My radical plan to restore ND football to greatness.

[NeuteredDoomer]

Thank you and you are correct. We need someone who knows the college game (Mike Leach), who is energetic (Mike Leach) who is creative (DEFINATELY Mike Leach) and most importantly who is hungry to prove himself (Mike Leach??) Since Mike Leach took over Texas Tech they have been nothing but dominant on offense. Year in and year out Texas Tech is competative. My god could you imagine a Texas Tech offense at Notre Dame? oooohhhh Santa! I know what I want for christmas! lol

Yeah, but who would you want to hire as the next ND coach?

NDMontana - I agree with the Paterno bile stuff. He is not exactly my favorite dementiarian.

 

[SteveM]

Show a Nano-Particle of Class

Show a Nano-Particle of Class

Speaking of Paterno, man I'm glad that Penn State lost yesterday. I didn't want to see that asshole even sniff a BCS game. He has to be the highest paid, dimentia riddled fan in the country. He's getting paid millions to sit in a cozy press box and watch games. Well fuck Penn State, too.

What, you done sending hate mail to Santa Claus, so now it's Paterno's turn?

That's uncalled for. Joe Paterno built a great program and had a great career. How he transitions out of the job at Penn State is between him and them.

Show a modicum of the class that ND represents.

SteveM
Ex Bucks County PA

 

[NDMontana]

What, you done sending hate mail to Santa Claus, so now it's Paterno's turn?

That's uncalled for. Joe Paterno built a great program and had a great career. How he transitions out of the job at Penn State is between him and them.

Show a modicum of the class that ND represents.

SteveM
Ex Bucks County PA

Sure thing, pal. I'm going to start heaping praise upon a man who did nothing, NOTHING, but speak reproachably about Notre Dame every chance he could. He showed not a hint of compunction while he did either. Thus, he will get no better from me. He's no better than Mark May....and I don't give senior citizens discounts so his age isn't going to keep him out my line of fire.

 

[SteveM]

Shooting Blanks

Shooting Blanks

Sure thing, pal. I'm going to start heaping praise upon a man who did nothing, NOTHING, but speak reproachably about Notre Dame every chance he could. He showed not a hint of compunction while he did either. Thus, he will get no better from me. He's no better than Mark May....and I don't give senior citizens discounts so his age isn't going to keep him out my line of fire.

Now I know who to call when I need some wings yanked off butterflies.

Re: "my line of fire" Hah! Stupid and crude means your best shot is no shot at all.

SteveM

 

[phork]

I don't want Cowher. Leach would never come here. I don't know who the answer is.

 

[NDinL.A.]

People tend to forget, not a lot of people want to coach here. This isn't ND in the 80's. Not even close. Look at who we've hired the last 3 times. BIG NAMES DON'T WANT TO COME HERE! CW was what, our 4th choice? We all love what ND has to offer, but it's not necessarily that great for a head coach. Why do you think Urban chose Florida over ND? Ummmmm, recruiting recruiting recruiting. He has his choice of athletes in the 2nd best (gotta give Cali love) recruiting state in the nation, and he doesn't have to worry about academic standards. That's why there's been so many arrests in his program the last 2 years. But guess what, he won a NC championship. Same thing for Nick Saban and so many others.

If you're Leach, and you get the Michael Crabtrees and those type of athletes, and you have very little pressure to win (comparatively), why would you leave that and come to ND where you have to recruit twice as hard and the whole football world follows EVRYTHING you do? There's great things about coaching at ND, but people call it the hardest coaching job for a reason.

I'm a believer in CW, but he deserves to be on the hot seat. I won't argue that. But be careful what you wish for. You may fire him and have a list full of favorites for the job, but it doesn't mean you're gonna get them just because we're ND. How do you think we got Charlie?

 

[fitz_bu47]

I am so tired of this shit, when the Irish start rolling I wonder what you guys will say then, I'm sure you will all love Charlie. The return to respectability/top 10-15 will happen under Charlie.

