Problem for ND is the recruits have no solid memory of the glory years under Lou Holz. To them, ND’s been a lifetime of mediocrity under Bob Davies, Tyron Willingham and Charlie Weiss. Why should the next guy be any different?
The types of player Holz was able to bring in during the first part of his tenure at ND would not even be considered for admission due to the tightened academic requirements. Except for the name and history, which is huge, ND is more analgous with the likes of Stanford or Northwestern than Ohio State, USC or Florida.
The problem with Notre Dame recruits isn't with the recruits, but the standards that ND holds them to. Unlike Ohio State and USC, and every team in the SEC, Notre Dame won't allow reprobates and illiterates into the school. It makes the recruiting of the nation's best skill players problematic, to say the least.
Dungy would draw top players the first year. Parents will want what he has to offer for the character of their kids.
The problem is Lou got 5 exemptions per year from the the University’s academic standards which are much higher than the NCAA’s.
No one since has been able to get them. Which is why Urban Meyer is in Florida.
Yup it has gone from THE football school down to “Northern Inidiana Catholic University”
Any real student of the game knows of Notre Dames history.
Were I a great q.b. prospect the chance to go there and lead like some of the greats have would be an alure.
But the ability to go to Florida, U.S.C. or maybe Miami would be hare to turn down.
Those sunny beaches and those bikini’s
ND will be back. USC went through a similar period under Larry Smith, John Robinson (2) and Paul Hackett...then came Pete Carroll, and the rest is history.