Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
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UNDER THE DOME The move keeps the storied Irish football program as an independent while most of the other Notre Dame sports compete in the Big East. "Notre Dame has a core identity, and at the core of these characteristics — Catholic, private, independent," Notre Dame president Rev. Edward A. "Monk" Malloy said. "…Given those realities, we have to ask ourselves the fundamental question: Does this core identity of Notre Dame as Catholic, private and independent seem a match for an association of universities — even a splendid association of great universities — that are uniformly secular, predominantly state institutions and with a long heritage of conference affiliation? "Our answer, in the final analysis, is no." 5 Years Ago: Feb. 4, 2009 One of the five or six more drab recruiting seasons at Notre Dame in the last 40 years ends dramatically when National Defensive Player of the Year Manti Te'o on National Signing Day stuns the nation by selecting the Irish over USC head coach Pete Carroll's juggernaut. The Hawaiian linebacker had made his official visit to Notre Dame during the shocking 24-23 loss at home to 2-8 Syracuse in freezing weather, and the next week the Irish were pummeled 38-3 at USC to finish the regular season 6-6. Fourth-year head coach Charlie Weis' status appeared to be in limbo for several days after back-to-back 3-9 and 6-6 seasons, and no recruits were added since December to the final 18-man haul. When Te'o announced for the Irish on National Signing Day via ESPNU, the Irish staff let loose with unbridled screaming and rapture. "I want to help build a dynasty instead of just joining one," Te'o explained to the Honolulu Advertiser after his announcement. "That was a big pull for me. …I always stuck up for people who couldn't stick up for themselves. I always pick on the bullies." The announcement by Te'o provides a major boost for a class that finished as low as No. 24 (Scout.com) and no higher than No. 14 (ESPN.com). The Irish signed no quarterback and only one defensive lineman (Tyler Stockton), but its strength is at linebacker (Te'o, Carlo Calabrese, Dan Fox and Zeke Motta) and running back (Cierre Wood and Theo Riddick). The signing of Hawaii linebacker Manti A couple of Indiana natives — tight end Tyler Eifert and Te'o salvaged a below average 2009 offensive lineman Zack Martin — are more under the radar. Notre Dame recruiting class. — Lou Somogyi PHOTO BY JOE RAYMOND Want to stay up-to-date with all the Irish news? Like Us On Facebook:www.facebook.com/blueandgoldillustrated Follow Us On Twitter: www.twitter.com/BGInews