Sporting News Ranks All 124 FBS Coaches

The Sporting News ranked every single head coach from #1 to #124 in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.  Notre Dame football fans will be interested in seeing where the following coaches are ranked -- unfortunately, one of these former Irish coaches is ranked dead last...

• Brian Kelly
• Charlie Weis
• Bob Davie
• Charley Molnar

LINK:  RANKINGS OF THE FOOTBALL COACHES

Are You Notre Dame Material? Take a Look!

The good folks at the Notre Dame Alumni Association just published this story about the incoming freshman class -- the CLASS of 2016.  If you've got a son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, niece, nephew or friend -- who's interested in attending the University of Notre Dame -- you should share this link:

LINK:  DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES!

The Top "FREAK" Athletes in College Football

CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman put together his FREAK LIST of the TOP TEN ATHLETES in College Football.  A Notre Dame student-athlete is on the honorable mention list.  Any guesses?

LINK:  TOP TEN FREAK ATHLETES IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Jimmy Clausen in the Middle of "Hair-Gate"

Over the past 24 hours -- former Notre Dame QB Jimmy Clausen has been complaining on TWITTER about a "haircut" he had at SUPERCUTS...

Well, the "tweets" have caught the attention of the national media and competing barber shops in the Charlotte area.  Thought you'd get a kick out of this.

LINK:  BAD HAIR DAY FOR CLAUSEN

Big East Track & Field Championships Video

The Fighting Irish of Notre Dame put on quite a show this past weekend in Tampa, FL at the Big East Track & Field Championship.  The Men placed first and the Women finished second -- CONGRATULATIONS!

Here's a link to UND.COM's coverage of the meet:

LINK:  BIG EAST CHAMPS!

Ever Walk Into a Room and Forget Why?

Well, Notre Dame psychology professor Gabriel Radvansky has researched why this happens...

This story has gotten plenty of play over the past six months or so -- unfortunately, "I forgot" to bring it to the attention of the readers of the ND GO IRISH BLOG.  Here you go:

LINK:  WHY YOU FORGET!

Coach Brian Kelly Ranked Among the Best!

Athlon Sports just came out with their ranking of the top-25 head football coaches in college football.  I won't spoil it where Notre Dame's Brian Kelly is ranked -- click on the link below:

LINK:  COACH KELLY -- ONE OF THE BEST!

Another AD Named White from Notre Dame

Danny White a 2002 graduate of the University of Notre Dame and former IRISH student-athlete was named the Athletic Director today at the University at Buffalo.  White, leaves Ole Miss where he was their Chief Fundraiser. 

Danny's Dad -- Kevin White, was Director of Athletics at the University of Notre Dame before moving on to lead the athletic department at Duke University.

Here's a link to the media coverage:

LINK:  WGRZ TV BUFFALO

LINK:  CLARION LEDGER

"The Most Improved Pitcher in Baseball..."

This is the label being placed on one Jeff Samardzija -- the former Notre Dame football All-American -- who's now on a roll as a starter with the Chicago Cubs. 

In his last 23 innings Jeff has an ERA of 0.84 with 23 strikeouts and only 6 walks.  He's now 4 - 1 on the season!

WAY TO GO SHARK!

LINK:  CHICAGO SUN TIMES STORY

LINK:  CHICAGO NOW STORY

Harrison & RJ's First Day in the NFL!

Former Notre Dame teammates Harrison Smith and RJ Blanton have begun their NFL journeys with the Minnesota Vikings -- or as Harrison put it "NOTRE DAME NORTH."  Found this video and story about these Irish stars -- ENJOY!

LINK:  VIDEO -- HARRISON'S FIRST DAY

LINK:  MINNESOTA VIKINGS BLOG

Notre Dame's Football Shoes for Ireland Game

Looks like the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame will be wearing the colors of IRELAND on their feet for their September 1, 2012 game in Dublin against Navy.  What do you think?

Makes you wonder what's in store for Notre Dame's game jersey and helmet for this game...

Notre Dame Lacrosse a #4 NCAA Seed!

The 2012 NCAA Men's Lacrosse National Championship tournament field was announced this evening and the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame were given a #4 seed earning a match-up with Yale next Saturday @ 5:15 PM ET -- here at Arlotta Stadium. 

Here's a link to the ESPN story and list of the sixteen schools that received the invitation!

LINK:  NOTRE DAME A #4 SEED

A Good-Bye Note From Aaron Lynch's Mom

Thought Notre Dame fans should see this post made by Alice Lynch today -- the mother of Aaron Lynch, the former Irish student-athlete who will be transferring to the University of South Florida.  Here's what she had to say:

This time tomorrow I will be picking up Aaron from Notre Dame and yes it's going to be definitely hard for me. Me and my family have met so many wonderful people and have had so many great times. I will cherish the memories for sure. The Notre Dame family will always be apart of us. Thank you to all the Coaches, players and fans for all the love that you guys have shown my son and family. You guys will forever be in my heart. Even though I won't be there in the stands cheering you guys on, I will always be cheering for you guys from a distance. I am so proud of all of you and Momma Lynch will miss you all. Stay focused in school and kick some *** on that football field. Go Irish!!!!! —

Kelly Needs to get a Gold Helmet on Giesting!