 

[phork]

Like I said, anything less than 11-1 next year will be a failure.

 

[mick2]

charlie aint going nowhere, we aint joining a conference, and bill cowher sure as shit doesnt want to go up to south bend and coach a program with the expectations that ND has yearin year out.

maybe a new OC - lane kiffin???
and a New O-line coach - Hudson Houcke???
and maybe just maybe a new QB coach - I couldn't tell you.

 

[ARALOU]

I guess I have missed comments that Joe Pa made about the Irish. I always respected him and their program. I even thought well of them this year and was kinda proud for him to have a comeback. BUT, if he has dissed us at some point and time (more than once it seems) then he and Penn St. no longer get any love from me. What and when did he say something?

 

[NDFLA]

While we are joining a conference and removing USC from our schedule, why don't we make some plans to paint over the Golden Dome and Touchdown Jesus. Better yet, lets convert the school to a Hebrew University. ND is about tradition, destroying it will not make us win football games or BCS championships.

 

[Irish Rogue]

another vote for big east, since obviously, all of our other sports are in it already, and big east has been weak for a few years now, so it would be easier for us to get the automatic BCS bid.

I agree with a move to the Big East, since they are there in all the other sports. It would give the Conference a boost since the loss of BC/Miami. They would have a better shot at Bowl elgibility as opposed to their current situation. They need to make a bold decision, because the current state of the Program is bleak.

 

[rogosIRISH77]

Actually thats Charlie Weis (Excluding the sitting down in the press box part)

--in reference to JoePa being an overpaid dementia riddled fan

c'mon NDOM, thats clearly blowing things out of proportion. you're wrong

 

[phgreek]

Amen SteveM

Not at all as crazy as folks might think...The guy can:

a) hire assistants
b) loves tradition
c) loves a challenge
d) can motivate the dead to rise
e) IS nasty
f) inspires great play for fear of spittle

Notice I didn't say he was an offensive Savant...How's that going for us?

Look, I like Charlie...love smart guys...Hell I loved Bill Walsh (even when he kicked our ass), but Bill was a head coach...I wish Charlie could be both...still hope he figures it out...but if we gotta change...I love the idea of Wild Bill Cowher...bet he could recruit too

 

[Dacian_Irish]

UM..... ND is fine! ND nation needs to stick together. If everyone is such an expert then go coach a college football team and tell us what you think.

I understand we are all upset that we lost to BC etc.. but we have a young team!

I may be in the minority but I think the team is on the right path. The QB has improved and he will improve, our WR's are young, last time I checked the OL isn't going anywhere(young, mostly JR's), we have some amazing TE, and we have very talented RB's.

The Defense is also on the right path. Remember our DL has 5 freshman, 2 sophmore, and 1 senior. In my book that is young.

My solution is leave the team alone and leave Weis alone. Lets wait until next year before we all freak out!

I think he has done a great job with the young team!

 

[midwestguy]

UM..... ND is fine! ND nation needs to stick together. If everyone is such an expert then go coach a college football team and tell us what you think.

I understand we are all upset that we lost to BC etc.. but we have a young team!

I may be in the minority but I think the team is on the right path. The QB has improved and he will improve, our WR's are young, last time I checked the OL isn't going anywhere(young, mostly JR's), we have some amazing TE, and we have very talented RB's.

The Defense is also on the right path. Remember our DL has 5 freshman, 2 sophmore, and 1 senior. In my book that is young.

My solution is leave the team alone and leave Weis alone. Lets wait until next year before we all freak out!

I think he has done a great job with the young team!

Dear Sweet Baby Jesus. ND is fine? This is perhaps the worst post ever posted on the Internet. Congrats. You are the WINNER! You are fine! I should leave you alone and leave Weis alone. I should wait until next year to freak out.

