Much has changed since Bob Chmiel was Notre Dame football's recruiting coordinator in the 1990s under former head coach Lou Holtz. Chmiel joined South Bend Tribune and ND Insider “Pod of Gold” hosts Mike Berardino and Fernando Ramirez this week to discuss the current Irish recruiting push, his reverence for the University growing up as a Catholic kid from Chicago, and the direction of the program under first-year coach Marcus Freeman.

Much has changed since&nbsp;Bob Chmiel&nbsp;was Notre Dame football's&nbsp;recruiting coordinator in the 1990s under former head coach&nbsp;Lou Holtz. Chmiel&nbsp;joined South Bend Tribune and ND Insider &ldquo;Pod of Gold&rdquo; hosts <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeBerardino" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/MikeBerardino">Mike Berardino</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/RealFRamirez" data-cke-saved-href="https://twitter.com/RealFRamirez">Fernando Ramirez</a> this week to discuss the current Irish recruiting push, his reverence for the University growing up as a Catholic kid from Chicago, and the direction of the program under first-year coach Marcus Freeman.

NDInsider.com's "Pod of Gold" podcast is powered by The South Bend Tribune and recorded at the studios of WNDU-TV, South Bend Indiana's NBC affiliate. Notre Dame football beat writers Mike Berardino, Tom Noie and Austin Hough talk Irish sports, pop culture and the latest athletic news swirling around the Golden Dome with special guests. 

NDInsider.com's "Pod of Gold" podcast is powered by The South Bend Tribune and recorded at the studios of WNDU-TV, South Bend Indiana's NBC affiliate. Notre Dame football beat writers Mike Berardino, Tom Noie and Austin Hough talk Irish sports, pop culture and the latest athletic news swirling around the Golden Dome with special guests.

Pod of Gold: Notre Dame Football

Notre Dame Insider's Tyler James and Eric Hansen offer their takes on Notre Dame football, discuss the latest news and bring on guests with expert knowledge.

Pod of Gold: Former Lou Holtz-era recruiting coordinator Bob Chmiel says, 'I believe in Marcus Freeman'

It's here. Game week. College Football Playoff game week for No. 7 seed Notre Dame (11-1) vs. No. 10 Indiana (11-1) at what promises to be an electric (if not a bit chilled) Notre Dame Stadium on Friday. What might the scene be like? The weather? The tickets? The everything?

We start our Pod discussing Indiana, arguably the feel-good story of the college football season. Breaking news brings a discussion about Marcus Freeman and his three-year contract extension. Specifically, why now?

Our guest spotlights brings aboard Indiana football beat writer Michael Niziolek of the Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times, who answers the overriding question of how did these Hoosiers get so fast so soon under head coach Curt Cignetti.

Pod of Old goes really, really old with a recap and (somewhat) deep dive into the first-ever December game at Notre Dame Stadium in 1944. Who remembers that one?

We close, as usual with one hot take and predictions for Friday's game. Have a listen.

It's here. Game week. College Football Playoff game week for No. 7 seed Notre Dame (11-1) vs. No. 10 Indiana (11-1) at what promises to be an electric (if not a bit chilled) Notre Dame Stadium on Friday. What might the scene be like? The weather? The tickets? The everything?
We start our Pod discussing Indiana, arguably the feel-good story of the college football season. Breaking news brings a discussion about Marcus Freeman and his three-year contract extension. Specifically, why now?
Our guest spotlights brings aboard Indiana football beat writer Michael Niziolek of the Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times, who answers the overriding question of how did these Hoosiers get so fast so soon under head coach Curt Cignetti.
Pod of Old goes really, really old with a recap and (somewhat) deep dive into the first-ever December game at Notre Dame Stadium in 1944. Who remembers that one?
We close, as usual with one hot take and predictions for Friday's game. Have a listen.

It's here. Game week. College Football Playoff game week for No. 7 seed Notre Dame (11-1) vs. No. 10 Indiana (11-1) at what promises to be an electric (if not a bit chilled) Notre Dame Stadium on Friday. What might the scene be like? The weather? The tickets? The everything?  We start our Pod discussing Indiana, arguably the feel-good story of the college football season. Breaking news brings a discussion about Marcus Freeman and his three-year contract extension. Specifically, why now?  Our guest spotlights brings aboard Indiana football beat writer Michael Niziolek of the Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times, who answers the overriding question of how did these Hoosiers get so fast so soon under head coach Curt Cignetti.  Pod of Old goes really, really old with a recap and (somewhat) deep dive into the first-ever December game at Notre Dame Stadium in 1944. Who remembers that one?  We close, as usual with one hot take and predictions for Friday's game. Have a listen.

Pod of Gold - CFP first-round preview vs. Indiana

The 12-team College Football Playoff field is set. Notre Dame gets a No. 7 seed and a home game against No. 10 Indiana. Did the selection committee get it right? How could the format be tweaked, even now, to better improve the process/product?

