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Gerad Parker was never supposed to be here.
Notre Dame was supposed to hire Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig after previous coordinator Tommy Reese left South Bend to join Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide.
But then things hit a snag.
“Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig, who interviewed for the same position at Notre Dame, has informed the Irish that he’s staying with the Utes,” ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported. “Sources said that Ludwig’s buyout — of at least $2 million, the exact number depending on how the buyout impact is interpreted in the contract’s rollover year — proved an obstacle in discussions with Notre Dame.”
Enter Parker.
The 42-year-old spent the 2022 season as the Fighting Irish tight end coach after serving as West Virginia’s offensive coordinator the two years prior.
But his promotion still came as a surprise. And most fans thought it was a underwhelming move for a program of Notre Dame’s stature.
Fast forward eight months and Parker has already worn out his welcome in South Bend.
The Fighting Irish topped 40 points in four of their first six games. But in its lone loss to Ohio State, Notre Dame managed just 14 points. And it scored just 21 in a recent victory over Duke.
Enter the Louisville Cardinals.
The Cards played host to the Fighting Irish on Saturday night, and they weren’t all that welcoming.
Notre Dame limped to under 300 yards and just 20 points in a 30-13 blowout loss.
And fans seem to have seen enough of Parker.
Safe to say, Parker may not be long for life with the Golden Domers.