Is it a make or break year for CW and staff?

[Clausen2Kamara]

I'm not trying to be negative or anything, I just wanna hear your thoughts..I think it is a legit question we should be asking ourselves. CW has done a great job taking us to 2 BCS bowl bids to go along with 3 top 10 recruiting classes but this is the year he will have all of the players he recruited...Notre Dame has high standards and I see it hard to believe for Kevin White to be satisfied with anything less than a 7 or 8 win season...I think CW will have little to worry about as we will see big improvement from last season..There is a reason why CW started so many youngsters last year. For starters, they were the best at their respective positions and two, he knew he had to get them on the field sometime to get some experience. That experience is going to pay great dividens this season..It is just something you can not teach. These kids are now more used to the speed of the game and know what to expect.. I think we were a bit too optimistic last season including myself to expect what we always expect 10 wins and a BCS bid. It is very hard to win with a young team with a FRESHMAN as a QB, no matter how much talent they have. I see a 8 win season with a bowl win..with CW's job being more than safe...but if this team struggles like it did last season, well, I'm just not going to think about that!

 

[OCIrish]

While I'm a fan of CW, to me, it's gotta be a make or break type of year. As far as I'm concerned, last year was his free pass. Maybe another question is, is this a make or break year for KW? I'm no fan of his by any means, so to me, it would't bother me if he goes. As for CW, I wouldn't be shocked if he goes 9-3, or even 10-2. However, I would be shocked if he goes 7-5, or certainly 6-6. There's too much talent not to get at least 8 wins out of this team.

 

[BDIrish4ever]

I agree with OCIrish and Clausen2Kamara. Last year was awful in every way imaginable (except recruiting); I was not so upset by the record, but the way the team played. CW has definitely used his free pass and I expect a marked improvement from last year.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I'm glad you guys agree with me...Last year was CW's free pass and I think he knows it...I think he has little to lay the blame to this season...its 8 wins or else IMO...He has got the talent and I hope he can utlilize it. He sure did when BQ and Co. were here, lets see if he can do it in all facets of the game...I remain optimistic but it really is make or break for CW this year and for ND for that matter to take that next step...

 

[Epitome]

It's not a make or break year. He has shown to be the hardest working coach in college football and has had success in many other areas than the WINS dept. Plus we will win alot this year.

 

[Junkhead]

I'm hoping for a good season and a bowl win, but I'm not holding my breath after last season. I'd be MUCH more confident if Latina had been replaced. 7-5 is the minimum. Worse than that, and I wouldn't have any confidence in recruiting translating to actual development of talent and coaching.

 

[phork]

I too think its a make or break year. With Tenuta coming in, and the offensive play calling being farmed out, Charlie simply has no excuses left. This is an 8 win season, followed closely by a NC bid somewhere in the next 2 years.
Is he a great guy? Sure he is. But I think a lot of people are blinded by his love for his school and all the stuff that comes with it. Realistically, anywhere else with a prestigious program, he would have been fired after last year. 3-9 is really inexcusable at any top program.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

It's not a make or break year. He has shown to be the hardest working coach in college football and has had success in many other areas than the WINS dept. Plus we will win alot this year.

Though I do agree with you that CW is very hard working on the recruiting front, he has to show that he can win with those great recruiting classes...Are you saying that if we win only 3 or 4 games next season than CW and Co. will not be on the hot seat? This program ultimately depends on wins. Although I think we will have success next year and CW will once and for all solidify his place as an all around HC, he needs to prove it. I think he is ready to do so. Let us hope he does and puts up 8 or 9 wins so we won't ever have this discussion again!!

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I too think its a make or break year. With Tenuta coming in, and the offensive play calling being farmed out, Charlie simply has no excuses left. This is an 8 win season, followed closely by a NC bid somewhere in the next 2 years.
Is he a great guy? Sure he is. But I think a lot of people are blinded by his love for his school and all the stuff that comes with it. Realistically, anywhere else with a prestigious program, he would have been fired after last year. 3-9 is really inexcusable at any top program.

My thoughts exactly. He is a great guy (although he ignored me when I saw him at the theatres) but thats besides the point! He has certainly proved himself to be a great recruiter. I think ND has given him enough time to bring in talent and now he must produce. I am a big CW fan and I appreciate all of his hard work and could care less if he is nice or not...He must get W's...That is what a HC should do...especially at a big time program...

 

[IrishAlum1997]

I hate these types of conversations, it just does not make sense to me that we are predicting the number of losses our team will have. Every year is 13-0 to me, rookie QB or new coach. Being vaguely specific, I think the 'make or break' aspect of Charlie's progress with these players will be defined more by how we compete against the likes of scUM and U$C this year. Although it will eat away at me, I could understand a disappointing loss or 2 if we are competitive all year. There is not a team on our schedule this year that we should not be on an even playing field with, Condoms included.

