Stories Inside the Man Cave
Stories Inside the Man Cave
Lets Talk About it with John Foley: Member of Notre Dame's 1988 national title team; Upcoming Clash with Ohio State
This episode features John Foley, a member of Notre Dame's 1988 National Championship team, sharing his remarkable journey through college football and beyond. He brings forth themes of hard work, tradition, and resilience that define both the Notre Dame legacy and the spirit of the upcoming Notre Dame vs. Ohio State national championship game.
• Discussing the legacy of Notre Dame football and its traditions
• The impact of walk-on players on team dynamics
• Reflections on Coach Lou Holtz’s coaching style
• Transitioning to corporate America after football
• Insights into the emotional and physical challenges faced during his career
• Predictions for the Notre Dame vs. Ohio State matchup
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The Saxton name resonates in Austin. Jim's late father, james Saxton, is a Longhorn legend, a Heisman finalist while playing for Darryl K Royal, and Jimmy is a UT football legacy from Westlake. He has been insuring Austin for decades. He and his staff will give you old school hospitality when servicing your insurance needs. It is time we finally decide the national champion of college football.
Speaker 2:Longhorn fans, your team came awfully close Texas great season and you know Stevie Lee and I in the past rush with Stevie Lee we talked about how what a great CFP semifinal. Four blue bloods. Anyone a fan of college football was going to love it, because you're going to have a matchup of blue bloods for a national championship of college football was going to love it, because you're going to have a matchup of blue bloods for a national championship and the two teams who advanced have won. I've lost track of how many national championships that both Ohio State and Notre Dame claim, and there's several others that they don't claim, but I have a member of that 1988 Notre Dame National Championship team. He's unfiltered, incredibly intelligent, has a great story, he's intense and he's from that Lou Holtz era and he has a great story and for you, aggie fans, watching this, you may remember him, and I think Alabama fans may remember him all too well John Foley and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Speaker 2:Let's talk about it. Hey, someday I'm going to come out of that tunnel and I'm going to run onto this field. Well, it ain't going to be this day. I'm here to play football for the Irish.
Speaker 3:Coach Parsege didn't know about it. He didn't know about it.
Speaker 2:John Foley, living in Bee Cave, Texas. That's a suburb of the great city of Austin, Texas. First off, you are a member of Notre Dame Irish, the fraternity for life. But that movie, Rudy, does that resonate with you? What did you think about it? Does it depict Notre Dame the right way?
Speaker 4:You know what it really does. The reason why is there's a lot of walk-ons that have done amazing things. Pat Eilers is unbelievable, a walk-on from Yale. I'll never forget when he came on board. Really good-looking guy right, really nice hair, coming in from, I think, harvard or Yale. We're like who's this guy? Well, guess what? He ended up scoring a winning touchdown. I think it's Miami.
Speaker 4:It's just amazing what these walk-ons do. When they bring to the team. We're thankful for what we have because we're all big football players, right, and we're going to get you scholarships, we can go wherever we want. And you get these guys come in as walk-ons and I'll tell you, man, these guys most valuable players on that team because they beat the crap out of us. And then a lot of those guys go out and actually do some great things and, uh, you know, I, I think our walk-ons probably donated more money than all the other players, because you know they're. It's amazing. No, it's. Rudy is a great movie. It's a. It's a representation of, like Notre Dame and opportunities to be successful and to come and work hard and you can make the team.
Speaker 2:That's a great thing If you're watching the live stream. It's the eve, sunday night, before the college football national championship game between the Ohio State and Notre Dame. Before we get going, hey, please follow us on IG, all of our social media platforms Facebook, instagram X, youtube and TikTok and you can subscribe for free to our YouTube page. And you know what All of this? You know, I know this is episode 447. None of that would have been possible without the likes of all the sponsors, including Honest Plumbing and Air. Would have been possible without the likes of all the sponsors, including honest plumbing and air. Uh, they're based out of huddle, texas, but they serve the greater austin area, where a handshake still means something all right. Well, one thing that I want to show before we dive into the notre dame lore is uh, this, these pictures right here. Obviously, that's you now. Yes To the left. That was you back when you were in good playing shape correct.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I was like yeah, 250, 260 there Looking good man, I've got to take a feline out of the photo. Chloe, chloe Clutch, here likes to be in all my work, zoom calls and podcast episodes. So obviously you've aged well Good genetics, you stay hydrated, you stay active and you know and I got to point out that we are somewhere related Third or fourth cousins. We're follically challenged and there's nothing wrong with that right. Yes, absolutely. There's nothing wrong with that right, yes, absolutely. One thing that I think everybody that resonates is this sign that there's so many historical things related to Notre Dame that really got to start.
Speaker 2:And it's this, one of which is the sign that you guys got to hit or slap, yep, as you left the locker room at Notre Dame Stadium yes, we were the first.
Speaker 4:We were the first first ones.
Speaker 2:What do you? What's the story behind that sign?
Speaker 4:you know, it's actually a sign that's been around for Notre Dame for a long time and, um, nobody ever used it. And Lou Holtz basically sees this sign and like wait a minute, what? What is this? You know, play like a champion today. And he, you know, went out there and asked hey, do you mind if we use this thing and look where it's at today? You know, I mean Notre Dame. There's a lot of brilliant people at Notre Dame, a lot of things going on there, right, so you'll see some things that you'll be like, oh, and eventually, down the line, something big will happen. But that sign was there, but nobody really cared about it until Luluk said I like that. So yeah, that's how that happened. And yeah, I have a couple over my apartment right now and I moved to Texas three years ago. So I'll tell you that's a great gift for your friends and for your clients 100% it is.
