Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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8 JUNE/JULY 2021 BLUE & GOLD ILLUSTRATED UNDER THE DOME No, The Challenges Are Too Great By Todd D. Burlage In each of the last three seasons when Clark Lea served as Irish defensive coordinator (2018-20), Notre Dame finished with a top-15 scoring defense and won 33 of 38 games. Ten of Lea's defensive players were selected in the NFL Draft from 2019-21, including 2021 second-rounder Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Losing so much talent to the NFL is a testament to the overall health of the Notre Dame program in terms of both recruiting and player develop- ment. But those player losses will certainly make life tough this season for first-year Irish defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman, who, like any rookie coach at a new location, already faces a learning process and occupational challenges beyond filling key player voids within each position group. The steady improvement Lea's defenses demonstrated during his three seasons as coordinator was aided by spending one year as Notre Dame linebackers coach in 2017 under previous Irish defensive coordinator Mike Elko, before Elko's departure and Lea's promotion in 2018. Freeman doesn't have the same luxury of spending a year learning his sur- roundings and system. Already known as an ace recruiter and a fine coordinator based on his successes while at Cincinnati, Freeman was a tremendous hire by Irish head coach Brian Kelly, and he perfectly fits his role at Notre Dame. But to think a new coordinator with an unfamiliar staff will step right in and immediately improve a terrific defense from 2020 that ranked in the top 25 in total defense, scoring defense and rushing defense seems too tall a task for any coach in Freeman's situation. Yes, He Will Exceed Expectations By Andrew Mentock Let's get this out of the way. This isn't meant to knock or diminish any of Clark Lea's accomplishments at Notre Dame. He was a wise and effective de- fensive coordinator, and he was a big reason the Irish made two College Football Playoff appearances during his tenure. Not only that, in each of his three seasons at the helm, he put together top-25 rated units per Football Outsiders' DFEI, which measures a team's per-possession scoring advantage. This includes a No. 5 finish in 2019 and a No. 24 showing in 2020. As the defensive coordinator at Cincinnati, Marcus Free- man also built some of the best defenses in college football, but with significantly less talent to work with compared to Notre Dame. In each of the last three years, he led the Bearcats to a top-20 defense, including a No. 2 finish in 2020. That's why he was the most coveted defensive coor- dinator hire in the country this past offseason. The biggest question I had prior to the spring was how well Notre Dame's players would buy into Freeman's new scheme and leadership style. While the media weren't able to view any spring practices, it was evident after interview- ing several Irish players that they're elated about their new coordinator. "I love this scheme," fifth-year senior defensive tackle Kurt Hinish said. "I love what we're doing right now, and I think Coach Freeman is a great coach." With his players on board, a loaded front seven and the most versatile safety in the country in junior Kyle Hamilton, Freeman has the makings of a next level defense in 2021. Point ✦ Counterpoint: CAN MARCUS FREEMAN IMMEDIATELY IMPROVE THE IRISH DEFENSE AFTER A TERRIFIC 2020? Ask Notre Dame senior Abigail "Abby" Sweet how the heck an L.A. girl ended up playing college softball in Indiana, and she's the first to admit that she has no idea. For reasons Sweet still can't explain, she fell in love with this faraway midwestern university as a young player and even listed "Noter Dame" on a youth-league all-star questionnaire as her dream school to someday play college ball. Whatever the explanation, Sweet is forever grateful be here, and the Notre Dame softball program is forever grateful to have her here. At the end of April, Sweet was named a top-25 finalist for USA Softball's Col- legiate Player of the Year, joining for- mer Irish standouts Emilee Koerner (2013) and Karley Wester (2015 and 2016) as only the third player in program history to earn that honor. Also this season, Sweet became only the ninth Irish two-time team captain. A gifted outfielder and one of the toughest hitters in the country to strike out — or even get out — Sweet's batting average this season has hovered between .450 and .500. As of May 3, she led the ACC and ranked 18th nationally in batting average (.465), and also was among the league leaders in total hits, doubles, on-base percentage and total bases. Never afraid to take one for the team, Sweet is the master of drawing a hit by pitch. In fact, Sweet was hit by pitches four times in a single game March 27, against North Carolina State, tying an all-time single-game NCAA record in that category. Unfortunately, that dubious day ended Sweet's 16-game hitting streak. A big country music fan, Sweet said that when she graduates and leaves Notre Dame with her business degree, she hopes to pursue a career in music promotion. With another year of college eligibility remaining after this season, Sweet said she will make the decision to stay or go once her and the team's fine season ends. BGI: What was your reaction to be- ing named a finalist for national player of the year? Sweet: "I have to say I'm pretty proud about this one, what an honor. It's incred- ible just to be in the same realm as the other girls who were announced on that list. They're all such amazing players, obviously some huge names. "I'm pretty proud of myself, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates over the last four years." BGI: With the challenges of a shortened season in 2020 and a disjointed offseason because of the pandemic, did you expect to have this kind of success? Sweet: "This year, I guess there is just a little more appreciation for the sport, and extra appre- ciation for being here on campus and just being able to go through with our season. I'm just so happy to be out here with my teammates." BGI: How nice was it to realize a childhood dream of coming from Hollywood all the way to Notre Dame? Sweet: "Going through the recruiting process, knowing that I could actually attain this dream, and also get an excellent education out of it and play at a top school, everything just kind of fell into place. "I've kind of turned into a Midwest girl, which is hilarious." BGI: Music promotion is a unique first career choice after college, would you expand on your future plans? Sweet: "I love the business side of music. I'm looking into it more. That would be my ultimate dream. If not, I'll probably end up doing consult- ing right after graduation just because it is a great avenue in getting a lot of skills in the business world." BGI: What have your four years at Notre Dame meant? Sweet: "It's just been the best experience and I cannot be more grateful to be here, and to be on this campus, and walk around here every day. "I am still in awe that I even made it to this place. I love it so much." — Todd D. Burlage Five Questions With … NOTRE DAME SENIOR SOFTBALL CAPTAIN ABBY SWEET FREEMAN SWEET