Welcome back to another edition of Irish Illustrated Insider.

I am Tim O'Malley, joined today by Pete Sampson of the Athletic, John Bryce of Football

Scoop and Tim Priester of Irish Illustrated.

And Tim, we have a few things to get to in this segment, but I want to start with your

interview with Jack Swarbrick.

There's a very small picture item I want to talk to you about. I think our listeners

are like, but let's go big picture first. The point of your interview, why Marcus Freeman was the

right man for the job back then in Jack Swarbrick's mind. And I'll give you the three Cs of curiosity,

confidants, and then counting for later on.

Remind me of those after I get done talking here.

Well, you know, I mean, I think I think Marcus Freeman had an advantage. He turned it into an advantage by being the first guy that was interviewed because he

interviewed so well.

And again, you know, Jack Swarbrick emphasized that I watched him all year.

I watch all the coaches all year all the time.

He gave a great story about Clark Lee, how Clark, when Clark Lee was still a linebacker's coach,

and now he handled a mistake by a player.

But, you know, it was just, it was essentially Marcus Freeman interviewing extremely well.

And then when, when Notre Dame did speak to other candidates, they, you know, Swarber compared

Freeman to the other candidates. And in each instance, he felt like that Freeman came out on top.

And then, you know, then you mix in the, the player reaction and meeting with the players

and Kurt Heinish in particular, telling him not to screw things up and hire Freeman.

You know, I mean, I think, I think Freeman went into that interview with the players.

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