For most Irish fans, including myself, this year was quite a let down for the Notre Dame Football team. At the beginning of the season, many analysts touted the Irish as a team with more cohesiveness and more experience. Gone were the days of poor techniques and poor execution.
However, most people still felt that this year's squad would be one or two years away of seriously competing with the top programs in the country.
But, as the end of the season is upon us and most teams are preparing to receive their bowl bids, most Irish Eyes are not smiling. The Notre Dame Alumni and the most expansive fan base in the nation has formed a blood-thirsty mob complete with burning torches and pitchforks looking to run Charlie Weis out of Notre Dame.
Unfortunately, the mob must go through Jack Swarbrick, Rev. John Jenkins, and the rest of the Notre Dame administration. But, they are doing their best-writing letters of disapproval and pledging money to contribute to Weis' buyout.
These are the same fans who stood up for Notre Dame when accusations were made that Notre Dame was turning into a football factory when Tyrone Willingham was fired, citing wins and losses as the main reason. However, we know now that Tyrone was a poor recruiter and didn't understand and appreciate what athletics mean to Notre Dame.
Now, these fans are turning against their University and asking them to behave more like a football factory, requesting that Charlie be relieved based on wins and losses. They are tired of the football team not performing up to their capabilities and with good reason. But, these fans are blinding by their desperation.
If Charlie Weis' status as the coach of Notre Dame only hinged on total wins and losses, I would expect that he would be fired this coming Monday as a 6-6 record is far from what is acceptable for anyone coaching at Notre Dame, especially Charlie Weis.
Everything that has happened since the Sugar Bowl in 2006 (except for recruiting) has paved the road out of Notre Dame for Charlie Weis. However, there is much more than wins and losses that should be considered when deciding whether or not Charlie Weis should be retained or fired.
First, the football team is better than they were last year and there's little evidence to believe that they won't be better next year. Nearly every statistic from individual players to the offense and defense, to the team as a whole has improved from last season.
While many people are unhappy with the team's performance this year, these were the same fans who believed that this football team was still a year or two away from competing with most teams in the country but are upset that they aren't competing at an elite level this year.
Second, Charlie Weis and his staff have been doing an outstanding job in recruiting not only last year, but this year as well with many top-flight commitments already made for the blue and gold.
Even if Charlie Weis was one of the worst coaches in the nation, he could do no worse than 9-3 two years from now with all of the talent that he and his staff are currently bringing into the University. This bodes very well for the people who are concerned with just wins and losses, which by the sound of things, seems to be most of you.
Third, and Jack Swarbrick has emphasized this several times, Notre Dame has STUDENT-athletes. Charlie Weis has raised the overall GPA of the football team to above 3.0, something Tyrone Willingham and Bob Davie failed to do.
Additionally, he has had an exemplary graduation rate for his football team. He is ensuring that even if some of his players do not go onto the NFL, they will receive degrees from Notre Dame as well as the credentials to succeed in the working force.
Fourth, Charlie has done outstanding work for the University and the South Bend community outside of athletics. While his on-field demeanor leaves much to be desired, his work with charities, including Hannah and Friends, clubs, societies, and benefits have been outstanding. His work with all of these organizations have done nothing but reflect positively on Notre Dame.
Finally, it's important to think about the future of the program. Would the immediate future be better without Charlie Weis? Would the foreseeable future be better without Charlie Weis? Frankly, I don't want to see another highly touted coach come into Notre Dame, only to have to wait for him to implement his own system setting a National Championship back even further (see Michigan) when all signs indicate that Charlie Weis could do it in the next two or three years.
I hate to see Notre Dame getting beat up as much as the next fan, but I'm not sure that firing Charlie Weis will give these fans the satisfaction they deserve. Coach Weis has shown his willingness to make changes in an attempt to right a program that was once storied and I have no doubt that he will do the same this off-season, given the chance. If successful, it may prove to be just the thing to repel the mob knocking on his door.
57 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Mike Muratore 7 months ago
Giving Weis one more year would make the answer to this issue clear- He wins a minimum of 8 games he stays, anything less, and he's gone. Even at current pace, ND is another season away from being talented AND deep enough to contend with the top 10. Goals that should be set for next year would include:
1. 8 win season - shouldn't be too difficult. Soft schedule... they should have won 9 this year.
