Épisodes

  • Marcus Freeman Speaks, Notre Dame Dominates the Transfer Portal & CFP Expansion Debate | The Echoes

    Marcus Freeman Speaks, Notre Dame Dominates the Transfer Portal & CFP Expansion Debate | The Echoes
    Jan 20 2026
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana break down everything from Marcus Freeman’s latest press conference to Notre Dame’s dominant run in the transfer portal. Freeman spoke publicly for the first time since the season ended, and Mike and Jessica react to his messaging, tone, and what it all means for the future of the program. Later in the opening segment, they address the recent incident involving Freeman at his son’s wrestling match, Notre Dame’s response, and why the situation is being put firmly in the rearview mirror. The conversation then turns to the 2026 Notre Dame roster, where the Irish have been on a tear. With major additions and a few key departures, Notre Dame now boasts one of the strongest transfer portal and high school recruiting classes in the country. Mike and Jessica break down the newest additions, discuss how the depth chart is shaping up, and share which newcomers they’re most excited about heading into 2026. In the final segment, the show looks beyond South Bend to the future of the College Football Playoff. With the Big Ten pushing for a 24-team format and the SEC preferring to stay at 16 (for now), Mike and Jess debate expansion, CFP fatigue, and whether the playoff has simply become too long. Drop a comment and let us know: • Which 2026 newcomer are you most excited about? • Should the College Football Playoff expand — or be shortened? All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Subscribe to The Echoes for weekly Notre Dame recaps, CFP reactions, game previews, and insider analysis all season long. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/
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    56 min
  • Notre Dame’s Transfer Portal Is ON FIRE! CFP Preview, Are We Cheering or Rooting Against Indiana?

    Notre Dame’s Transfer Portal Is ON FIRE! CFP Preview, Are We Cheering or Rooting Against Indiana?
    Jan 13 2026
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off with Notre Dame’s transfer portal suddenly heating up. After a slow start to portal season, Marcus Freeman and the Irish made a major splash, adding a handful of high-impact transfers to the 2026 roster. Mike and Jessica break down who’s coming to South Bend, who’s heading out, and what it all means for Notre Dame football moving forward. Later, the conversation turns emotional as Jessica refuses to watch the now-viral clip of Notre Dame being snubbed by the College Football Playoff, featured on Here Come the Irish on Peacock. Mike steps in to describe the moment and relive what many fans are calling the worst day of 2025 for Irish football. Have you seen the clip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Once the tears are wiped away, the show shifts to the National Championship matchup. Notre Dame fans find themselves in a familiar moral dilemma as the Indiana Hoosiers—heavy favorites—take on the Miami Hurricanes. With regional pride and recent history at play, Mike and Jessica discuss who Irish fans can realistically root for, if anyone at all. The debate continues with a deep dive into potential College Football Playoff expansion. With 16- and 24-team formats on the table, Jessica makes the case for why a 16-team playoff could be the sweet spot—and how Notre Dame would benefit most. To wrap things up, the focus shifts to the hardwood as Notre Dame Women’s Basketball pulls off a huge upset win over ranked North Carolina. It’s been an up-and-down season, but beating a rival is always worth celebrating. Drop a comment and let us know who you’re rooting for in the Natty—and how many teams you want in the next CFP. All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Subscribe to The Echoes for weekly Notre Dame recaps, CFP reactions, game previews, and insider analysis all season long. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/
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    53 min
  • Notre Dame Portal Season Begins! Salute to Harrison Smith & Riley Leonard, Shrewsberry Meltdown

    Notre Dame Portal Season Begins! Salute to Harrison Smith & Riley Leonard, Shrewsberry Meltdown
    Jan 6 2026
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana open the show with a mix of NFL news and Irish pride. The conversation starts with Riley Leonard outperforming Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers, followed by a salute to Harrison Smith’s outstanding 14-year NFL career—and a look ahead to what could eventually be a call to Canton. After spotlighting two Irish legends, Mike and Jessica catch you up on everything that’s happened this offseason in South Bend. The Irish welcome new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who arrives from the Indianapolis Colts. The discussion then shifts to departures, as offensive linemen Billy Schrauth and Aamil Wagner leave Notre Dame for the NFL. Mike and Jess break down what both players meant to the program and wish them success at the next level. Later in the episode, the focus turns to the transfer portal. While Notre Dame is expected to be active, it’s been a relatively slow start so far. Mike and Jessica explain why they believe portal movement will heat up soon and discuss who could be coming in, who could be heading out, and what it all means for the Irish moving forward. Unfortunately, the conversation then shifts to Notre Dame men’s basketball, where head coach Micah Shrewsberry made headlines after an emotional meltdown during a game at California. Shrewsberry was furious over a late call that may have cost the Irish a crucial conference road win, ultimately earning a reprimand from the ACC. Mike and Jessica discuss the incident and why Notre Dame basketball needs to find different reasons to be in the spotlight. To close the show, Mike and Jessica react to Jordan Faison’s decision to end his decorated lacrosse career in order to focus fully on football—a bittersweet moment, especially for Mike, the biggest Notre Dame men’s lacrosse fan we know. The episode wraps with Notre Dame New Year’s resolutions from both hosts. Hit the comments and let us know your resolutions for the Irish. All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Subscribe to The Echoes for weekly Notre Dame recaps, CFP reactions, game previews, and insider analysis all season long. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/
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    57 min
  • Marcus Freeman Is Back at Notre Dame! USC’s Baffling Decision, Pop-Tarts Bowl & Malört

