Notre Dame: Now those Were the Days

Long ago and far away many, many years ago, young men would get in their cars with their dads and listen to the golden voice of the Real Dan Patrick, the voice of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. The Irish were on every radio station that mattered and if you didn't see the game, no problem. The Sunday after we could tune into Lindsey Nelson on the Notre Dame highlight show. Every week Walt Patulski or Jack Snow would beat almost all comers. Every year Ara Parseghian would sign a bumper crop of players...big strong boned kids from the Midwest up front, a killer QB and backs and receivers that could run over you or around you.

Last week All American Quarterback candidate Ricky Dobbs of the Naval Academy ran over under around and through the Irish. This would never have happened in the good old days. But now something else is happening.

• Most 18 year olds don't know of the Notre Dame Mystique.
• ND's admission department will not let in the marginal academic qualifier. Most of their competion does, even the good academic schools.
• Younger players are going down to Southern schools more than ever. Most of the talent is concentrated in a Sun Belt state. Dallas had 4 of the top ten Draft Choices in the NFL in 2009. The top 3 producers of talent for college and the NFL are Texas, Florida and California.

Brian Kelly has one great Track record everywhere he has coached. If he can get the players, the Irish will return. Because once upon a time if the head coach of the Irish came knocking on your door, you signed on the dotted line, no questions asked. Now, the youngster may not understand what Notre Dame has been all about. It's been a long time.