Thoughts on the team after 2 days of cooling off

[Axl Rose]

I was just as embarrassed and annoyed as everybody else with the lose on Saturday, I too was ready for a head coaching change but after cooling off I changed my mind. I think firing Charlie now would be disastrous, we can't keep changing coaches so often. What high profile coach is going to want and coach at a school with such a short leash and what recruits going to want to come here when there is always turmoil. I'd rather stay the course with Weis than go on another 3 year rebuilding plan, I still think this thing can work with Charlie at the helm, but you have to surround him with the proper help.

Right now I think our defense is on the right track, I think we're in good hands with Jappy Oliver, Corwin Brown, and John Tenuta. And I think Brian Polian has the special teams playing much better than last year. But the main problem is still our offense, the running game is still non-existant, play calling is suspect, and development just isn't there. I think its time for Mike Hayewood and John Latina to finally go, we'll never get it done with those two still here. ND isn't a place where Hayewood can develop himself into a offensive coordinator, ND is a place where we should bring in a offensive coordinator thats already developed. I think coach Hayewood would be better off at a lower level university honing his skills than at ND right now. As for coach Latina, the progress and the offensive line with the nasty attitude hasn't happened in all of the time hes been here. Again I think its time for a change of pace here again, I know some will talk about the amazing job he did at ole Miss but the fact of the matter is he just didn't get it done here.

With that being said who are some offensive coordinators and offensive line coaches that ND should go after?

 

[tankjeep]

i couldn't agree with you more axl. it's time to stay the course, but latina and haywood need to leave. as far as figuring out who nd should hire, i don't have the slightest idea.

 

[irish4ever]

As for coach Latina, the progress and the offensive line with the nasty attitude

What progress and what nasty attitude (other than a couple personal fouls)??? I do agree with you, that ND should NOT change course on the coaching staff (Weis, Brown, Tenuta, etc.), but Latina can't handle the OL responsibilities evidently! He has to be replaced!!!

 

[mick2]

lane kiffin for OC

 

[dre1919]

That's a great post Axl. While I disagree on retaining Weis' services, I do feel that at the very least the offensive line coach and offensive coordinator need to leave. However, one problem you didn't address is that Weis IS the offensive coordinator for the most part. If we have a lack of creativity or explosiveness on offense, it's because of his game plan, preparation and scheme. Haywood is simply getting things together for him and helping out where needed. Now, this season Charlie turned the play calling over to him and it hasn't been very good...but Weis took the play calling back over in the Navy game and it wasn't what I would call "creative" or "effective" either. Problem is, since Weis runs a pro-style attack, that's the only type of coordinator we could probably attract and that shuts out some of the more creative minds in college football from consideration.

Latina needing to be replaced is a given. For whatever reason, the offensive line has been just that...offensive. We consistently see a lack of technique, good scheming (because offensive line play is more than just shoving people around) and a definite lack of a mean streak. We need to get someone in that not only knows the position and what to coach, but has fresh ideas about utilizing power, speed, trap blocking, zone blocking and other schematic advantages. Whether they come from the pros or from college, I would suggest making sure they really know the o-line and how to get the most out of it.

 

[midwestguy]

Alabama fired their coach less than 2 years ago and they are about to play for a NC birth.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

Alabama fired their coach less than 2 years ago and they are about to play for a NC birth.

BRO, nice avatar.

 

[wallym]

I agree, Lane Kiffin would be a great fit for our "O". I just don't see it happening though, and I see him going to one of the open college spots.

I have a strange recommendation...make CW offensive coordinator (wouldn't have to buy him out, just restructure his contract), and bring Kiffin in as the head coach. This would put a fire in our players and we would finally take on the persona we need to get the most out of these players.

 

[Bubba]

I agree, Lane Kiffin would be a great fit for our "O". I just don't see it happening though, and I see him going to one of the open college spots.

I have a strange recommendation...make CW offensive coordinator (wouldn't have to buy him out, just restructure his contract), and bring Kiffin in as the head coach. This would put a fire in our players and we would finally take on the persona we need to get the most out of these players.

That is a strange recommendation. I'm not sure what you do for a living Wallym, but imagine that you are the General manager for a company....they demote you to sales manager and bring someone else in to run the show. Would you stay? I'd find it difficult to do because you probably just lost the respect of those that work for you. I'm not saying I wouldn't, but it would be a very difficult situation.

On the Lane Kiffin thought, he did suck in the pros! So did Lou and Poodle. Is there a connection there?

 

[jboxer562]

and saban and spurrier

 

[Bubba]

and saban and spurrier

Great point. This should be in the trend thread.

So we've got a trend. Poodle, Satan, the old ballcoach and Lou all sucked in the pros.......but each has won a NC in college........

Lane Kiffin for our next head coach!!!!



Just so we're clear, this was just humor. I wouldn't seriously entertain the idea of Kiffin being our HC.

 

[Clausen2Kamara]

Lane Kiffin as our HC...please! He is not a HC...he is a good OC and I would welcome him replacing Haywood but not as our HC.. If we do get a new HC I want a proven, effective college HC with proven track record.

 

[MeanGreen]

I agree with Axl. As for midwestguy post on Alabama, I believe Saban inherited a better team than CW did.

 

[Dacian_Irish]

I agree with Axl. As for midwestguy post on Alabama, I believe Saban inherited a better team than CW did.

I agree...

Most people forget how well Mike Shula recruited.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I was just as embarrassed

I appreciate what you posted. Thanks for the read.

But I am never embarrassed to be an ND follower. We lose sometimes, and sometimes it hurts. But we find ways to win.

When I personally quit looking for a way to win, I will be embarrassed to call myself an ND fan.

You guys are great!

 

[wallym]

OK..I appreciate things being put into perspective for me. If someone came in and took my job and I got demoted, I would probably resign. I really didn't give full thought surrounding the ego's involved ;-)

Maybe the idea of having CW take a demotion to OC was NOT a great idea, but the guy does know offense and if that's ALL he focused on, maybe he could be more effective. Maybe it isn't Kiffin that comes-in, but someone more senior and a proven college head coach that CW would step aside for? I don't know...I guess this board was my way of wishful thinking.

I like CW as a person, just like everyone, and would hate for him to get canned and not get at least 1 more year to prove himself. On the flip side though, I just don't see him motivating and getting the most from his players.

 

[ARALOU]

What about the HOODIE? Whats he got to prove in the NFL? I mean hell, while we are shopping why not buy a Rolls Royce?

 

[wallym]

No friggin' way. I'm a Browns fan, and the taste in my mouth surrounding that guy is worse than bad. He would take it to a whole nother level trying to treat our players like pros...I think he would provide us a good 10-20 years of academic probation just to win a championship..............................................................but, if he wins a championship, that's all that matters

Just messing with y'all...

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

I
I think we're in good hands with Jappy Oliver

So why do you support the DL coach who's unit consistently underperforms?

 

[ARALOU]

Maybe you missed the post where he said his name was actually Jappy Oliver not Axl Rose. ok that the last drink.

 

[jboxer562]

gimme a NASTY team