The End Of Weis Would Be The End Of Notre Dame

I have read the articles all over the Internet from fans to media, calling for Notre Dame to fire Charlie Weis.Let me make things very clear:

Before you talk about firing Weis, make sure you know exactly what you are saying.

There are many reasons that I believe Weis is best for the job. But—to respond to all the negative media surrounding the Irish Coach— if you are going to fire a coach then here are the appropriate steps that one must take in doing so.

First, identify the main problem. Every coach has things they do well and things they struggle with, so for a fan or media to say that the coach is the problem they must identify the problem. In the case of Notre Dame I would submit that the "problem" is wins and losses.

The Irish had a terrible 3-9 record in 2007 and a decent but not great record of 6-6 in 2008. Although the teams GPA has risen under Weis and the graduation rate is at the top of college football, wins and losses are what the fans, media and alumni care about.

Second, find out how the Coach apart of the problem. So in the case of wins and losses being the problem I ask fans where they think Weis is to blame because to say that the losses are his fault because he is the Head Coach is not a very strong argument.

The UNC and BC losses were a result of turnovers, with a margin of -9.  When the quarterback throws an interception is that the Head Coaches fault? The only problem I saw with Weis was that in the Navy game he put in the second string too early, they shouldn't have been on the field until the fourth quarter.

Besides that, I can not honestly pin point a problem solely on Charlie Weis. I think the schemes have been good enough to win games, and I think they have come out ready to play, but young players make mistakes that is why the better programs typically have a strong senior and junior class which Notre Dame does not.

Third, does the Coach have the answer to the problem?  Here is probably the most important question among Irish fans, media and alumni. This question is where all the debate comes from.

I would submit that Charlie Weis is absolutely the answer the solve this problem, because the problem of winning and loosing has to do with an abundance of young talent playing important roles on the team and a very small and quiet upper class. Therefore, I think there is one way to solve this problem and that is the Coach needs to bring talent to Notre Dame which has been a struggle in years past since the early 1990's.

Once the talent is there the coach has to develop that talent and let it evolve. As those freshman and sophomores become juniors and seniors then they will have more maturity and possess the ability to execute Weis' game-plans. To most people, Weis is not the answer.

But, who could do a better job?

This to me is a great question that all fans should ask themselves. It is not just Notre Dame fans, its all sports fans that are so excited to see a coach get fired. Look at how it backfired for the New York Yankees. Fans and media and the Yankee clubhouse were all over Joe Torre for his "production" over the last 5 years so they gave him a humiliating offer which led to an obvious "see you later." 

The Yankees then do not make the playoffs and Torre leads the Dodgers to a semi-final. The point is, before you talk about wanting to get rid of someone, you should have someone in mind to replace him. My question is who?  Charlie is a Notre Dame graduate, a coach of four Superbowl Championships, a highly connected coach, a charitable-family man, academic stickler, and arguably the best recruiter in college football today.

The fact that he could bring in the No. 2 class in the country to a school with high academic standards coming off a 3-9 season is remarkable. So who do you think can do a better job? Who can bring in better talent? Who understands and loves Notre Dame tradition as much as Weis? For me I do not think that Coach exists, but if you have someone in mind then here is my last question.

Finally, if Weis is fired what will that mean for Notre Dame?  I will admit I am a HUGE Charlie Weis fan and for reasons that go far beyond the game of football, but I am a much bigger Notre Dame fan and I want what is best for the University.

My biggest fear is that if they do get rid of Weis, then that will lead to a lot more problems than solutions. The first problem is that a lot of the current players will leave or go to the NFL draft and just as important Notre Dame will loose most all of its recruits. These are two huge problems that the Irish would have to face if they decide to fire Weis.

As a life long fan, I do not think this is worth it by any stretch of the imagination.

For the first time in my life Notre Dame has a hopeful future with more young talent than this team has seen in decades, maybe ever. To throw that all away because fans, media and alumni are too impatient and set unrealistic standards for Notre Dame Football, would be a great tragedy.

I look at this team now and yes they are far from BCS consideration, but they have the players and the systems and with another year under their belt execution will be better. If they can Weis, then a great deal of players will leave and the team will have to learn the next coaches system, which of course takes time.

What I mean to say here is that every time a new coach comes to a program that team must take a step back and wait another five years or so to see how the coaching change works out. Next year I think if Weis is Head Coach they will win 8-10 games which would be great, and the Irish would be back in the Top 25. The year after that is when I think the Irish could be in the BCS picture, as Weis recruiting efforts will finally pay off as they are then mature athletes.

I play a college sport and you cannot underestimate the importance of leadership from the upperclassmen and Notre Dame does not have it.

So for all you fans out there that are wishing Swarbrick fires Weis on Monday, I hope you take the time to consider the points in this article and realize that firing Weis may not be a good move after all. In my opinion it is the worst move they can make.

Bottom line, I have been one of the biggest Notre Dame football fans around today for 20 years, and if they get rid of Weis than I will be greatly dissapointed in Notre Dame because of what Weis represents which is everything that is good and pure in the University of Notre Dame.  

Good luck Swarbrick, do whats right—not whats popular.