What about the weather? Tickets? Hotels? We discuss everything that surrounds the first-ever CFP post-season game at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday, December 20 game - but not the game itself. That hype train will pick up serious steam next week.

For now, we look back on the 2024 regular-season finale against USC and take a peek and what the next week holds for the Irish.

The 12-team College Football Playoff field is set. Notre Dame gets a No. 7 seed and a home game against No. 10 Indiana. Did the selection committee get it right? How could the format be tweaked, even now, to better improve the process/product?
What about the weather? Tickets? Hotels? We discuss everything that surrounds the first-ever CFP post-season game at Notre Dame Stadium on Friday, December 20 game - but not the game itself. That hype train will pick up serious steam next week.
For now, we look back on the 2024 regular-season finale against USC and take a peek and what the next week holds for the Irish.

The 12-team College Football Playoff field is set. Notre Dame gets a No. 7 seed and a home game against No. 10 Indiana. Did the selection committee get it right? How could the format be tweaked, even now, to better improve the process/product?  What about the weather? Tickets? Hotels? We discuss everything that surrounds the Friday, December 20 game - but not the game itself. That can wait until next week.  For now, we look back on the 2024 regular-season finale against USC and take a peek and what the next week holds for the Irish.

Post-College Football Playoff selection show - Notre Dame has an opponent

We start this week's episode dissecting where Notre Dame stands in the College Football Rankings (before the fourth release of the poll) and ponder the possible first- and second-round matchups that might await. 

It's then time to set the stage for Saturday's matinee in Los Angeles, arguably the greatest intra-sectional rivalry in college football when Notre Dame visits USC. It's not just another game - seldom has been. This weekend should be no exception.

We rewind to Saturday's win at Yankee Stadium (for those fans who were able to get in and see the game from the start), which turned into another one-sided affair for Notre Dame.

Our Pod of (relatively) Old jumps back to 2018 - the last time Notre Dame ventured to the Coliseum with high postseason hopes and won - thanks in part to former Irish running back Tony Jones and his late catch and run and score.

Our guest this week is Gary Stokan, CEO and President of Peach Bowl Inc., who discusses what the CFP means to the game, and also shares the story of the time he thought he had Notre Dame locked down to play Auburn early in the season in Atlanta - only to have the deal fall through. He also shares a special memory of playing high school hoops back in Pennsylvania with ... Joe Montana.

We close the show with one hot take and one score prediction for this weekend and, as an added bonus, one hot take for Thanksgiving. Enjoy! 

We start this week's episode dissecting where Notre Dame stands in the College Football Rankings (before the fourth release of the poll) and ponder the possible first- and second-round matchups that might await. 
It's then time to set the stage for Saturday's matinee in Los Angeles, arguably the greatest intra-sectional rivalry in college football when Notre Dame visits USC. It's not just another game - seldom has been. This weekend should be no exception.
We rewind to Saturday's win at Yankee Stadium (for those fans who were able to get in and see the game from the start), which turned into another one-sided affair for Notre Dame.
Our Pod of (relatively) Old jumps back to 2018 - the last time Notre Dame ventured to the Coliseum with high postseason hopes and won - thanks in part to former Irish running back Tony Jones and his late catch and run and score.
Our guest this week is Gary Stokan, CEO and President of Peach Bowl Inc., who discusses what the CFP means to the game, and also shares the story of the time he thought he had Notre Dame locked down to play Auburn early in the season in Atlanta - only to have the deal fall through. He also shares a special memory of playing high school hoops back in Pennsylvania with ... Joe Montana.
We close the show with one hot take and one score prediction for this weekend and, as an added bonus, one hot take for Thanksgiving. Enjoy!

We start this week's episode dissecting where Notre Dame stands in the College Football Rankings (before the fourth release of the poll) and ponder the possible first- and second-round matchups that might await.   It's then time to set the stage for Saturday's matinee in Los Angeles, arguably the greatest intra-sectional rivalry in college football when Notre Dame visits USC. It's not just another game - seldom has been. This weekend should be no exception.  We rewind to Saturday's win at Yankee Stadium (for those fans who were able to get in and see the game from the start), which turned into another one-sided affair for Notre Dame.  Our Pod of (relatively) Old jumps back to 2018 - the last time Notre Dame ventured to the Coliseum with high postseason hopes and won - thanks in part to former Irish running back Tony Jones and his late catch and run and score.  Our guest this week is Gary Stokan, CEO and President of Peach Bowl Inc., who discusses what the CFP means to the game, and also shares the story of the time he thought he had Notre Dame locked down to play Auburn early in the season in Atlanta - only to have the deal fall through. He also shares a special memory of playing high school hoops back in Pennsylvania with ... Joe Montana.  We close the show with one hot take and one score prediction for this weekend and, as an added bonus, one hot take for Thanksgiving. Enjoy! 

Pod of Gold: Former Lou Holtz-era recruiting coordinator Bob Chmiel says, 'I believe in Marcus Freeman'

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