One Person's Opinion of Charlie Weis

[irishunclebill]

I am amazed, considering that this is an Irish fan site, at the constant sniping that continues on here at Charlie Weis over the Defensive recruiting. To be fair, most of this incessant criticism is coming from four or five individuals who seem to want a take a shot at Charlie whenever an item concerning the Defense is posted. It’s almost like being over at BGS when you can count on that idiot TOSU is righteous to chime in whenever a new blog is posted over there. The worst line from these guys is “Charlie just does not get it”. Excuse me for being blunt, but that is one of the most ignorant statements I have ever heard. Listen up you guys, Charlie Weis is one of the smartest people on the planet, he “gets” in a week more than most of the rest of us “get” in a year.

As Notre Dame fans, we all need to ignore the media and other anti-Irish outside sources and put into perspective just how much Charlie Weis has accomplished for his alma mater in two short years, two years that I might remind everyone are his only experience as a head coach of a major football program. He has won 19 games and guided Notre Dame to 2 BCS games with a talent pool severely diminished by the mediocre, and some would say nonchalant, recruiting of his predecessor. Consider that the only other Coach to bring his team to a BCS game in each of his first two years of coaching was Larry Coker, who inherited arguably the most talented group of recruits that College Football has ever seen. Charlie has transformed many of the Offensive Players he inherited from guys who had no shot at the NFL under Ty, to legitimate high round draft picks, including a QB who may still be the first pick in this year’s draft. After only his second year as Head Coach, he has assembled without question, the most talented offensive recruiting class in the nation, and IMO the best this university has ever seen.

However, let’s skip the football success for a moment. Charlie Weis has made us proud once again to be fans of ND football. Whether at the game or watching on TV, who can not be proud of a program that loudly sings its’ alma mater with their student body after every home game, win or lose. How about the tradition of respect that Charlie Weis started by saluting the future defenders of our country after each game with a service academy. I defy any one of you Weis detractors to tell me that a classless individual like Urban Meyer would have instituted any of these honorable traditions. Finally, let me point out what those 2 BCS Bowl games also meant to the current students of Notre Dame. Unlike most other schools, the bulk of ND’s BCS money does not get plowed back into the football program, but instead is funneled back to the University. A substantial portion of what comes back is then apportioned to Financial Aid. This directly allows prospective Notre Dame students who would otherwise never be able to afford to attend this university to realize their dream of being one of the Irish. As the parent of a daughter who within two hours of visiting the ND campus fell in love with the tradition, beauty, and excellence of this great university, and who will graduate “Forever Irish” in May, I can attest to the fact that the largesse generated by the achievements of Charlie Weis and the ND Football program are greatly appreciated.

In closing, I am not saying that there should be no criticism of Charlie on this site, but I am graciously requesting that all of you detractors of Charlie remember that we are Irish fans here, and such criticism should be accompanied with appropriate respect for the man and his success.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Amen brother!

 

[weisbankaccount]

I totally agree with your sentiment Bill but I also disagree on some things.

First off, Charlie Weis is not one of the smartest people on the planet. He is, at this point, a good football coach. Hes a smart guy and I am glad he is here but it is the fans and media like you that pre-ordain these coaches too soon as "genious' that fuels over the top expectations.

The '06 version of ND was not in the same league as the '05 version - that was obvious. Virtually the same team with 1 extra year under the belts and they were markedly worse.

In '05, ND was in every single game they played, even the Fiesta was in doubt with 4 minutes left.

This year they were shellacked by 3 teams and really shouldve lost to 2 other average teams.

There is an obvious trend going on with recruiting. Offensive elites are lining up for Weis, defensive elites arent touching him with a 10 foot pole. Whether fair or not, Weis is known as an offensive "guru" and NDs defense is known as "pourous"

Weis was smart picking Brown and correcting an obvious problem with Minter - Brown can recruit Chicago, now Zook territory, and Brown proved effective at Virginia in recruiting.

I know Martez Wilson is now a villain here but thats only because he was honest. He is an inner city black kid in Chicago, Im from here. I know what he means when he says "uptight white coach" - it means that ND and inner city Chicago are 2 different planets - which they are. Minter was the uptight white coach.

As you can see, Weis made a certain correction in this area....is it that obvious? Oh, it is that obvious.

Weis - smart guy, going in the right direction but he should be criticized this year because the same team that overacheived last year, underacheived this year and defensive recruiting is not where it needs to be.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

He got a 1600 on his SAT's I would say he is pretty smart

 

[FleaFlicker]

One thing to note here, about the defensive recruits... If our defense improves dramatically next year, recruits will be lining up outside the door. I think that is perhaps the most important thing for our program. never mind offens0ve domination (although it would be nice)...