All the same, less than 8-4 with this schedule would drive me to drink.

 

[irishmarine]

look all you guys. football is a game that has twists and turns at every angle. most of you played the game i hope and understand that it takes one injury to ruin yes ruin a season. if its all wins and losses then no matter what youll never be happy. plain and simple. miami had alot of win in the 80's and 90's but they ran a trash program. its the total package. wins and losses count hevily but it also matters that he wont back down from anyone and tells life how it is. im expecting an 8-4 record with a possible bowl win. our whole team now has experience but they are still freaking 19 and 20 years old. all im asking for is a little patcience. this year is still a molding year. this is the year when we will see who can rise to the caliber of player we all expect from our team. i mean j. f'n c. the world isnt all about immidiate results. i know we live in the world of high speed internet and blue ray disks but perfection takes time. to do it right anyways. he won with someone elses team. GREAT now his team is STARTING to mature. give him the respect and time he has earned. sorry for being so long yall

 

[laservet]

I too think its a make or break year. With Tenuta coming in, and the offensive play calling being farmed out, Charlie simply has no excuses left. This is an 8 win season, followed closely by a NC bid somewhere in the next 2 years.
Is he a great guy? Sure he is. But I think a lot of people are blinded by his love for his school and all the stuff that comes with it. Realistically, anywhere else with a prestigious program, he would have been fired after last year. 3-9 is really inexcusable at any top program.

Excellent point. Michigan was disappointed in an 11-2 season in which they were one play away from the NC game. Cooper was canned despite a great winning record. I think this is a critical year for CW. No more blaming Willingham. I think there are two reasons CW is still coach after such a pitiful season. One is the monster contract extension he was given; humiliating and expensive to fire him so soon after betting the farm on him. The other is that I think ND fans have become used to mediocrity and tolerate it.

CW wasn't paid a king's ransom to be a nice guy, he was paid to win games. A nice guy who loses can be had for much less.

 

[goldandblue]

I think Weis is already on the hot seat, now it's up to him to come off or go home. Personally, I don't think Weis will be going anywhere. But ND is not going to go for another year even remotely close to the last one. I do think that Weis deserves time to build the program and I think that 4-5 years Is plenty enough time to do it. This will be his his 4th year so it should be enough time to find out if he's going to make it or break it. I say 9-3 or 10-2. In a surprise season for the Irish.

Man, it's bad to say that 9-3 would be a surprise season for the Irish huh?? I also think it alot of how the season pans out depends on the first game with SDSU, If we go in and kick some ass then we gain some confidence. Something we lacked the entire year last year.

 

[Sureal]

I agree with phork and clausen2kamara.

I'm going to keep my feet on the ground and if I like what I see after the first couple of games then we can make judgement.

I'm all for giving guys a chance but if we see mediocrity again then it's going to hit the fan. For the record I predict no less than 8 wins. They are going to beat someone they aren't supposed to beat and lose to someone they should beat.

 

[irishmarine]

he had one bad season. granted it was the worst in our history but. hes been to two bcs games. to far better teams. im not expecting a 10 2 season because its just not probable. im hoping for it but i still think our major players are one year away. our defense is growing into the 3-4 and that takes time. just dont go head hunting this year if we dont win out. 8 games is a better season with a bowl win. thats what im expecting from this team. 8 wins and a bowl victory.

 

[ACamp1900]

I'm not saying it SHOULD be this way just that I feel it WILL be this way... if he wins less than four games again this year... he's gone

but I don't think that will happen... the schedule is one of the easiest ND has had in decades... the young talent now has a bit of experince... the O line can ONLY play better... I think six wins is a gimme this year... 10 might be pushing it... any bowl invite AND a bowl win espec. and CW is sitting pretty for a while

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

I'm not saying it SHOULD be this way just that I feel it WILL be this way... if he wins less than four games again this year... he's gone

but I don't think that will happen... the schedule is one of the easiest ND has had in decades... the young talent now has a bit of experince... the O line can ONLY play better... I think six wins is a gimme this year... 10 might be pushing it... any bowl invite AND a bowl win espec. and CW is sitting pretty for a while

Took the words right out of my mouth. If we have a repeat of last season, there's gotta be a change. This season is a very important one, not only will our success impact this year but many more to come. 4 wins or less and it will be back to the drawing board but I just don't see that happening either. We have got enough talent to beat 9 teams on our schedule. I think a lot will depend on how much our players have gained with their experience last year and how our D adapts to the new blitzing schemes Tenuta has brought in. Will they help make us an explosive D or leave our DB's out to dry? One of the many questions I can't wait to be answered by our squad. Is is September yet?

