Why the Note Dame Fighting Irish Need to Axe Charlie Weis and Hire Jon Gruden

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish lost to the University of Southern California (USC) Trojans 34-27 Saturday afternoon in South Bend.

The Irish appeared to be on the cusp of being blown-out when Trojans running back Joe McKnight scored to make it a 34-14 game with only 13 minutes remaining in regulation.

However, instead of going into the fetal position, Notre Dame (4-2) valiantly battled back and cut the deficit to one touchdown.

Unfortunately for fans of the Irish, that is as close as Notre Dame would come to defeating USC (5-1) for the first time in eight attempts.

“Anybody who says there’s no fight in the Fighting Irish is missing the boat,” said embattled Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis, 53, who was given $40 million and a five-year contract to coach the Irish.

“Down three scores to these guys…there’s a lot of hurtin’ puppies in that locker room right now. But there’s plenty of fight in this team, I guarantee you that.”

There may be “plenty of fight in this” Notre Dame squad that is entirely stocked with Weis’ recruits.

Still, a loss is a loss and Weis is now 0-5 against one of the Irish’s most hated rivals.

“It’s just a heartbreaker,” Notre Dame junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen said. “Period.”

The Irish will host the Boston College Eagles Saturday in a game that they simply can’t afford to lose.

Following the game against the Eagles, Notre Dame is scheduled to play Pittsburgh, Navy, and Stanford.

If Notre Dame somehow manages to go undefeated henceforth, they will likely earn an invitation to a BCS bowl game for the third time in Weis’ five-year tenure.

Despite the fact that Weis seems to have his program on the upswing, it may be time for Notre Dame administrators to find a new leader for their football team.

When Weis was hired in 2004, he boldly proclaimed that his “brilliant” offensive mind would provide the Irish with a “decided schematic advantage” against their opponents.

Since that time, Weis, whose Irish are currently unranked, lost a school record 15 games over a span of two seasons in 2007 and 2008 and he has been defeated in his last seven matchups versus Top 10 teams.

It is simply false advertising to claim that Weis is some kind of a spectacular offensive guru on the sidelines.

In reality, Weis is an average offensive coordinator who has next to zero motivational skills.

College football coaches who thrive in their profession are more often than not inspirational leaders who are able to arouse the emotions of their teams.

Weis does not possess those imperative qualities.

The benchmark for all college coaches is USC honcho “Big Balls” Pete Carroll.

Carroll, 58, who owns the highest winning percentage (85.2 percent) among all active coaches, has a vibrant personality that is ideal for teaching college athletes.

Weis is nothing more than sarcastic and outdated.

Pete Carroll may never leave the USC program and he certainly is not a candidate to replace Weis.

But, Jon Gruden, who helped lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII, has some of Carroll’s traits both on and off of the field.

Gruden, 46, was fired by the Bucs in January and he currently is employed as a color commentator on ESPN Monday Night Football .

“Chucky,” a graduate of Clay High School in South Bend, Indiana, has consistently said that he is a professional coach and he does not desire a position in the collegiate ranks.

Although Notre Dame should no longer be considered an elite college football program, Notre Dame is still Notre Dame and leading the Irish on the gridiron is absolutely still a glamorous job.

Gruden’s father, Jim, served as an assistant coach to Dan Devine for the Irish from 1976-1979.

Needless to say, Gruden has ample ties to both South Bend and its fabled university.

Gruden will absolutely receive numerous job offers from NFL owners once the 2009 season concludes.

Yet, what job would possibly be more lucrative than coaching the Notre Dame Fighting Irish?

Provided that Gruden will relent and listen to overtures, Notre Dame’s hierarchy needs to lure the Super Bowl-winning coach to South Bend at any costs.

If “Chucky” does not become the head coach of the Fighting Irish, the horrors will likely continue in South Bend under Weis.