Notre Dame's Racism

[irish9331]

Scoop Jackson in his column on page 2 on ESPN.com said that Notre Dame's extension of Charlie Weis's contract was another sign of their racism. Here is the excerpt from his column:

Notre Dame and the contract to Charlie Weis

When arrogance precedes racism, this is the end result. They act as if they never heard the comments. They act as if whatever was being said or written about the way they handled Ty Willingham's situation didn't apply to them. This is our world, you all should be happy to be living in it. That's their new Knute/NBC motto.
So when the University of Notre Dame extended Charlie Weis' contract to secure his services for 10 years just months after firing a coach who only three years ago was in the same situation with a better record (8-0 after the first eight games for Willingham, 5-2 for Weis at the time of his extension) during his first year, the validation of racism that so many people tossed at the university's feet in the wake of excusing Willingham last December was totally eclipsed by an arrogance unseen in the NCAA since Adolph Rupp and Bear Bryant thought "negroes" couldn't ball.
But this is a university, not an individual. And although ND athletic director Kevin White is the man in charge, it's not about his making the decisions as much as it is about the institution putting on display a serious complex of superiority. Oh, don't get me wrong, their actions are racist to the core. But their arrogance spoke much louder in this case.
Notre Dame could care less about how careless they were. They didn't care how this would make them look in the eyes of African-Americans, or any white liberals who fight for civil rights against actions such as this every day. To ND, anyone not down with their program -- and how they run it -- is meaningless. Show them the motto (again): This is our world, you (fill in the blank) should be happy to be living in it.

I just have two words for this guy, but I am not allowed to use them here.

 

[SBDomer]

Would that word be BULLSHIT? but thats one word ...oh well GO IRISH!!!!!!

 

[KMac151993]

The only people that are racist are the people that write these columns. Ty was fired because he did not win games. If he was Green he would have been fired, it had nothing to do with skin color. These people just have no lives and just want to whine about why they aren't real journalists.

 

[guff]

Since the beatings weren't successful, they have now hooked the horse up to an AED, but alas it is still just dead horse.

 

[absoluteirish59]

I'm so sick of this bullshit man. Enough already! Quit playing the fucking race card and face the facts, the guy started off nice but its how you finish, and he was awful towards the end of his tenure. Maybe weis will finish poorly ( highly doubtful) and ND will fire him early. Should all us fat guys proclaim discrimination against fay guys? Get serious and write about something real !!!

 

[wahoo]

Ty's firing had nothing to do with race!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But a inability to recruit top talent and to win with any consistancy does!
Ty didn't get it....neither did Bob Davie.....but Charlie does!

GO IRISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[irish9331]

Would that word be BULLSHIT? but thats one word ...oh well GO IRISH!!!!!!

It starts with F and ends with you

 

[TexasDomer]

I sent this to Mr. Jackson:

Anyone objectively looking at this years Notre Dame team vs. Coach Willingham's first team sees very key differences. It hasn't been blown out of any games, especially USC. Most of 2002, there was little or no offense, Willingham's reputation as a strong offensive coach notwithstanding; the defense kept many games close with several scores off fumbles and interceptions. In 2005, the offense has been outstanding, and the gameplanning much better than under Coach Willingham, and the defense has exceeded expectation with its takeaways and rising to the occasion. In short, this is a more complete, better coached team than 2002.

Neither Coach Willingham's firing nor Coach Weis's contract extension were about racism. They were about performance.

It is so easy to use the word racism, with all its connotations, in a medium like ESPN.com, yet not have to prove it actually exists. Until you, or anyone else, has hard evidence that race played a role in this, it is unfair to say otherwise. All you have is, at best, circumstantial evidence and innuendo, and even then there is plenty of reasonable doubt.

 

[iloveirish_12]

When will people see that Willingham sucked. And when Davie took Notre Dame to a BCS he got a extension. Maybe if Willingham had more than one good season he would still be the coach. Also, ethier one of those coaches had the NFL coming after them, so Notre Dame didn't have to worry about that.