2. Top 25 ranking - 8 or 9 wins should get you there
3. compete in USC game - two score margin... of course, winning it would help!
4. New Years Day bowl - and please win it!
Hit three of four of those... earn another year.
Firing Weis now only makes sense if you have a BIG name on line to take over... and I mean a John Gruden, Urban Meyer, Lou Holtz type name. Everyone is disappointed, and honestly most are questioning his coaching ability... but starting over doesn't get you any closer to a BCS game.
I would like to see a little more fire from the team During the game... fighting with USC before was all well and good, but it only means anything if you don't lay down and die as soon as the clock starts!
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony Pilcher 7 months ago
Of the Irish should have won 9 games this year what makes winning 8 next year (with a similar if not easier schedule) a significant achievement?
Edit Comment Cancel
Mike Muratore 7 months ago
I hadn't really looked at the 2009 schedule... I knew it was soft but MAN! Let me revise...
9 wins should be a cakewalk. I was originally figuring that another two-game improvement would be enough... but against a cake group of opponents... You should win 10, and it's bad if Notre Dame doesn't win 9. Michigan State, USC, and BC are the only three games that really stand out as games you should struggle in- Michigan will still be a mess, you've got Nevada, Washington, Navy, and UConn at home, and road games against Wash. State, Purdue, Pitt, and Stanford that should be wins. That's 9. BC is a game you should be in, as is Michigan State. The only game that you should lose is USC! Wow. That is a Boise State type schedule.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Yeah, I've said for a while now that next year's team should as good as or better than the 2005 team. In other words, they compete and comfortably win in most of their games and seriously compete with USC and finish with no more than two losses in the regular season.
If Weis and ND can achieve this, these past two years have just been proven to be a seriously down year in 2007 and a transition year in 2008 to a top level team in 2009.
Edit Comment Cancel
Daniel Skiston 7 months ago
That couldn't have been said any better, good article. Give Weis one more year to get thing's on the right track!
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Thank you for your kind words, Daniel.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim McGuire 7 months ago
When alumni start sending checks to the "Fire-Charlie-Fund," we have lost perspective. Granted college athletics is a business, but the University should not be. That money is money that is better spent giving people like me the opportunity to attend Notre Dame. 27 years ago, my father told me that it was not just enough for me to get into Notre Dame, I had to find a way to pay for it. Thanks to the generosity of the Pangborn family, an academic scholarship gave me an opportunity. I am forever grateful. I have been a teacher and a Marine. I think that life of service is a form of payback.
My sincerest hope is that my fellow alums will cut the stupidity. If you are going to send money to the University because you are torqued, take a second, breathe and send it to the academic side of the house...earmarked for someone like me.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Great point, Tim. People sending checks or pledges to the University promising to contribute to Weis' buyout puts the importance of athletics at Notre Dame in perspective. While Notre Dame might not hold Irish athletics at the top of the food chain certainly the rest of the country does put Irish athletics over Irish academics.
Edit Comment Cancel
Iceman 7 months ago
even with a supersoft schedule i dont see them winning more than 4 games with weis still the coach. the only reason weis won 9 games 2 years ago was becuase of brady quinn.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony Pilcher 7 months ago
And Weis had nothing to do with Quinn's performance?
Brady Quinn was a below average quarterback until Weis arrived. The improvement from his sophomore to junior year was exceptional. Weis deserves at least partial credit for that.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Yeah, Iceman, most Irish "haters" predicted that the Irish would only win 4 games this season. While they were close, Notre Dame was seriously competitive in 9 of their 12 regular season games. With next year's even softer schedule and the Irish supposed to be a better team, I can hardly believe that you seriously think that they will only win 4 games.
