Lets not muddle the issue. All these assistant coaches are under the direction of Charlie. None of them operate independently or without going through Charlie.
Heh, I like Charlie a lot. And I had hope against hope that he would be here a long time and turn around this program. He is ND, he is an alum, he is tradition, he is feisty and he doesn't take crap from anyone. Facts are facts, it is not working out. And in the last 2 games he just looks defeated.
I cheer for ND every week. I become an armchair coach after the game, until the next game. Like we all do. But when so many people can see the glaring holes in the program, and for whatever reason its chosen not to be acknowledged, well I can't stomach that anymore.
Hindsight being 20/20, the SDSU game was a foreteller of things to come. Playing the theoreticals, yes we could be 8-3 or 9-2 right now. The fact of the matter is, I think we are closer to 3-8 and 4-7 right now.
Is it improvement when you fight some guy thats 6'6" and 270lbs of solid muscle who pounds you into pulp, when your next fight is against a 5'1" 89lb skin & bones where you win, but squeak by, by the skin of your teeth? Because thats where we are gentlemen. Last year we had a harder schedule and got pasted, this year the load was reduced tremendously and while our stats are up we have lost to some pretty mediocre to piss poor teams.
Lets quickly analyze the schedule so far:
SDSU - The only thing preventing us from certain disaster was a TD saving hit, that was really as close as you could get.
UM - 7 turnovers, without those we lose this game.
MSU - Ran all over us, be we were atleast competitive here.
Purdue - We pretty much stomped them.
Stanford - Jimmy lit it up, but still way too close.
UNC - Again, competitive. Can't seal the deal.
UW - Domination here, thankfully Locker was out.
Pitt - Played hard, but again Can't seal the deal.
BC - I think ND went to the wrong stadium here...
Navy - Another close one, but thats been standard fare in this rivalry lately. But we did hold them to 170 yards!
Syracuse - I dont think anything needs to be said here.
USC - I'm no fortune teller, but if they don't hang 70 on us I will be shocked.
I am not happy with being a middle of the road football team, that competes with MAC schools. This program, those players and us fans have to expect more from one of the greatest schools in the history of college football.
