While most programs are grinding through "Pro Days", Spring ball and the ever present transfer portal discussions, Notre Dame just took a moment to ground us all in reality.
On Monday, Notre Dame Football dropped a nearly five-minute video that feels like a Saturday Night Live sketch crossed with an NFL Combine broadcast—except the athletes aren’t future millionaires. They’re the support staff: the video guys, equipment managers, ops crew, and everyone else who keeps the machine running behind the scenes.
The production is impressive. Full timing system, multiple camera angles, slow-mo replays, on-screen graphics, the works.
Harris Bivin wisely opted to serve as the color commentator (rather than running himself we might note). Bivin's play-by-play and roasts are already being called “elite level” by fans. One staffer (Eli) was “flying.” Another (Bmac) earned “GOAT” status. A few others earned the classic “somewhere between respectable and call the trainer” treatment. Effort was maximum. Times were… memorable. And the caption sealed it: “No Irish support staff were harmed in the running of these 40s." Although, (at the 4:30 mark) we did note a very "Derek Ponamsky-esque" stumble and roll.
This isn’t just funny. It’s quality brand building. In an era where every program posts the same filtered workout clips, Notre Dame humanized the entire operation. They showed fans the people who sacrifice weekends, holidays, and sleep so the players can shine. They turned the “support staff” into the main characters for a day—and fans ate it up (already 65K+ views and climbing).
College football social media has become an arms race of creativity. Alabama does the dramatic hype reels. Ohio State drops the cinematic montages. Notre Dame just proved the smartest move might be letting the curtain drop and laughing at yourselves. No one pulled a hammy (that we have heard of yet). Everyone looked like they enjoyed their time and "deserved" their spot on the highlight reel. And the entire Irish family—players, coaches, fans—got a reminder that this program is built on real people, real effort, and real joy.
If your athletic department isn’t already brainstorming “next year we’re timing the coaches,” you’re behind. Notre Dame didn’t just post a video. They posted a masterclass in connecting with fans during the quiet months.
Good stuff by the Irish all around. This one was too good to scroll past.