Edit Comment Cancel
Mike Muratore 7 months ago
They won 6 games this year...
and here is next years schedule:
Nevada (7-5)
@ Michigan (3-9)
Michigan State (9-3)
@ Purdue (4-8)
Washington (0-11)
-bye-
USC (11-1)
BC (9-3)
@ Washington State (2-11) in San Antonio for some reason
Navy (8-4)
@ Pitt (8-3)
UConn (7-4)
@ Stanford (5-7)
If Notre Dame can't win 9 of those games... you have to believe any coach would be terminated. It would be a failure on every level.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jim Cowan 7 months ago
So really, what is the threshold here for next year. Is it 8 wins, 9 wins? I'll be honest, I go into every year with higher than reality hopes and this year was not different. Regardless of last year and where the players are at in development, anywhere in ND's history, this year should have easily been a 8 or 9 win season. Look, there are a lot of people who just start the fire wagon going when they see the record. But if you really examine the games and the play calling and the absence of player development, this staff as out coached and is out of their league. Another year isn't going to make any difference. Every coach has had success off the field in one way or another. We ignored it with Davie and Willingham and claimed it was about wins. Now we're willing to accept those successes as an excuse for more time! Bollocks! This team is in a downward spiral. 5 star recruits mean diddly-poo when they aren't developed correctly. Notre Dame has higher graduation rates than most schools every single year. A few percentage points is not enough to ignore 6 win seasons I'm sorry.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony Pilcher 7 months ago
Jim, I tend to agree with you.
The Irish are a handful of plays away from a 9-3 or 10-2 season this year. Unfortunately, they are also a handful away from being 4-8. The team does not play fundamental football and the mistakes are basic, fundamental, and repetative. It will be the last of these three that is the undoing of Weis.
There are a number of teams around the country with less talent that consistently do more.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
I agree with you to an extent as well, Jim. However, my reason for pointing out all the things that Weis has done off the playing field was for the purpose of showing fans that there is more to being a coach at Notre Dame than performing on Saturdays. Sure, I would like more wins as well. I'd like to see Jimmy Clausen play up to his potential as well as the other top-flight recruits on our team.
But, will firing Weis and bringing in another coach really make that a reality for next year? I expect that if Charlie were to stay on another year, he would make some drastic improvements to his coaching staff which should help with player development. I would expect that Jappy Oliver, John Latina, and possibly Mike Haywood would be on their way out.
Edit Comment Cancel
Andy Miller 7 months ago
What have been the bright spots of Weis' career at ND? The '06 season? Those weren't players that he recruited.
Weis is not the answer for Notre Dame. I say, he should be gone.
Edit Comment Cancel
rob 7 months ago
Keep Weis.
Edit Comment Cancel
Kent Moore 7 months ago
9 wins next season?
Where do you see those 9 wins coming from?
- Nevada finished the season 7-5 and is top heavy with underclassmen. They won't be a push over.
- @ Michigan will be a more difficult than you think. They won't be elite but they will be better than 3-9.
- Michigan State won't be easy for sure.
- Purdue will be a win.
- Washington will be a win.
- USC will be a loss.
- Boston College will be a loss.
- Washington State will be a win.
- Navy will be a win.
- @ Pittsburgh will be a loss.
- UConn will give the Irish a game.
- @ Stanford is much improved as well.
I predict the Irish winning games against:
Nevada, Purdue, Washington, Washington State, Navy and UConn.
The Irish will finish the 2009 season at 6-6 again.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
All you're doing here is predicting a win-loss record for this year's Irish team against next year's opponents. You're banking that everyone on their future schedule will get better and the Irish won't progress at all. If this was the case, you might be right. But, the Irish will be a better team next year and in that, you are wrong.
Edit Comment Cancel
Tim McGuire 7 months ago
Best case, we lose only to USC. 9-3 we lose to a Pac-10 (USC), Big-10 (MSU), and ACC opponent (BC). None of those losses is particularly palatable, but it is progress. Worst case, we beat only Nevada, Purdue, Washington, WSU, and Navy. While anything less than 9-3 gets Charlie fired, the closer to 5-7 we are the worse our prospects for finding the right coach. Personally, if the staff is adjusted, I believe we go at least 9-3. I thought the best we could do this year was 7 or eight wins. The bulk of our skill players were just too young and we were coming off a demoralizing 3-9 season.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jim Cowan 7 months ago
And here lies one of many problems with the program...counting sure losses. Back in the day there were no such things as games chucked up as losses. There were games where you knew it was going to be a battle, but a sure loss? I hate the unfortunate fact that when we play USC now, every year, it's going to be a loss and every one knows it. More bollocks!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Kent Moore 7 months ago
Jon,
I didn't predict everyone to progress and Notre Dame to stay the same.
