Gerad Parker was officially introduced as Notre Dame’s new offensive coordinator in a Monday press conference. After a winding search that included a handful of prominent names, the Irish eventually promoted Parker from within to replace Tommy Rees.

One specific player Parker was asked about during his press conference was quarterback Sam Hartman. After an impressive career for Wake Forest, Hartman announced his transfer to the Irish, but all of that came prior to Rees leaving for Alabama.

While Parker acknowledged the question, he said Hartman has been driven by ball and to get better which were the main reasons for his transfer to Notre Dame. Parker also provided some brief insight into conversations with Hartman but said the team is ready to move forward offensively.

“I understand the question about Sam because of the nature of him coming here and getting here, it was big news,” Parker explained. “But he is driven by ball and driven to get better and come here and have what he wants to have success here at Notre Dame.

“There’s been communication with all of them but especially with him to obviously sit down and talk to him about the direction of the offense to maybe ease some of the anxieties because with change comes a lot of thoughts that you might get addressed… We’ll continue to give our guys confidence and let them know the direction is to move forward.”