Receivers coach/recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello will most likely be back next season unless he picks up a head coaching job somewhere. This will be a plus for Notre Dame since he is another great recruiter. While his ability to coach wide receivers is so-so, the talent he is bringing in gives him a pass in my book — as long as the wide receiver corps improves next season.
Weis would be a fool to get rid of defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Corwin Brown or assistant head coach/linebackers coach Jon Tenuta. The improvements to the defense have been excellent, especially given how much Notre Dame relied on it this season. The Irish will end the season ranked (most likely) 39th in the country. And next season they will only be better.
Next year will be a good year for the Irish. The schedule is favorable, although many teams that Notre Dame beat soundly will not be as bad as they were this season. Notre Dame should win around nine games in 2009.
Not bad.
And if you look at it like this, it looks even better.
2007: 3-9.
2008: 7-6 (assuming ND wins their bowl). That's an increase of four wins. If they win three more games next season, Notre Dame is knocking on the national title door in 2010.
Jack Swarbrick is playing the smart card. Let Weis have his fifth year. If he doesn't win, then Swarbrick has had a year to look at possible candidates. If he does win, then Swarbrick made a shrewd choice. And bear in mind the next coach would be almost guaranteed a five-year contract to see what he could do.
Whatever happens, next season is Charlie's last stand. From last season to this season, virtually every stat related to Notre Dame has improved.
Lets see what happens when he gets backed into a corner.
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