 

[Irish_D]

So true

So true

Great post! If Charlie wishes to remain head coach, then he must soon recognize that he needs proven assistants and not apprentices. Unless he makes changes soon, then his future at ND will be in jeopardy....if it isn't already. Can anyone provide a modicum of rationality as to why he has kept the O-Line coach in spite of the fact that there has been no improvement in the O-line performance in 2 years. And I think it's time that John Tenatu live up to the hype he was given when selected to be an Assist. Head Coach for linebackers. We have more talent sitting on the sidelines than 90% of the teams we have played this year. So quit, once and for all, blaming the players for inexperience. Look what Florida is doing playing 15 freshmen and sophomores.

I could not agree more!! Charlie wants yes-men, or apprentices as you put it. He must surround himself with a great staff to succeed. However his ego will never allow it, SO he must go as far as I am concerned. Tenuta, is not a yes-man, and will not be given the chance to live up to his hype, which he could!! So I do not see him sticking around personaly. Cutcliffe would have been awesome, and frankly I was surprised at that hire! It was unfortunate about his heart issue, But I really wonder how he could have co-existed with Charlie as well. I also agree on blaming young players, thats ridiculous. It appears to me that Weis has lost the team!! They don't play for him, hard to describe, but when I look at their movement, their faces, it looks like they just dont want to play for him!!

Just my humble opinion.

 

[Dacian_Irish]

Dear Sweet Baby Jesus. ND is fine? This is perhaps the worst post ever posted on the Internet. Congrats. You are the WINNER! You are fine! I should leave you alone and leave Weis alone. I should wait until next year to freak out.

My friend you have little faith. Just because it is getting a little ruff right now we should fire coach. Get real!

 

[MirageSmack]

Honesty, if you want to get back to the top, you need to do one thing. This is a bit radical too.

Quit recruiting saints. We need guys accused of rape, burglary, assault weapons charges, assault and battery, grand theft auto. Those are all charges from the last several NC teams. I honestly think it takes that kind of violent player to win the NC.

We're never going to get there recruiting guys who get arrested for drinking at a party, driving a 23 year old to get beer, or asking for a BJ. Those types of players are successful in this day and age. How many other strong academic schools are at the top?

Of course, then I won't cheer for ND anymore, but at least they'll win some games and get the fans off their back.

 

[Irish52]

Tom Pagna

Tom Pagna

Super article...a must read by all loyal ND fans...by Tom Pagna, former Irish coach under Parseghian..entitled Loyal Fan, Reluctant Critic. In a most caring manner, he focused on Charlie Weis as a head coach and what he must do to right the ship. I only hope Charlile reads article and takes it to heart. Tom Pagna is a gentleman in every sense of the word and I personally would love to see him get back to coaching...perhaps as an assistant to Charlie.

 

[Sureal]

Where is the article?

 

[NDgettysburg]

Sure thing, pal. I'm going to start heaping praise upon a man who did nothing, NOTHING, but speak reproachably about Notre Dame every chance he could. He showed not a hint of compunction while he did either.

This is the truth...can't change that. Paterno is the sole reason the ND-PSU series was not renewed after our recent home and home meetings.

 

[ARALOU]

This is the truth...can't change that. Paterno is the sole reason the ND-PSU series was not renewed after our recent home and home meetings.

What did he say or do? I never heard this before. I believe it, but dont know anything about it.

 

[NDgettysburg]

What did he say or do? I never heard this before. I believe it, but dont know anything about it.

I believe it was either during the off-season at a fundraiser....some bullshit about never wanting ND on their schedule ever again as it serves them no purpose. Try google, it shouldn't be too hard to find....mighta been on one of the ND blogs like Rock's or Blue Gray Sky.

 

[IrishAddiction]

yeah, i would agree this plan is radical, even radical to the point of stupidity. i cant wait until we win the next two, compete or win vs USC, i could really care which, bc even if we just compete it shows more than OSU did against them. and then go on to win a bowl game, again not caring which bowl it is. then all this stupidity about firing charlie and joining a conference will end.........stupid stupid stupid.