 

[irishtexan]

Well when Jason Whitlock wrote the same exact thing, it worked for him. He got instant attention, and why not use it again? This guy wanted some attention so he figured he would write about the same thing.....the same exact thing. In fact, this guy had Whitlock sitting beside him I bet. Im so sick of black writers using Notre Dame as a scapegoat for the race card to boost their careers. I remenber when Whitlocks article came out, at the very end of his crap he had a promotion to buy his book he wrote. I mean come on, are you f*cking serious? What would be said if a white writer wrote the same things about Grambling, or Southern? You can bet Jesse Jackson would jump in the middle of that one. And I spent 4 years on active duty in the Marine Corps, and 4 in college and the only racism I saw in the last 9 years was "all black" fraternities. These guys wouldnt even let white people into their parties or allow them to join. Imagine if a white fraternity did that. It would start a goddamn riot. Hey, fair is fair, and until ESPN or another black columnist admits that the issue wasnt about race and just winning football games, I stand strong. Ty proved he is a fluke this year. He won 2 freakin games in the mediocre Pac-10. I dont want to hear the "no talent" excuse because good coaches find ways to win games. Until Willingham stands up to all the accolades and praise and becomes the "golden boy" that ESPN and thousands of writers make him out to be, then I still wont respect him. I get so sick that Notre Dame is still being trashed about firing Willingham to this very day. It is an old and worn down subject. Please God in Heaven, let us win today so we can shut all these maggots and guttersnipes up. Out.....

 

[irish9331]

Texan, Tell us how you really feel....

 

[illinoisillini2120]

Did Ty sign any top recruits or have one of the best recruting classes in the nation??? The answer is no, but then again that is probably because all of the top recruits (most of whom are AFrican-American) are probably racist too!!

 

[jiggafini19]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, accusing someone of racism is a serious thing and to do so without proper facts and background is irresponsible.

This entire issue is played out. And because Weis went 9-3 in his first year, Ty 10-3, we're going to hear more of it. And if they don't improve in 2006, get ready for an ND hatefest witchhunt like you've never seen.

Ty's 2002 defense was about the only thing worth noting in his three years at ND. Other than that, it sucked. And he left the cupboard bare for Weis and staff. This was only step one of the rebuilding.

 

[DeeRock]

10 year extension- based on one good year- c'mon!

10 year extension- based on one good year- c'mon!

Interesting- Weis has ONE GOOD SEASON yet received an extension (how was that justified??)

 

[Rip Rap]

Interesting- Weis has ONE GOOD SEASON yet received an extension (how was that justified??)

11 offensive records, 9-3 with a BCS bowl appearance, and a top-5 recruiting class. I can probably come up with more reasons. Why don't you go hang out at ESPN?

 

[TexasDomer]

He received an extension because there were already reports that he was going to jump ship to the NFL, and the university wanted to send a signal to potential recruits that this wasn't the case. In essence, they were taking away something other schools would use against us ("Weis isn't there for the long haul; he'll coach a couple of years and then jump to the NFL, so why take the chance?")

Davie got an extension, and was fired within a year. There are performance clauses that will make it easy for ND to let Weis go if he doesn't live up to expectations.

 

[jiggafini19]

Dirty recruiting.

And the best part is, we know who is doing it (Va Tech, Cuse, SC, etc).

What can they say now?

 

[DeeRock]

I reiterate- one good season- no bowl wins- too early to feed the beast! win consistently on the collegiate level- ie. Jim Tressel, etc

 

[jiggafini19]

You people baffle me.

One year and already the naysayers come out. This is funny. If it ain't 12-0, it ain't worth having for some. This is why ND fans get such a bad name, among other reasons.

Look at it this way: there were some bozos out there, I won't name names, that predicted 6 wins tops and an 0-6 start. They went 9-3.

Yes, 2006 will show what progress was/is being made.

Again, let's all remember our breathing. In, out. In, out. Relaaaaaaax. Go to your happy place.

Progress was made. Next step, improve in 2006.

"All is well." -Kevin Bacon

 

[TexasDomer]

I reiterate: done for recruiting purposes, with plenty of escape clauses. If any desirable coach's name starts showing up on NFL radars or other Div I wishlists, you'll see the same thing.

It's not feeding the beast; it's just how the game is now. Notre Dame believes Weis has the team going in the right direction and they want to make sure they send the message to recruits and opposing recruiters that Weis is here for the long haul, UNLESS HE FAILS TO PRODUCE WINS.

