How the 2025 CFP Snub Helped Notre Dame Football This Offseason Nobody associated with Notre Dame football could see it or sense it in the moment, let alone rationalize how it might be of help down the road. The road the Irish currently travel. In the aftermath of the 2025 College Football Playoff snub, Notre Dame football found itself in a fog of uncertainty. The team’s season ended without a chance to compete for a national title, as the College Football Playoff committee opted to exclude them from the postseason. At the time, the decision felt like a setback, a cruel twist of fate that left the program adrift. But months later, as the winter lingered in South Bend with snow on the ground and wind howling through the stadium, the snub began to take on a different light. For fifth-year head coach Marcus Freeman, the exclusion became a catalyst. It provided a clear mandate: to leave no doubt about Notre Dame’s readiness to reclaim its place at the top of college football. Freeman’s mantra, “Leave No Doubt,” became the guiding principle for the 2026 season. The phrase was first introduced in January and later repeated during his media session to kick off spring practice. It was a call to action, a reminder that the team had to prove itself in every phase of the year—from winter conditioning to summer workouts, fall camp, and the 12 regular-season games ahead. The snub also allowed the program to refocus its priorities. Without the distraction of a playoff run, Notre Dame could concentrate on rebuilding its roster, refining its system, and addressing weaknesses. The absence of a playoff berth meant the team could take a step back, assess its strengths and gaps, and approach the 2026 season with a renewed sense of purpose.#notre_dame #2026_season #college_football_playoff #marcus_freeman #south_bend
Mark Stoops Joins Texas Coaching Staff as Special Assistant to Steve Sarkisian One week before Texas begins spring practice, head coach Steve Sarkisian has added a seasoned mentor to his staff, as former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops will serve as a special assistant to Sarkisian at the University of Texas. The move was confirmed by 247Sports, marking the latest addition to Sarkisian’s coaching team as the Longhorns aim to return to the College Football Playoff in 2026. Stoops, who spent 13 years as the head coach at Kentucky, brings over three decades of experience to Austin. During his tenure at the Wildcats, he compiled an overall record of 82-80, including seven winning seasons and four bowl appearances. He was dismissed by Kentucky following the 2025 season but remains the program’s all-time winningest coach. His departure left a legacy of stability and competitive success, which Sarkisian aims to leverage as Texas rebuilds its program. This hiring aligns with Sarkisian’s strategy of incorporating veteran coaches to bolster his staff. Previously, he has enlisted Paul Chryst and Gary Patterson as special assistants, with Patterson recently transitioning to the role of defensive coordinator at USC. Stoops’ expertise, particularly in defensive schemes, is expected to provide valuable insight as Texas refines its approach ahead of the 2026 season. The Longhorns’ offensive development remains a focal point for Sarkisian, though the return of Heisman Trophy candidate Arch Manning offers optimism. Manning’s strong finish to the 2025 season has positioned him as a key asset in Texas’ quest to reclaim national prominence. With Stoops’ guidance, the program aims to address both defensive and offensive challenges while navigating the competitive landscape of college football.#kentucky #university_of_texas #mark_stoops #steve_sarkisian #college_football_playoff
Texas has hired former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops as a special assistant to Steve Sarkisian Former Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops has been named a special assistant to Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian, according to a source close to the situation. The hire follows Sarkisian’s recent additions of analysts from other programs, including former Michigan co-offensive coordinator Steve Casula, former Michigan special teams coordinator JB Brown, and former Florida receivers coach Billy Gonzales. The move marks another step in Texas’ strategy to strengthen its football program ahead of the 2026 College Football Playoff season. Stoops, who was fired by Kentucky after 13 seasons, will take on a role similar to those previously held by Paul Chryst and Gary Patterson at Texas. His hiring comes amid a $38 million buyout clause from his Kentucky contract, which will be paid over several years. The decision to bring in Stoops, a defensive coordinator with extensive experience, aligns with Texas’ focus on bolstering its coaching staff with expertise in defensive schemes. Stoops’ career includes stints as a defensive backs coach and coordinator at multiple programs, including South Florida, Wyoming, Miami (Florida), Arizona, and Florida State, before becoming Kentucky’s head coach in 2013. He and new Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who previously worked with Stoops at Georgia, are described as having mutual respect for each other’s coaching acumen. The Longhorns’ hiring of Stoops is part of a broader effort to enhance their analytical and coaching staff. Texas has also added Garrett Cox, a former Georgia senior analyst specializing in linebackers, to the same role. Cox worked under Muschamp at Georgia, further reinforcing the program’s emphasis on defensive expertise.#texas #kentucky #mark_stoops #steve_sarkisian #college_football_playoff
