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
  • Notre Dame’s Transfer Portal Is ON FIRE! CFP Preview, Are We Cheering or Rooting Against Indiana?

    Notre Dame’s Transfer Portal Is ON FIRE! CFP Preview, Are We Cheering or Rooting Against Indiana?
    Jan 13 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 Notre Dame’s transfer portal suddenly heating up. After a slow start to portal season, Marcus Freeman and the Irish made a major splash, adding a handful of high-impact transfers to the 2026 roster. Mike and Jessica break down who’s coming to South Bend, who’s heading out, and what it all means for Notre Dame football moving forward. Later, the conversation turns emotional as Jessica refuses to watch the now-viral clip of Notre Dame being snubbed by the College Football Playoff, featured on Here Come the Irish on Peacock. Mike steps in to describe the moment and relive what many fans are calling the worst day of 2025 for Irish football. Have you seen the clip? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Once the tears are wiped away, the show shifts to the National Championship matchup. Notre Dame fans find themselves in a familiar moral dilemma as the Indiana Hoosiers—heavy favorites—take on the Miami Hurricanes. With regional pride and recent history at play, Mike and Jessica discuss who Irish fans can realistically root for, if anyone at all. The debate continues with a deep dive into potential College Football Playoff expansion. With 16- and 24-team formats on the table, Jessica makes the case for why a 16-team playoff could be the sweet spot—and how Notre Dame would benefit most. To wrap things up, the focus shifts to the hardwood as Notre Dame Women’s Basketball pulls off a huge upset win over ranked North Carolina. It’s been an up-and-down season, but beating a rival is always worth celebrating. Drop a comment and let us know who you’re rooting for in the Natty—and how many teams you want in the next CFP. 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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    53 mins
  • Notre Dame Portal Season Begins! Salute to Harrison Smith & Riley Leonard, Shrewsberry Meltdown

    Notre Dame Portal Season Begins! Salute to Harrison Smith & Riley Leonard, Shrewsberry Meltdown
    Jan 6 2026
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana open the show with a mix of NFL news and Irish pride. The conversation starts with Riley Leonard outperforming Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers, followed by a salute to Harrison Smith’s outstanding 14-year NFL career—and a look ahead to what could eventually be a call to Canton. After spotlighting two Irish legends, Mike and Jessica catch you up on everything that’s happened this offseason in South Bend. The Irish welcome new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge, who arrives from the Indianapolis Colts. The discussion then shifts to departures, as offensive linemen Billy Schrauth and Aamil Wagner leave Notre Dame for the NFL. Mike and Jess break down what both players meant to the program and wish them success at the next level. Later in the episode, the focus turns to the transfer portal. While Notre Dame is expected to be active, it’s been a relatively slow start so far. Mike and Jessica explain why they believe portal movement will heat up soon and discuss who could be coming in, who could be heading out, and what it all means for the Irish moving forward. Unfortunately, the conversation then shifts to Notre Dame men’s basketball, where head coach Micah Shrewsberry made headlines after an emotional meltdown during a game at California. Shrewsberry was furious over a late call that may have cost the Irish a crucial conference road win, ultimately earning a reprimand from the ACC. Mike and Jessica discuss the incident and why Notre Dame basketball needs to find different reasons to be in the spotlight. To close the show, Mike and Jessica react to Jordan Faison’s decision to end his decorated lacrosse career in order to focus fully on football—a bittersweet moment, especially for Mike, the biggest Notre Dame men’s lacrosse fan we know. The episode wraps with Notre Dame New Year’s resolutions from both hosts. Hit the comments and let us know your resolutions for the Irish. 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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    57 mins
  • Marcus Freeman Is Back at Notre Dame! USC’s Baffling Decision, Pop-Tarts Bowl & Malört