 

[TexasDomer]

You people baffle me.
One year and already the naysayers come out. This is funny. If it ain't 12-0, it ain't worth having for some. This is why ND fans get such a bad name, among other reasons.
Look at it this way: there were some bozos out there, I won't name names, that predicted 6 wins tops and an 0-6 start. They went 9-3.
Yes, 2006 will show what progress was/is being made.
Again, let's all remember our breathing. In, out. In, out. Relaaaaaaax. Go to your happy place.
Progress was made. Next step, improve in 2006.
"All is well." -Kevin Bacon

Amen! Rep points for this.

 

[guff]

Interesting- Weis has ONE GOOD SEASON yet received an extension (how was that justified??)

Economics. Weis has value elsewhere- namely New Orleans, Green Bay, Oakland, Texas, Minnesota, and Kansas City and any other NFL city with a vacancy. Without the extension it becomes difficult for Weis to go into a kid's living room and convince the kid and his parents that he isn't going to take next NFL coaching job.

 

[jiggafini19]

One third of NFL teams are going to be without coaches. Think about that.

Now I don't shed any tears for these guys because their money is guaranteed and they'll still get paid. Not many professions allow that. But you are given a 4 or 5 year deal in the NFL, which means you need to win in 2 or 3.

College football isn't as kind. Fans are even more passionate and demanding in many cases. But think of what will happen once Weis gets a few recruiting classes in here. Look at the guys they have so far. Speed has been addressed. If he can fix the defense and get the ball rolling, the sky is the limit.

Ty won in 2002 with smoke and mirrors. They were winning, but they lucky as opposed to good. Then they sucked for two more years....badly.

A three point loss in OT, a three point loss to USC and two nights ago a 14 point loss to Ohio State. Not exactly embarrassing in year one.

2006 will tell a new story.

 

[weisfaninmass]

One third of NFL teams are going to be without coaches. Think about that.
Now I don't shed any tears for these guys because their money is guaranteed and they'll still get paid. Not many professions allow that. But you are given a 4 or 5 year deal in the NFL, which means you need to win in 2 or 3.
College football isn't as kind. Fans are even more passionate and demanding in many cases. But think of what will happen once Weis gets a few recruiting classes in here. Look at the guys they have so far. Speed has been addressed. If he can fix the defense and get the ball rolling, the sky is the limit.
Ty won in 2002 with smoke and mirrors. They were winning, but they lucky as opposed to good. Then they sucked for two more years....badly.
A three point loss in OT, a three point loss to USC and two nights ago a 14 point loss to Ohio State. Not exactly embarrassing in year one.
2006 will tell a new story.

Great points. NFL coaches work 18 hour days. Another 8-10 coaches will be in the hot seat next year (Mora, Mullarkey, Herm, Fisher, Shottenheimer, Billick to name a few). College football coaches are celebrities making alot of money. Head coach at ND/USC/Texas/OSU/PSU/FL/FSU/OK are the best places to be right now. Interesting though is that one school who has a storied program does not have a "rock star" type head coach with the cache to match up with the Carrolls/Weis/Urbans......Call him LLLLLLoyd Carr.

 

[bigdon]

Economics. Weis has value elsewhere- namely New Orleans, Green Bay, Oakland, Texas, Minnesota, and Kansas City and any other NFL city with a vacancy. Without the extension it becomes difficult for Weis to go into a kid's living room and convince the kid and his parents that he isn't going to take next NFL coaching job.

Exactly guff!! But let me add another facit. Over half of this years recruits said they were coming BECAUSE of Weis! No Weis --NO recruits. NO Recruits- Football Flunks--Football Flunks --The Annual campaign suffers measurably.

There is a direct correlation between the success of the football team and the amount of money that is given to the University by people like ME! Weis is now an irreplaceable part of that fundraising system. When the team wins people spend more money at the bookstore,buy more at the consession stands and give more generiously to the appeals for funds. ( and they are various and never ending). So, why did they give Weis all that money? As the man said "the business of business is business".

