Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman is aware of what failure seems like at this degree, and he does not have to return far to recollect the teachings that failure taught him.
Notre Dame is 11-1 and is about to tackle Indiana within the first spherical of the School Soccer Playoff. That one loss to Northern Illinois, nevertheless, might have been detrimental to the Preventing Irish’s playoff seeding. They’re No. 7 within the CFP whereas Indiana is No. 10. In the event that they beat the Hoosiers they will tackle No. 2 Georgia within the quarterfinals.
Notre Dame has to deal with the Hoosiers first, although, and that is no assure, even at dwelling. Once more, Freeman discovered that out the laborious means earlier this season when NIU — a MAC crew — got here into South Bend and knocked the Irish off, 16-14, in September.
That was a failure, and Freeman lately admitted to the media that he’s motivated by not having to undergo that once more.
“Worry is a motivator. It’s what it’s,” Freeman said (h/t On3). “Lots of people are motivated by concern agree, and there’s instances that I’ve to remind myself, what’s the results of not getting ready the precise means? However generally it takes the efficiency that we now have versus NIU to return and say, okay, maintain on. What classes do we now have to be taught? For those who knew precisely what it took, the proper formulation, you’ll right it proper? When it’s not proper. However generally it takes going again and saying, okay, the place didn’t we put together the precise means? And that’s after a win too.”
Failure could be a motivator but it surely will also be a instructor. Any good coach is aware of which you could’t let the chance to be taught from failure move you by, and Freeman clearly is aware of that. The proof of that’s the truth that the Irish went 10-0 the remainder of the best way with wins over No. 15 Louisville, No. 24 Navy and No. 19 Military.
The Preventing Irish are battle-tested and so they’re additionally effectively conscious that Indiana is not going to roll over simply because the sport is in South Bend. On the finish of the day, although, Freeman says all of it comes all the way down to preparation. The crew that prepares one of the best is prone to come out on high.
“I nonetheless imagine in preparation. I select to imagine that’s the primary indicator that offers your program an opportunity to have success on Saturday. And I received’t stray from that,” Freeman mentioned. “And that’s what we’re going to deal with proper now as we put together for this upcoming recreation.”