Ishaq Williams who committed yesterday.  Those who follow recruiting know that Lynch had committed to Notre Dame back in July -- only to "de-commit" in November to commit to Florida State.  Aaron had a change of heart during his week of practice leading up to the U.S. Army All-American game -- and Irish fans are glad he did!  A HUGE two days for the Notre Dame football program.  See a link below to a highlight video of Aaron's senior season and a link to the South Bend Tribune story.  Welcome "back" home Aaron!

LINK:  AARON LYNCH -- HIGHLIGHT VIDEO 

LINK:  SBT:  LYNCH COMMITS AGAIN TO IRISH!

ND's Randy Waldrum Named Coach of the Year!

University of Notre Dame's women's soccer coach -- Randy Waldrum, was named last night as the NSCAA/Mondo National Coach of the Year!  It's the third year in a row that Randy has received a national coaching honor.  In 2008, he was named the FieldTurf Division I National Coach of the Year -- and, in 2009, he was selected as the Soccer America Division I National Coach of the Year.  Coach Waldrum led the Fighting Irish this season to their second National Championship in his twelve year career at Notre Dame.  Randy's overall record at Notre Dame is 253-36-11 -- a .862 winning percentage!  Here's a link to the UND.COM story.  Congratulations Coach Waldrum!!!

LINK:  UND.COM -- NATIONAL COACH OF THE YEAR!

Notre Dame Scientist's Discovery!

Notre Dame scientist and Bayer Professor of Engineering -- Hsueh-Chia “Chia” Chang is developing a portable device that can rapidly pinpoint pathogens, toxins and other harmful substances in fluids, ranging from blood and saliva, to water from lakes and streams.  This device has the real potential to supplant certain conventional technologies in the areas of homeland security, environmental safety and medical diagnostics.  Chia is teaming up with F3 -- a company that has leased laboratory space at Notre Dame's Innovation Park -- to take this product to market.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story about this exciting development:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME SCIENTIST'S DISCOVERY!

Three Irish Commits Named to TEAM USA!

Three high school football All-Americans -- who've given their "verbal" commitment to Brian Kelly and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame have been selected to play in the Team USA vs. The World football game on February 2nd in Austin, TX.  George Atkinson (WR - California), Matt Hegarty (OL - New Mexico) and Stephon Tuitt (DE - Georgia) will be wearing the 'red-white and blue."  Here's a link to Team USA's roster:

LINK:  THREE ND RECRUITS -- ON TEAM USA ROSTER

Ishaq Williams Selects Notre Dame!

U.S. Army All-American -- Ishaq (E-Shock) Williams from Brooklyn, NY -- surprised many with his commitment this morning to the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame.  Williams had scheduled an "official visit" to Penn State University today -- but an "early morning" visit (4:30 AM) to the William's home from Notre Dame's Defensive Coordiator, Bob Diaco -- triggered a quick change in plans!  Ishaq, a 6'-6" 230 lb. OLB will enroll early -- meaning he'll be in class this next Tuesday at Notre Dame and will participate in Spring Practice with the Irish.  This is a major "recruiting win" for Notre Dame!  Here's a link to a New York Post story on Ishaq's commitment -- YOU'LL LOVE THIS STORY! -- and a link to highlight video from his junior season in high school.

LINK:  NEW YORK POST STORY

LINK:  ISHAQ WILLIAMS -- HIGHLIGHT VIDEO

Ten Best College Football Coaches -- All Time

A blog called "Best Universities Online" posted their list of the ten greatest college football coaches of all time.  Now, having looked at the list -- I'm betting the author of the list hails from "south of the Mason-Dixon line."  Two former Notre Dame coaching greats made the top ten -- you'll have to click here to find who?:

LINK:  TOP TEN COLLEGE FOOTBALL COACHES OF ALL TIME

Three Domers Drafted Today -- MLS Draft!

Three members of the Notre Dame men's soccer team were drafted today in the Major League Soccer SuperDraft; Jeff Brovsky (Lakewood, CO), Bilal Duckett (Peachtree City, GA) and Steven Perry (Edmund, OK).  Brovsky and Duckett were selected by the Vancouver Whitecaps and Perry was taken by the New England Revolution.  Congratulations!  Here's a link to the MLS' website and a link to the UND.COM story:

LINK:  MLS SUPERDRAFT WEBSITE 

LINK:  UND.COM -- THREE IRISH TAKEN IN MLS DRAFT!

Coach Kelly Getting Some Props!

A website called Business Insider -- published a story today about an area they believe Notre Dame head football coach "excels" at.  I'll "tease" you with that -- and direct you to the story linked below.  Special thanks to ND GO IRISH BLOG regular; Dr. Jim Clancy for tracking down this story:


LINK:  BUSINESS INSIDER:  BRIAN KELLY EXCELS

Odds to Win 2012 BCS National Championship

Well, the gang in "Vegas" wasted no time in publishing their betting odds as to who will win the 2011-2012 BCS National Championship -- and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame are at 30 to 1.  Here's a list of some of the school's on Notre Dame's schedule next year -- and their odds of winning the BCS National Championship -- along with a link below to odds on a number of the BCS teams.  Oklahoma is the early favorite at 7 to 2.

• South Florida:  100 to 1
• Boston College: 150 to 1
• Michigan:  75 to 1
• Michigan State:  40 to 1
• Pittsburgh:  100 to 1
• Stanford:  25 to 1

LINK:  ODDS TO WIN 2011-2012 BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

America's Top Recruit -- Commits to Irish!

This young man's name is no stranger to Notre Dame fans - he's Michael Floyd.  Today, the Irish wide receiver announced that he would be RETURNING to Notre Dame for his senior season!!!  Floyd, already the career TD reception leader in ND history -- made the decision to bypass the NFL to stay in school.  Isn't this GREAT NEWS!  Here's a link to statements made today by Coach Kelly and Michael Floyd about his decision to return to the Irish football team - and two additional ESPN stories about Floyd choosing ND over the NFL -- along with a video tribute to Michael, showing every TD catch in his career:

LINK:  KELLY AND FLOYD -- STATEMENTS

LINK:  ESPN STORY ON FLOYD STAYING AT NOTRE DAME

LINK:  COLLEGE FOOTBALL NATION BLOG -- STORY ON FLOYD

LINK:  VIDEO TRIBUTE TO MICHAEL FLOYD

First Football Polls for 2011 -- Irish Ranked!

Well, it didn't take long for a number of the "experts" to start making their predictions for the pre-season Top-Twenty college football teams -- and the IRISH are getting some respect!  Here are links to the first polls out for 2011:




LINK:  CHICAGO TRIBUNE POLL

LINK:  NATIONALCHAMPS.NET POLL

LINK:  BLEACHER REPORT POLL

LINK:  ORLANDO SENTINEL POLL 

LINK:  SB NATION POLL

Notre Dame Finishes 19th in Sagarin Rankings!

USA Today just released Jeff Sagarin's (photo) last ranking of the 2010 college football season and our Fighting Irish finished 19th!  Here's a link to his computer ranking system for college football -- don't ask me how to explain what he does -- and a link to story that USA Today ran about this guy named "Sagarin."

LINK:  SAGARIN'S FINAL RANKINGS 

LINK:  WHO IS THIS GUY NAMED SAGARIN?

Texas Following Notre Dame's Lead...

A story broke yesterday that the University of Texas was close to finalizing a deal with ESPN to create their own TV network.  What's surprising to me is that's it's taken 20 years for another school to follow Notre Dame's lead.  The Irish have had their own "TV Network" since 1991.  Just think about that...  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  TEXAS AND ESPN IN NEGOTIATIONS