THE ECHOES: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

By Jessica Smetana, Mike Golic Jr.Sports News Sports News Football

THE ECHOES: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish episodes

August 04 Tommy Rees Joins the Show! ND-USC Rivalry Back! Shields Family Hall Opens | The Echoes
Former Notre Dame quarterback and current Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Tommy Rees joins The Echoes!
First, the news that Notre Dame football fans have been waiting years to hear: the Notre Dame vs. USC rivalry is officially back, returning to the schedule in 2030. Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana break down the full story — the rivalry's rocky road, Indiana canceling their series, online drama, and why this is a massive moment for college football.
Then the main event — former Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback and current Atlanta Falcons OC Tommy Rees sits down with Mike and Jess for one of the most in-depth interviews we've done:
🏈 His new role as Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator
🏈 The biggest differences between the NFL and college football
🏈 Life as a student-athlete at Notre Dame
🏈 Recruiting CJ Carr — and watching him play last season
🏈 Why Tommy came back to Notre Dame to coach under Marcus Freeman
🏈 What it was really like working with Nick Saban
🏈 His favorite moments and memories from his Notre Dame career
🏈 The full story behind Tommy's infamous viral coaching moment
Whether you bleed Notre Dame blue and gold or just love great college football conversation, this one delivers.
🎙️ Subscribe for weekly Notre Dame football news, recruiting updates, game analysis, and exclusive interviews with the people who've lived it.
01:00 Notre Dame-USC Rivalry Back
13:20 Tommy Rees interview
#NotreDameFootball #FightingIrish #TommyRees #AtlantaFalcons #CollegeFootball

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57 min
July 29 Dayne Crist Joins the Show! SoFi Sponsorship, Training Camp Preview, Rewatch Pitt-ND 2010 | ECHOES
The Irish made headlines this week with a jersey sponsorship deal with SoFi, reportedly worth around $20 million annually. Is it a tradition-breaker or a necessary move in the modern college football arms race? Mike and Jess dig into just how controversial the deal really is — and why keeping up with championship-caliber rosters in today's landscape means the math has to work.
Then, former Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist joins the show! He's Mike's former roommate, teammate, and BFF — and the energy in this conversation doesn't disappoint.
They relive the 2010 Notre Dame–Pitt game, and Dayne opens up about what it was really like playing QB for the Fighting Irish, why he chose Notre Dame as the top QB recruit in the country, and what his relationship with ND looks like today.
As a financial advisor, Dayne also shares what advice he'd give recruits navigating the NIL era — because today's players are managing more money in high school than most adults see in years. And the big question: would Dayne transfer if he were playing Notre Dame football today?
00:00 Intro
01:50 SoFi uniform sponsorship
08:30 Dayne Crist joins the show!
28:30 Rewatch Pitt-ND with Dayne
🎙️ Subscribe for weekly Fighting Irish coverage
#NotreDame #FightingIrish #CollegeFootball #NDFootball #NotreDameFootball #TrainingCamp #NIL

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1 hr 6 min
July 21 Brian Kelly is Back! Notre Dame Media Day, Another USC Mistake, Pretender or Contender? | ECHOES
Notre Dame football is EVERYWHERE — and so is Brian Kelly. 🏈 Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana break down the Irish media blitz, Kelly's image rehab tour, and which college football 2025 contenders are the real deal on this week's episode of The Echoes.
In This Episode:
🎙️ Marcus Freeman & The Irish Media Blitz
Notre Dame football was all over the airwaves last week — First Take, ESPN Radio, the New York Stock Exchange, and the Stephen A. Smith Show. We break down what Marcus Freeman and CJ Carr had to say and why it matters for the upcoming season. Oh, and Michigan barely recruited CJ Carr. Wolverines can't get out of their own way.
🔄 Brian Kelly Is Back
The polarizing former Notre Dame coach is making his own media rounds. We take a hard look at Kelly's image rehabilitation tour, why he left South Bend, how Baton Rouge went sideways, and what's actually next for him.
🏆 Pretender or Contender?
"Will or Will Not!" We're taking stock of the college football 2025 landscape and putting the top programs on trial. Which teams with similar playoff odds as the Fighting Irish are for real — and which ones are frauds?
🎮 USC Football's Social Media Fail
USC tried to ride the viral wave of the new Odyssey movie and it did not go well. We break down the cringe and take a look at if Notre Dame will ever join a conference.
💬 Drop a comment below — which team do you think can give the Irish a tough game this season?
🔔 Subscribe for weekly Notre Dame football analysis, recruiting updates, and insider takes you won't hear anywhere else.
#NotreDame #NotreDameFootball #FightingIrish #MarcusFreeman #BrianKelly #CollegeFootball #USCFootball #NotreDamePodcast #CFB2025 #TheEchoes

