THE ECHOES: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Jessica Smetana, Mike Golic Jr.
  • 4.9 (149)
  • Football
  • Updated Weekly

THE ECHOES is your home for Notre Dame Fighting Irish talk like you’ve never heard it before. Step into the world of Notre Dame football with Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana—two proud ND alums who bring the perfect mix of insight, energy, and humor to as they break down the latest on the Fighting Irish. From big-time matchups and memorable moments to the stories and traditions that make Notre Dame special, it’s all here. Fun, honest, and full of Irish pride, THE ECHOES is just two friends talking ball.  New episodes will be released weekly.  Watch on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us @TheEchoesNDPod on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.

  1. 6d ago

    Notre Dame Crushes Wisconsin. Carr, Shuler, Porath (!) Shine, Barry Alvarez Joins the Show!

    Notre Dame is 1-0 and still unbeaten in the Shamrock Series after a 41-13 win over Wisconsin at historic Lambeau Field. On this episode of The Echoes: A Notre Dame Football Podcast, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana react to the Fighting Irish’s second-half surge, break down the uneven start, and hand out game balls following a statement win over the Badgers. Mike and Jessica discuss why Notre Dame struggled to find rhythm early against Wisconsin’s physical defense, what changed after halftime in Green Bay, and how the Irish turned a 13-10 halftime lead into a decisive victory. They also break down quarterback CJ Carr’s calm, efficient performance, his command of the offense, and why he continues to show the poise Notre Dame needs at the position. The conversation also focuses on Notre Dame’s search for new offensive playmakers, including the emergence of Nolan James and the impact of Aneyas Williams, while examining why the offensive line could still become one of the team’s biggest strengths as the season progresses. On defense, Adon Shuler delivered an emotional, physical performance that earned game-ball consideration, while Spencer Porath may have provided an answer at kicker after going 2-for-2 on field goals, including a 52-yarder, and making all five extra points. And stay tuned until the end for our conversation with college football legend Barry Alvarez, the Hall of Fame former Wisconsin head coach and athletic director, recorded during our live show in Green Bay. #notredame #NotreDameFootball #GoIrish #ShamrockSeries #WisconsinFootball #CJCarr #AdonShuler #SpencerPorath #LambeauField #CollegeFootball Thank you to our sponsors Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame and Bar Louie. Retire like a champion. Learn more at HolyCrossVillage.org. 00:00 Notre Dame Beats Wisconsin 41-13 04:24 Lambeau Field and Shamrock Series Atmosphere 09:31 Why Notre Dame Started Slow vs. Wisconsin 11:49 Irish Offense Searching for New Playmakers 17:22 CJ Carr’s Poise and Command of the Offense 22:00 Nolan James, Jordan Faison and Offensive Playmakers 23:44 Offensive Line Breakdown and Adjustments 29:28 Notre Dame Defense Shuts Down Wisconsin 33:23 Spencer Porath Provides an Answer at Kicker 39:36 Adon Shuler’s Emotional, Physical Performance 44:35 Looking Ahead to Rice 46:30 Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Game Balls 49:46 Barry Alvarez Interview

  2. Sep 1

    Game Week! Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin Preview + 2026 Captains Named | The Echoes

    The Echoes Podcast is back for game week! Notre Dame football is officially headed to Lambeau Field as the Fighting Irish prepare to take on Wisconsin in one of the most anticipated games of the early 2026 season. In this episode, we get you ready for kickoff with a full Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin preview, breaking down the matchup, the Badgers, and what the Irish need to do to leave Green Bay with a statement victory. We also discuss Notre Dame naming its four captains for the 2026 season, what each leader brings to the team, and what their leadership could mean as the Irish chase another College Football Playoff appearance. Plus, we look ahead to the atmosphere at historic Lambeau Field, where we'll be on the ground in Green Bay for Notre Dame-Wisconsin. It's finally here. Game week has arrived! The Echoes is your home for Notre Dame football coverage, analysis, and conversation. Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you listen!

  3. Aug 25

    Caroline Pineda Joins the Show! ND on NBC Sideline Reporter, Camp Ends, Shamrock Series | The Echoes

    School is back in session at Notre Dame, fall training camp is officially in the books, and college football season is right around the corner. On this episode of The Echoes: A Notre Dame Football Podcast, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana break down what Marcus Freeman had to say as the Fighting Irish shift from camp mode into game-week preparation. New Notre Dame sideline reporter Caroline Pineda joins the show. The 2022 Notre Dame graduate shares what it means to return to South Bend in her new role, the mentors who helped shape her career, and how Fighting Irish Media and student opportunities at Notre Dame helped launch her path to NBC. Pineda also explains what she believes makes great sideline reporting, previews storylines for Notre Dame-Wisconsin, and shares why this Irish team feels different heading into a highly anticipated season. Plus, The Echoes is headed to Wisconsin for Notre Dame’s season opener against the Badgers at Lambeau Field. Mike and Jess will host a live show in Green Bay on game day, so stay tuned to the show’s social channels for full details on how to join them before the Shamrock Series matchup. #sports #football #notredame #collegefootball #marcusfreeman #NBC #cjcarr #heisman #NFL #lambeaufield #wisconsin #badgers #bigten Thank you to our sponsors Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame and Bar Louie. Retire like a champion. Learn more at HolyCrossVillage.org. 00:00 INTRO 03:00 Best time of the year 05:30 Jess' ND class schedule 10:00 Freeman presser reax 21:00 Caroline Pineda interview 38:19 Notre Dame & eligibility