I think Michigan will improve by leaps and bounds to be a pretty solid team next year. The game is at Michigan so I'll give the win to Michigan.
Michigan State will be a tougher team next year than they were this year. Gotta give them the win.
USC is a foregone conclusion. Notre Dame just doesn't have the talent yet to compete with them.
Boston College wasn't even supposed to be good this year...and look at them! Not to mention they shut out Notre Dame this year.
Pittsburgh will be scary good next year with McCoy back and a veteran QB.
I guess I could throw in Stanford in the "W" column.
So that gives the Irish a 7-5 season. That is not unrealistic here. I think a 7-5 season is more realistic than 9-3.
Edit Comment Cancel
Damon Wildman 7 months ago
Bama fan here! For the most part Bama fans hope ya'll give him a lifetime contract and keep him forever!
But if you need an example of what a great coach can do for you look no further south than Tuscaloosa. How Notre Dame did not get Urban Meyer when they had the chance is beyond me. A bad coach doesn't get better with time....well I guess he could...but he's going to need a decade or two it looks to me like.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Willoughby 7 months ago
Ok, Charlie Weis....if we give him one more year....we are going to have a great season next year and then he's going to stay all 10 years....and I don't want that. His players are developing only from playing time. You're right, we all did think that we were a year away from competing with big schools, but when you start 4-1 and have halftime leads @ UNC & @ PITT...We start to think hey wait a second, we are in this now! This season could have very well been a 8-4 or 9-3 season. Definately. But poor coaching cost us games, when did this guy EVER make halftime adjustments? Or manage the clock well at the end of games? Or make good play selection in overtime vs. PITT? His mistakes alone cost us 3 games this season....and those 3 games would make us 9-3! And NOBODY would be calling for his job. 4-1 to 6-6....we have lost 5 of 7 games down the stretch! HOW SAD, this team is playing defeated...HE CAN'T MOTIVATE the players....he does not instill the pride in them of wearing that ND uniform! We Need a guy like Lou Holtz back....or maybe this time we can get Urban Meyer....or maybe we can get the Mad Scientist from Texas Tech....or maybe even Steve Spurier from S.C.: I would say if we can get our hands on any of those 4 we take them....no doubt about it. If not keep charlie....there is no reason to bring in "just another coach" we need a guy to lead this football team, and I think charlie stays until we find that guy. The 4 guys mentioned above would bring what we need to this team. Its amazing how our defense has shown tremendous improvement late in the season, but the offense (who is charlie weis's specialty) has faltered, getting worse every week for the past 4 weeks! We had a good offense, what happened? it all started when Weis took over play calling @ B.C.!!!! Now the season is over, thanks Charlie...lets hope we can get one of those coaches mentioned above.....ND would be so much sweater competing for a title next season even!
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Actually, if you go back and read my previous article, you'll read that I actually reduced the season down to three critical plays - plays in which the team hadn't made a mental error of some sort, the win would have been sealed and the Irish would be sitting at 9-3 now. Furthermore, if the Irish were sitting at 9-3, we would be discussing who we will be playing in a bowl, or what things the Irish need to be better at next season.
Charlie Weis' play calling this season has been suspect, but so have other things. I'm not giving Weis a free pass here, I do think there are several things that need to change for next season if Charlie stays.
Edit Comment Cancel
Bob Vanasse 7 months ago
It's true that Notre Dame has STUDENT-athletes who graduate, but so does Boston College, which along with Duke, Northwestern, Navy and Stanford tied ND for academic success among athletes, and they have had greater success with far less heralded recruits. Jeff Jagodzinsky is going to the ACC championship game with a team that lost a 1st draft NFL QB and had 5 starters including this years QB lost to injury. You can only explain that by good coaching, something that ND has not had.
Edit Comment Cancel
Isaac Luber 7 months ago
When you lose to Syracuse, its time to go. Also, I think if ND got a tougher schedule and had a losing record, they would be respected more than having a baby schedule and having a winning record. Besides, if ND had a winning record with a tough schedule, maybe they could actually win a bowl game against a good team because they've had experience throughout the season playing good teams.
ND is far from an elite level. Notre Dame would win maybe 4 games on Penn State's schedule, considering their win against Michigan and loss against Syracuse. I don't want to get into an argument, but ND really is a prestigious program and this is unacceptable. Weis clearly isn't as good when he doesn't steal defensive signals.
