The reality is that Charlie is going to get that 5th year. Let's all remember that he stated very clearly in his first interview at ND the following. "If I can't get it done in 5 years I should be FIRED". Well, those words will follow him like a bad fart for 2009. So, now that he is staying, let's look at why, what he must do this off-season and what he must do during the 2009 season.
WHY IS HE STAYING??
1. Our rookie AD is plain and simply not prepared to make what will amount to career defining decision during his first few months on the job. This is a move which will require many moving pieces all moving with perfect timing or the walls will crumble. If Swarbick announces now, most of the best candidates are in bowls which puts them in ugly situations and they may get locked up just like Miles at LSU when UM wanted him.
2. No Messiah Coach. Last time we fired Ty believing we could get Urban the Legend. There is no monster candidate out there right now. Next year or beyond, we my have a few options. If Skip Holtz shows continued growth, he could be a savior. If Kelly shows another year of miracle wins at UC, maybe he is the guy. IF the Urban rumors about him still being interested in ND, his kids are a year older.
3. The BUYOUT!!! Regardless of the actual number, it is pretty much agreed to be a significant number. This will cause embarassment and financial pain. Next year makes it one year less.
4. RECRUITING!! Nobody will argue that CW can close a recruit with the best of them. He again has a stellar recruit list lined up for 2009 and according to all reports he has a great start on 2010.
5. ND MAN. CW is an ND grad and loves ND, so he does get some give and take for that reason. He supports the University and everyone would rather an ND guy succeed.
Off-Season Changes:
1. Serious Staff Changes. Let's not kid ourselves, Swarbick may not have fired CW, but he surely gave Charlie some advise. It is like, "Charlie, its them or you, make a choice who is going. So you will see a new OC that has experience at designing and leading a college offense. There will be a new OL coach, I expect someone who is a complete ass kicker like a Tenuta. In conclusion here, bye-bye Haywood, Latina and maybe Mendoza.
2. 2009 Signing Day. He must close the deal with the kids he has recruited for this year. There are some instant contributors on this list that we can use on O and D. Wood and Shaq could play as Frosh. So could Calabrese and Stockton on D.
2009 Season
1. He must hand the keys for the offense completely over to the new OC and his staff. CW can give some advise, but our O needs some serious HELP. Look at the D. It is 100% in the hands of Tenuta and Brown. They have done a very good job getting those kids to play hard and with passion. The O needs a new identity like its coaching staff.
2. CW needs to open the QB competition up to both Crist and Clausen. No eligibility to save for Dayne in 09. Jimmy your job is not a given anymore.
3. OL, every position is open season. There is not a player on that line who deserves a guaranteed spot. There are going to be plenty of kids to compete. Not even 3 year starter Young should have a nod, he has underperformed like no other.
4. 10 win season is the only acceptable result next year. CW is bringing back an entire offense and most of the defense. He has 7 home games, 1 nuetral field and 4 away. The opponents are softer and even the tough ones are going to be younger than ND.
5. ND needs to have no mercy on even the weakest opponent. What should have been a solid victory at Navy turned into a downer of a victory. CW needs to forget about that respect crap and be ruthless like Urban. We need to show the nation some good ole ass whoopins. NO MERCY!! When Navy comes to ND, drive it down their throat and more.
6. Recruiting Savvy. Charlie must continue to recruit with the elite schools. This will only get done next season if he shows some early season success. We need to bury Nevada, whip UM, beat MSU to start.
I know that many of you were clammering for CW to pack his bags and I was right there with you. However, I think we all knew there were some big obstacles and timing is not good. We can either cry for 9 months or look at some real possible positives.
The positives are the following.
First, we are going to go to a bowl game and will be matched against a likely soft opponent. This will allow our kids a chance to end the season with a win. We will get that damn 48 year bowl victory drought monkey off our back. That is a darn good thing. Plus, I want the seniors to get a chance to celebrate a final games victory. Kuntz, Bruton and others deserve better than the Syracuse debacle.
Second, CW is closing out another great recruiting class with some great athletes. This will mean that we will have 4 Top 10 recruiting classes.
Third, if CW can pick a couple good O staff guys like he did with Brown and Tenuta on D we could make some serious strides with our talent.
Third, if CW does not show the improvement next season, there will be a roster so laden with talent that coming to ND will be very attractive to many top coaches.
Finally, do not cry, jump off a cliff, burn your ND flag, or have your ND tattoo removed. The University will survive, the team will improve and most of all "WE ARE ND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!