The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Matt & Pete return to share their takeaways from their conversations with Notre Dame players prior to winter conditioning beginning. Find out their takeaways from their first conversations with Riley Leonard as well as CJ Carr plus what new Director of Football Performance Loren Landow. Also, thoughts on the college football coaching era in NIL and what makes an coordinator job in the NFL more attractive than a head coach job in college football. Plus, expectations continue to develop for the Irish and Marcus Freeman headed into 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt & Pete return to look back at the season that was for the Irish as well as discuss some of the sport altering news around Nick Saban retiring and the ensuing coach and player shuffle. Kalen DeBoer taking the Alabama job created the domino effect that spared Notre Dame but will other coaching moves impact the team. Plus, tune in for thoughts on where Marcus Freeman ranks among the top coaches in college football and early projections for the 2024 Irish season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Irish closed out a 10-3 season with a 40-8 victory over Oregon State to take home the Sun Bowl title and earn Marcus Freeman a Frosted Flakes bath. Steve Angeli threw for three touchdowns in his Notre Dame debut and the defense remained stout in the win. Jordan Faison earn MVP honors with 115 yards receiving and a score. The 10-3 season sets up Notre Dame with momentum heading into 2024 as they will have a chance to make the expanded playoff next year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt & Pete preview the Irish bowl game against Oregon State from El Paso where Pete has the latest from Notre Dame before tomorrow’s matchup. Tune in for thoughts on how the bowl will go and how it will setup Marcus Freeman’s team for the 2024 campaign.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Join Matt & Pete as they discuss the hiring of Mike Denbrock as Notre Dame's offensive coordinator to replace Gerad Parker. How does this impact the Irish for next season and what will this mean for Marcus Freeman's staff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For the third consecutive year the Irish will have a new offensive coordinator under Marcus Freeman. Join Matt & Pete as they discuss the departure of Gerad Parker and what it means for the staff and Notre Dame’s prospects in 2024. Plus, updates from the transfer portal and thoughts on how the bowl game will be impacted by this turnover on the staff.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

For the second straight year the Irish bring in a highly sought after transfer portal QB in Riley Leonard from Duke. Matt & Pete discuss Leonard joining Marcus Freeman’s team and how he will fit in with this offense as well as how he compares to Sam Hartman. Plus, more news out of the portal as well as Sun Bowl opt outs and what other offseason news to expect for the Irish.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Irish found out their bowl destination on Sunday night as they will be headed to El Paso, Texas to face Oregon State in the Sun Bowl. Join Matt & Pete for first thoughts on the bowl selection as well as reactions to the matchup with the Beavers. Plus, news from the transfer portal who is on the move and who could the Irish pickup for the 2024 season.  Marcus Freeman addressed the matchup and awaits the decision of which players will opt-out, will Sam Hartman play for the Irish during the bowl game or will Notre Dame be with a different starting QB for the postseason.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week’s episode of the Independent, Matt & Pete talk about the news that Notre Dame has parted ways with wide receivers coach Chansi Stuckey. Plus, thoughts on transfer portal options for the Irish as well as who has decided to depart the roster for the portal and will Riley Leonard be the new man under center for Marcus Freeman?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In the final game of the regular season the Irish defeated Stanford 56-23 behind a career day for Auric Estimé. Estimé had four touchdowns and ran for a career high of 238 yards as Notre Dame improved to 9-3 on the season. Matt & Pete discuss the game against the Cardinal as well as what bowl season and the offseason holds for the Irish.  What steps has Marcus Freeman taken this year and will his staff look the same at the start of next season. Will Notre Dame look for another transfer portal QB with Sam Hartman’s career coming to a close?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.