Throughout the high-stakes poker game of conference realignment, many pundits called for the Irish to relinquish their independence and join a conference. Whether citing economic reasons, scheduling reasons, or semi-logical reasons, just about everybody but the people at Notre Dame found a good reason for the Irish to relinquish their independence.
Now, one of their own has come out in favor of joining the Big Ten, albeit a week or so too late.
In an interview with the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Lou Holtz did a U-turn and now thinks Notre Dame should finally drop their independence and join the Big Ten.
“I’m an old man, and all my life I’ve said that Notre Dame should remain independent because it’s a national school,” said Holtz to Sid Hartman. “We played the very best in the country from Texas to Tennessee to Miami of Florida to Southern Cal. However, two days ago was the first time I’ve ever said that I think Notre Dame ought to seriously consider joining the Big Ten. Because what I see happening, I see four or five superconferences.
“However, two days ago was the first time I’ve ever said that I think Notre Dame ought to seriously consider joining the Big Ten. Because what I see happening, I see four or five superconferences.”
This has to feel like a dagger in the back for many Notre Dame fans, who have clung to independence like William Wallace. But the cynic in me sees Lou giving this interview with a slew of ESPN executives holding his beloved Dr. Lou diploma hostage and forcing these words out of his mouth. It’s just a coincidence that the Big Ten and ESPN have a mega-TV contract, right?
We eagerly await Mark May‘s rebuttal...
