It’s rare to see someone like Chad Bowden, who was treated politely and paid well by Notre Dame football, trash his old superiors in the way he has since joining USC. Bowden burned some big bridges when he initially appeared with the Trojans, and it appears he chose to sprinkle some lighter fluid on the smoking ashes earlier this week, just to be sure.
Perhaps it’s because he comes from USC’s archrival that he feels compelled to demonstrate his commitment. Perhaps it’s the nature of his profession that he needs to demonstrate recruits that he truly believes he’s in a better place. Whatever the cause, it appears that if the former Irish general manager attempts to orchestrate a homecoming, he will be met at the South Bend city boundaries and chased away from the Notre Dame campus in Mad Max manner.
Bowden’s latest comments were not just about badmouthing Notre Dame football, but also appeared to be a personal attack at his previous boss, head coach Marcus Freeman, when speaking about his new boss, Lincoln Riley: “He is the best recruiter I’ve ever known. Recruiting consists of two aspects. This is the first head coach I’ve worked with who evaluates prospects. So, when I say recruitment, this is a man who can do anything.”
Chad Bowden, USC’s general manager, on head coach Lincoln Riley:
Shots fired at Notre Dame football from USC
If he had left it at “best recruiter,” Bowden’s words would have been easily dismissed as a sales pitch for his new boss. He could have simply demonstrated his commitment to the Los Angeles program.
But the notion that Marcus Freeman does not evaluate talent, that he is not a recruiter at all, is a personal attack. Even if it is accurate, and Freeman delegated the details, spilling the beans on the inner workings is more than just business as usual.
It’s another odd remark from a guy who appeared to be all in while he was with the Notre Dame football team. And perhaps Trojans fans should bear that last point in mind as he continues to speak. Is this a guy whom anyone should believe?
