Notre Dame football kicks off fall camp on the heels of strength and conditioning coach's resignation

 

Summer workouts and the cross-country media tour are over, and the real work is just beginning - practice number one of the 2023 season is in the books.

Wednesday may have been the first practice but it's head coach Marcus Freeman's second full season running the show.

He says he's learned a lot, going from excited and anxious to now settling into his position and passing that onto his players, having them take a knee at the start of today's practice.

And it wouldn't be Notre Dame Football without a little drama.

The shocking announcement of strength and conditioning coach Matt Balis resigning the day before the opening of fall camp has grabbed a lot of attention.

Balis made a huge impact on the program.

He arrived after the 4-and-8 season in 2016 -- and since then -- helped the irish to a 63-and-14 record.

Freeman spoke candidly today, saying he was shocked by the decision. Fred Hale has been promoted in the interim.

Freeman says he brings experience to the job.

Hale led the strength and conditioning program at Eastern Michigan and does not expect to see many changes from the plan the Irish staff already has in place.

Freeman also said Hale will be considered for the permanent job. But with the start of the season just one month away, the number one focus is Ireland.