In Defense of Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis

Many Notre Dame fans have called for the firing of head coach Charlie Weis in recent years.

I, however, have supported him, and did so because, unlike Tyrone Willingham, he has recruited his butt off.

He stormed onto the scene and took players like Brady Quinn, Darius Walker, Jeff Samardzija,  etc. and went to the BCS. True he didn't recruit them, but he really helped take them to next level.

When they left, he was left with what was the product of two really bad recruiting classes in a row. Willingham's last year produced nothing. Willigham saw writing on the wall that he would be out, and lacked any sort of recruiting ambition that year.

Sure enough, he was out the next year.

Once hired, it was still difficult for Weis to recruit that year, given his busy schedule with the New England Patriots and their winning the Super Bowl.

The last two years was a product of that. The good thing is that they played a lot of freshman and sophomores. I expect Jimmy Clausen to really break out this year, while Dayne Crist is also a solid prospect and the heir apparent.

The Irish are loaded at receiver, with a receiving corps highlighted by Golden Tate and Michael Floyd, while Armando Allen is on the verge of breaking out, too. Kyle Rudolph also looks good.

Don't forget that the line is returning four starters who have made considerable improvements.

Weis took a different approach in recruiting next year's crop of freshmen. He focused on filling needs rather than making the rivals.com top 10, which I think was a smart decision.

The addition of Monte Te'o will make an immediate impact. He and Brian Smith could be deadly.

So, as much heat as Weis has received the last couple years, I think he has put together something really good.

This can be a fun year for the Irish fans.

One thing is for sure—this is the year to judge Charlie Weis.