Embracing the Future: Notre Dame's Evolving Expectations

As the Notre Dame Fighting Irish enjoy a bye week, the annual tradition of Cheeseburger Week takes center stage within the community. This lighthearted celebration, born in the aftermath of a 2006 poll controversy, has become a beloved part of the Irish fan experience. However, this tradition also serves as a springboard for a deeper examination of the lasting impact of the Weis era and the need for Notre Dame fans to embrace a new era of heightened expectations.

Redefining the Bar for Notre Dame Football

Overcoming the Weis-era Nadir

The Weis-led 2007-09 seasons, marked by a dismal 16-21 record and some of the most painful losses in recent memory, have left an indelible mark on the Notre Dame fan base. The emotional scars from those years have become a kind of canon, with fans often invoking them as a defense against criticism of the program's subsequent leadership. However, it is time to acknowledge that the Weis era is firmly in the rearview mirror.

Raising the Expectations Bar

Brian Kelly and Marcus Freeman have together coached 15 Notre Dame football teams, with all but one (2016) surpassing the marks of Charlie Weis' final three seasons. The days of "better than Weis" being the bar are long gone. Double-digit wins, once a lofty goal, have become the norm, achieved in seven of the last ten seasons. It is time for Notre Dame fans to embrace the reality that their team is no longer merely good, but has the potential to be great.

Embracing a New Era of Excellence

Notre Dame fans should allow themselves to expect more from their team than they did a decade ago. While the refrain of "it could always be worse" may be true, it cannot be allowed to stifle the pursuit of higher aspirations. This is not a call for pitchforks and torches, but rather a recognition that the program has evolved, and the fan base must evolve with it. Notre Dame should not settle for being good-not-great, but should strive to be among the elite programs in the nation.

Empowering the Program's Leadership

Marcus Freeman, Pete Bevacqua, and the entire Notre Dame leadership team should not be content with merely maintaining the status quo. They should be empowered by the knowledge that the fan base is ready to embrace a new era of excellence, one that pushes the boundaries of what the program can achieve. By setting their sights higher, they can inspire the team and the community to reach new heights.

Celebrating the Present, Embracing the Future

As the Notre Dame community celebrates the annual Cheeseburger Week, it is a time to reflect on the program's past and look towards its future. While the Weis era will always hold a place in the hearts of many fans, it is time to move beyond the limitations it has imposed. By embracing a new era of heightened expectations, the Notre Dame faithful can propel their team to even greater success, cementing their place among the elite programs in college football.