Speaker 4:Oh, it's so cool, especially since it started with our team and touching that sign it's so personal, you know, and it's truly amazing.
Speaker 2:When you leave the locker room to go to the field, you go down a stairway, right. Yes, sir.
Speaker 4:Yep, and you hit that sign with your hand or some guy's head you know they're a little nuts, they do that and then you take a left, you walk like 10 feet and then you're in the tunnel and uh, it's the greatest feeling in the world.
Speaker 2:it's just tradition, you know, it's um, it's just, it's just unbelievable you, uh, grew up on the south side of Chicago, st Rita High School product. Now my good friend John Fidler. He's from the Joliet and for the last four or five years when we get together the guys, he talks about the Catholic League South side of Chicago, joliet. He talked about how hard it is and it's very similar to Texas high school football and maybe even better. In some ways You're a part of that. Tell us, set the record straight, what is the Catholic League on the south side of Chicago? What was that like? Because all I hear is about how physical it was and true football, you know what.
Speaker 4:We're all blue collar. You know we're all raised a little bit different. People are tough in Chicago. This is Southside. You know it's very mixed white, black, hispanic. You know there wasn't no white neighborhood or black neighborhood or Hispanic neighborhood, it was all kind of mixed and you know it's just a very tough part of town. We took a lot of pride in football. We would love to play the schools in the suburbs. We'd love that Because we're jealous they had things. We're all living in two-bedroom apartments trying to get by every day. These kids are just. We're type a little angry about that probably, but it was, it was we're. You know it was. You're raised to be tough in Chicago. It's. You know it's outside. It's still that way today. I mean, you know Northern Illinois beat Notre Dame. You know why? Right, those are Southside kids. Is that? I didn't know that? Oh yeah, Go look it up. Those are Southside kids. I mean I was watching this game and we were bigger than them, faster than them and they would just keep punching us in the face.
Speaker 2:They wanted it.
Speaker 4:Yeah, and well, do you notice how much aggressive we got after that game? I still today tell people we're winning because we're mean. You know we won the national championship because we were the toughest team on there. Off the field or on the field, we can kick your butt. I'm starting to see that now. I mean, after that Northern Illinois loss, complete change in attitude on that team.
Speaker 2:Fast forward. These years you've been in the financial world and you mentioned that you're currently living in the Austin area. For three years now, what brought you to Texas and describe your career post-football?
Speaker 4:What brought me to Texas, you know, after football I went into corporate America for Scott Paper R Donnelly and found out I had some great ability with numbers. So I ended up going to Wall Street and trying to get in there. It was funny story. I went into this brokerage firm. My sister was a trader there and you know I was. I'm dyslexic, okay, so don't do well on tests, and right. So they tested me and it was funny, and my dad didn't come in. That what great.
Speaker 4:And the head of sales of the big, big investment bank says well, you know, we're not going to hire you. And I said okay, got a question for you. He goes yeah. I said what's any of your brokerage done? That brokerage from down the block? Oh, that's piper. I said, okay, well, I'm gonna go get a job there to kick your ass. Well, guess what? There's a lady. She's like oh, no, no, no, you're, you're gonna stay here, you're working for us. Mean, it changed your mind right away because I'm like you know, you just have obstacles in your life, you know, and that was one I had. And I basically said it was hilarious, it had a great career for 22 years, it was awesome.
Speaker 2:That's amazing, that really is.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it's amazing when you get an education from Notre Dame and you walk in anywhere, they don't ask you what your GPA is. Okay, I mean, come on seriously, and I did pretty well, I actually did pretty well. But they really respect you immediately. And then when they hear you play football and you're like, not this big knucklehead, that really helps, you know, because most of our players, as you see, as they grow and get older, they pretty much stay in good shape. So, yeah, it's been just an amazing life. I never imagined I would have such an awesome life until I went to Notre Dame and found out what the world was like.
Speaker 2:Unbelievable. You're not the first person who has told me that. You're not the first person that has told me that In football, any athletics, any sport Does wonders for people If they take advantage of it. And here is you. Not too long ago you mentioned you had a good head of hair he's not lying and John was a defensive tackle, good size, very fast, 4'5", 240, 252 pounds, but going left to right. Is there any story that's relative to any of those photos?
Speaker 4:Relevant to those photos, like Bobby Humphrey hit.
Speaker 2:Oh yeah, we're going to get to that. We're going to get to that Iphrey had.
Speaker 4:Oh yeah, we're going to get to that. We're going to get to that. I can't wait, pat. Terrell. Yeah.
Speaker 4:Well, look at my nose. I had my nose reconstructed twice, did you? Oh yeah, I broke my nose all the time in Notre Dame. Look at my middle picture. My nose is completely different. You know I?
Speaker 4:I mean, the thing about lou holtz is, um, he just let us play. Yeah, you know practice, he let us play and there's a lot of fighting. You know a lot of a lot of a lot of uh tough things going on in the field and he and he controls it. You know he controls it and it's amazing, uh, when we get on a field for a game, it's completely different. We're hitting hard, we're tough, but you know it's amazing, when we get on a field for a game, it's completely different. We're hitting hard and we're tough. It's like we get that all-out practice and then game. It's more focused and do the right thing and play the game right. It was an interesting journey, especially playing for Holtz and the players. I mean the Catholic League. There's like eight guys from Rideau High School and St Lawrence all, at the same year, went to Notre Dame.
