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**penguin** · 11-14-2004, 03:16 AM

I'm new here today and would like to mention that I began watching ND football on WNDU in 1963. I love Ara Parseghian. There is a wonderful article about him on the ND Fighting Irish website. I loved the way he coached and the way he interacted with the community/alumni.
I looked at the "All Time ND Coaching Records" via the link at FireTy.com and Ara is represented well at an 83.6 % record over 11 seasons. The controversial 10-10 tie against Michigan State (in 1965?) was painful, but I supported Ara's decision then. He has integrity.
Too bad some of it didn't rub off on Willingham when Ara was recently honored on campus. The constant pain of the past few years under Willingahm is the kind that dulls your senses and leaves you numb.
No, we don't deserve this. But the new coach must have something special, a great work ethic, be someone the players can relate to, and have a certain spark/energy/spirit that translates well to our beloved tradition. Plus be able to recruit a great staff. We can take our time looking around while we let Willingham know his days are numbered. (expensive error hiring him!)
Lou Holtz was good, I enjoyed him and his teams. I always thought that he was ready for a change, too, though. When I looked at his record, it was the same number of years (11) as Ara, but 16 more games (and maybe tougher schedules.) It's a great record, very solid.
Also, noticed that 11 years occured between Leahy and Parseghian, and 8 between Parseghian and Holtz. Since Holtz left in 1996, we've waited another 8 years for a return to glory. It did look like we might have been heading in the right direction at the end of last season, it could have gone either way...but I always had doubts about Willingham. I didn't want to have them. I just never felt convinced by his actions on the field. I've spent way too much time the past few years yelling at the TV. There have been so many idiotic decisons during games. SO, yes, we should get a new coach - it's time.
But it needs to be the 'right' one this time.
So, I stand by my previous statement of giving Ty one more year. Meanwhile, the search should be on !!!

11-14-2004, 03:16 AM	#13 (permalink)
penguin Walk-On Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Seattle Posts: 45 Cash: 1,044.25 Bank: 0.00 Total Bankroll: 1,044.25 Donate	Ara's era I'm new here today and would like to mention that I began watching ND football on WNDU in 1963. I love Ara Parseghian. There is a wonderful article about him on the ND Fighting Irish website. I loved the way he coached and the way he interacted with the community/alumni. I looked at the "All Time ND Coaching Records" via the link at FireTy.com and Ara is represented well at an 83.6 % record over 11 seasons. The controversial 10-10 tie against Michigan State (in 1965?) was painful, but I supported Ara's decision then. He has integrity. Too bad some of it didn't rub off on Willingham when Ara was recently honored on campus. The constant pain of the past few years under Willingahm is the kind that dulls your senses and leaves you numb. No, we don't deserve this. But the new coach must have something special, a great work ethic, be someone the players can relate to, and have a certain spark/energy/spirit that translates well to our beloved tradition. Plus be able to recruit a great staff. We can take our time looking around while we let Willingham know his days are numbered. (expensive error hiring him!) Lou Holtz was good, I enjoyed him and his teams. I always thought that he was ready for a change, too, though. When I looked at his record, it was the same number of years (11) as Ara, but 16 more games (and maybe tougher schedules.) It's a great record, very solid. Also, noticed that 11 years occured between Leahy and Parseghian, and 8 between Parseghian and Holtz. Since Holtz left in 1996, we've waited another 8 years for a return to glory. It did look like we might have been heading in the right direction at the end of last season, it could have gone either way...but I always had doubts about Willingham. I didn't want to have them. I just never felt convinced by his actions on the field. I've spent way too much time the past few years yelling at the TV. There have been so many idiotic decisons during games. SO, yes, we should get a new coach - it's time. But it needs to be the 'right' one this time. So, I stand by my previous statement of giving Ty one more year. Meanwhile, the search should be on !!!