    Marcus Freeman Is Back at Notre Dame! USC’s Baffling Decision, Pop-Tarts Bowl & Malört
    Dec 30 2025
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana react to breaking news once again, as Marcus Freeman announces he will return as head coach of the Irish next season. It’s a major sigh of relief for Mike and Jess, as Freeman continues to draw consistent NFL interest. This season, that buzz included the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, following last year’s rumors involving the Chicago Bears. Thankfully for Notre Dame fans, Freeman will be back on the sidelines in South Bend. After breaking down Freeman’s contract extension better than anyone, Mike and Jessica recap their holiday weekends. Mike shares his experience at the world-famous Pop-Tarts Bowl, while Jessica fulfills her long-standing Malört cocktail obligation—with a surprisingly unexpected outcome. The conversation then shifts to Notre Dame’s MOU with the College Football Playoff and USC’s reported confusion surrounding the agreement, which appears to be a key factor in putting the century-old rivalry on hiatus. Mike and Jess react to USC’s puzzling response and what it means moving forward. Later, the show highlights former Irish standouts in the NFL, including Audric Estime and Kevin Austin, who both found the end zone for the New Orleans Saints last weekend. The episode also celebrates Notre Dame players who earned Pro Bowl selections this season. Finally, the show wraps up with a preview of this week’s four CFP games and a discussion on Notre Dame men’s basketball head coach Micah Shrewsberry canceling Christmas?! All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Subscribe to The Echoes for weekly Notre Dame recaps, CFP reactions, game previews, and insider analysis all season long. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/
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    55 min
  • End of an Era? Notre Dame–USC Rivalry on Hiatus + Marcus Freeman NFL Rumors | The Echoes

    End of an Era? Notre Dame–USC Rivalry on Hiatus + Marcus Freeman NFL Rumors | The Echoes
    Dec 23 2025
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana react to breaking news surrounding one of college football’s most iconic rivalries: Notre Dame–USC is officially on hiatus. Stick with us through the opening minutes as the breaking news hit mid-show and Mike and Jess process the stunning development and what it means for Notre Dame and the sport at large. Before diving into the rivalry news, the show opens with a breakdown of the College Football Playoff — and yes, there’s still plenty of frustration over the Irish being left out by the committee. Then it’s on to the big story of the day: the end of the Notre Dame–USC rivalry… for now. Why is this happening? Who’s responsible? And who will Notre Dame schedule in USC’s place? Mike and Jess tackle all of it, including Notre Dame’s newly announced matchup with BYU. The conversation also turns to Marcus Freeman and growing speculation about his future. Should Irish fans be concerned about potential NFL interest, including rumors tied to the New York Giants? Golic shares his perspective, while Jess explains why chaos has become the norm in modern college football. All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Subscribe to The Echoes for weekly Notre Dame recaps, CFP reactions, game previews, and insider analysis all season long. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/
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    44 min
  • Notre Dame Award Season: Jeremiyah Love Wins Doak Walker, Looking Ahead to 2026, CJ Carr Heisman