Speaker 2:I mentioned, follow us on social media. You can give me a follow to on Twitter as well. I at Sean C, underscore the ATX John Foley, member of the 88 Notre Dame national championship team. There's so many things to talk about, but you see the headshots and that's just the beginning of it. I love looking at headshots of people as we age. I mean, you were blessed with good genetics and you were blessed with great talent, in particular the ability to play defensive tackle in the mid-'80s.
Speaker 2:I want to take my name off of here. That's you and your uh, notre dame, uh, student id. And if you look at this list and correct me if I'm wrong, it looks like it's 1987. Is that right? Yes, sir, yep, see, for texas fans, if you look on the list of tackles, he's listed as number 10 for Notre Dame. This was back before universities. Like you know, you have the University of Louisiana. There's no longer Louisiana left yet. Before that it was Southwest Louisiana. But look at Steve Llewellyn, big defensive tackle for Texas. That year, 87, was David McWilliams' first year as the head coach. But you go back and look at some of these names. I mean I'm trying to see like Eugene Hall at Baylor. Are there any other names that really had a career where they made a name for themselves in the NFL?
Speaker 4:You know Michael Ruth. Is Ruth on there? I think he's on there. You know he was at Boston College yeah, I think he's on there. You know he was at Boston College. Yeah, I think he was on there. Did he tackle for I don't have the list in front of me Michigan had a tough guys. I mean, I was so excited to be on that list. I didn't expect it, to be honest with you, because I only tackled two games, the last two games of the year as linebacker most of the time, and so I made that list. It was unbelievable, because these are guys who are Bo Schembecker and they're right. I think that's my first college football game. What?
Speaker 2:year was that 86? 87? Yeah 87.
Speaker 4:And that's me walking off the field in the 49, which is hilarious. I got that thing shot to me a million times. Because I'm from south side of Chicago and Michigan, everybody knows who we are. I don't know how I got that cover, but I was very fortunate. It was kind of cool the thing that people forget.
Speaker 2:They're probably too young and it's not their fault. So there was a time frame in college football before all of these conference realignments that we see so often now that you know college athletics changing daily. There was a long list of independents who were not members of conferences oh yeah you guys, florida state, um, miami, um, but you guys think about this. You somehow somehow pieced together an 11-game independent schedule every year, and Notre Dame, for the most part, still does that, and Michigan was every year correct.
Speaker 4:Yes, michigan, we played with Big Ten teams, a lot of the Big Ten teams. Usc. Yeah, big Ten, then USC and like Miami. You know that ended. But yeah, we played a lot of them. Big Ten, then USC and like Miami, you know that ended. But yeah, we play a lot of them in Big Ten and then a lot of miscellaneous teams like Alabama, miami. You know times like that. Yeah, but no one conference. But Big Ten conference is close to us so it was easier to travel.
Speaker 2:How long before you think Notre Dame will be in a conference, or will that ever happen?
Speaker 4:You know I get a lot of crap about that. I don't know. I mean I don't, I don't know. I mean the game's changed quite a bit. You know. Now they're paying these players, which is, you know, completely different. The mindset's not about, I don't know about team. In a way it is, but you know it's the highest bidder gets to to go where they want to go. Um, you know, I don't blame them. It does take away from the game. Uh, you know how we play it, uh, but yeah, yeah, I'm not sure what, uh, where it's going to go from here. I mean it's going to be who has the most money. I guess, I don't know. I mean it could be, but you know the way I look at. As long as we keep our graduation rate up and our kids are good guys and do the right thing, that's what we care about.
Speaker 2:You know well, from a business point of view you're not sharing any TV revenue with anybody, to my knowledge, yeah, no, probably not.
Speaker 4:I don't know why we would get out. I don't know why we would go when we should be independent. We are very independent. We always are. Players are school is. Um, you know, our brand is amazing. I mean, we're catholic, all right, that's a big deal. Um, you know, my, my parents were catholic. My, my dad's brother was a priest. So, you know, I had a chance, I I got, I got to pick from three schools notre dame, notre dame and notre dame. There you go, I mean, in my day I was being offered a lot of money you know, and some really cool stuff.
Speaker 4:And no, my parents, lou Holtz, walked in that door and was like, you know, like Jesus walking in the room and his comment, you know, his comment to me was interesting. He walked into my house and he told me I had to go to notre dame, you know, and I'm like that's the number one player in the country. So I was like, okay, you know, I was a little arrogant, but not verbally, but in my head a parade, all-american, correct yes, yes, yeah, I was defense player of the year for usa today, um, and then you know, so, you know I was.
Speaker 4:I was never arrogant or cocky. Out internally in my head I was hell, yeah, it was, but outside, no. And he walked up and said, yeah, you got to go to Notre Dame. And I'm like, I was like okay. And he said, uh, he told me the reason. Why is because he says you'll never last four years. And I'm looking and I'm like what are you talking about? What are you talking about? And he said every play you want to kill somebody, you just want to knock them out. And he said you can't do that in college. I'm like, oh, yes, you can, he goes exactly, you can't. So he literally told me he's like you know, you need to get an education and honestly, I really didn't think that much.
Speaker 2:You mentioned playing reckless abandon, going down with your hair on fire. Here's an example Against Alabama in 1987 on the kickoff team.
Speaker 1:This is classic John Foley, right here and Humphrey is an experienced and dangerous kickoff return man. He's got it there at the 10. Down he goes. That was John Foley, number 49, who's been sensational all year long Brent on the kickoff team for Notre Dame, One of the most highly touted young linebackers in America, and he meets Mr Humphrey. It's the Lombardi winner a couple of years down the road against perhaps the Heisman Trophy winner of next year.