However, I can see your point. Many people were calling for Joe Pa's head when he was doing bad, but as soon as that 2005 season hit, that yelling stopped. 11-1 with an Orange Bowl victory, 2 straight winning seasons the next years (9 and 10), and now an 11-1 season and a Rose Bowl berth. However, Weis isn't Joe Pa, so I don't think he'll do much better.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Yeah, when we lose to Syracuse it's time to go. Just like when USC lost to Stanford...
Granted, Pete Carroll is a better coach than Charlie Weis right now, but anyone can beat anyone on any given Saturday...
Edit Comment Cancel
Isaac Luber 7 months ago
That's true. Still, if Weis wants to stay, he better get it together soon. He's losing to Syracuse and to 5/6 other teams, and USC loses to Stanford but wins 10 other games. You have a point, but its also about the season success of a program along with games you shouldn't lose.
Edit Comment Cancel
William Pratt 7 months ago
I don't think anybody can argue your points of where Weis has done well off the field. Yes, as far as win-loss record ND has improved over the previous year.
However, is the team better now then it was 2 months ago? No.
Has Weis' lost the team? I don't know.
My biggest fear is ND does real well under Weis in 09' and 10' and then drops off big again b/c apparently if he doesn't simplify his scheme you need a roster full of seniors and juniors starting on offense to win.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Willoughby 7 months ago
Isaac your comment is dumb....if they had a tougher schedule??? Look at who they played man seriously (MSU #23 9-3) (USC #5 10-1) (BC #17 9-3) (PITT #23 8-3) (UNC - ranked most of the year 2nd in ACC standings) THAT IS 5 RANKED VERY GOOD PROGRAMS 3 of which are going to HUGE bowl games man! If that is a weak schedule I'd like you to show me a tough one??? Everyone "thought" the schedule was weak, but in fact it wasn't!!! UGA and Florida have played LESS ranked opponents this season in the SEC. ND's schedule year in and year out is one of the toughest in the nation. You have to be kidding me FIVE RANKED TEAMS is a "baby schedule"....Like I said find me a team in the nation who has played over 5 ranked opponents. Texas has played 4 ranked teams give them 5 if you count kansas! Oklahoma has played 5 ranked opponents. Florida has played 2 teams this season that are still ranked (if you want to count south carolina and lsu it would only be 4 still). USC has played 4 ranked teams if you want to count Oregon State, Oregon, and California (if not its only one Ohio State). So like I said, FIND ME THAT TEAM MAN.....baby schedule my a**
Also PENN STATE ...we wouldn't win 4 games on that schedule , you are kidding right? That schedule is easier than ours!!! haha. We would have never lost to syracuse....after we lost in 4 OT'S to pitt, this team is playing as if it is defeated and have nothing to play for! But as for Coastal Carolina, Temple, (we'll say Syracuse 99/100 times we win), beat purdue this season and michigan, Iowa, and Indiana. that is 7 wins! Not FOUR! And that is assuming we lose to Oregon State, Wisconsin, OSU, and MSU. Whcih OSU and MSU we would, so Oregon State and Wisconsin (BOTH UNRANKED SCHOOLS MAN)....we possibly win 1 or both and have 8 or 9 wins now....you sure you don't want to take that back?? you guys played 2 teams all season that are still ranked, don't go down this road man, the Big 10 is weak this season, minus PSU, OSU & MSU. Everyone else is WEAK!
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony Pilcher 7 months ago
The schedule is weak. MSU, BC, Pitt, and UNC are average football teams who have beaten other average football teams. Sagarin gives too much credit to the schedule. A more reasonable strength of schedule is shown here: http://clashmoremike.com/2008/12/2008-elite-selection-playoff-week-fourteen-and-conference-championship-predictions/ where the Irish rate out at 70th in the country.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony Elias 7 months ago
Love it. I'm a PSU fan, and a huge JoePa supporter, so I believe continuity in the coaching ranks is very important.
Great article.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Thanks for taking the time to read the article and for your kind words, Anthony.
Edit Comment Cancel
Joseph Morgan 7 months ago
Good article! I have three cousins who are Notre Dame alumni and I consider myself an Fighting Irish sympathizer. Weis should get another year to turn the team around. ND is heading in the right direction. Slowly, but surely.