    Notre Dame Award Season: Jeremiyah Love Wins Doak Walker, Looking Ahead to 2026, CJ Carr Heisman
    Dec 16 2025
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana begin turning the page toward 2026 while looking back at Notre Dame’s biggest award winners from the 2025 season. Jeremiyah Love spent the weekend in New York City attending the Heisman Trophy ceremony. While he did not take home college football’s top honor, Love made history by winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back, the first Notre Dame RB to ever receive the prestigious award. Head coach Marcus Freeman was also in attendance, marking his first public appearance since Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff snub. What does the future hold for Love and Freeman in South Bend? Mike and Jess break it all down. Speaking of snubs, Notre Dame defensive back Leonard Moore shut down the nation’s top wide receiver, Makai Lemon, yet was passed over for the award as the country’s best defensive back. Mike and Jess explain why Moore deserved to win and how he was overlooked. While the Irish may have deserved more hardware, both Love and Moore earned All-American honors, and we celebrate their standout seasons. From there, the conversation shifts toward the future of Notre Dame football. While roster decisions are still unfolding, Mike and Jess preview what the 2026 team could look like, potentially led by Heisman favorite CJ Carr. The show also includes a full basketball update, starting with the reveal of Notre Dame’s new basketball leprechaun logo. Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think and which Notre Dame leprechaun is your favorite. Micah Shrewsberry’s men’s team is off to a strong start despite injuries to star guard Markus Burton. Freshman standout Jalen Haralson has stepped up, and the Irish also welcomed DB Mark Zackery to the roster. Could this be a March Madness team? We also check in on the women’s program, which is navigating injuries but trending in the right direction. Hannah Hidalgo continues to shine as one of the best players in America as conference play approaches. As the football offseason begins, we remind you that The Echoes will still be in your feed every week. Football may be over, but the content never stops, so make sure you’re subscribed. Finally, we cover offseason movement within the program, including linebackers coach Max Bullough departing for Michigan State and quarterback Kenny Minchey entering the transfer portal. Mike and Jess discuss what Minchey’s departure means for Notre Dame’s QB depth and who they’d like to see backing up CJ Carr next season. All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/
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    59 min
  • Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua Joins the Show to Discuss ND's CFP Snub and Opting Out of the Postseason

    Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua Joins the Show to Discuss ND's CFP Snub and Opting Out of the Postseason
    Dec 9 2025
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are joined by Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua to break down the Irish’s College Football Playoff snub and the decision to opt out of the postseason. Bevacqua shares his frustrations and lingering confusion with the CFP process, explaining why Notre Dame still hasn’t received clear answers days after the decision. He details why he believes the Irish earned a spot in the playoff, why other selections left him puzzled, and how Notre Dame continues to show respect for the universities that did make the field. He also opens up about the ACC’s role in the process and why he felt the conference worked against its relationship with Notre Dame. Pete also provides a promising update on the USC rivalry game and offers insight into where Marcus Freeman stands as the program’s head coach. Later, Mike and Jess continue the conversation with their own reactions to the CFP snub, questioning the purpose of the weekly rankings show and why projections, betting markets, and ESPN models consistently placed Notre Dame in the playoff, only for the Irish to be left out. They also dive into Notre Dame’s choice to decline a postseason bowl after the CFP decision. In the comments, let us know: Was opting out the right call? Finally, the crew discusses the future of superstar running back Jeremiyah Love. If this is the end of his Notre Dame career, it’s a shame it concluded quietly in a late-night game at Stanford. Should Love return, or declare for the NFL Draft? Drop your thoughts below. All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/ Google - No matter what question comes next, you can just ask Google.
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    1 h et 2 min
  • Jeremiyah Love Joins the Show! Heisman Hopes, His Health and Future at Notre Dame | The Echoes

    Jeremiyah Love Joins the Show! Heisman Hopes, His Health and Future at Notre Dame | The Echoes
    Dec 2 2025
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are joined by superstar running back and Heisman hopeful Jeremiyah Love — our first returning guest! We open with a breakdown of Notre Dame’s 10th straight win, all by double digits. As most of the nation slept through the final game of the weekend, the Irish once again rolled, securing their sixth Legends Trophy in the last seven meetings with Stanford. Then we welcome one of the greatest running backs in Notre Dame history: Jeremiyah Love. He stops by for the second time during a hectic stretch in his Heisman campaign. We dive into his brief injury scare last game, his reaction to breaking Jerome Bettis’ single-season touchdown record, the highs and lows of the season, what winning the Heisman would mean to him, his future in South Bend, and — of course — who’s making questionable Thanksgiving decisions at the dinner table. After our conversation with Love, Mike and Jessica examine the College Football Playoff picture. Do Miami and Texas have a real path to the playoff? Could the ACC be left out entirely? Drop your thoughts in the comments — who’s in and who’s out? We close with a look at the ongoing CFB coaching carousel, including Lane Kiffin’s expected move to LSU and Pat Fitzgerald’s return to college football at Michigan State. All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. #sports #football #notredame #bigten Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/ Google - No matter what question comes next, you can just ask Google.
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    1 h et 3 min