Recruiting & Motivating

Definitely can understand the debate and differing opinions as to whether PJ Fleck has proved enough, is “ready” for or is a good fit for ND. Jury is probably out still and it’s reasonable to conclude his style and personality aren’t and never will be a good fit at ND.

Living in Kalamazoo, growing up in Big Ten country, watching him up close and from a distance, he did things at WMU that likely won’t be repeated, ever. 13-0 reg season, beating multiple power 5 opponents, drawing ESPN College GameDay here, and recruiting at unprecedented levels for a MAC school - let alone one with no history of winning like WMU. It’s early at MN still, but he beat their biggest rival on the road last year and beat a top 5-10 team in Penn State this year. Not exactly things MN does, ever.

The most important takeaway about Fleck though is he is a flat out relentless and supremely energetic & enthusiastic recruiter and motivator. Watching the skill positions at MN and a few of his recruits at WMU still, other than Claypool, those schools have better overall talent at RB and WR than ND, imho. That should NEVER be the case.

Those 2 qualities are an absolute must in whoever the next coach is at ND. They sure aren’t present now.