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Jeff Jackson is quietly becoming Notre Dame’s premier coach
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A few short years ago after a disappointing season for the Irish, the administration went out to find a new coach. Their search turned up a program savior with an impressive resume and multiple championship rings on his fingers. Sound familiar?
Sorry Charlie, but this is the storyline for Jeff Jackson, the Notre Dame Hockey coach. Full disclosure. I am a Charlie Weis supporter. He is the right coach for Irish football, and the future looks bright on the gridiron with him on the sidelines. But since coming to campus after the 2005 campaign, Jeff Jackson has done more on the ice with less in the cupboard. Here is your breakdown…
What did they inherit?
Charlie Weis took a 6-5 team and turned it into a 9-3 winner and a BCS bowl game. He had 3 All-Americans in Brady Quinn, Jeff Samardzija, and safety Tom Zbikowski. Weiss had arguably his finest year at Notre Dame and won the Eddie Robinson coach of the year award.
Jeff Jackson took over a 5 win team that had posted the worst record on the ice in Notre Dame history. The good news was that he had a young foundation to build on with Mark Van Guilder, Josh Sciba, and Erik Condra. In his first year as coach the Irish improved to a respectable 13-19-4.
How did they follow it up?
In 2006 the Irish finish 10-3 and had their second straight BCS bowl appearance. 2007 was a nightmare and their 3-9 record, including a loss to Navy that snapped a 43 game winning streak against the Midshipman, that will live in Irish lore for all the wrong reasons. 2008 was a respectable bounce back year, finishing at 7-6.
Since his inaugural campaign, the Jeff Jackson led Irish have taken off. In 2006–07, the Fighting Irish set numerous team records, including overall wins (32) and CCHA wins (21) as Notre Dame captured their first ever CCHA regular season and tournament championships. The coach also picked up his own hardware, winning the Spencer Penrose Award as the National Coach of the Year. In 2007-08 The Irish posted a 27-16-4 record and advanced to their first Frozen Four before losing in the NCAA Finals. In 2008-09 season the team went 31-6-3 and claimed another CCHA title before being upset in the NCAA tourney.
The Numbers don’t lie.
Since coming to South Bend Charlie Weis has won one bowl game and sports a .580 winning percentage. Although he recruits well, he has not beaten USC, and has been blown out in two bowl games.
Jeff Jackson has led the hockey team to its first thirty win season, as well as the teams first NCAA tourney win, and their first Frozen Four appearance. He has two regular season CCHA titles and two CCHA tourney titles under his belt. His 103-47-14 record is good for a .687 winning percentage.
Here is the bottom line. South Bend is lucky to have two world class coaches strutting around campus. Right now, Jeff Jackson has the bragging rights, but it will be fun to watch for Irish fans as these two professionals keep cranking out the wins with these top programs for the next few years.
Notes –
Congrats to former ND star Mark Eaton on getting his name on the Stanley Cup this year with the Pens.
Congrats to Darin Pritchett, who was named ND play by play man for the Irish Hockey Team this year.
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