If we can field a competitive defense, with the poor defensive talent overall (lack of depth, anyway). Then it will help Brown recruit greatly next year. One thing that Brown has over Minter is an intangible, and that is desire. Brown is still making a name for himself (Minter already had a name and probably wasn't going to do too much more coaching). Brown will be able to write his own ticket if he succeeds here. You have to believe that will motivate him to make this defense and the recruits the best that they can be.

As everyone has said, ND's problems recruiting defensive people are simply that we don't have a defense to speak of, and didn't last year. Is it a coincidence that teams that have great defenses get great defensive recruits? No. How bout great offensive teams getting great offensive recruits? Nope. ND's class this year is a perfect example of that.

So... patience. We can't do anythign about the defensive recruiting this year. The mistake Weis made was in thinking that all of the elite defensive players were going to come here. If they had, we'd be in great shape. Think of how many players had us in their top 2 or top 3, I can't think of more than 2 or 3 that ended up choosing us, and none of the elite guys. THAT isn't a lack of effort. That is guys not being convinced about our defense and/or Minter not being able to close the deal.

Obviously Weis can close the deal, look at the offensive guys he has gotten. I'm more inclined to believe that Minter dropped the ball on recruiting the defensive guys.

 

[weisbankaccount]

He got a 1600 on his SAT's I would say he is pretty smart

yeah, he is smart but he also isnt one of the smartest people on the planet either. Hes a football coach for crissakes.

This is the reason why people hate ND and its fans. Everything is pre-ordained, romanticized bullshit.

Willingham was the return to glory in '02 I recall as well. Then he fell off the train and skidded his ass for 2 + years.

I saw a ND team that looked awful in a handful of games this past year and Im sure you all did too. Nobody is above criticism.

 

[jgrnd07]

You can blame Minter but in the end recruiting falls on the head coach whether it is defense or offense. If Brown turns this defense around with the lack of depth and talent in the front seven then he is the genuis coach not Weis. I think because of the lack of high caliber defense recruits we will be lucky to compete for a National Championship in the next 3 years unless next years class is just unbelievablly talented!

Weis has ND going in the right direction but I am a realist! He has beat who he was suppose to, got beat up by good teams, has not brought in great defensive recruits, and has not won a bowl game or a national championship. Sorry if I save the "savior of ND" tag until he beats high caliber teams, wins a bowl game, and brings in recruits to turn the defense around!

 

[Junkhead]

He's a good coach, who should even improve with more game experience. He is not God, he is not perfect or infallible. I think he's the best man for the job though. I agree with Flea Flicker on the defensive recruiting. This past season really hurt recruiting defensively. It will improve if the D does.

 

[rockne19]

guys lets face it charlies honeymoon is long over he said himself if he doesnt win a national
title in 4-5 years he should be fired!well he might get his wish!

 

[WrathofND]

The team needs to improve on defense obviously and Weis needs to re-think some of his game strategy from this past season.... i.e.. faking a punt in the first quarter of the bowl game. However, I think that even with the close games last season against average teams still show that we are in good hands with him. I mean.. Willingham's last year saw a 21 point lead disappear against Boston College. Weis hasn't had those type of breakdowns and those are the kind you need to be concerned with at times.

Just give him a few more years.... he is already positioning ND for one of the most explosive offenses in the country in my opinion in 2008.

 

[Irish_D]

I agree.. You MUST have defense even if you have the most powerful offense (which in reality we don't have) right now the only credit to Weis is that he made the change. I believe Brown will make a difference, but how much difference relies on Weis and how many scholarships he is willing to give up to the defensive side of the ball. These lopsided losses have GOT to stop!! No mistake, I am onboard and not criticizing Weis but until then he is NO saviour.

 

[FleaFlicker]

When people say Notre Dame is the hardest coaching job in America... they aren't lying. Back-to-back BCS bowls after two .500 seasons.... You'd think people could have a little bit of patience with the guy.

Do you know how many other programs would be very happy to be in the position that we are, and have the turn-around that we had.

We are better off than we were with our last two coaches. Both Davie and Ty lost to teams that had no business beating them. We've only lost to one such team in the last two years, that was MSU.

I don't like being blown out either. But we were extremely competitive in games two years ago with teams we had no business playing with... namely... USC.

This year, We had the same (slightly less defensive) talent and under-acheived compared to last year. But we still OVER-acheived compared to two years ago. Just get your heads on straight. Even USC, who has the best recruiting classes ever, lost two games last year... And to teams that they never should have lost to. CFB isn't perfect. And to expect perfection after having the poor defensive coordinator and virtually 2 nonexistent recruiting classes, is just silly. Especially when we play teams like UM and USC every year.

