THE ECHOES: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are back after a week off, and there’s plenty to discuss as Notre Dame’s recruiting momentum continues to build. Before diving into recruiting, Mike explains what the final weeks of summer look like for players before fall camp officially begins. With the season just around the corner, he shares what happens behind the scenes...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana welcome legendary Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn to the show! As Mike points out early in the episode, there are plenty of similarities between Quinn's Notre Dame teams and the 2026 Fighting Irish squad—both carrying sky-high expectations heading into the season. Before Brady joins the show, Jess shares what it was like be...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are back after a two-week hiatus with an action-packed show! Mike returns from Europe just as Notre Dame's freshman football players arrive on campus and the countdown to the season continues. Could incoming freshman quarterback Teddy Jarrard gain an early edge in the battle for the backup QB job? We break down the quarterback...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana welcome special guest and Notre Dame Women’s Basketball Head Coach Niele Ivey to the show! Before Coach Ivey joins the program, Mike and Jess break down the latest comments from Notre Dame AD Pete Bevacqua on why the College Football Playoff should expand to 24 teams — and what changed over the last few months. Plus, they disc...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are back after a week off — and Mike is ENGAGED! 💍 Plus, Notre Dame officially released kickoff times for the 2026 home schedule, so we break down the biggest matchups coming to South Bend this season. We also react to breaking news surrounding the University of Notre Dame and University of Southern California rivalry. Are ND...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana return from a packed weekend in South Bend—balancing a family charity golf tournament, the Blue-Gold spring game, and all the action from the NFL Draft. They kick things off by breaking down what stood out in the Blue-Gold Game—what impressed them, what didn’t, and which areas the team needs to sharpen heading into the summer....

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana get you set for Notre Dame’s spring football game and break down everything you need to know ahead of the NFL Draft with Nate Tice. CJ Carr has been turning heads all spring, and the hype around Notre Dame’s potential star QB is starting to feel very real. It’s not just him—the offensive line has been dominant up front, and (f...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off by celebrating Hannah Hidalgo and her return to Notre Dame women’s basketball. After a surprising run this past season, the Irish look poised to be even more dangerous with a strong recruiting class and potential impact transfers on the way. With the Notre Dame Spring Game approaching, the show turns to footbal...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off by celebrating a historic run from Notre Dame Fighting Irish women's basketball. Before diving into football, the spotlight is on head coach Niele Ivey and her squad after reaching the Elite 8 for the first time in her tenure. Led by superstar Hannah Hidalgo, the Irish proved they’re among the nation’s best—and...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are back talking ball and getting you set for spring football at Notre Dame. Head coach Marcus Freeman met with reporters last week, and Mike and Jess break down everything he had to say—from the team’s energy heading into spring to how the program is responding after last season’s tough ending. One name already popping during...

On this week’s episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana reflect on the life of legendary Notre Dame head coach, Lou Holtz, following his death at the age of 89.   One of coach Holtz’s former players, 2-time All American Aaron Taylor, joins to share some his amazing stories and experiences during his time playing under the college footbal...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are joined by Mike Renner to break down a massive weekend for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. From viral weight room clips that had the internet fired up to standout performances in Indy, the Irish were everywhere last week. We open the show by diving into the social media reaction to...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana welcome Julian Love, Super Bowl champion with the Seattle Seahawks, former Notre Dame defensive back, and Chicago native. Mike and Jess kick things off by celebrating Notre Dame’s presence on the international stage, highlighting two Irish alums who helped power Team USA women’s hockey during a historic Winter Olympics run in...

On the latest episode of The Echoes, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana dive into a packed Notre Dame offseason filled with storylines, surprises, and plenty of debate. The show opens with the viral moment everyone’s talking about: CJ Carr’s Valentine’s Day gifts for his offensive line. Mike and Jess react to the video, discuss how today’s college football culture has changed, and explain why taki...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off with Notre Dame flying all over the Super Bowl. 🍀🏈 Rylie Mills comes up with a massive sack, Julian Love seals it with a clutch interception, and the Irish make their presence felt on the biggest stage in football. Mike and Jess break down all the Notre Dame moments...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off with the brutal winter weather that’s been hammering much of the country — including South Bend. From frozen temps to full-on snow days, students have been battling the elements and building snow chapels. Mike and Jess swap stories from their own snowy campus days and...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off with a MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT — and you won’t have to wait long to hear some of the best news we’ve had in weeks. After the big reveal, the show turns back to the gridiron with the latest from South Bend. The NCAA granted Jason Onye a sixth season, giving Notre Dame’s def...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana break down everything from Marcus Freeman’s latest press conference to Notre Dame’s dominant run in the transfer portal. Freeman spoke publicly for the first time since the season ended, and Mike and Jessica react to his messaging, tone, and what it all means for the future of the pr...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana kick things off with Notre Dame’s transfer portal suddenly heating up. After a slow start to portal season, Marcus Freeman and the Irish made a major splash, adding a handful of high-impact transfers to the 2026 roster. Mike and Jessica break down who’s coming to South Bend, who’s he...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana open the show with a mix of NFL news and Irish pride. The conversation starts with Riley Leonard outperforming Hall of Fame quarterback Philip Rivers, followed by a salute to Harrison Smith’s outstanding 14-year NFL career—and a look ahead to what could eventually be a call to Canton...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana react to breaking news once again, as Marcus Freeman announces he will return as head coach of the Irish next season. It’s a major sigh of relief for Mike and Jess, as Freeman continues to draw consistent NFL interest. This season, that buzz included the New York Giants and Tennessee...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana react to breaking news surrounding one of college football’s most iconic rivalries: Notre Dame–USC is officially on hiatus. Stick with us through the opening minutes as the breaking news hit mid-show and Mike and Jess process the stunning development and what it means for Notre Dame...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana begin turning the page toward 2026 while looking back at Notre Dame’s biggest award winners from the 2025 season. Jeremiyah Love spent the weekend in New York City attending the Heisman Trophy ceremony. While he did not take home college football’s top honor, Love made history by win...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are joined by Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua to break down the Irish’s College Football Playoff snub and the decision to opt out of the postseason. Bevacqua shares his frustrations and lingering confusion with the CFP process, explaining why Notre Dame still hasn’t receiv...

On the latest episode of The Echoes: A Podcast on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Mike Golic Jr. and Jessica Smetana are joined by superstar running back and Heisman hopeful Jeremiyah Love — our first returning guest! We open with a breakdown of Notre Dame’s 10th straight win, all by double digits. As most of the nation slept through the final game of the weekend, the Irish once again rolled, secur...