"Notre Dame is all about excellence", Jack Swarbrick.
by hibernianangst (2018-05-21 11:10:07)

In reply to: I think the facts and history would say there are very few  posted by chicos bail bonds

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Notre Dame has never been to a super regional much less the College World Series. They just got run freaking ruled twice by Kentucky. There is only one constant for the last 17 years. When is enough, enough? Nothing close to excellence will happen under this coaching staff. The demographics of softball players would appear to be in Notre Dame's wheelhouse but the current staff has failed to exploit this fact. In my opinion the softball program is in the same position that the volleyball program was under Brown. I have no hidden motive. I only desire the pursuit of excellence.

As I mentioned below if Notre Dame has conceded it cannot pursue excellence in baseball and softball because they are played outdoors, then stop the charade, shut them down and add women's hockey.

The South and the Southwest have a lot of advantages
by the thinman  (2018-05-21 18:20:39)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

They don't have to practice indoors for several months if at all. They don't have to play half their schedule in weekend tournaments on the west coast or the south. They don't have to play their first several home games in 30 degree temps. Climate may not be the significant reason that ND's program can't reach the elite class but it is a contributing factor.

What SB coach would come to ND if Deanna was run out after
by Domerduck  (2018-05-21 13:42:02)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

making the NCAA's every year? The education challenges have their advantages and disadvantages. We also have the Northern school disadvantage.

But let's say you got your way. I think the best comparison points to make to evaluate a change would be Duke and Stanford who are both worse than ND right now. This season, Duke had their first year in softball after hiring a UM 03 grad in 2015. They were 29-27 and didn't make the NCAA's. They were competitive against ND and will give us a run in the future as we are in the same conference. If Deanna can't stay ahead of them your argument may make sense. Stanford has a 2nd year coach and I give them a better chance to get to "excellence" since they are in Power Softball conference. Their current coach is a Stanford alum who was in the CWS in the early 2000's This year Stanford finished the season with a 24-31 overall record and a 3-21 mark in the Pac-12 which Stanford is celebrating since it was the most conference wins for the Cardinal since 2014.

Maybe you have other ideas but I don't see any that makes ND better in Softball than where they are now. If Duke and Stanford start doing better than us than you probably were right, although hiring those coaches would be a lot easier than replacing Gumpf now. I want us to get to the next level but I think our chances are better with Deanna (just like we were sticking with Brey) than riding a new horse. We will see.

our freshmen especially the pitcher were as elite as we can
by dbcsmith  (2018-05-21 20:47:17)     cannot delete  |  Edit  |  Return to Board  |  Ignore Poster   |   Highlight Poster  |   Reply to Post

get. The pitcher Holloway was rated by some as the best high school player last year and she gave up only 2 earned runs to Michigan which has dominated northern softball. Just like we need southern players to have a shot in football, you need them to have a shot in softball.