 

[TexasDomer]

BCS games in two consecutive years with the previous regimes (thin) recruiting classes.

An offensive scheme that got the most out the existing players' talents.

A (hopefully) new defensive scheme that may do so as well.

A .760 winning percentage in the first 25 games--better than many "legendary" coaches at ND.

I continue to believe that we will be better on defense next year, and it won't have ANYTHING to do with who is up and who is down on the line. I believe Minter's scheme (regardless of 3-4 and 4-3) caused the players to think too much. In either a 3-4 or a 4-3, a simple scheme with hot execution will beat an over-sophisticated one. CB will likely simplify responsibilities, clarify roles, make the little adjustments in footwork and position that define whether you get to the QB or not, whether you break up the pass or it goes for 60 yards, etc.

We have good talent on the defensive side of the ball--good enough to be better than it has been the last two years. Weis was able to use the "Midwest Coast" offense Ty recruited and put up huge numbers by tailoring the schemes and plays to the talent available. I think CB can do the same, based on his pedigree. If his own story is any indication, effort and tenacity can overcome "physical" limitations on size and speed.

I think we will be saying about CB and "Minter's players" next year what we said about Charlie and "Ty's players" on offense in 2005.

Keep the faith folks! I know we're hungry for a championship and not to be embarrassed in big games. I believe in Weis. I believe he had buyer's remorse hiring Minter sight unseen based on his knowledge of the university and familiarity with college. Those are two things Weis no longer needs him for. He now needs someone who thinks like he does about how to gameplan and execute. I think he has that in CB.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

He got a 1600 on his SAT's I would say he is pretty smart

maybe...that's never been confirmed. It was a rumor started on some Irish site and it hit the media...it's never been confirmed.

 

[jiggafini19]

Weis won't confirm on deny his actual score.

When it comes to defensive recruiting, I think we can all ask of one thing from Weis. A catchphrase he's rather familiar with:

NO EXCUSES.

I think he'd agree.

 

[irishranger]

patience people!

 

[RyanS]

BCS games in two consecutive years with the previous regimes (thin) recruiting classes.

An offensive scheme that got the most out the existing players' talents.

A (hopefully) new defensive scheme that may do so as well.

A .760 winning percentage in the first 25 games--better than many "legendary" coaches at ND.

I continue to believe that we will be better on defense next year, and it won't have ANYTHING to do with who is up and who is down on the line. I believe Minter's scheme (regardless of 3-4 and 4-3) caused the players to think too much. In either a 3-4 or a 4-3, a simple scheme with hot execution will beat an over-sophisticated one. CB will likely simplify responsibilities, clarify roles, make the little adjustments in footwork and position that define whether you get to the QB or not, whether you break up the pass or it goes for 60 yards, etc.

We have good talent on the defensive side of the ball--good enough to be better than it has been the last two years. Weis was able to use the "Midwest Coast" offense Ty recruited and put up huge numbers by tailoring the schemes and plays to the talent available. I think CB can do the same, based on his pedigree. If his own story is any indication, effort and tenacity can overcome "physical" limitations on size and speed.

I think we will be saying about CB and "Minter's players" next year what we said about Charlie and "Ty's players" on offense in 2005.

Keep the faith folks! I know we're hungry for a championship and not to be embarrassed in big games. I believe in Weis. I believe he had buyer's remorse hiring Minter sight unseen based on his knowledge of the university and familiarity with college. Those are two things Weis no longer needs him for. He now needs someone who thinks like he does about how to gameplan and execute. I think he has that in CB.

 

[Irishkid23]

Go Irish

 

[Irishkid23]

I totally agree with your sentiment Bill but I also disagree on some things.

First off, Charlie Weis is not one of the smartest people on the planet. He is, at this point, a good football coach. Hes a smart guy and I am glad he is here but it is the fans and media like you that pre-ordain these coaches too soon as "genious' that fuels over the top expectations.

The '06 version of ND was not in the same league as the '05 version - that was obvious. Virtually the same team with 1 extra year under the belts and they were markedly worse.

In '05, ND was in every single game they played, even the Fiesta was in doubt with 4 minutes left.

This year they were shellacked by 3 teams and really shouldve lost to 2 other average teams.

There is an obvious trend going on with recruiting. Offensive elites are lining up for Weis, defensive elites arent touching him with a 10 foot pole. Whether fair or not, Weis is known as an offensive "guru" and NDs defense is known as "pourous"

Weis was smart picking Brown and correcting an obvious problem with Minter - Brown can recruit Chicago, now Zook territory, and Brown proved effective at Virginia in recruiting.

