Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman spent all weekend recruiting.
Not for a player though – for a replacement for offensive coordinator Tommy Rees.
Freeman’s #1 target was reportedly Utah OC Andy Ludwig.
Fans were sparked with excitement as it looked like a hire was inevitable.
However, in a shocking turn of events, Ludwig will be returning to his position at Utah because Notre Dame reportedly refused to pay his $2.8 million buyout fee.
For the most historic and iconic program in college football history, this is a pathetic and inexcusable embarrassment.
The idea of Notre Dame being too cheap to pay the $2.8 million buyout for Ludwig boggles the mind.
Needless to say, fans were furious…
Horrible look for ND, how are you going to embarass your own HC like that, gonna have him do all of that and then be in public with Ludwig seeming like he is the guy, and then back out at the last second, clean out the entire athletic department
— Ryan Fraling (@that_guy_RYAN_F) February 14, 2023
This has me even more pissed… I keep writing 2.3 but it 2.8 and it shouldn’t matter… this is absurd! I am Livid!
— Javier Hernandez (@JavierH24710340) February 14, 2023
https://twitter.com/tstalz26/status/1625329797604823040
Brian Kelly was right all along.
— Dan Bryan (@Dan_Bryan21) February 14, 2023
Notre Dame has always said money wasn’t an issue.
Join the damn Big 10 if you need cash.
Screw independence if you aren’t willing to go all in.
Not willing to pay a 2+ million for buyout is just a horrible/embarrassing look for a program that says it wants to win titles…
— Tim Murray (@1TimMurray) February 14, 2023
I hate admitting BK is right, but man he looks like a truth teller tonight. Don’t have the support or the resources, can’t win anything at @NotreDame
— Nick Ryan (@taskforcenick) February 14, 2023
How long will freeman put up with this? Maybe another season
— Destraumis (@destraumis) February 14, 2023
Absolutely embarrassing. Shame on the ND admin. Freeman should leave.
— Matt B (@Bowser1129) February 14, 2023
The worst part about losing Andy Ludwig is that it will be a big reason why Marcus Freeman decides to eventually move on to another job.
— Tim (@DomenGolder) February 14, 2023
ND is not serious about football and won’t win a national title if this little 2.8 million dollar buyout stops them. Bama, Georgia, Ohio State would not let this stop them. USC payed I think close to 5 million to get Lincoln Riley. What a joke
— Mikey Kyle (@mikeykyle55) February 14, 2023