Urban Meyer addresses Notre Dame future, joining conference vs. remaining independent

Notre Dame‘s place as an independent amid the changing college football world of conference realignment is an evergreen topic. It’s something that can seemingly be talked about whenever possible.

The topic came up once again on Wednesday’s episode of Urban’s Take with Tim May. Meyer said that there is one factor that will determine the direction the Fighting Irish decided to go.

“I keep thinking they are but I think it’s all success related. If they slip, they have to,” said Meyer, who coached at Notre Dame for five seasons from 1996-2000 as the team’s wide receivers coach.

Notre Dame has been independent in football for every season of its existence except, technically, 2020 when all Power Five conferences played conference schedules so Notre Dame played in the ACC, which it is a member of for all of its sports other than football and hockey.

The Fighting Irish actually finished the regular undefeated and played in the ACC Championship Game, but lost to Georiga.

Notre Dame first joined a conference for some non-football sports in 1982. The Fighting Irish joined the Midwestern City Conference, which is now the Horizon League, and spent 12 of the next 13 years with the conference. They then joined the old Big East conference, where they remained until is dissolved.

That led them to the ACC, where they have been since 2013.

But Meyer said that the ACC should not be where Notre Dame goes if it decides to join a conference. Meyer would want to see them join the Big Ten.

“The Big Ten is a natural fit,” Meyer said. “I mean, what are we talking about? They should be in the Big Ten conference or independent. But ACC makes no sense whatsoever. But the Big Ten, they’re right there. You imagine how cool that would be: Notre Dame in the Big Ten conference. But do I see that happening? As long as they’re winning games — which I think they will, they got a really good coach, an old Buckeye, Marcus Freeman – it seems like there’s a little bit more allure coming back, so I don’t see that in the near future.”

Notre Dame is actually an associate member of the Big Ten, competing in the conference’s men’s ice hockey league. The Fighting Irish do not have a women’s hockey team.

It’s no secret the conference has dreams of Notre Dame joining them as a full member — the Big Ten sponsors every spot the Fighting Irish offers except for fencing and rowing.