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With five games remaining on Notre Dame's schedule, we are at the point where fans like to form opinions on whether Charlie Weis should be retained as head coach for next season.
Personally, I wish that conversation would be held off until after the season. Unfortunately, it is brought up every time Notre Dame loses or even beats a team in a tight game. It really is beginning to wear me out, to tell you the truth.
Those who want Weis fired claim the team isn't very good. They have talent but it is not properly developed. Why is that argument even taken seriously? Look at film of Jimmy Clausen, Golden Tate, and Armando Allen. Then come tell me they haven't developed under Weis.
As far as the team not being very good, explain the 5-2 record to me. Yes there have been a lot of nailbiters. However, last year they were losing those games, even to lowly Syracuse. The two losses came in nailbiters as well.
The Irish were robbed in the Michigan game with the no-call on pass interference on Golden Tate, which would have sealed the game. Then against USC, they nearly forced overtime on the last play. This is a team that will be contending for a national championship.
The ones who want Weis out also complain Notre Dame is not an elite progam. That is another argument that just makes me scratch my head. Sure, they're not elite. They haven't been for twenty years. Would you say that they are closer to being elite now than they were before Weis was hired?
Do we really even have to answer that? Two BCS bowls, an end to a bowl losing streak (and spare me the "but it was the Hawaii Bowl comments"), a Heisman runner-up, and a potential Heisman winner this year are all things that have occurred under Weis.
Not to mention if the Irish win out and go 10-2, they will in all likelihood get a BCS bid. Even if they lose one more, they could get a Cotton Bowl bid, which is just below the BCS.
There is the issue of Jimmy Clausen and his decision. I can guarantee if Weis is fired, he is gone. However, I think he might stay if Weis is retained. The Irish would have a chance at a national championship with all those guys in their senior year.
The other thing to look at is who would be available to replace Weis. If I hear any more cries for Jon Gruden, I will scream. Yes, he was outstanding at the NFL level. Does that mean he will be a good college coach? We all know the answer to that.
It is just crazy to be talking about changing coaches in a season in which Notre Dame has gotten the Michigan State and Boston College monkeys off their backs and nearly finished off USC.
Don't get me wrong, if the team just falls apart the last few weeks we have to look at making a change. However, that conversation shouldn't take place until after the Irish play Stanford. That is the appropriate time for it.
No Notre Dame fan should hope that conversation even gets serious. If it does, it means a disappointing end to the season. If Weis is retained, it means a trip to the BCS or just below it. Shouldn't Irish fans want that?
Next year, this team has a real shot at a national championship, which is only possible with this team assembled by Weis. Since Weis built this team, I would like to see them sink or swim with Weis.
USC writer Rick McMahan told me a couple weeks back he was very impressed with Notre Dame and hopes Weis is judged more for the improvement of the program rather than unrealistic expectations. I couldn't agree more.
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