What happened to him when he arrived definitely hurt his enthusiasm. In his defense, he did a real good job at Evansville. I don't know if he was the answer for us, but his start did not help.

I agree Schrage is less blameworthy than Aoki, especially given his wife's passing just before his first season. But the program has been in a funk for a dozen years now.

I suspect the reason he failed at ND was he could not figure out a way to recruit around the cost of attending ND on 1/2 scholarship at best. His other coaching stops have been at schools where it is far cheaper to attend so perhaps he is more able to recruit.

That's really the only logic I see for why he's been above average both before and after ND. He's been at relatively cold weather schools each job, so that's not his issue. I don't think ND played a materially tougher schedule while he was at ND either -- not in the ACC then.

I wonder if there would've been any call for a "Jake's Field" board.

One that stokes interest in students, alumni, and local fans as well; there is exactly zero energy around the program now

I have been to several South Bend Cubs games and they are high energy and a good entertainment value. I realize some of the South Bend Cubs game energy is related to alcohol sales but there is also great game production.

Going to Notre Dame baseball has been akin to attending a small wake.

If any sport benefits from booze sales, it's baseball. Watching a game without a hot dog and a beer is unamerican.

Coach Buttermaker..."This quitting thing, it's a hard habit to break once you start!"