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Artwork for The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast
Notre Dame Football
Marcus Freeman
Notre Dame
College Football
Sam Hartman
Riley Leonard
Transfer Portal
Sun Bowl
Mike Denbrock
College Football Playoff
Clemson Football
Jared Parker
Oregon State
12-Team Playoff
NIL
Duke Football
Playoff Expansion
LSU
Jordan Faison
Michigan

The Independent is the essential listen for fans of Fighting Irish football. Pete Sampson of the Athletic and Matt Fortuna of The Inside Zone are back to take you inside the Notre Dame program. With a combined 35 years + of experience on the ND beat, this twice weekly podcast has you covered for everything blue and gold.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes145Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
FootballSports

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Artwork for The Independent: A Notre Dame Football Podcast

Latest Episodes

Football is back (kind of). Notre Dame is amid its first week of spring football, as Marcus Freeman's fifth Fighting Irish squad heads into 2026 with a chip on its shoulder. Jeremiyah Love and other former Irish stars showed their stuff at Pro Day th... more

Former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz passed away on March 4 at the age of 89. In this special edition of The Independent, former Holtz players Jeff Kilburg, Chris Zorich, Steve Roddy and Cornelius Southall share their favorite memories of their coach, f... more

March is here and that means NBC’s Jordan Cornette, Notre Dame’s all-time leader in blocks, joins The Independent to preview conference tournament week, look at where things have gone wrong for Fighting Irish men’s basketball and much more. Plus, Bri... more

Matt Fortuna and Pete Sampson are back for more Notre Dame news, nuggets and conversation. Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love showed out at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Where will he and fellow Fighting Irish backfield mate Jadarian Price get drafted? Plus, ... more

Key Facts

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Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Jeff Kilburg
Notre Dame Offensive Lineman, Class of 1997
Notre Dame Football
Episode: A Tribute to Lou Holtz: Notre Dame Coach’s Former Players Share Their Favorite Memories
Chris Zorich
College Football Hall of Famer
Notre Dame, Chicago Bears
Episode: A Tribute to Lou Holtz: Notre Dame Coach’s Former Players Share Their Favorite Memories
Steve Roddy
Notre Dame Defensive Tackle, Class of 1989
Notre Dame
Episode: A Tribute to Lou Holtz: Notre Dame Coach’s Former Players Share Their Favorite Memories
Cornelius Southall
Notre Dame Safety, Class of 1988
Notre Dame
Episode: A Tribute to Lou Holtz: Notre Dame Coach’s Former Players Share Their Favorite Memories
Jordan Cornette
Notre Dame basketball legend; NBC and Peacock analyst
NBC/Peacock
Episode: Notre Dame basketball talk with Jordan Cornette, plus projecting Jeremiyah Love’s NFL destination
Jordan Cornett
NBC/Peacock sideline reporter; replacing host in studio next week
NBC/Peacock
Episode: Recapping Notre Dame at the Combine, Previewing the Fighting Irish in the NFL Draft and more
Teddy Gerard
A feature piece writer; source of Notre Dame quarterback discussion
The Athletic
Episode: Recapping Notre Dame at the Combine, Previewing the Fighting Irish in the NFL Draft and more
Steve Smith
Former NFL wide receiver and host of the 89 Show on YouTube
BetterHelp
Episode: Notre Dame in the Super Bowl, Draft Prospects, Future Schedules and more!
Bill Connelly
Author of Forward Progress, The Definitive Guide to the Future of College Football
ESPN
Episode: Notre Dame-Stanford Preview and more with ESPN's Bill Connelly

Hosts

Pete Sampson
Co-host with extensive experience covering Notre Dame football.
Matt Fortuna
Co-host with insider knowledge of college athletics and Notre Dame.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 643 ratings
  • Go Irish

    Consistent in depth ND news. A must listen for weekly updates.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sssh4621679
    United Statesa month ago
  • New Host Please!

    Love Pete…please get rid of Fortuna

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    DPC1919
    United States3 months ago
  • The Independent

    Less Fortuna please

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    AddictingTunes
    United States3 months ago
  • Best ND football pod

    Love the Independent. They get great weekly guests on the Wednesday pod and always address a large number of audience questions.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Coloradogolfer
    United States5 months ago
  • Straight from Coach Freeman’s mouth

    Pete is highly regarded in the pod-world. When he speaks, one can count on it as well researched and the best information available.

    As for Matt, he speaks so fast, I cannot understand him. When he reads the information (scores, stats), it is ridiculously impossible to understand what he says.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Jillsybeen
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The hosts' chemistry and humor make the show engaging and enjoyable to listen to.
Listeners appreciate the in-depth analysis and knowledgeable insights regarding Notre Dame football.
A majority of feedback indicates listeners value the hosts' extensive experience and objectivity in discussing football nuances.
Concerns have been raised about one host's speaking style, which sometimes detracts from the listening experience.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#99
United States/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#140
Canada/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#19
Hong Kong/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#67
Netherlands/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#78
Chile/Sports/Football
Apple Podcasts
#97
India/Sports/Football

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Notre Dame basketball talk with Jordan Cornette, plus projecting Jeremiyah Love’s NFL destination
Q: How does the current football program's success relate to basketball's future at Notre Dame?
Cornette argues that football's financial powerhouse status supports broad athletic department resources, but stresses that basketball can thrive with targeted funding and structural support, enabling a more balanced and sustainable ecosystem for all sports at Notre Dame.
Notre Dame basketball talk with Jordan Cornette, plus projecting Jeremiyah Love’s NFL destination
Q: What role could alumni play in helping the basketball program rebound?
He suggests bringing influential alumni back in the off-season to mingle with current players and staff, fostering a sense of identity and attachment to Notre Dame basketball, which could help recruit and retain talent and rebuild the program's culture.
Notre Dame basketball talk with Jordan Cornette, plus projecting Jeremiyah Love’s NFL destination
Q: What's missing for Notre Dame basketball this season and why has it struggled to take off?
Cornette explains that the program has not been invested at a level commensurate with contending for NCAA tournaments. He points to competing priorities within the athletic department, especially football's financial dominance, and suggests a renewed commitment and resources are needed to support Coach Shrewsbury and rebuild competitiveness.
Notre Dame in the Super Bowl, Draft Prospects, Future Schedules and more!
Q: What are some potential changes for Notre Dame's football schedule going forward?
There's discussion around possibly removing non-Clemson ACC teams and bringing in more SEC and Big Ten games.
Notre Dame in the Super Bowl, Draft Prospects, Future Schedules and more!
Q: What are your thoughts on the current state of Notre Dame basketball?
The men's basketball team is struggling significantly, and there are concerns about coaching and team performance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides in-depth coverage and analysis of Notre Dame football, engaging fans with discussions about team dynamics, coaching strategies, and player performance. The hosts are known for their extensive experience on the Notre Dame beat, offering insights into both current events and historical narratives related to the Fighting Irish. Episodes typically cover a mix of game analyses, team news, recruiting updates, and broader college football topics, making it a valuable resource for fans seeking detailed commentary on their team.

Noteworthy is the podcast's commitment to engaging its audience with a variety of perspectives, including interviews with guests and active discussions about competitive strategies. The hosts blend hum... more

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this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 145 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Jeff Kilburg
2. Chris Zorich
3. Steve Roddy
4. Cornelius Southall
5. Jordan Cornette
6. Jordan Cornett
7. Teddy Gerard
8. Steve Smith

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