    Marcus Freeman Is Back at Notre Dame! USC’s Baffling Decision, Pop-Tarts Bowl & Malört
    Dec 30 2025
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana react to breaking news once again, as Marcus Freeman announces he will return as head coach of the Irish next season. It’s a major sigh of relief for Mike and Jess, as Freeman continues to draw consistent NFL interest. This season, that buzz included the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans, following last year’s rumors involving the Chicago Bears. Thankfully for Notre Dame fans, Freeman will be back on the sidelines in South Bend. After breaking down Freeman’s contract extension better than anyone, Mike and Jessica recap their holiday weekends. Mike shares his experience at the world-famous Pop-Tarts Bowl, while Jessica fulfills her long-standing Malört cocktail obligation—with a surprisingly unexpected outcome. The conversation then shifts to Notre Dame’s MOU with the College Football Playoff and USC’s reported confusion surrounding the agreement, which appears to be a key factor in putting the century-old rivalry on hiatus. Mike and Jess react to USC’s puzzling response and what it means moving forward. Later, the show highlights former Irish standouts in the NFL, including Audric Estime and Kevin Austin, who both found the end zone for the New Orleans Saints last weekend. The episode also celebrates Notre Dame players who earned Pro Bowl selections this season. Finally, the show wraps up with a preview of this week’s four CFP games and a discussion on Notre Dame men’s basketball head coach Micah Shrewsberry canceling Christmas?! 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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    55 mins
  • End of an Era? Notre Dame–USC Rivalry on Hiatus + Marcus Freeman NFL Rumors | The Echoes

    End of an Era? Notre Dame–USC Rivalry on Hiatus + Marcus Freeman NFL Rumors | The Echoes
    Dec 23 2025
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana react to breaking news surrounding one of college football’s most iconic rivalries: Notre Dame–USC is officially on hiatus. Stick with us through the opening minutes as the breaking news hit mid-show and Mike and Jess process the stunning development and what it means for Notre Dame and the sport at large. Before diving into the rivalry news, the show opens with a breakdown of the College Football Playoff — and yes, there’s still plenty of frustration over the Irish being left out by the committee. Then it’s on to the big story of the day: the end of the Notre Dame–USC rivalry… for now. Why is this happening? Who’s responsible? And who will Notre Dame schedule in USC’s place? Mike and Jess tackle all of it, including Notre Dame’s newly announced matchup with BYU. The conversation also turns to Marcus Freeman and growing speculation about his future. Should Irish fans be concerned about potential NFL interest, including rumors tied to the New York Giants? Golic shares his perspective, while Jess explains why chaos has become the norm in modern college football. 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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    44 mins
  • Notre Dame Award Season: Jeremiyah Love Wins Doak Walker, Looking Ahead to 2026, CJ Carr Heisman

    Notre Dame Award Season: Jeremiyah Love Wins Doak Walker, Looking Ahead to 2026, CJ Carr Heisman
    Dec 16 2025
    On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana begin turning the page toward 2026 while looking back at Notre Dame’s biggest award winners from the 2025 season. Jeremiyah Love spent the weekend in New York City attending the Heisman Trophy ceremony. While he did not take home college football’s top honor, Love made history by winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s best running back, the first Notre Dame RB to ever receive the prestigious award. Head coach Marcus Freeman was also in attendance, marking his first public appearance since Notre Dame’s College Football Playoff snub. What does the future hold for Love and Freeman in South Bend? Mike and Jess break it all down. Speaking of snubs, Notre Dame defensive back Leonard Moore shut down the nation’s top wide receiver, Makai Lemon, yet was passed over for the award as the country’s best defensive back. Mike and Jess explain why Moore deserved to win and how he was overlooked. While the Irish may have deserved more hardware, both Love and Moore earned All-American honors, and we celebrate their standout seasons. From there, the conversation shifts toward the future of Notre Dame football. While roster decisions are still unfolding, Mike and Jess preview what the 2026 team could look like, potentially led by Heisman favorite CJ Carr. The show also includes a full basketball update, starting with the reveal of Notre Dame’s new basketball leprechaun logo. Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think and which Notre Dame leprechaun is your favorite. Micah Shrewsberry’s men’s team is off to a strong start despite injuries to star guard Markus Burton. Freshman standout Jalen Haralson has stepped up, and the Irish also welcomed DB Mark Zackery to the roster. Could this be a March Madness team? We also check in on the women’s program, which is navigating injuries but trending in the right direction. Hannah Hidalgo continues to shine as one of the best players in America as conference play approaches. As the football offseason begins, we remind you that The Echoes will still be in your feed every week. Football may be over, but the content never stops, so make sure you’re subscribed. Finally, we cover offseason movement within the program, including linebackers coach Max Bullough departing for Michigan State and quarterback Kenny Minchey entering the transfer portal. Mike and Jess discuss what Minchey’s departure means for Notre Dame’s QB depth and who they’d like to see backing up CJ Carr next season. All that and more on The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. #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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    59 mins