Since leaving Notre Dame in July of 2023, I've been working with the Pulte Family Charitable Foundation on the building of a "forever home" for young adults with an intellectual and developmental disability (I/DD) in Palm Beach County, FL. For the first time ever -- adults with an I/DD are living longer than their parents.
Who is going to take care of them when Mom and Dad no longer can? This is a huge looming issue in our country...
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Here's a few Moms talking about the issues faced when a son or daughter is diagnosed with an I/DD:
One of the most talented (hyped) rosters in all of women's college basketball -- flew home to South Bend last night, not living up to the potential of what should have been.
I could go on and on as to why I think we are where we are with this program -- but I'll leave it with these three thoughts:
Player development is suspect -- who has improved since their arrival?
Our head coach is all ME and MY -- not WE and OUR -- could learn from Marcus Freeman on how leaders communicate.
We have only signed TWO RECRUITS the past two recruiting cycles -- in a program that has a very short bench and injury prone -- why?
Here's who is expected to return next season:
Hannah Hidalgo -- All-American, can she make those around her better?
Cassandra Prosper -- has not lived up to the recruiting hype yet -- missed most of last season with an injury
KK Bransford -- sat out this season (lingering leg injury)
Leah Macy -- only incoming HS recruit -- rumored ACL (knee) injury, happened in January, will she even be available for 2025-26 season?
I guess the decision has been made to major in the TRANSFER PORTAL and minor in HIGH SCHOOL recruiting -- as our roster management strategy. Never thought we'd see this at the University of Notre Dame.
UPDATE:
Olivia Miles has chosen to enter the Transfer Portal over returning to
Notre Dame or entering the WNBA Draft. Joining her in the Transfer Portal is Emma Risch -- a sophomore who has had injury issues since her arrival in South Bend. Kate Koval, last year's top recruit (and only) -- game seemed to regress over the season. And now, Kylee Watson has entered the Transfer Portal...
Notre Dame can't even play five-on-five basketball -- until June at the earliest.
Here's the "Gold-Lining" to this cloud -- I want to believe Niele will do the following:
Find a roster out of the Transfer Portal that will get us competitive next season
Look at her staff and make some needed changes to improve all aspects of the operation
Player development
Recruiting
Game management
Strength training
Etc
Recruit, recruit, recruit -- the top high school talent in the country -- it is necessary
They have a University second to none
They have a fan base second to none
And, they have a practice facility second to none
And, work on how to communicate like a leader of a championship program. It's not ME and MY -- it's WE and OUR. It has to be about "all" (the team) and should never be about you.
Notre Dame has won four of the last five National Championships in Fencing! And, it's the 36th NCAA National Championship (team) in Notre Dame's history. Congrats!