 

[Aerosmith777]

My response to Mr. Jackson:

Great take on Weis & ND. I mean, geez, one coach gets an extension, one coach doesn't, I mean could there be any other explanation than race? Seriously, I mean nevermind that Ty's offense, under a supposed offensive "mastermind," was inept that first season and didn't score an offense TD until week 3, while he won w/ Bob Davie's defense. Nevermind that Weis set offensive records at Notre Dame in his first season there. Nevermind that NFL coaches were banging down the door to hire Weis, but not Willingham. Nevermind that Willingham never wanted to be there in the first place, and was going to bolt out the door for Washington even if ND didn't fire him. Nevermind that ND is so racist they hired Ty in the first place. I mean, seriously, don't let the facts get in the way of your "journalism," cause that would be tragic for all us fans.

As a liberal Democrat who's all about social equality, I'm disgusted with your casual way of demonizing an entire university as "racist" without looking any deeper than the surface. But I guess the truth for you really is "skin deep." This is not how any of those great men & women who fought/still fight for social equality would act. They would not intentionally cause further division by carlessly throwing around terms like racism and arrogance without looking deeper into the issue just to publish an article and put a little coin in their pocket.

You were right about one thing though. Notre Dame does disregard the ignorant ramblings written about them by people who don't have the courtesy to look at the whole issue before labeling the institution as "racist." To use your own words, Notre Dame truly doesn't answer to ignorant (you fill in the blank) like you. (and btw, the word I'd fill it in wih is asshole, not the one you're thinking of).

 

[domerfor life]

Please tell me you guys are not defending the firing of Ty Willingham. I mean that horse is dead. Nothing you say will make the mob shut up so why bother trying to convert people who don't want to be converted. You guys are wasting your time. Articles like that (I didn't bother to read the whole thing) is why I haven't read any publication or watched any sportshow affiliated with ESPN since last week. Just ignore this crap. It's not worth the time or energy.

 

[irishnd31]

Please tell me you guys are not defending the firing of Ty Willingham. I mean that horse is dead. Nothing you say will make the mob shut up so why bother trying to convert people who don't want to be converted. You guys are wasting your time. Articles like that (I didn't bother to read the whole thing) is why I haven't read any publication or watched any sportshow affiliated with ESPN since last week. Just ignore this crap. It's not worth the time or energy.

Domer, you mean to tell me that you won't read an entire article about a black coach who was terminated before he was able to finish out his contract at Notre Dame? You racist! If it was about a white coach, I'm sure you would read it.

Joking bro. You are right on the money though. No matter what you say to some people, you will not change their way of thinking. This idiot is trying to make a name for himself by writing this garbage, whether he actually believes it himself or not. Let him write what he wants it and we will just turn our heads and ignore. The more people that turn their heads the less fools that writeileof: like this.

 

[domerfor life]

It's just ridiculous. No telling who else was waiting behind the bushes ready to ambush us when we lost. To compare this team with Willingham's first team is a waste of time. They take the same argument and use it against one man and then use it to support the other guy. Willingham won because of defense (a defense that Bob Davie had developed). Weis won with Willingham's players, but got them to play at a much higher lever. The same teams they beat were the teams that they were losing to over the past couple of years. These arguments include no statistical data to back up their accusations. The only thing they use is 10-3 and 9-3. The last two defeats under Willingham that first year were 41-10 and 28-6. This year's team lost three games by a total of 20 points. There is all kind of data out there they can use, but they refuse to use it because it negates the whole point of the article. That's why we should ignore crap like this. Again, I haven't watched ESPN since last Saturday. I haven't visited cnnsi, msnbc, msn, or espn.com in over two weeks. I don't want to read the garbage.

 

[Domer95]

Great points. NFL coaches work 18 hour days. Another 8-10 coaches will be in the hot seat next year (Mora, Mullarkey, Herm, Fisher, Shottenheimer, Billick to name a few). College football coaches are celebrities making alot of money. Head coach at ND/USC/Texas/OSU/PSU/FL/FSU/OK are the best places to be right now. Interesting though is that one school who has a storied program does not have a "rock star" type head coach with the cache to match up with the Carrolls/Weis/Urbans......Call him LLLLLLoyd Carr.

Not so fast my friend. I think after this year, the Roman numeral rule should apply and he should be called "Voyd" Carr.