Edit Comment Cancel
Gerald Gapinski 7 months ago
Good article the problem is they got worse instead of better this year. USC game no 1st down till the last play of the 3rd quarter that's crazy, tolal yards 76 I thought Weis was an offence person he didn't show that on Saturday. I would not be showing my face at ND that coaching was a disgrace. ND should have never let Urbin Meyer go to Florda.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Yes, ND has gotten somewhat worse this season, statistically. However, the play calling didn't help either. I discuss both of these in my previous articles, if you choose to read them.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony Pilcher 7 months ago
Jon,
The play calling has been the same virtually all season. The difference is in the defensive adjustments. The offense has only one weapon: throwing the jump ball up down field against one-on-one coverage. Take it away and there is nothing left.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Actually, the play calling hasn't been the same all season. Charlie Weis or Mike Haywood do not call the same plays in the same situations all season. While they have been predictable at times, it is not constantly the same.
Edit Comment Cancel
Iceman 7 months ago
ok will give you jon that they were comptive against NAVY, who is one of the worst teams in the country, they also kept it close to Syracuse, but lost. when you barely beat one of the worst, and lose to a terrible team, its time to close shop. you praise that they have high GPAs and graduation rates, but who cares, that doesnt win games. if norte dame wants to become the next stanford or harvard, then GPAs are great, but those arent good for football programs. smart kids arent very good at football, and 90% of superstars dont care about graduation or grades, they go to the nfl. notre dame will has a very hard time getting 5 star kids to play for the irish when the grade standards are so high.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Wow, Iceman. Nearly everything you said in this comment is untrue. But, I guess you're entitled to your opinion.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Willoughby 7 months ago
Really Iceman, is that why we've had 3 straight top 10 recruiting classes? And teams like Boston College are terrible, right? Competitive against navy?? we blew them out in 3 quarters of football and by the way NAVY is a 7-4 soon to be 8-4 football team (NOT ONE OF THE WORST) in the country. They beat Wake Forest, almost beat Ball State (#12). We took out our starter for the WHOLE 4th quarter and Navy got 2 onside kicks....that is the ONLY reason the game was remotely close! We dominated them in that game. Syracuse game, we didn't keep it close, we blew them out through 3 quarters too....and then blew it in the 4th quarter while charlie weis was doing God knows what on the 2 punts we blocked in the 2nd half??? All of you people with this Schedule thing are rediculous.....I could point out games on every teams schedule where they struggle...UGA barely beat kentucky, south carolina, auburn. none of those teams are above average programs!!! Teams struggle against less than equal opponents, theres a phrase called "you play to the level of your competition"! For Anthony to say....the schedule is weak. Are you looking at a site that favors certain teams over others or are you actually looking at the polls that count in the rankings??? Michigan State is a very good football team, they have beat "average" teams all year, making them above average. Boston College is going to win the ACC which BY THE WAY, is better than the SEC this year!!! (FSU, UNC, GT, VT, Maryland, Clemson, Wake Forest, BC, Miami) All teams a lot better than (Auburn, LSU, SC, MSU, OLE MISS)! USC is NO QUESTION a GREAT football team. Pittsburgh has beat some good teams as well. UNC beat teams like GT who beat UGA and VT who beat GT and GT beat BC. You can take head to head match ups and do that. I could say that since ND beat Purdue by more than PSU than we are better than PSU, but thats not true at all! Some teams play better against some teams than others!!! Its just like you can't say because ND beat michigan and michigan beat wisconsin and minnesota, that ND would beat wisconsin and minnesota (it might make sense to you) but in reality it doesn't make sense at all....different match ups create different problems for each team! Or I could say hey, well we came within 5 points of UNC and UNC smoked BC, so we should have beat BC! (do you all see where i'm going with that). The fact is you either beat the teams on your schedule or you don't...and ND unfortunately this year didn't perform when the game was on the line in the 4th quarter of games (blown leads on UNC, PITT, & SYRACUSE) that wuold have turned the season around to 9-3. But it didn't happen....but saying this oh well you barely beat navy and lost to syracuse blah blah, the only thing that matters is the W & L. But saying ND's Schedule is weak, When most of their opponents come from the Big 10 that you are defending and the ACC who is probably the 2nd strongest conference in football this year, and then USC who is a powerhouse national title contender EVERY YEAR!