  4. Aug 18

    Notre Dame #4 in AP, Cignetti’s Shot, KVA & Jeremiyah Love Injury Updates | The Echoes

    On this episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana break down the Fighting Irish landing at No. 4 in the preseason AP Poll, Notre Dame’s highest preseason AP ranking since 2006. The Irish received six first-place votes, but what separates Marcus Freeman’s team from Ohio State, Oregon and Georgia at the top of the rankings? And does Notre Dame have everything it needs to make a run at the College Football Playoff and a national championship? There’s also encouraging news surrounding Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (KVA). After suffering a torn ACL last November, the Notre Dame linebacker is back participating in full-contact practice and working without a knee brace. We discuss what a healthy KVA could mean for an already talented Notre Dame defense and linebacker room. The rivalry conversation heats up with Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti taking a shot at Notre Dame following the cancellation of the Notre Dame-Indiana series. Cignetti said he’d like to play the Irish, but suggested Notre Dame should travel to Bloomington twice while Indiana visits South Bend once because the Fighting Irish aren’t in a conference. Mike and Jess react to the provocative comments, question the logic behind Cignetti’s scheduling proposal, and discuss why Notre Dame’s football independence continues to be an easy target across college football. Plus, former Notre Dame superstar Jeremiyah Love is dealing with a high ankle injury after his NFL preseason action with the Arizona Cardinals. Love recorded 11 carries and three receptions before the injury, sparking debate about preseason workloads for high-profile rookies. Subscribe to The Echoes for Notre Dame football news, analysis, injury updates, AP Poll reaction, College Football Playoff discussion and everything Fighting Irish. #NotreDame #NotreDameFootball #FightingIrish #CollegeFootball #CFB #APPoll #KyngstonnViliamuAsa #KVA #JeremiyahLove #GoIrish #CollegeFootballPlayoff Thank you to our sponsors Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame and Bar Louie. Retire like a champion. Learn more at HolyCrossVillage.org. 00:00 INTRO 02:00 AP Poll 10:45 Injury updates 22:00 Cignetti takes shot 27:00 New pace in CFB 42:00 Jeremiyah Love injured

  5. Aug 11

    Mike Golic Sr. Joins the Show! Notre Dame Training Camp Preview, Buy or Sell? | The Echoes

    Mike Golic Sr. is officially joining the Notre Dame Radio Network! He joins Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana on The Echoes: A Notre Dame Football Podcast to discuss his return to the Fighting Irish and preview the biggest storylines surrounding the 2026 Notre Dame football season. Then it’s time to Buy or Sell on some of the biggest questions facing Marcus Freeman and the Fighting Irish in 2026: 🏈 Is CJ Carr a legitimate Heisman Trophy finalist? 🏈 Who will emerge as Notre Dame’s leading wide receiver? 🏈 Will the Irish running backs be even more effective this season without last year’s superstars? 🏈 Who is the most important player on the Notre Dame offensive line? 🏈 Is Leonard Moore the best defensive back in college football? 🏈 And will Notre Dame finish the regular season undefeated? With Notre Dame training camp underway and the season opener against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field approaching, get the latest Fighting Irish analysis, predictions and preseason storylines on The Echoes. Subscribe for more Notre Dame football news, analysis, recruiting, predictions and Fighting Irish coverage throughout the 2026 season. 00:00 Intro 01:00 Mike Golic Sr joins the show 02:00 Why Mike Sr. came back to ND radio 09:30 Buy or Sell ND season with Mike Golic Sr. #Notredame #NotreDameFootball #FightingIrish #MikeGolic #CJCarr #MarcusFreeman #CollegeFootball #GoIrisH

  6. Aug 4

    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

  7. Jul 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

  8. Jul 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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THE ECHOES is your home for Notre Dame Fighting Irish talk like you’ve never heard it before. Step into the world of Notre Dame football with Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana—two proud ND alums who bring the perfect mix of insight, energy, and humor to as they break down the latest on the Fighting Irish. From big-time matchups and memorable moments to the stories and traditions that make Notre Dame special, it’s all here. Fun, honest, and full of Irish pride, THE ECHOES is just two friends talking ball.  New episodes will be released weekly.  Watch on YouTube or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us @TheEchoesNDPod on Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook.

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