I often say it’s rare for Notre Dame fans to generally agree on anything. It seems every decision made, every talking point and every move by every coach is questioned by some Irish contingent. However, I think I’ve found something all Irish fans can agree on.

Liking Brady Quinn.

From the solid quarterback play at Notre Dame, polished speaking delivery, good looks and strong hot takes on the Fox College Football pregame show, what’s not to like? Aside from these attributes, I’m not certain everyone in the Irish fan base realizes what a critical role Quinn is playing behind the scenes at Notre Dame in an effort to keep the Irish competitive in the new world of NIL.

Let’s examine what Brady is doing and may soon be doing to further the Irish’s cause.

Modern NIL Initiatives

Brady Quinn has been the lead of the Friends Of The University Of Notre Dame, the Notre Dame NIL Collective. Recently, he announced this group has become an official sponsor of Notre Dame athletics through a partnership with Notre Dame Global Partnerships. This announcement went largely unnoticed in most circles, but to me I think it can be a key moment for Notre Dame’s NIL initiative.

Through the global partnership, Quinn and his group will have access to the highest circle of Notre Dame’s elite alumni, support and donor circles. This should certainly help the Irish develop higher level, higher profile NIL opportunities. That is exactly the kind of progress I think Notre Dame needs to remain competitive.

The Perfect Fit

Quinn is the perfect man for the job of navigating the new world of NIL and where Notre Dame fits in it. He is a “Notre Dame Guy” in every sense of the phrase. As a player, while his teams never ultimately won much that mattered nationally, he certainly wasn’t to blame. He gave his all week in and week out for the Irish, and the fans still respect him for that.

On the non-Notre Dame side, Brady is tied to both inner NFL and college football circles. He’s young and modern enough that he knows exactly what the modern dynamics of NIL are and how Notre Dame can navigate them. The Irish brass should listen to all he has to say.

Future AD?

For some time, I’ve noticed social media posts suggesting Brady Quinn would be a slam dunk hire for next Notre Dame athletic director when  “Captain” Jack Swarbrick, as I refer to him, retires. I admit at first I didn’t know what to think of those posts. Was he too young? How far into the “inner circle” is he, I asked myself.

Turns out, he’s completely connected. At the highest levels. He’s already trusted by those that matter most at Notre Dame. He has old-school Notre Dame experience and values, but modern connections and knowledge with a killer hairline. Much like with his go-ahead late fourth quarter drive against USC in the “Bush Push Game,” if there’s anyone I trust to thread the Notre Dame needle, it’s Quinn.

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For more Irish news & notes follow John on Twitter @alwaysirishINC, Always Irish on Youtube and or your preferred audio podcast provider.

Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire