Notre Dame football – Fire to the Sam Hartman leaving smoke?
By Tyler Kruse
![TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Sam Hartman #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons reacts after defeating the Missouri Tigers 27-17 to win the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) TAMPA, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 23: Sam Hartman #10 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons reacts after defeating the Missouri Tigers 27-17 to win the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium on December 23, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/a25d6ac531ca37e9e7e324227cb64467be6130d85bb9a58bad072577fe9eb34c.jpg)
I’ve seen a lot of upset Notre Dame football fans on social media and message boards lately about the handling of hiring the new offensive coordinator. Many people seem worried that Sam Hartman is a risk to leave the program because of how things were handled. Simply put, I don’t think he’s going anywhere; it would be foolish for him to leave.
I haven’t seen any objective indications besides fan rumors about Hartman wanting to leave, and why would he? Because Tommy Rees left? Yeah, I don’t buy that for a second. Maybe Bill Rees dad helped facilitate Hartman to the Notre Dame football program, and neither Rees is currently left standing here. But I don’t see how leaving after settling into his new home would help Hartman.
He’s nearly a lock to be the starter for Notre Dame football in Ireland next season against Navy football. He wants to boost his NFL draft stock and will play on a national stage every week. He’ll have a better running game, offensive line, and more talented wide receivers than ever before (yes, I know what AT Perry turned into).
He posted just days ago, essentially dismissing any rumors about a potential exit following the Rees news, and why would that change the second Marcus hires his guy? Sam believes in Marcus Freeman and the Notre Dame football program; I think a lot of fans are getting themselves worked up over nothing.
What school would he go to that’s in a better position than Notre Dame football to take a massive leap toward playoff contention? Where he’d realistically step in and be the guy from the moment he stepped on campus? Not many schools will be able to offer what he’s currently getting in South Bend. Most schools either have successful returning quarterbacks or young talented QBs ready to take over, as most large and successful schools do.
Sam Hartman is primed for success as a member of Notre Dame football, and I don’t think that’s changing anytime soon. Remember how upset some fans were over the Stuckey and Mason hires? That looks foolish now. Let Marcus Freeman cook.
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