I have always been curious about what...

[Jaywalker]

I have always been curious about what die-hard fans are really fans of? Are ND football fans really fans of that which constitutes ND football: the players, the coaches, the students, the university in general, the Christian, Catholic faith? Or do these fans simply, unknowingly but selfishly care about themselves more since the word, image, or connotation of the phrase "Notre Dame Football" becomes such an ingrained part of each fan that a disheartening ND loss translates into a self-loss. If the latter were true, then an angry, disheartened fan would place personal and emotional desire for a win over the aforementioned ingredients that more fundamentally make up ND football (the players, coaches, university, faith etc). In this case, it would be convenient and even logically satisfactory to bash players and coaches alike if the ND football image does not live up to personal expectations.

On the other hand, if the former were true, then shouldn't fans really care more about the players, coaches, and faith that make up ND football than they have in the past, and shouldn't faithful fans pray more for the players and coaches as well as encourage them so that they may figure out a way to help this program move forward instead of simply firing anyone who can't achieve our personal expectations?

Of course, if the coaches and players are not willing to change, adapt, or work harder to achieve excellence and set higher expectations, then they should rightfully deserve to be let loose, but CW has certainly been one of the hardest working coaches in college football.

 

[Timugen]

You're making way more out of this than what it is.

[NAME REDACTED] is paid (A LOT) to coach a football team - not to hold mass.

He was brought in to improve said team from where it was underneath the two previous coaches.

After almost 4 years it isn't very difficult to make a valid argument that he has not done so.

So it should be no surprise that there are some alumni and fans who aren't very satisfied, and it has nothing to do with their faith or their allegiance to what Notre Dame stands for.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I have always been curious about what die-hard fans are really fans of? Are ND football fans really fans of that which constitutes ND football: the players, the coaches, the students, the university in general, the Christian, Catholic faith? Or do these fans simply, unknowingly but selfishly care about themselves more since the word, image, or connotation of the phrase "Notre Dame Football" becomes such an ingrained part of each fan that a disheartening ND loss translates into a self-loss. If the latter were true, then an angry, disheartened fan would place personal and emotional desire for a win over the aforementioned ingredients that more fundamentally make up ND football (the players, coaches, university, faith etc). In this case, it would be convenient and even logically satisfactory to bash players and coaches alike if the ND football image does not live up to personal expectations.

On the other hand, if the former were true, then shouldn't fans really care more about the players, coaches, and faith that make up ND football than they have in the past, and shouldn't faithful fans pray more for the players and coaches as well as encourage them so that they may figure out a way to help this program move forward instead of simply firing anyone who can't achieve our personal expectations?

Of course, if the coaches and players are not willing to change, adapt, or work harder to achieve excellence and set higher expectations, then they should rightfully deserve to be let loose, but CW has certainly been one of the hardest working coaches in college football.

I think assigning your opinions/beliefs on others smacks of selfishness or self-importance. Practice what you preach.

 

[Golden_Domer88]

Every DIE-HARD Notre Dame fan wants the best for the ND football team. We want them to win and win big week and week out. But when that doesnt happen, like the past 20 years, ND fans get restless and want change to get back to what we WERE.

 

[Jaywalker]

I think assigning your opinions/beliefs on others smacks of selfishness or self-importance. Practice what you preach.

Sorry if I sounded a bit too self-righteous when I made the previous statement. It was just a recurring thought that came into mind as to what fans can do besides campaigning for a regime change when expectations aren't met. I'm personally a huge ND fan and a domer myself. Hopefully what I stated before had at least some sense to it. All best!

 

[BeatSC]

Standards

Standards

I don't think anyone here has lobbied for lower standards for admissions, grades, behavior etc.. I personally take pride that ND legitmately graduates their football players at a greater rate and to a higher standard than almost all top 25 teams. I also appreciate that they look after the future of the players by making sure they realize not everyone will get rich player professional football. Any thinking athlete should really look hard at ND for the overall values they bring to their players long term. I live among the USC fanbase and I make sure I remind them than ND will suspend a player for an entire season for drinking a couple of beers at age 20 when USC will let their palyers play the same week after they hit a policeman and get hauled off to jail for the night.

ND still has it's priorities straight and should be looked up to. We are competing on an uneven playing field but we will not lower our standards and soil the institutions reputation like USC, Miami, Fl St, Ohio St, Texas, Ok, Ala (I could go on but I've rambled enough).

 

[scoutgod]

After almost 4 years it isn't very difficult to make a valid argument that he has not done so.

...with what? 7 more years to come? Who was it that tore up that 6 year deal and made a ten year offer? What is his phone extension? Oh.... he left.... huh. Well at least it is not a for a lot of money, right? ...... damn.

hunker down, or get out yer checkbooks.