Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is aware of what failure appears to be like like at this degree, and he does not have to return far to recollect the teachings that failure taught him.
Notre Dame is 11-1 and is about to tackle Indiana within the first spherical of the Faculty Soccer Playoff. That one loss to Northern Illinois, nonetheless, might have been detrimental to the Combating Irish’s playoff seeding. They’re No. 7 within the CFP whereas Indiana is No. 10. In the event that they beat the Hoosiers they’re going to tackle No. 2 Georgia within the quarterfinals.
Notre Dame has to deal with the Hoosiers first, although, and that is no assure, even at residence. Once more, Freeman discovered that out the arduous manner earlier this season when NIU — a MAC workforce — got here into South Bend and knocked the Irish off, 16-14, in September.
That was a failure, and Freeman lately admitted to the media that he’s motivated by not having to undergo that once more.
“Concern is a motivator. It’s what it’s,” Freeman said (h/t On3). “Lots of people are motivated by worry agree, and there’s instances that I’ve to remind myself, what’s the results of not getting ready the proper manner? However generally it takes the efficiency that we now have versus NIU to return and say, okay, maintain on. What classes do we now have to study? In the event you knew precisely what it took, the right system, you’ll right it proper? When it’s not proper. However generally it takes going again and saying, okay, the place didn’t we put together the proper manner? And that’s after a win too.”
Failure is usually a motivator however it may also be a trainer. Any good coach is aware of that you may’t let the chance to study from failure cross you by, and Freeman clearly is aware of that. The proof of that’s the truth that the Irish went 10-0 the remainder of the way in which with wins over No. 15 Louisville, No. 24 Navy and No. 19 Military.
The Combating Irish are battle-tested they usually’re additionally effectively conscious that Indiana is not going to roll over simply because the sport is in South Bend. On the finish of the day, although, Freeman says all of it comes right down to preparation. The workforce that prepares the perfect is prone to come out on prime.
“I nonetheless consider in preparation. I select to consider that’s the primary indicator that offers your program an opportunity to have success on Saturday. And I gained’t stray from that,” Freeman stated. “And that’s what we’re going to deal with proper now as we put together for this upcoming sport.”