Speaker 2:So that's Brent Musburger claiming you may be a Lombardi Award in the future. I mean, is that the game? You really just realized I can do this? I mean, I know it was special teams, and sometimes special teams is overlooked.
Speaker 4:Oh well, you know, actually with Lou Holtz, special teams, he's like players playing in special teams. A lot of the starters are playing in special teams, you know, because a lot of people didn't put a lot of the stars on special teams and I wasn't a star. But you know, I did the kickoff return because I told him one day I go to practice and make a coach, you know, they make this wall Right and I said, how about if I run down and I just throw my body into it? He looked at me like I walked away, you know, and I'm like, all right, that must be a good idea. So usually, usually I'm the guy who's coming in first there.
Speaker 4:Now, what happened in that film? If you watch it alabama figured that out you're like you let this guy go, he's going to knock the whole wall out. And that's what I used to do is run down and throw my body into three people like right at the wall. It was awesome, awesome. And that one alabama figured out. So they had two guys come off the ball to stop me. So I was late coming there and when I was coming down the lane late, you know, we stay in our lane I saw, I saw opening in in in the area. I just went to that opening. I didn't see that running back guys. By the way, I never saw that guy and so I was getting up.
Speaker 4:After I threw up on him, um, cause, you know, people are like, oh, look at your, you know your positioning, you're slowing down. No, that's all in your brain, that just happens immediately because you do this 5,000 times a day, right, and so when I hit him, I'm like holy cow, I mean it was, and I threw up, you know, and it was hilarious, because I'm hitting this guy and I'm looking around like wow, this guy, and he was out, he was knocked out. And as I'm getting up, I'm grabbing, uh, my mouthpiece, which was like inside here is a mask. And I'm grabbing my mouthpiece and I'm walking off because you know, lou Holtz, we don't talk on the field, we don't.
Speaker 4:You know, we just we play the game, we go off, we play, we game off, you don't talk, smack, like they used to, like they do. And he grabs me in my mask when I get off the field and he's like, who do you think you are like? And just puke, puking my mask. And he's looking at his hand. I said Coach, I wasn't taunting him. I threw up on him, I had to get my mouthpiece and he looked at me and walked away.
Speaker 2:He said I am done here.
Speaker 4:Yes, yes. So, speaking about my injury, when we went to the Cotton Bowl, you know Lou Holtz, when he came to my house he said to me I will do something that will probably eventually cause my injury. And what happened is, when I was starting the Cotton Bowl, defensive tackle Holtz was like I don't want you playing special teams, you know. And I said no. I said I'm playing special teams. I'd rather play special teams than D-tackle. Right Now I'm playing both. Now, right, he looks at me like I'm nuts. I'm like no, I said a kickoff return. Coach, I got to protect Timmy. He's like look at me, like what do you mean? I'm like I was the first guy in front of Tim Brown on kickoffs. Okay, you got to go through me if you're going to go to Timmy. And nobody got Timmy, if they're going through me. And so I told coach, you know I'm't think you should, it's not a good idea.
Speaker 4:I broke my neck on the third kickoff and I played two and a half quarters with a broken neck and I knew it was over. I mean, my body was completely shot. But you know, I remember he walked to my house when he was recruiting me telling me I'm going to do something stupid. I'm not going to last four years. Well, there you go. If I wouldn't have played in special teams, I'd probably be still playing or I would have been playing for a while. But yeah, special teams are awesome and you know you get this reputation or you get. You know you want to protect Timmy. To me, protecting Tim Brown was my job, right, like you know, if there's guys coming in here with machine guns, I'm standing in front of Timmy, all right. Yeah, I took pride in that.
Speaker 2:I took pride in that so Notre Dame has always been a big draw. Notre Dame sells tickets. Cotton Bowl was back at the old Cotton Bowl Stadium before it moved to Jerry World in 2010. And it was a big game. It was a New Year's Day morning, usually game. Texas A&M at that point was in the midst of dominating the Southwest Conference. Jackie Sherrill was the head coach and the 87 season was their third straight SWC title. Yep and Notre Dame kind of what happened that year, Because you guys had four losses that year, if I remember correctly.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it was more near the end of the year. Yeah, yeah, we had a lot of injuries and then going into the combo, you know, I thought we'd do better. I mean, we did really well the first two quarters, but after that it got difficult. Our linebackers were amazing. I mean, their defense was really tough.
Speaker 2:Yeah, wrecking crew, they were really good.
Speaker 4:Yeah, wrecking crew, they were really good, yeah, and so we had some injuries. I think it's our second year, right, it's our second year and we're growing, we're learning and we made mistakes, and that's kind of what happens is we're doing really well in the beginning. Then all of a sudden lost to Penn State and then Texas A&M. We really felt we can beat those guys. But they were tough, they were good, they played well.
Speaker 2:So you had that injury, all your own kickoff and before that, I think it was still the first quarter the image that I will never forget was the member of the 12th man kickoff team for Texas A&M brought down Tim Brown, who won the Heisman Trophy that year. He's from the Dallas area.
Speaker 1:This happened Both benches clear Tim Brown and Thomas following that kickoff return. Now he's down and remember he's playing with that back problem and Brown sets sail after number 11. He brings him down from behind and that causes the benches to empty.
Speaker 2:He stole number 11 for A&M I can't remember his name on the 12th man kickoff team, I believe Stole Tim Brown's towel and Tim reacted and I thought right then and there that Notre Dame was going to roll. But it didn't happen.
