Winning with Tyrone Willingham's Guys at Notre Dame
This is way past relevant at this point, but it seems that people, both ND fans and critics, still can't get over the Ty Willingham controversy.Ā āOooooohh, Charlie had a good year with Willinghamās guys and got an extension, and now he canāt win with his own players.ā
Itās so absurd, but ESPN still brings it up, complaining that Willingham didnāt have time to develop āhisā talent.
I think most would agree that 2005 was Weisā most successful season to date, and as it was his first year, the conclusion most jump to is that he āwon with Tyās guys.ā
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Willingham only coached at ND for three years.Ā The backbone of that 2005 team, the reason we had hope for a brighter future under Weis, were the 19ācount them, 19āseniors and fifth years who started or took a large share of the reps: BOB DAVIEāS guys.
On offense, Davie recruits in bold.
QB
Quinn
FB
Powers-Neal
RB
Walker
WR
Stovall
McKnight
Samardzija
Shelton
TE
Fasano
Carlson
OL
Harris
Santucci
Morton
Stevenson
Levoir
Sullivan
Three Willingham recruits started.Ā Sullivan was a āsixth starterā on the offensive line, and Carlson was excellent in two tight sets.Ā Eight Davie recruits, including four on the line, made up the offense.
On defense, the song remains the same.
DLĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā LBĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā DB
FromeĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā HoyteĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Wooden
LandriĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā MaysĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Richardson
BeidatschĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā CrumĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Zibby
LawsĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā Burrell
Leitko
Abiamiri
Eight of Bob Davie's finest, plus five Willingham guys, comprised the defense.Ā
Now who can name a Willingham recruit, not listed here, who made a meaningful contribution?Ā There are 10 names on my list.
Willingham recruited three full classes at Notre Dame, with 25 scholarships available every year.Ā Where the hell are they?
In '06/'07, where were Notre Dameās glaring weaknesses?Ā O-line, D-line, and linebackerāthe spots on my ā05 depth chart dominated by bold type.
In last year's travesty, where were the seniors to hold the team together?Ā Nonexistent.Ā
Donāt get me wrongāIām not a blind Charlie Weis supporter.Ā Leaving the Navy game last year, I called for his head along with everyone else.
The difference between Weis and Willingham, and the reason Weis is still at the helm, is the hard work Charlie puts into recruiting.Ā The next two seasons should be very excitingāand if not, at least the cupboard wonāt be bare for the next coach in the post-Lou Holtz apocalypse.
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