 

[adsnorri]

I understand were all upset about the last two weeks but c'mon. All this b.s. about hiring cowher and leach isn't intelligent talk at all. Charle obviously knows he's on the hot seat from last year. That's why he brought in Tenuta. That's why he handed over playcalling ( which i think was a mistake).

Listen, the guy lost a lot of athletes in 05 and 06. He didn't barely recriut his first year here. Now he is getting the recruiting classes coming in to fill positions with quality players. Last year, leach, cowher or whoever you say couldn't have done any better. This year we have been competitive in every game except BC. We lost to Mich. St. but the game was closer than the score. We are in these games with a very young team in key positions. I know Florida is playing with young players but not in very key positions and there is quality players to help the younger ones, we don't have that and that is the difference. Leaders run the team, anyone who has ever played knows that. Our leaders besides Crum and Bruton are young. If Weis continues to play calls, we will begin to look like a quality team. Do you remember his first two years? I used to love how every game he would come out and exploit a certain aspect of the defense we were playing that week. ( bubble screens, over the middle,) an aggressive play caller is what we need to finish Pitt, NC, and Mich. st. The sky is the limit in the next few years.

And by the way, i didn't see anybody calling for any heads when we were 5-2. Let's build the program not fire a coach every 4 -5 years for a bad season. I am anxious to see what this team looks like in 2 years. Next year, will not be 11-1, i can tell you that now. Our defense is still young and were losing a lot of seniors. BUILD THE PROGRAM!

 

[scoutgod]

ACC would be a good fit. It lacks identity and is ripe for a rising empire.

As to the USC game helping recruiting in the West Coast.... I coached high school football in San Diego since 1991. I could tell you the recent slide makes the west view ND as a weak anomaly of midwest football. Aside from the USC fans that enjoy the yearly smackdown, the rest of the west views ND as a fancy Northwestern... especially high school recruits. JC was the exception. I know Oaks Christian well. That place has little to do with the rest of the Earth.

Mike Leach ain't coming. Just like Urban .... If you want creative, poach from the Missouri staff. But honestly, a name coach isn't coming if ND pulls the plug on CW. Why would they? It's not like an Oakland Raiders situation, but why would a name coach come to South Bend when CW was anointed so early. ... SO the ugly truth is CW cannot get fired. At least until Jimmy graduates.

*** If you want to end any big name recruiting for a decade, fire CW before JC graduates. Nothing like taking the #1 QB and show you don't know how to handle that level of talent..... or hype ***

 

[phork]

ACC is not a good fit. Regionally and Tradionally we are Big10/BigEast bound.

Coaches I would like to see *if* Weis doesn't work out:

Brian Kelly
Brady Hoke
Turner Gill
Jeff Jagodzinksi
Schiano

 

[scoutgod]

join the ACC and MSU, Mich and Purdue are strong no conference games to pick from.

The problem with being independent is that it is either questionable rules to allow ND entry into the BCS or.... next bowl game down.... WAY down... to the Gator Bowl. Then the Sun Bowl, the post season bowl cellar.

The distance between having a team that could win a Gator Bowl and one that could compete in a BCS bowl is enormous. So ND is stuck between hoping to win a mediocre bowl with little fanfare and golf claps from the sports nation and getting smoked in another BCS game.

 

[RKWhite]

I saw my first ND v. Army game in 1943; attended the ND v. Navy game last weekend. Have been a fan since the late 1930's and lived through some great years but some really bad ones (ie., Hugh Devore). The sport has changed so much over these years that it is almost impossible to keep up my enthusiasm for ND football. Today it is about money, money, money. Partially in jest- I wish teams like Navy, ND, Duke, etc. could start their own conference. Colleges that require "real" attendance belong in an honored conference. Teams like USC, Florida, etc. have sold out to commercialism long ago (and unfortunately so has ND).