Speaker 4:Yeah, it's, you know, you just don't take things from people, and that's why that fight happened. I mean you just, yeah, you know, you just don't take things from people, nope, and that's why that fight happened. I mean you just, yeah, you know, all of us were growing up different, you know, and so it's like you want to fight, okay, we'll fight. And that's pretty much what happened. And Coach grabbed me right away and just took me off the field because he knew I'd probably get in big trouble. But yeah, it was kind of childish, right, I mean, guys take his towel running away and you know, 12th man, right, it's 12th man thing. So it was probably somebody who didn't play as much. And it was.
Speaker 4:It was disrespectful it really was emotional time and, yeah, I think we did well for a while there, but then again, you know, they just, they just had a better team bucky richardson, the quarterback for a&m, and, and and you guys, that was lou holtz's.
Speaker 2:What third year or second year?
Speaker 4:yeah, well, that was the second year and actually we should thank texas a&m because we went on one national championship next year. So, uh, and part of that was because of that, you know. Uh, we embarrassed ourselves and we were pissed. Uh, you know, we probably started our morning meetings at five instead of six. You, you know losing that game.
Speaker 4:Yeah, I mean, you know us losing to Northern Illinois, I truly believe, won us a national championship. You know, because it means you're vulnerable at any time, anywhere you can lose. So when we lost that game, we were embarrassed, we were pissed, you know, and so we wanted to come back and win and that's what happened. You know, if we would have won the game, would we win the national championship next year? I don't know, but we left on a kind of a sore note and we wanted to right that wrong. And I truly believe there are certain games in your life you play and that change the way the team plays, change the way the team succeeds, and I think that was our turn. You know we thought we were much better than that and we weren't. You know we were short people, but I do believe that built the national championship team.
Speaker 4:And then you know Miami, the year before, you know, running up to score on Jerry Fouts, right, I mean that was a big mistake. When that happened, any Catholic League kid from Chicago was going to go to Notre Dame. I mean we had nine or eight of them, right. The reason why a lot of them took that personal what they did to Jerry Fouts the year before we all got there. So football you know when they do these stats and they talk about these games and who's going to win by this many points, there's so much you miss in calculating, like motion and history, and you know team and honor. You know you can't put that into any calculation. You know, like Ohio State's supposed to beat us by nine.
Speaker 4:Really, I wasn't really impressed with Ohio state the last five weeks. Yeah, I think they lost a game or two. Yeah, they did. So why are they so much better than us? You know, I love it. I love it. I think that's going to drive our guys to succeed. And a great coach there. If I was on that team I'd be pissed.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and we're definitely going to be talking about that here shortly this 88 team. You mentioned it when we were talking before this your relationship with Lou Holtz, and summarize what that was like for you and have the honor to play for him.
Speaker 4:You know, it was great. He was like a father, you know, and you did not want to disappoint him. I mean it was like if he was mad at you, you were like it's like the worst thing in the world. You know, yeah, he was tough, he was. You know, he's out there. He was getting down and playing.
Speaker 4:It's hilarious, I mean he's getting on a three stance and go hit somebody and we're like what the hell is he doing, you know, and he's, he's a disciplinarian, but he, he lets the animals play. Let's just say that during practice, all right, yeah, during practice he lets us be. You know, he lets us get it out. You know, I mean a lot of fighting. Not a lot of fighting, but a lot of super competitive hitting. He was okay with it. You know, in games, no, but in practice, super competitive hitting, he was okay with it. You know, in games, no, but in practice, yeah. I mean there's a reason they put a rapper on the field. Okay, you know he was a tough coach. I mean look at the stars we had as assistant coaches Barry Alvarez, palermo. I mean, yeah, we had unbelievable coach Fazio from Pitt. I mean we had the best coaches in the world. I mean we should have won a national championship with that type of coaching staff. I mean, if you look at what success they had and what they did, and they were all tough guys.
Speaker 2:That's amazing. Lou Holtz and Fiery you guys, I think you guys beat. It was kind of like an experimental. Let's try to match the two best teams in the Fiesta Bowl after the 88 season. Mm-hmm. They had Major Harris right West Virginia.
Speaker 4:You guys had Toby.
Speaker 2:Rice, yeah, and Rocket Ishmael yeah.
Speaker 4:We had I mean Eck and Gronhardt and I mean we had just Pat Eilers. I mean we had a ton of stars. You know Pat Tyler, taylor, pat and we Pat Eilers, who ends up being like. You know, we had an unbelievable team there that nobody really knew. We're a bunch of no-names and it was awesome because we had so many talented people that they didn't realize until the end of the year. We have a lot of talented people Because we had so many talented people that they didn't realize until the end of the year. We had a lot of talented people. We were able to fix spots where we got hurt. You know you lose people. We had a lot of people stepping up and you know, a big part of that again is, you know, texas A&M beating our ass. You know we were pissed.
Speaker 2:It launched for the next year? Yes, it did. Is there any story from your time playing at Notre Dame? That's as funny now as it was when it happened. It could be classified as a man cave story.
Speaker 4:Filter free, so wait. So what are you looking for now? A man happened at practice or something.
Speaker 2:Like anything that you remember, that's still comical now that you still laugh at the same way, any type of man cave story from those days.
Speaker 4:I mean, practice was just crazy. It was just. You know, when they kick you, the funny thing is when they would kick us off the team, you know. So if you got in a fight or something, you get kicked off the team. Oh yeah, right away. Then Colts would go back and look at the film and he'll come back and say, say, okay, you're back on the team. Oh it's hilarious. Oh yeah, it was we're.