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51 min
July 14 Shamrock Series Uniforms Reaction, Nick Black of Under Armour Joins the Show, ND Top 5 players!
On this episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana welcome Nick Black, Director of Design Footwear & Team Sports at Under Armour, to break down the story behind Notre Dame’s 2026 Shamrock Series uniforms.
From the inspiration and historical details to the years of planning that went into every element, Nick shares how these special uniforms came to life.
Before diving into the design process, Mike and Jess give their honest reactions to the new Shamrock Series look. Love them or hate them, one thing is certain: Notre Dame will be turning heads when they take on Wisconsin at Lambeau Field.
Then, before Nick joins the show, Mike and Jess tackle the impossible task of ranking their Top 5 Notre Dame players heading into the season. Their lists might surprise you—but whose rankings are more shocking? Watch, then drop your own Top 5 in the comments.
Finally, Nick Black joins the show to reveal the inspiration, history, and hidden details behind the Shamrock Series uniforms. Discover what makes this design unique and why it means so much to the Notre Dame and Under Armour teams.
👍 Do you love the Shamrock Series uniforms or would you change them? Let us know in the comments!
#NotreDame #FightingIrish #ShamrockSeries #UnderArmour #MikeGolicJr #JessicaSmetana #TheEchoes #CollegeFootball #NDFootball #WisconsinVsNotreDame

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53 min
June 30 Notre Dame's ELITE Recruiting Class, Golic's Top Offseason Wish, Mabrey Makes WNBA History | ECHOES
On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are back after a week off, and there’s plenty to discuss as Notre Dame’s recruiting momentum continues to build.
Before diving into recruiting, Mike explains what the final weeks of summer look like for players before fall camp officially begins. With the season just around the corner, he shares what happens behind the scenes before the pads come on and preparations ramp up.
Then it’s all about Notre Dame’s recruiting surge. Mike and Jess break down why the Irish continue to land elite talent—especially in the South—and what has made Marcus Freeman and his staff one of the hottest recruiting programs in college football.
Notre Dame’s recruiting success has everyone excited, but Mike also reveals his biggest wish for the offseason. What does he want to see before Week 1? Let us know in the comments if you agree.
The offseason hasn’t just been about recruiting. Mike and Jess also discuss the ongoing legal battles surrounding college athletics, including the proposed 5-for-5 eligibility rule and how it could impact Notre Dame across multiple sports, including football and women’s basketball.
To wrap up the show, the conversation shifts to the WNBA, where former Notre Dame star Marina Mabrey made history by tying the league record with an incredible 53-point performance.
Be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode of The Echoes.
#sports #football #notredame #NFL

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47 min
June 16 Brady Quinn Joins the Show! CJ Carr, Notre Dame's Expectations & Parallels, Irish All-Americans
On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana welcome legendary Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn to the show!
As Mike points out early in the episode, there are plenty of similarities between Quinn's Notre Dame teams and the 2026 Fighting Irish squad—both carrying sky-high expectations heading into the season.
Before Brady joins the show, Jess shares what it was like being in New York City as the Knicks captured their first NBA Championship in 53 years and how she celebrated the historic victory with her fiancé's family.
The conversation then shifts to Phil Steele's Preseason All-American Team, which featured several Notre Dame standouts. Who earned the recognition, who got snubbed, and where did quarterback CJ Carr land among the nation's best?
Mike and Jess catch up with Brady about life with his family this summer, what it was like playing under immense expectations during the Charlie Weis era, and the parallels he sees between those teams and Notre Dame's current roster. Brady also discusses which Fighting Irish wide receiver is poised for a breakout season, where CJ Carr can improve, how he ranks Carr among quarterbacks nationally, and what it was like being recruited to Notre Dame from Ohio State territory.
Plus, Brady shares what makes South Bend so special during the summer, reflects on Notre Dame's rich quarterback tradition, tells the funniest Paul Hornung story you've ever heard, and gives his thoughts on the current state of the USC rivalry.
Subscribe, rate, and review for more Notre Dame football coverage all season long.
#sports #football #notredame #NFL