I know Martez Wilson is now a villain here but thats only because he was honest. He is an inner city black kid in Chicago, Im from here. I know what he means when he says "uptight white coach" - it means that ND and inner city Chicago are 2 different planets - which they are. Minter was the uptight white coach.

As you can see, Weis made a certain correction in this area....is it that obvious? Oh, it is that obvious.

Weis - smart guy, going in the right direction but he should be criticized this year because the same team that overacheived last year, underacheived this year and defensive recruiting is not where it needs to be.[/QUO







You are correct, Weis has been deficient in defensive recruiting. I do like the fact that he hired Corwin Brown, this should greatly help.

Yes, there is no argument that Weis is very bright.

I am also fairly certain that all of those people who criticized Weis' "D" recruiting, including myself, love ND. Our criticisms aren't directed toward disliking Weis, criticizing his intelligence, or criticizing ND. Our criticisms are directed toward his poor showing in Defensive recruiting only! This board allows any of us to make opinions that anyone can agree or disagree with. Verbal attacks against our own ND fans are not healthy. If we make an unpopular point, then give a counter point and come up with another opinion that may not have been considered. But first,let's keep it respectful and quit assuming people dislike someone or something because of frustration, disappointment, or the like.

We all want our team to win and win BIG. I would cherish blowing out USC, Michigan, any SEC or ACC team, etc. Yes, we all know it will take time, but I believed that Weis would have had a better haul on defense this year. Maybe, as said earlier, "Brown will turn it around."

GO IRISH!!!

 

[IRISHDODGER]

yeah, he is smart but he also isnt one of the smartest people on the planet either. Hes a football coach for crissakes.

This is the reason why people hate ND and its fans. Everything is pre-ordained, romanticized bullshit.

Willingham was the return to glory in '02 I recall as well. Then he fell off the train and skidded his ass for 2 + years.

I saw a ND team that looked awful in a handful of games this past year and Im sure you all did too. Nobody is above criticism.

WBA, you make some valid points & I'm not saying there aren't ND fans who throw the word 'genius' around since the day he was hired, but I saw the media using the 'genius' tag to describe Weis' offensive acumen. The media drilled this home & hyped them up since they started winning in early '05 & the same media couldn't wait to start calling him 'overrated' & 'unable to garner a signature win'. The media is a synonym for hyporcrite...plain & simple

 

[ShivaIrish]

It is not for a lack of effort or awareness that Weis & CO. failed in defensive recruiting. I think it's funny that so many people's attitude seems to be, "Weis doesn't even care about recruiting for the defense." As somebody pointed out earlier, ND was the bridesmaid for many great defensive recurits. Just think about the one's that we know pretty much about for sure:

DTs: Will Blackwell, Andre Jones (remember, he commited to Texas a long time ago, over ND)
DE: Trattou (I guess),
LB: (I think) Lorenzo Edwards, Chris Donald
DB: Michael Williams

So we know the offense has a good system in place--not so about the defense. I agree with all those who think that if Brown does it right--we would be bringing in a number of those recruits.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Well said! I remember breathing a sigh of relief when I found out he was coming to coach at ND. Personally, I believe the recruiting on the defensive side has been fairly good considering how awful they have looked the past years. If the new DC can get them to play better next year, and avoid blowouts by the elite teams, I suggest that the recruitng will follow. Weis is not to blame, Minter is. That said, two years from now, our defense should not look like we're playing with 10 guys on the field!

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Hey, my first post ^^

(Genius in the making)

 

[GoshenGipper]

You can so tell it's the offseason around here.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Hey, someone else found it....I just came by to see what all the hubbub was about. How do you spell hubbub anyway?

 

[SpeedsterX]

hubbub
Also found in: Wikipedia 0.06 sec.
hub·bub (hbb)
n.
1. Loud noise; din. See Synonyms at noise.
2. Confusion; tumult.
[Probably of Irish Gaelic origin; akin to Scottish Gaelic ubub, an interjection of aversion or contempt.]
Word History: It has often been remarked that the early Celtic inhabitants of Britain contributed very little to the stock of English words. Perhaps this should not surprise us, given the difficult relations over the centuries between the people of Germanic stock and the people of Celtic stock in England and Ireland. It seems likely that a certain English contempt resides in the adoption of the word hubbub from a Celtic source, which is probably related to ub ub ubub, a Scots Gaelic interjection expressing contempt, or to abu, an ancient Irish war cry. In any case, hubbub was first recorded (1555) in the phrase Irish hubbub and meant "the confused shouting of a crowd." In addition to the senses it has developed, hubbub was again used, possibly in an unflattering way, by the New England colonists as a term for a rambunctious game played by Native Americans.

Just trying to be helpful!