with the new AD. Even Freeman, Ivey, and Jackson.

I personally have a hard time seeing anything changing with one more season.

But it is imperative that Bevacqua establish his expectations early to every member of the department and then have the nerve, and the support, to follow through if anyone falls below the stated standard.

As it pertains to hockey, asking for Coach Jackson’s resignation if we aren’t a tourney team next year would send a loud and clear signal that this isn’t Jack’s “good enough is good enough” regime.

I understand a coach can be blamed for some "big picture" recruiting issues given ND's resources/facilities, but my impression is that some of the de-commitments were basically not his fault.

I thought the athletic department was going to have some tough conversations regarding his staff. Like a lot of people here, I don’t think running it back with Jackson, Pooley, and Slaggert was an acceptable outcome. However after losing those four games at Yost, I think they have enough poor results to justify a firing and buyout.

One thing to keep an eye on is the new deal with NBC. One of Swarbrick’s biggest blunders (and one that honestly way too often overlooked) was the ten-year extension signed in 2013 and running until 2025. The athletic department motto was literally “Survive Until ’25” meaning they had to penny pinch until they could get a television contract at fair market value. It’s a big reason why ND didn’t want to pay Ludwig’s buyout in 2023, but outbid LSU to bring Denbrock back, now that the ink is dry on a (more reasonable) five-year extension.

Or move on from all 4 coaches (Jackson/Pooley/Slaggert/Sheahan)?

I still think the wisest move is to fire/"retire" Pooley. Goaltending isn't a problem. I'd like to see what Sheahan can do with the D (which may take a couple years as players he recruits eventually get to campus -- I think he had some good commits last Fall with Aucoin and Klaers). That leaves the forwards/PP. Which is Pooley.

That being said, Jackson/Pooley are probably inseparable ride-or-die. If that's the case, I'd still give JJ another year to see if Sheahan has any effect in this recruiting cycle. If we aren't getting our top targets (esp at forward), then I suspect JJ and Co will toss in the towel after next year.

There's a third Nelson brother who is invited to NTDP tryouts and may be a higher ranked prospect than Danny/Henry were at this stage. Where he commits next August should be a solid litmus test for the program.

after two such disappointing seasons. Whether that means retaining Jackson, but requesting that he fire a long-time assistant (a tough needle to thread) or cleaning house completely, I haven't decided.

I lean towards not firing the head coach, but I don't think I'd object if it happened.

I'm curious is any NCAA staff in another sport has been together as long as Jackson, Pooley and Slaggert. I'd be utterly shocked if so. In NCAA hockey there is nothing remotely close to the near two-decade run those three have had together

It would be one thing if the level of success was being sustained. But we have not been an NCAA worthy team for 4 of the last 5 seasons. For the life of me I can't see why the university wouldn't think changes are absolutely necessary. But one thing I am 100% convinced of is Notre Dame isn't firing Jackson. No chance of that at all. What bugs me the most is I doubt there are serious discussion being held with Jackson about the state of the program. I think all the university sees is no scandals, good kids, games they can call sold out, and up until this season, the bad seasons are .500, not 7-25-4.

Union, Robert Morris, and Maine are all contemplating multi-million dollar upgrades to their facilities or building new ones all together. A number of other schools have already undertaken or recently completed similar palaces in the facilities arms race. What put us on a separate page from a lot of programs is not quite as true any more. We need to put this right quickly. Another couple of years of sub-.500 performance and we could see that the ship has sailed.

Woman’s BB has numerous examples of long term head coaches and assistants. Geno’s assistant has been with him since ‘85. Carol Owen’s was with Muffet on and off for 19.

Rand Pecknold’s assistants tend to stay around for awhile, although not as long as JJ’s. He’s had two assistants since ‘08, Riga (now HC at HC) and Dumais.

their staffs are so big) sometimes remain together for a long time, but not entire staffs. Has Ariemma's ENTIRE staff remained the same since he started coaching at UConn? With Notre Dame the only change at all for the entirety of Jackson's tenure in the paid coaching staff was when the NCAA allowed another full salary coach to be hired, hence the addition of Sheahan. I doubt anyone has a staff that is completely unchanged going on two decades. Riga has been at Holy Cross for a few years now and was not at Quinnipiac when Pecknold started there. And Mike Corbett has been with Quinnipiac for just a couple of years. And they finally won their NCAA title after Riga left and was replaced by Corbett.

favor and he will be around another year. I can't imagine Bevacqua comes in and fires him *unless* Bevacqua had been building a list of replacements while in the on-deck circle.

Swarbrick probably has lists for who to hire if Freeman or Shrewsberry were win the power ball lottery and suddenly retire, but he’s definitely not keeping a running list for all the Olympic sports. Obviously the incoming AD will conduct an interview and be the ultimate decision maker, but hockey is a sport that gets delegated.

come up anywhere regarding hockey in years.

Nevala left the school at the beginning of the 2021-22 academic year. I completely missed that bit of news. wow. Quickly looking at the ND athletics staff directory, I have no idea who is currently overseeing the hockey program.

be up to him. He’s 10th all time in wins and 5th among active coaches in win percentage. While I know that coaching is a “what-have-you-done-for-me-lately” business, ND has traditionally shown a lot of patience (or is it indifference?) with long tenured coaches in sports other than football.

JJ’s overall track record - this was only his 4th losing season - may give him even more latitude than most. It would take a perfect storm of events - an exodus of players to the portal combined with massive recruiting/transfer portal misses resulting in a Poulin-like last season - for it to be obvious to all that he should move on. While I don’t think this will happen, I do think we are in for more mediocrity. This may be enough for him to walk away on his own after the next season rather than try to turn things around at the age of 70.

but it's starting to resemble Breys stint

I’m not sure how the AD regime change complicates things. In theory we have JS’s end date at ND penciled in. If JJ wanted to avoid casting a cloud around the inevitable participation trophy banquet in Swarbys honor…JJ likely needs to quit this week. I think if he lasts the week I’m flipping my vote from 75% I’m sure he goes to 75% sure he stays.

before one of the Gopher games he made it very clear that he loves coaching and loves the school (He got very emotional about this). I think he sees this freshmen class as a good base to start a solid rebuild with a return to the playoffs in a year or two. I just hope he doesn't stay so long that Brock Sheahan moves on because I think he would be a great fit.