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53 min
June 09 Notre Dame Spending Big NIL Money, Summer in South Bend, and College Football Drama | The Echoes
On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are back after a two-week hiatus with an action-packed show!
Mike returns from Europe just as Notre Dame's freshman football players arrive on campus and the countdown to the season continues. Could incoming freshman quarterback Teddy Jarrard gain an early edge in the battle for the backup QB job? We break down the quarterback competition and Mike explains what makes summertime in South Bend so special.
The college football offseason has also been filled with courtroom drama. We dive into some of the biggest stories in the sport, including whether Notre Dame is spending enough in the NIL era, Brendan Sorsby's gambling addiction and eligibility situation, and the growing debate around a potential college football super league and salary cap. Even when we're talking litigation, we keep things fresh and fun on The Echoes.
Unfortunately, while we were away, the Notre Dame men's lacrosse team fell to Princeton in the national championship game. Mike explains why Fighting Irish fans shouldn't panic and why the future remains bright for the program.
Plus, could the Chicago Bears really end up moving to Hammond, Indiana?
All that and more on The Echoes!
#sports #football #notredame #NFL

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46 min
May 19 Niele Ivey Joins the Show! Notre Dame WBB Mt. Rushmore, Hidalgo Expectations + CFP 24 teams??
On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana welcome special guest and Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Head Coach Niele Ivey to the show!
Before Coach Ivey joins the program, Mike and Jess break down the latest comments from Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua on why the College Football Playoff should expand to 24 teams — and what changed over the last few months.
Plus, they discuss whether the ACC needs Notre Dame more than Notre Dame needs the ACC after some anonymous conference quotes made headlines recently.
Later in the show, Coach Niele Ivey joins The Echoes for an awesome conversation covering everything from Notre Dame’s deep March run, Hannah Hidalgo’s superstar expectations heading into next season, and Coach Ivey’s Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Mount Rushmore, to her favorite travel spots, favorite HBO show, and what it’s like watching her former players thrive in the WNBA.
To wrap things up, the crew celebrates Notre Dame Men’s Lacrosse as the Fighting Irish head back to the Final Four once again.
#sports #football #notredame #NFL

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46 min
May 12 Notre Dame Football Home Schedule Released, ND-USC Rivalry Back On?? Brian Kelly Returns | Echoes
On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are back after a week off — and Mike is ENGAGED! 💍
Plus, Notre Dame officially released kickoff times for the 2026 home schedule, so we break down the biggest matchups coming to South Bend this season.
We also react to breaking news surrounding the University of Notre Dame and University of Southern California rivalry. Are ND and USC finally working toward saving one of college football’s most iconic matchups? We dive into the latest in the scheduling saga and what it means for the future of college football.
Later, Brian Kelly is making media appearances again and even talked about using AI in coaching — while also hinting at a return to South Bend. Would Irish fans welcome him back around the program? Let us know in the comments.
Plus, Dabo Swinney had more to say about Notre Dame football, ND Men’s Lacrosse continues its NCAA Tournament run, and the WNBA is filled with former Irish stars, including Skylar Diggins.
Subscribe for more Notre Dame coverage, player breakdowns, and weekly insights from The Echoes.
#sports #football #notredame #NFL

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49 min
April 28 Ian Book Joins the Show! Blue-Gold Game, NFL Draft, Golic Subpar Classic Recap | The Echoes
On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana return from a packed weekend in South Bend—balancing a family charity golf tournament, the Blue-Gold spring game, and all the action from the NFL Draft.
They kick things off by breaking down what stood out in the Blue-Gold Game—what impressed them, what didn’t, and which areas the team needs to sharpen heading into the summer.
From there, the conversation shifts to a huge day for Notre Dame in the NFL Draft. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price made history as first-round selections from the same backfield, a rare feat in today’s game. Plus, several other Fighting Irish players heard their names called, capping off a strong showing for the program.
Then, former Notre Dame QB Ian Book joins the show! Fresh off calling the Blue-Gold Game, Ian shares his perspective from the booth and dives into a range of topics with Mike and Jess—including Heisman hopeful CJ Carr’s performance, standout playmakers, the dominant offensive and defensive lines, the QB2 competition, and his transition into broadcasting.
Subscribe for more Notre Dame coverage, player breakdowns, and weekly insights from The Echoes.
#sports #football #notredame #NFL

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59 min