I'd go 8

If 9, as you said, is positioned as "I think he'll win a national title", I'm not there. It's very hard for us (as it is for anyone not in the current ruling class) to win a title. Not impossible as some say, but very hard. I need to see him beat an elite team before I go quite that far.

Outside of that I can see virtually nothing not to like. I've told everyone I discuss ND football with that he really needs to be good on the field because everything else is exactly what I've always wanted from an ND coach.