Edit Comment Cancel
rick kuchowicz 7 months ago
I have read most of your comments and it seems to me that after an entire year to make adjustments and improve that one would expect more that 75 yards of offense in a game. Unacceptable, that is bad coaching. The level of skill of nd players as a core should, after an entire year, should reflect Wiess's ability to prepare for a BIG GAME. All I saw was an allout let down. Not to say Charlie can't be a successful head coach but, on the field I cannot recognize the the vision, or game plan for now or the future. Oh, that QB has shown that he can take a lick, but the fire in the belly is just not there. I believe it starts from the top
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Yeah, one would expect more than 75 yards of offense. Just like one would have expected OSU to gain more yards against Florida in 2005, and they would have expected the Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith, to do better in the game. What did he have? 14 yards of offense? Something like that, I'm not going to look up the statistic.
Charlie does have the ability to prepare for a big game (see USC/ND 2005). However, it's hard to be competitive with a team like USC with the #1 defense in the nation when 95% of your skill players on offense are sophomores and freshman. I'm not making excuses here, but still, people were expecting Notre Dame to be a year or two away from competing with teams like USC. But, after they lose, people are still bashing them.
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony Pilcher 7 months ago
Jon,
The difference between Notre Dame and the teams you name is that for the Irish this is the norm. They continually make the same basic, fundamental mistakes that contribute to poor offensive performance.
You can't point to one example of a poor performance of another team and have it be justification for all of the poor performances of the Irish.
Beat USC is one thing, compete with them is another. The Irish haven't competed with them for two straight years. And the talent disparity between the two teams isn't worth 35 points.
Edit Comment Cancel
Richard DeLancey 7 months ago
Looks like Charlie is staying...
Edit Comment Cancel
Deke Barron 7 months ago
Great article. With Weis coming back, it seems, I expect some serious changes on the staff with his assistants. I think with the right changes this team can really compete next year. I don't think Weis is the problem except his inability to build a solid staff of assistants, which I think has to do with a lack of prior exposure to the college game.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Agreed. I expect some staff changes to come as well. I will be doing another article on the staff I believe should be rid of their posts. Check back...
Edit Comment Cancel
Anthony Pilcher 7 months ago
Deke/Jon,
Just quickly, which assistants do you believe aren't up to par and why?
Edit Comment Cancel
Deke Barron 7 months ago
Anthony,
This is all speculation on my part, but I think Powlus, Oliver, and Latina are the likeliest of candidates. Powlus isn't a name you hear much, but I have to think some of Clausen's lack of development has to be laid at his feet. I'd like to see a guy like Terry Shea, who worked with Brady Quinn and is a QB guru with college experience brought. I just don't like the idea of Powlus learning to be a coach while this will be a make or break year for Clausen.
Latina, though highly heralded coming in, has been a big disappointment who was brought in because of his relationship with David Cutcliffe. The line hasn't played up to the level of their talent at that is on Latina. Pretty cut and dry.
Oliver I say because the dline play hasn't been great. Oliver isn't as clear cut in my mind as the other two, but if Corwin is leaving for Eastern Michigan as some believe I think a new line coach will be brought in because I would expect a shift to a 4-3 defense headed by Tenuta.
Another guy to watch is Haywood, but I don't blame his as much as some for the lack of a running game because the line play has been so bad. This is all speculation and rumors though so take it with a grain of salt.
Edit Comment Cancel
Jim Bouchard 7 months ago
Great article an interesting debate. Like some of the others I'm puzzled that in a time when so many people are complaining about the high costs of college educations, there are willing donors for the Fire Charlie fund. I agree that these funds should be directed elsewhere and that Weiss has changed much in establishing a credible graduation record for his athletes.
Charlie knows too well the dangers of transition from college to the NFL for young athletes. He's preparing them in football skills and by emphasizing academics he's preparing them for real life as well. Maybe if there were more coaches like Weiss and Joe Pa in the college ranks we wouldn't have as many situations like Michael Vick, Pacman Jones and Plaxico Burress.
Finally; Notre Dame was all to eager to sign a long-term contract with Weiss. Honor the contract; isn't honor supposed to be one of Notre Dame's trademarks?