Speaker 4:Our practices were pretty violent. Uh, it was, uh, it was super aggressive, like not what you can sit normal, you know, I mean, he, he kicked me out of one practice and I'm walking out and I'm giving all my equipment away. You know, I'm giving all my equipment away and I'm getting my pads away this way, and I'm walking away Cause, you know, we, all the egos were mad. And Colt calls me that night and says, hey, john, you can. You know that was a bad. So we, so the guys, were like cheap, shot me once in a while, cause they know I'd fight seriously. So like, okay, who's going to hit falling? So I get hit, bam, I'm going to start, and that's, that's the. That's why the team was.
Speaker 4:It was interesting, it was tough, uh, and I would, you know get kicked out every once in a while and I give my stuff away. And I called, holtz called and said you're okay, you know, we saw that that's a cheap shot. I'm like, yeah, I know. And he'd be like, all right, I'm like, well, coach, I have no equipment. He's like what I said well, you told me I was off the team, so I gave it away. I said, well, you told me I was off the team, so I gave it away. So, yeah, I mean, yeah, it was interesting, I mean it was funny because you know, I mean he just let us do that and fight and get it out. But you know, it was really controlled. But I would say that was the funniest thing when I called him and told him I had no more equipment.
Speaker 2:I think he was like that's a great man case story. What are we talking about, john?
Speaker 4:well, the funny thing is is that he kind of went oh okay, like no big deal, like, oh okay, I'm like, yeah, coach, you got my equipment away. Oh okay, go get some more, because remember, we had Barry Alvarez, we had Faggio, we had a bunch of tough guys in that field. Yeah, I mean these were, these are tough guys, and the coaches were probably tougher than us, and it was. It was yeah, am I kidding, ever see the foge man? That guy was tough and you know, yeah, and barry alvarez, oh my god, I was afraid of barry alvarez. I mean great coach, but man, he was tough and uh, I mean you look at the name of all the coaches we had that year unbelievable, I mean just tough guys.
Speaker 2:And Coach Alvarez, tremendous job at Wisconsin as a head coach, oh, absolutely.
Speaker 4:Absolutely. Yeah, he. It's funny because when you graduate from Notre Dame, it's so awesome because you go to these interviews and people, how know, got in banking. I went to this interview company called robinson stevens and you know I was, I was selling paper, and the guy walks in the room and he, he told me, you know, he flew me to california as a really well-known tech company and he looks, he goes well, you don't have your mba. I'm like, yeah, well, you knew that, because, well, we hire people with mbas and I, well, what about my references? I have some pretty good references. He's like, who are they? I'm like, well, lou Holtz and Barry Alvarez.
Speaker 4:And I started throwing names out. You know, he's like Lou Holtz, I go, yeah, he goes, really, I go, yeah, and this, this is a big banker from carl robinson stevens, famous, and I was, uh, it's like my second year in the business business, and so he goes, you can get him on phone. Oh, yeah, easily. He's like, really, so I get him on the phone and I said, hey, jan, help me, I'm interviewing for a job and you know, I need it. Got kids. Uh, is lou around, yeah, he is. And so, literally, pick up the phone. Hey, coach, how you doing good. This guy's like this, like all jumping up down, like my phone, what's in the phone says, hey, coach, how you doing good? And he goes. Coach, I want you on the leave, is that okay? He goes, sure, let him out. So I get out and walk out and uh, you know, I'm sitting there and hold, and this guy's sitting there for like a half hour 40 minutes talking to holt, like swinging in the club look at hand the desk, it's like he had the best time of his life. And then he uh, knocks on the window, he walks in the door and after he gets off the phone says, you know, come on in and I walk in. He goes, okay, well, you're hired, and true story. And I and this is a, this was literally it changed my career, changed my life and I go well, what did he say? He goes, he goes. Uh, well, we didn't talk about you. Actually, I'm like what he goes? Oh no, we just talked about football family you know about. He goes. Yeah, we didn't say anything about you. I'm like, okay, and he goes. Uh, I asked coach Holtz one question he goes, what's that? I said, can this kid sell? And Holtz one question. He goes what's that? I said, can this kid sell? And Holtz said, yeah, he brought in two top recruiting classes at Notre Dame.
Speaker 4:When he got hurt he ended up working for the university, working for me, and I recruited like a bunch of the players you know I was. When I got injured, my parents told me, my dad told me, either I work or I have to go home. So I broke my neck and I was done. I had to get a job and if I didn't get a job, I had to go home. So I went to Holtz and said, coach, you've got to give me a job, I've got to find something to do. My dad's making me go home. My dad was going to make me go home. My dad was not going to let me go to Notre Dame without working. And Holtz was like, yeah, I'll talk to him, calls me, okay, um, go ahead. And uh, you're gonna work for me, you're gonna, you're gonna do recruiting. So yeah, I did. So. Basically I took over recruiting for like it for two years and I met a lot of great people we're gonna take a quick break with our guy, john foley.
Speaker 2:We'll take a quick break, but on the other side, you know, one of the main factors, motivations behind this episode is, you know, notre dame is back in the national championship game for the first time a little over a decade, and we're going to get his thoughts on that opponent, an opponent that they have only played a handful of times. Let's talk about it with John Foley. We'll see you on the other side of this break. Honest is a strong word and we all need honesty when it comes to plumbing and HVAC needs, somebody who will take care of the repairs efficiently and with quality. Honest Plumbing and Air is who I trust and they take pride in that word. Honest Plumbing and Air, where a handshake still means something.
Speaker 1:Marcus Freeman made the stop. Here they come. Defrayne gets the carry straight ahead.
Speaker 3:Might have gotten a yard, ran into Marcus Freeman right away.
Speaker 2:How about that? You're playing Ohio State the great storylines. There's so many of them. Your young, incredible head coach, marcus Freeman, is a former Ohio State Buckeye linebacker, and a pretty good one. Yep.
