There is a seismic shift happening at Notre Dame, a complete and entirely different way the Administration has treated/considered the football program for decades now. The entire school is aligned now with this effort, from the Holy Cross fathers to the president, the Board of Trustees, and the AD. Everyone is on board to do what it takes to truly compete for multiple national championships, with no counter efforts because of fears that football overshadows academics. You see it in recruiting, with the transfer portal and with the playoffs. No more "shopping down a different aisle" for players or being content with "being in the conversation" about the playoffs or national title chase like it was under Father Jenkins/Jack Swarbrick/Brian Kelly. The last time I looked, ND was #1 in the country in combined recruiting class/transfer portal class. ND is much more aggressive about things under Father Dowd, Pete Bevacqua, and Marcus Freeman. Now, the official theme is "Leave no doubt". Pete Bevacqua has been saying that the goal is for ND to win multiple championships in the future. Not shy about it at all. Someone or something just woke ND up from a long self-imposed slumber. ** Edited by TerryD at 1/18/2026, 8:39:17 AM