 

[Epitome]

Though I do agree with you that CW is very hard working on the recruiting front, he has to show that he can win with those great recruiting classes...Are you saying that if we win only 3 or 4 games next season than CW and Co. will not be on the hot seat? This program ultimately depends on wins. Although I think we will have success next year and CW will once and for all solidify his place as an all around HC, he needs to prove it. I think he is ready to do so. Let us hope he does and puts up 8 or 9 wins so we won't ever have this discussion again!!

I agree with everything you say...3-4 wins isn't even realistic so he won't be on the hot seat. I hope were on the same page.

 

[irishmarine]

that i totally agree with you all on. we will win more than 4 games. if we only win 3 games then yeah fire up the stove hell be on the hotseat but if we only win 7 or 8 games i see no need to fire him. granted he'll be on notice that if they dont win the following year then yeah he is gone but let the team improve and grow into the scheme defensivly. but i think we will win between 6 and 9 games

 

[Echo Insanity]

I would say Ty could win four games next year if he were still here, but that would be stretching outer the limits of hyperbole.

 

[irishmarine]

ty couldnt beat his meat if he had a jar of ky and a porno

 

[irishmarine]

sorry sorry.....i need couseling

 

[Sir John]

I respectfully and carefully disagree. Weis had problems but i will still ride along with him. The only big negativity on free boards is here at IE about him or NDN which I ignore anyway. Then we get dow to what you guys are simply ignoring. What? Who? Who? Who? Good coach and Notre Dame loyalist are you replacing him with? That's been unanswered ever since i ever read a thread about Weis on the hotseat.

Show me another candidate that appeals to 'most' of the ND fans andAlumni. Let's all sit down and read this mythical coaches bio and print it out.

Given leons he did pretty darn well and I don't want him to be sacrificed on the altar of Fans wanting to dump him after one bad year. IMHO.

 

[onenybrother]

If The Mad Scientist doesn't want be run out of town he better win more than 5 games. Anything less he should be a man and resign. Anthing less mean he didn't improve the team, it's sad when a 5 win season make's you happy!!!!

 

[goldandblue]

I respectfully and carefully disagree. Weis had problems but i will still ride along with him. The only big negativity on free boards is here at IE about him or NDN which I ignore anyway. Then we get dow to what you guys are simply ignoring. What? Who? Who? Who? Good coach and Notre Dame loyalist are you replacing him with? That's been unanswered ever since i ever read a thread about Weis on the hotseat.

Show me another candidate that appeals to 'most' of the ND fans andAlumni. Let's all sit down and read this mythical coaches bio and print it out.

Given leons he did pretty darn well and I don't want him to be sacrificed on the altar of Fans wanting to dump him after one bad year. IMHO.

I'm with you Sir John I'm riding the wagon all the way to the drop off. (hope fully there isn't one.) I don't think that anyone here (in this thread) is saying negative things about Weis or Wants to see him go. I think Every true Irish fan prays that he becomes the coach who accumulates the most W's in Irish history. I think everyone in this thread is just acknowledging the fact that this season is going to be a make it or break it year for Weis and Co.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

If The Mad Scientist doesn't want be run out of town he better win more than 5 games. Anything less he should be a man and resign. Anthing less mean he didn't improve the team, it's sad when a 5 win season make's you happy!!!!

Agreed. We can not be satisfied with back 2 back below par years...5 wins or less...we need a new HC..it is ND..there is no way he wins less than that tho..if he does, he should resign especially with our talent....

 

[phork]

BTW you cannot ride the wave of the 2 BCS games either, since A> We pretty much backed into those games, and B> We got our asses handed to us, both times.

 

[irishmarine]

we shouldnt have been in those games but we were. which meant big money for the school. weis is gonna win 7 or more games and i think its a building season. not rebuilding but building. last year was rebuilding now we are building. we have brought in the talent and they are growing and learning together. quick question though. if weis did leave or gwet fired who would you replace him with and how many recruits would want to leave do you think

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

we shouldnt have been in those games but we were. which meant big money for the school. weis is gonna win 7 or more games and i think its a building season. not rebuilding but building. last year was rebuilding now we are building. we have brought in the talent and they are growing and learning together. quick question though. if weis did leave or gwet fired who would you replace him with and how many recruits would want to leave do you think

Good question Marine, I started a thread about that question a while ago back...I would want an experienced college coach who could recruit. I think a guy like Jim Tressel would be a good fit. He is not that flashy but he is a hell of a coach who gets the most out of his players. He knows how to develop players, he recruits pretty hard and OSU is always competing. He has experience in big games to boot. He is an honest guy and runs a good program. Most importantly, he's a winner. Schiano would also be a good fit. I think Schiano is also a great option, he's a great recruiter and has turned around a once doormat program and is one of the best young HC's out there.

 

[irishmarine]

arent both of those guys under contracr for thier respected schools