Speaker 4:That's amazing to me, me do you think he knows their program pretty well yeah, he's got some insight right absolutely I I honestly believe this is one of the toughest teams I've seen since I left notre dame. I mean losing. Northern illinois pissed a lot of them off absolutely should it should absolutely, you know.
Speaker 4:And then now my son played in northern and my brother played at Northern, so it's kind of tough, but you know, I knew when they were going in there they were going to get a fight and I think that really set the stage for us in the title, saying that you know that was a game of tough guys and we weren't the tough guys and you know that really showed our third team to move, that get that next level of just heart and playing hard. And you know, I mean, if you looked at the guys on the sidelines, it looked like a high school versus a grammar school. It really did, it really did. So, you know, and I was, I was like watching that and I'm like wow, how are we losing these guys? It was his heart and so I think the team learned a lot that game and I think it's gonna resonate this game.
Speaker 4:I mean that second half from the last game we played, oh my god, did you? Were those guys tough or what? I mean? These guys are right and I'm I'm telling you fear matters. People think, oh, yeah, you have to strategically. No bull crap. You knocked somebody in the head a couple times. Yeah, it's not fun, you know, and I honestly believe we're harder hitters. I think we're going to play harder and we're just going to go out there. I'm glad we're nine points behind Good.
Speaker 2:Nine point underdogs?
Speaker 4:Yeah, didn't this team lose a game a couple like five, six weeks ago? This Ohio State team, yeah, I mean that pissed me off. Okay, they beat Texas, but yeah, seven games, seven points. It wasn't like they blew them away. I mean I don't know what the spread was that game, but I wasn't impressed. You know that interception ran back. You know they beat them by 14 points. Did they really beat them by 14 points? Yeah, because of one crazy play. So I think they're going to run into a team that they're not expecting.
Speaker 2:And you look at this, you could not ask for two better historic programs. I mean, each of the four in the CFP semifinals were great. But look at this I can't believe Notre Dame has not beaten Ohio State. But look at this, I can't believe Notre Dame has not beaten Ohio State. But look at this 19 national championships and 14 Heisman Trophy winners between the two. This is long overdue. This is for this to happen in the national championship game, don't you think?
Speaker 4:Oh, absolutely, I mean, this has been waiting forever. I have a ton of friends who are Ohio State fans too. Yeah, it's funny, they're Ohio State fans too. Yeah, it's funny they're not calling me now Interesting.
Speaker 2:Hey, I think you guys, Ohio State won a couple of years ago. They all played and Marcus Freeman was asked if that will be used as motivation at all for this game.
Speaker 3:If there's learning opportunities from other games or previous games, absolutely we're going to use them. It's going to help us be more prepared for what could happen in this game. We're definitely going to use it. But it isn't for motivation at all.
Speaker 2:Got to respect that. Got to respect that. So I know John Foley, you played for Notre Dame. You're a proud graduate alumni. What do you think is going to happen in this game? Notre Dame and Ohio State.
Speaker 4:You know, I'll tell you, I think we're gonna smack him in the mouth and we're gonna be a little shocked by it. I don't think they're expecting a tough Notre Dame football team. I just don't think they're expecting that. At least it's gonna be an interesting game. It's like watching that guy who scored that last touchdown on linebacker as his roommate his past roommate fumbled the ball.
Speaker 2:You mean this player right here?
Speaker 1:Pressure comes. Sawyer knocked it out and picks it up, jack Sawyer.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I don't want to run, I don't want to see it again, but I had to. Yeah, that was.
Speaker 4:So, yeah, so this is a seven-point game, you know, and I certainly think we can beat Texas absolutely and we can absolutely beat hos state. I mean, they're you know they had a couple good games after they lost, but they lost, you know, not too long ago, if I'm not mistaken. And I I just think our guys are hungry. I just just watching them play the second half and and just become this vicious hitting team gave me faith. The first half of our last game. I wasn't happy at all. I was like guys, where are you at? Where's that team? That's been the last couple weeks. It was frustrating. Right, penn State, it was really frustrating. But then, all of a sudden, they turned the lights on and what happened to Penn State? What's the score there? I feel really excited about it. I think it's going to be a game of tough guys and athletes, and we have both. We both have the same.
Speaker 2:Which line can sustain more physicality and deliver is my opinion.
Speaker 4:Yeah, we're short. Right, we have some injuries on that side, the deep line, I think. But you know, I think we're going to do fine, I believe we're going to win. I do, I have to believe it. I think we're going to. I believe we're going to win. I do I have to believe it because just watching them go through that loss and go through the rest of the year, do you see the score? How many touchdowns have these guys scored the last couple games? I mean we really smacked a lot of people around. Did Ohio State have a tough schedule?
Speaker 2:They had. I think they played 11 bowl-eligible teams.
Speaker 4:I think I don't know Well how many bowls are there 100?
Speaker 2:472 bowls.
Speaker 4:Exactly. You know, I think both our schedules were interesting. They weren't super hard, but, you know, I just believe in it. I believe in this coach man. It's just, you know, taking that loss and then coming back being so strong and playing so hard, and that second half playing so hard. First half wasn't that great. I just think they have the will and the power to do it. Great hitters, their special teams are really good. Their quarterback's kicking butt man wow, what a turnover. Huh, I mean Northern Illinois versus where he's at now. You know, I mean they have a lot of receivers who have a lot of yards. This ain't just a couple receivers. We have like four, five, six receivers that are actually catching that ball too.
