THE ECHOES: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish cover art

THE ECHOES: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

THE ECHOES: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

By: Jessica Smetana Mike Golic Jr.
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 THE ECHOES is your home for Notre Dame Fighting Irish talk like you’ve never heard it before. Step into the world of Notre Dame football with Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana—two proud ND alums who bring the perfect mix of insight, energy, and humor to as they break down the latest on the Fighting Irish. From big-time matchups and memorable moments to the stories and traditions that make Notre Dame special, it’s all here. Fun, honest, and full of Irish pride, THE ECHOES is just two friends talking ball. New episodes will be released weekly. Watch on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us @TheEchoesNDPod on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.Sinclair, Inc. Football (American) Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Cooper Flanagan Joins the Show! Snowpocalypse in South Bend, Coaching Carousel, ND in NFL Draft

    Cooper Flanagan Joins the Show! Snowpocalypse in South Bend, Coaching Carousel, ND in NFL Draft
    Feb 3 2026
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off with the brutal winter weather that’s been hammering much of the country — including South Bend. From frozen temps to full-on snow days, students have been battling the elements and building snow chapels. Mike and Jess swap stories from their own snowy campus days and how the Irish always seem to make the most of it. From blizzards to the coaching carousel, the conversation turns to major staff changes. Mike Mickens heads to the NFL to join the Baltimore Ravens, while Aaron Henry steps in as Notre Dame’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. Al Washington also makes the jump to the league, joining the Miami Dolphins. It’s never easy losing top assistants, but it’s also a sign the program continues to develop elite coaching talent — and Notre Dame now faces the challenge (and opportunity) of reloading. Draft buzz is building, and wide receiver Malachi Fields made serious noise at the Senior Bowl. With the NFL Scouting Combine around the corner, Mike and Jess break down how Fields boosted his stock in Mobile and why he could be working his way into first-round territory. Later in the show, junior tight end Cooper Flanagan joins the podcast. The Northern California native talks about adjusting to Midwest winters, battling through a frustrating year, and what the College Football Playoff snub felt like inside the locker room. He also shares what it’s like having another player with a nearly identical last name, and how head coach Marcus Freeman addresses the constant NFL speculation surrounding him. To close things out, Mike and Jess dive into how Notre Dame discovered the ACC may have been favoring other teams. Subscribe for weekly Notre Dame football insight, player interviews, and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff
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    53 mins
  • MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT! Reaction to Cam Newton Comments, Notre Dame's Relevance, Onye Back, Mickens Gone

    MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT! Reaction to Cam Newton Comments, Notre Dame's Relevance, Onye Back, Mickens Gone
    Jan 27 2026
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off with a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT — and you won’t have to wait long to hear some of the best news we’ve had in weeks. After the big reveal, the show turns back to the gridiron with the latest from South Bend. The NCAA granted Jason Onye a sixth season, giving Notre Dame’s defensive line another boost following a strong transfer portal cycle. Not all the headlines were positive, though. Defensive backs coach Mike Mickens is heading to the NFL, joining the Baltimore Ravens staff. Mike and Jess break down what his departure means for the Irish. Plus, they discuss Notre Dame finishing top 10 in the final AP Poll despite missing the College Football Playoff. The conversation then shifts to the future with an early look at Notre Dame’s 2026 schedule. Some people are calling it soft, we see you Cam Newton and First Take, the hosts explain why it might actually be more standard than people think. They also recap the national championship matchup between Indiana and Miami, but the real highlight? Marcus Freeman shining on ESPN’s College GameDay. Is there a future in TV for the Irish head coach someday? To wrap things up, the episode hits a mix of Notre Dame news and notes, including the start of men’s lacrosse season and a look at former Irish players who will be competing on Super Bowl Sunday. 💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Jason Onye returning for Year 6 Mickens heading to the Ravens Notre Dame’s AP Poll finish ND's "soft "schedule All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Subscribe for weekly Notre Dame coverage all offseason long ☘️ Subscribe to The Echoes for weekly Notre Dame recaps, CFP reactions, game previews, and insider analysis all season long. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/
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    54 mins
  • Marcus Freeman Speaks, Notre Dame Dominates the Transfer Portal & CFP Expansion Debate | The Echoes

    Marcus Freeman Speaks, Notre Dame Dominates the Transfer Portal & CFP Expansion Debate | The Echoes
    Jan 20 2026
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana break down everything from Marcus Freeman’s latest press conference to Notre Dame’s dominant run in the transfer portal. Freeman spoke publicly for the first time since the season ended, and Mike and Jessica react to his messaging, tone, and what it all means for the future of the program. Later in the opening segment, they address the recent incident involving Freeman at his son’s wrestling match, Notre Dame’s response, and why the situation is being put firmly in the rearview mirror. The conversation then turns to the 2026 Notre Dame roster, where the Irish have been on a tear. With major additions and a few key departures, Notre Dame now boasts one of the strongest transfer portal and high school recruiting classes in the country. Mike and Jessica break down the newest additions, discuss how the depth chart is shaping up, and share which newcomers they’re most excited about heading into 2026. In the final segment, the show looks beyond South Bend to the future of the College Football Playoff. With the Big Ten pushing for a 24-team format and the SEC preferring to stay at 16 (for now), Mike and Jess debate expansion, CFP fatigue, and whether the playoff has simply become too long. Drop a comment and let us know: • Which 2026 newcomer are you most excited about? • Should the College Football Playoff expand — or be shortened? All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Subscribe to The Echoes for weekly Notre Dame recaps, CFP reactions, game previews, and insider analysis all season long. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootballplayoff Thank you to our sponsor: Wendy's Join Team Tendy’s and enjoy a line-up like never before. Crispy. Juicy. Tendys Now at Wendy’s. http://www.tendys.com/
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    56 mins
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