Charlie Weis Takes A Shot At Pete Carroll, Then Apologizes

When I first read Chalie Weis’ comments on an alleged extramarital relationship between Pete Carroll and a grad student, I thought it was a hoax.

Why would Charlie Weis make a comment like that?

Not too many NFL GMs and head coaches will be so quick to hire an offensive coordinator who might some day throw one of his peers under the bus.   

Whatever aspersions Weis’ offhanded comments may have on Pete Carroll’s character, they have certainly cast doubt on his own.

Here is the remark that was part of an exit interview that Weis gave to five reporters from IrishIllustrated.com and posted by the site's senior editor, Tim Prister. 

"Let me ask you this question," said Weis. "You guys know about things that go on in different places. Was I living with a grad student in Malibu, or was I living with my wife in my house? You could bet that if I were living with a grad student here in South Bend, it would be national news. He’s doing it in Malibu and it’s not national news. What’s the difference?

"I don’t understand. Why is it okay for one guy to do things like that, but for me, I’m scrutinized when I swear. I’m sorry for swearing; absolve my sins.”

I first read the interview and Weis’ comment about Pete Carroll on the Rivals.com Notre Dame site at Yahoo! Sports.  But when I checked the interview on the Irish Illustrated website, the remark had been edited out.

Early this morning Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times reported Pete Carroll’s response to the Weis’ comment: "It’s untrue, it’s irresponsible, and it’s incredible he’d be talking about me like that."

Incredible and incredulous, I thought.  What on earth was Weis thinking?

Since then, Weis has told the Times that his comments were part of a “totally subjective” conversation with several reporters in an aside to the formal interview.

Weis contends that he was explaining how Internet rumors can adversely affect the personal lives of coaches and their families. 

“In no way was I trying to take a shot at Pete," Weis told the Times in a phone message. "What we were talking about was how the rumor mill can affect people’s lives.

"When I was asked a specific question like that, I responded like, 'This is the same crap that I’m talking about.' You start saying things like this and one thing, this guy does this, I do that, and all of a sudden the Internet takes it all over the place.

"So, in no way was I trying to take a shot at Pete. I feel if I offended Pete, I will run Pete down and apologize ... In no way do I have any idea what’s going on in anyone’s life other than the fact that rumors on the Internet can affect coaches' lives in a very, very negative fashion.”

Weis also mentioned that he had left a phone message for Carroll.  Later this morning, Carroll said that he had spoken to Weis.

"I talked to Charlie and he wants to set the record straight," Carroll said. "He apologized profusely for being represented wrongly. I'm not commenting anymore."

Whether by design or not, Weis has made himself a prominent part of the rumor mill which he supposedly despises.  Now every available reporter at Yahoo.com will be trying to track down leads to a supposed mystery grad student.

For a guy who considers himself to be very bright, Weis has acted in a way that is the epitome of stupidity.

Even though it was an informal sidebar to a formal interview, Weis should have known better.  What is said around a group of reporters does not stay with a group of reporters.

So far, Tim Prister, the senior editor at IrishIllustrated.com, who posted the interview, has not commented.  

Don’t hold your breath.