Speaker 2:So we can spread that out. Hey, man, tell me something good, I'm good. My brother John Foley, member of the Notre Dame 1988 National Championship team I didn't mean to cut you off right there, but that was by accident I really think this game is going to be decided in the fourth quarter, midway through the fourth quarter, two physical teams who are not going to give up. It's all going to be eventually. Who survives to see midway through the fourth quarter. And then strategy, something strategic. Maybe a turnover will determine it, but we love positivity in this and stories inside the man cave. Tell me something good, John Foley.
Speaker 4:Tell you something good we're going to win. You know what I mean. Think about it. You're nine points. I mean that's. I know I keep saying that, but I think our guys are going to come in, they're going to smack them in the mouth a lot and it's going to change that game. And you know again, when was the last time you had such a big spread in a national championship game?
Speaker 2:Man, it has been a long time. I mean, what was Alabama versus Notre Dame? What was that spread? I don't remember.
Speaker 4:No, I don't. Yeah, probably somewhere around there in 2012. Yeah, that was a big one, I'm telling you. I just feel like these kids are going to get done. If you look at the stats, these guys all play really well together. There's no one superstar. There's a lot of stars I think that's going to be really important. A lot of great receivers. We've got linebackers as leaders. These captains seem awesome. They seem great. They don't seem to play out of control off the field. They seem to be pretty much in control. So I think we're going to win. I think we're going to win and I think it's going to surprise some people. But again, ohio state lost five weeks ago. But yeah, I, I I feel great about it. I mean, what do you? What do you think? What do you think score? But yeah, I feel great about it. I mean what?
Speaker 2:do you think score? I think it's something like 27 to 23. I agree, yeah, I mean honestly the Texas game. I thought the defenses were going to rule that game and it held true. Yeah, I think Notre Dame, it's just. You've got to be physical with Ohio State's offense and put Will Howard on the ground and somehow bracket that receiver from breaking deep Secondary and pass rush. Have got to play, be on point for this game.
Speaker 4:Yep absolutely.
Speaker 2:But I think Notre Dame has it. I think Notre Dame is. I think that they ought to use that attitude, that people still don't believe in us.
Speaker 4:Absolutely, and I think again, they're well spread out. I mean the receivers, I mean I think we have, you know we have a lot of good receivers Now just one or two, so you know a lot of them can do a good job there. The linebackers I'm really impressed with. I mean they seem like a really good crew. What do you think?
Speaker 2:I think there are. I think people will know who they are by 10 or 11 o'clock at night, monday. Yep, I agree.
Speaker 4:I agree. I agree. I mean, it was mid-season, man, something happened, yeah it just. You know, I just couldn't get away from the tube. You know, before the first couple games I was like yeah, whatever, then all of a sudden, man, they're like oh, these guys are being a little bit nasty.
Speaker 2:I thought they showed signs when they went to College Station and beat A&M. Then I know the loss to Northern Illinois occurred after that. They were learning how to have success. Then something clicked, and here we success. Okay. And then something clicked, and here we are.
Speaker 4:Yeah, yeah, and it's. I mean that was a good Penn State team. Yes, that was a really good Georgia team. All right, I mean we'd be two really good teams.
Speaker 2:And Gunnar Stockton may be a better quarterback for Georgia.
Speaker 4:Oh yeah, absolutely Absolutely. And you know, if you watched Georgia, probably like mid beginning, fourth quarter, they didn't seem really driven, they seemed tired.
Speaker 2:It's possible. I mean, that's where you're getting into this 15, 16, 17-game season. These players aren't used to that. I get it In high school. You play that if you are state championship level, but I think it's different. I just think injuries mount up and backups are playing who normally don't. They're playing more minutes than they normally do. Yep. It's hard. They normally do. Yep, it's hard to train for.
Speaker 4:Yep, we just watch and it seems like Notre Dame gets better as they play from the first quarter to the fourth quarter. I mean they just get better each quarter and that's awesome. I mean I didn't see them have two great first quarters ever. I mean they do okay, but they always seem to come very strong. Second, third, first is usually tough.
Speaker 2:And I know the alumni clubs, notre Dame Alumni Association clubs across the country are excited about it. There's going to be a lot of watch parties everywhere, including here in Austin, and big shout-out to the Notre Dame alumni group here in Austin for connecting John and I and man, you never know, we may be friends for life now. Oh yeah, I really appreciate it.
Speaker 4:I'll tell you the last thing about Marcus. He's going to make all the players who played in Notre Dame their kids are all coming to Notre Dame. Now. It hasn't been like that before. Look at that Cycling back. Yes, it's all cycling back. It's amazing and they love this coach. So it's like, yeah, we're getting a lot of ex-players Kids are coming back and playing, which are awesome. So hopefully, you know, keep that winning going and keep a great coach here and keep getting these players whose parents once played at Notre Dame. So here's a couple guys. Take that out. Erlacher is kind of cool. So I mean, there's a couple of guys Check that out.
Speaker 4:Earl Acker is kind of cool. I'm a Chicago guy so I'm glad Earl Acker's over there.
Speaker 2:That's cool, he went to New Mexico, yeah.
Speaker 4:I'll say he's a good dude. I've seen him a lot around Chicago. He's a nice guy. You know I respect him. Great, tough guy and I'm glad his kid's here. I think his so awesome.
Speaker 2:Yes, man, whenever you get a chance to talk about the college football national championship, game, two great blue blood stories Ohio State, notre Dame and meet one of the true OG tough guys of college football, even though his career was cut short by injury man, it is like John Foley. And to talk about the great stories of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, you know what, it's always good to talk about it. Outro Music.