Notre Dame fans are racing to give Chris Ash apologies he fully deserves

With a second top-25 win and an 8-2 overall record, it's no wonder that Notre Dame fans are feeling even better about their team than they were just a few days ago.

More specifically, they're feeling better about the coaching staff (no, they were never worried about Marcus Freeman; everyone still loves him). The Irish crowd repeatedly questioned its new defensive coordinator, Chris Ash, who came to the program from the NFL.

However, after the No. 9 Fighting Irish demolished the No. 22 Pitt Panthers, fans started to sing Ash's praises instead of questioning his every move.

Heading into the matchup, Pitt had averaged nearly 40 points per game. Against the Irish, the Panthers were only able to eke out 15 points, including a throwaway touchdown with less than 10 seconds remaining in the game, and the Notre Dame backups checked in.

Over the last eight games (all of which they've won), Notre Dame has given up just 33 total points, an average of 4.125 points per game. Not too shabby for a team that has dominated its opponents over its eight-game win streak, and something that should undeniably earn Ash his flowers.

The Fighting Irish defense shut down a quarterback who had been otherwise dominant throughout the first part of the season, yet another reason Ash should have been praised instead of questioned this year.

No, Ash wasn't part of Freeman's staff that got the Fighting Irish to the National Championship last season; that was Al Golden, who is now the DC for the Cincinnati Bengals. However, Ash has Notre Dame back on track for yet another berth into the College Football Playoffs, setting them up perfectly for another deep postseason run.

Just over a week ago, the Irish fanbase was calling for Ash to be fired, despite Notre Dame defeating Boston College 25-10 and demolishing Navy 49-10.

After the Pitt beatdown, everyone was more than ready to praise Ash once again, and it was more than well deserved. No, the season hasn't been unblemished, but Notre Dame is dominating and peaking at the exact right time. That is thanks in large part to Ash's defensive squad.

This week, the Fighting Irish (who will undoubtedly climb the CFP rankings) face the unranked Syracuse Orange on Saturday, Nov. 22, at 3:30 p.m. ET. The matchup will be available on NBC and Peacock.