Clausen Takes The Blame; Weis Not Listening To Critics

I Just finished reading a couple articles that put this whole Notre Dame season in perspective.  Jimmy Clausen takes the blame for the loss to Navy and for all the mistakes he has made on the field this season.  Coach Weis lets him take it and throws a little more blame the team’s way. 

In the Irish Sports Daily article 'Clausen Shoulders Blame', Clausen stated “He’s not out there each and every down playing in the game; it’s all of us that are out there. I take full responsibility for everything, all of the mistakes that I made and the things that I could have done better to put ourselves in a better position to make plays,” he said. “Down in the red zone, having a fumble on the one-yard, that’s not coaching, that’s playing. I take full responsibility for stuff like that.”

Meanwhile back at the ranch Coach Weis is interviewed and asked about the team’s red zone troubles and he replies saying the plan against Pitt was to not fumble at the goal line, not throw an interception at the 5 and for receivers to not be penalized for an illegal formation (see AP story ‘Notre Dame Coach Weis Not Listening to Critics’).

Well sports fans as far as I’m concerned that pretty much sums it up.  In Charlie’s world Notre Dame would be undefeated and #1 in the nation if it weren’t for those darn players on the field.  If those goofy guys would just stop screwing up, it they wouldn’t make all those mistakes then Charlie would be the talk of the town.

But wait a minute; he IS the talk of the town; because in the real world the buck ultimately stops at the feet of the head coach.  That’s why the position is referred to as “head” coach.

I applaud Jimmy Clausen and his willingness to stand tall and shoulder the blame for his on field mistakes.  It speaks volumes as to his character, leadership, acceptance of responsibility, and recognition of the fact he is the QB; in essence the “head” player.  But where is Charlie Weis’ acceptance of his responsibility?  How does he display leadership?  Where is his recognition of the fact he is the “head” coach?

This isn’t the first time this season Weis has thrown his team under the bus.  In an earlier loss, I believe it was to Michigan, he did the same thing during a post game interview.  He made the bold statement that the team would have to decide within itself just what type of character it had (I’m paraphrasing his overall comments).  There was absolutely no acceptance on his part for his role in any poor play, lack of discipline, questionable play calling, etc…  Now the same thing happens following a very disappointing loss to Navy.  Let Jimmy take the blame, I wasn’t out there fumbling and bumbling; you must have me mistaken for one of those players.  Talk to those guys, they’ll tell you whose fault it is.  If you don’t mind, talk mostly to Jimmy Clausen, he’s a great guy.  He’s willing to tell you that it’s his fault, not mine.  Heck, he’ll even tell you what a great guy I am, you know, a real family man who loves his players.  Yeah, that’s Charlie’s world.

Well, I know a thing or two about coaching and I can tell you this, if the “head” coach is not out front, leading the way in taking the blame for each and every thing his team does wrong; if he is not out there leading the way by giving his team 100% of the credit for each and every victory then he is not deserving of the title of “head” coach.  Maybe he should be something like say……….offensive coordinator.  Yeah, that’s the ticket; Charlie Weis should go back to being an offensive coordinator where letting others shoulder the blame is part of the job description.

Notre Dame needs to hire a real “Head Coach”.