Should Charlie Weis Be Dumped for Jon Gruden at Notre Dame?

For the past two decades, Notre Dame has searched incessantly for the kind of head coach they once had in names such as Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian, and Holtz to no avail. It seems that Notre Dame's “ideal” coach is out of reach.

After Lou Holtz's departure, seemingly due to a difference with the Board, Notre Dame has not fared well in recruiting and remaining within the elite teams in college football. Bob Davie's tenure staged the beginning of a record that Notre Dame fans never thought possible: Notre Dame was having more and more difficulties beating ranked teams.

Ty Willingham brought some hope, but his inability to attract high-ranked players bottomed out with the two worst recruiting classes in Notre Dame history: the infamous classes of 2004 (ranked No. 32 by Rivals.com) and 2005 (No. 40 by Rivals.com).

Trying to fill the vacancy left by Willingham firing, Notre Dame sought a former assistant coach during the Holtz era: Urban Meyer. Urban Meyer disdained what he claims now to be his “dream job,” and the opportunity was given to a four Super Bowl rings holder and mastermind offensive coordinator from the New England Patriots: Charlie Weis.

Weis took a team in shambles and built two seasons full of hope. His arrogance aside, he would have realized, as I am sure Urban Meyer did, that Notre Dame was devoid of depth.

Weis did the best with his two first years and saw how the team plummeted to the bottom of a pit when the “infamous” classes of 2004 and 2005 reached upperclassmen level: They combined for a 10-15 record, and I dare to say that 2007 would have fared worse if Weis would have not worked diligently on bringing some guys for a fifth year.

Charlie Weis has gone painstakingly through the process of being an arrogant, just brought from the NFL type of guy, to trying to be a great college coach.

Now, who in his right mind think that Jon Gruden could fare any better if he were to take over the helm at Notre Dame? Gruden is not a superb coach, but his personality seems to fit better the college stereotype for many: young, temperamental, energetic.

What has he done to be considered a replacement for Weis as soon as next month? Not much, really. Four years at the college level in diverse assignments, five to six years as an assistant coach, and then tenures as head coach with Oakland and Tampa Bay.

Besides his first year with Tampa Bay, when he carried the team to a Super Bowl victory, he held records barely above .500: Oakland, 38-26; Tampa, 57-55. Excluding the Super Bowl season, his record during the playoffs is 2-4; indeed, he has not won a postseason game since that run to the Super Bowl in 2002.

Gruden's scant experience at college level should bring doubts about his ability to recruit, which is the mainstay to secure competitiveness at this level. Bringing a new head coach right before spring camp might have devastating effects on the team morale.

Charlie Weis will have one more year to prove if his accolades as strategist can fructify in returning Notre Dame to the elite club. His tenure, currently in the hot seat, will go through its toughest period during the 2009 season. A record any lower than 9-3 might be his exit door from Notre Dame.

Weis' replacement should come, in my opinion, from the college scene and not from the NFL, unless Mike Shanahan or someone similar would suddenly become interested in coaching at Notre Dame.