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Willoughby 7 months ago
My question is why are we not pursuing MIKE LEACH from TT??? This guy is interviewing with WASHINGTON....you seriously think he wouldn't come to ND? We could get this guy who is an "actual" offensive genius....he can "really" outscheme people....not like charlie claims he can do....Leach can actually do it! We NEED this guy.....there is still hope for his firing, maybe if we get killed in a bowl game by a nobody then we can fire charlie! This is the only time I will EVER hope we lose.....but I can't watch another year of disappointment!
Edit Comment Cancel
art brzostowski 7 months ago
I think he deserves another year because they weren't too smart in giving it to him in the first place-----Get real ND is not the same anymore -----would Ara or Holtz have scheduled such a pansy schedule?
I also personally think he got off on the wrong recruiting foot his first month on the job by staying w/the Patriots. Now its recruiting woes include mediocre records , poor schedule, coaches tenure-------Do you think a Blue Chipper wants to join Charlies team ????? I THINK NOT------He'll get bought out next year.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Willoughby 7 months ago
art ---- that was quite a comment man, too bad none of it is correct. "Recruiting woes" -- Ummmm we have had THREE straight top 10 recruiting class! Lots of blue chippers coming to ND apparently, and the 4th year in a row is next year according to espn! "Poor Schedule", this might have been the weekest ND schedule in about 10 to 15 years, but this schedule still had FOUR TOP 25'S AND 1 TOP 5 TEAM ON IT! Thats not "pansy"....In reality ND for the past 10 years has average 5 top 25 opponents and 2 top 10 opponents each season, there aren't many programs in the nation that can say that if any man. So go do some research before spouting off about things you don't have a clue about! Charlie is the problem, not the recruiting, not the schedule....its motivating his players and having a good game plan, and then making halftime adjustments (which he never does)! He will stay another year which I don't want, because I don't think he is the right guy, but just watch next season, he will be 9-3 or 10-2 and then he will stay again, then clausen's senior year...same thing again competing for a national title! This team quit on itself at the end of this season....they have a lot of potential, just wait and see. But do some research on that so called "pansy" schedule....and by the way, 4 ranked teams plus michigan who is normally a college football powerhouse...is a pretty tough schedule...name me teams who play more than 5 top notch programs in a season???? Don't say the SEC, because they have 3 ranked teams total this season! Don't say Big 12 all those schools only played 4 or 5 ranked opponents this season! And not to mention those guys schedule div AA schools, ND NEVER HAD AND NEVER WILL!
Edit Comment Cancel
Jon Hunn 7 months ago
Eric, I kind of let people like Art go. He's obviously not going to listen to sound reason. It's OK. We know that truth and that's all that matters.
Edit Comment Cancel
Eric Willoughby 7 months ago
Jon, good point...I guess when your a ND hater nothing makes sense, your just blinded by hatred! That just gets me so worked up when people talk about the schedule, when they obviously just heard that on "espn" at the beginning of the season when people like MSU, PITT, UNC, BC weren't even ranked! They need to just go look at ND's schedule and then look at the rankings and they won't see this huge "cake walk"!
Edit Comment Cancel
SCOTT GARMAN 6 months ago
I miss the days when we ran the ball on every down...I look back and now realize why Holtz ran the ball the way he did. We must be able to run on first down and get aleast 3 yard at WILL...Who is in the backfield? Juries Jackson had NO back up. We used to have runners 6 deep and everyone knew their names. We need to stop looking around the world for these pre madonna players...that go undefeated at their High School...and then are expected to do that in Collage. Look at Ohio State almost of their offence and defense the past couple of years are from Ohio....O that's right they probably couldn't get in TO ND because of the GPA . I LOVE NORTE DAME.......but if we recruited for GPA then lets join the Ivory Leauge..at least we would be able to compete and make a game of it! Charlie has not done a very good stacking the back field with good runners because he wants to be known for his play calling instead of SMASHING THE BALL DOWN BOSTON COLLAGES THROAT ALL DAY. WE CAN'T MATCH THE HIGH SCORING OFFENSES THAT WE FACE!!!!!!KEEP THE BALL ON THE GROUND AND CONTROL THE CLOCK!!!
Edit Comment Cancel
Leave a Comment
You must register to post a comment.