Notre Dame freshman track standout -- Chris Giesting (Batesville, IN) won the 200 Meters (21.15) and 400 Meters (46.03) today at the Big East Track & Field Championship -- earning "MOST OUTSTANDING PERFORMER" honors.  Giesting's coming off of a National Championship in a relay at the 2012 NCAA Indoor Men's Track & Field Championships -- not a bad start to a college career!

Notre Dame football player Josh Atkinson, took fifth in the 200 Meters with a time of 21.52

I looked up Giesting's bio on the Notre Dame Athletics site and noted he did not play football in high school -- but, he was a decent point guard in basketball -- so he must have some hands!

Maybe Coach Kelly can get him to walk on to the Irish football team!

LINK:  BIG EAST TRACK & FIELD RESULTS

Josh Atkinson Runs a 10.388 100 Meters!

And, they say Notre Dame doesn't have any speed...

In the last 24 hours -- two Notre Dame football players who share the same birthday and last name -- ran a 10.36 and a 10.388 in the 100 Meters at the Big East Track & Field Championships.  That is fast!

Just a couple of minutes ago, Josh Atkinson ran a 10.388 in the 100 Meter Finals to place 4th at the Big East Championships.  Twin brother George, who ran a 10.36 on Saturday -- had a lousy start and finished in 5th place with a time of 10.46 -- see final times below.

HAS THERE EVER BEEN A FASTER SET OF TWINS IN AMERICAN TRACK HISTORY?

The Irish Men's & Women's Track & Field teams were both in first place -- after the 100 Meters.

GO IRISH!

LINK:  LIVE WEBCAST OF CHAMPIONSHIPS

LINK:  RESULTS -- 100 METER MEN'S FINAL

Life After Football -- Duerson's Brain Injuries

Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy released information this week on their findings of their study of Dave Duerson's brain.  IRISH fans will remember the former Notre Dame All-American took his own life a year ago February -- leaving behind a note requesting his brain be sent to the NFL Brain Bank.

Here's a link to the press conference -- along to a link to a recent interview former Duerson teammate Jim McMahon gave to ESPN concerning the troubles he's having...

LINK:  DAVE DUERSON'S BRAIN INJURIES

LINK:  JIM MCMAHON -- ESPN INTERVIEW

Best Looking Uniform in College Baseball!

The Notre Dame pinstripe baseball uniform is a classic.

Here's a photo of former Notre Dame football All-American Golden Tate in the pinstripes and "GOLD HELMET."  

I believe the gold helmet is not in use this season -- we need to bring it back!

George Atkinson III Runs 10.36 100 Meters!

The 2012 Big East Outdoor Track & Field Championships are this weekend in Tampa, FL -- and the Atkinson twins are doing just fine! 

Notre Dame freshman football star George Atkinson III ran his fastest 100 Meters of the season in yesterday's Semi-Finals going 10.36.  George's time is the 2nd fastest going into this afternoon's finals. 

Twin brother Josh ran a 10.50 which is the 7th fastest -- also qualifying him for today's championship heat.  Josh also qualified for today's 200 Meter Final with a 21.20 -- which is seventh fastest and just behind Irish teammate Patrick Feeney who went 21.19.

Here's a link to the LIVE RESULTS feed from the Championship -- along with a LIVE BROADCAST feed from Sunday's finals -- here's the schedule:

• 100 Meter Finals:  12:30 PM ET
• 200 Meter Finals:  1:15 PM ET

LINK:  LIVE BROADCAST -- WATCH THE RACES LIVE

LINK:  LIVE RESULTS FROM BIG EAST TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Notre Dame Alum & "Remember The Titans"

Virginia's Governor, Bob McDonnell (Notre Dame Class of 1976) -- was in the news this week with talk that he might be the VP pick for Mitt Romney in his run for the Presidency.  While that alone is a story worthy of the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- what caught my attention about Governor McDonnell was this little ditty:

McDonnell, a Catholic, played football in high school and even boasts of scoring his school's lone touchdown against the legendary 1971 T.C. Williams Titans featured in the film "Remember the Titans."

Here's the story:

LINK:  McDONNELL A VP CANDIDATE

Domer Makes Starting Debut for Yankees!

Former Notre Dame pitcher, David Phelps '08, made his major league "starting" debut last night for the New York Yankees in a game against the Kansas City Royals.  Phelps, who grew up nearby in the St. Louis, MO suburbs -- pitched four innings giving up 2 runs on six hits -- while striking out five.

His start was overshadowed by the news that Mariano Rivera -- probably the greatest relief pitcher of all time -- tore an ACL while jogging in the outfield before the game's start.  This might be a career ending injury -- see below.  Sad.

LINK:  PHELPS DEBUT

LINK:  BOX SCORE

LINK:  PHELPS THRILLED TO BE MAKING FIRST START

LINK:  LATEST ON RIVERA INJURY