State of ND Football rests squarely on Administration

[John Minnich]

Hello! This is my first post on this web-site.

I have been a faithful fan of ND football since the 1971 season, when I was 13 years old. Even when away from television, I followed every game that I possibly could. I can remember sitting in my father's car during one Saturday afternoon shopping trip, while the rain poured down in Philadelphia, and listening to the ND game on the radio, and in particular, two games when Joe Montana came off the bench as a sophomore to lead comebacks to victory. ("When will they finally let him start?") While wall-papering our entire house during the Fall of 1977, I had the pleasure of listening every Saturday during a season that had a spectacular ending in the 1978 Cotton Bowl! As each September approaches now, I anticipate eagerly the opportunity to follow closely the ND football games.

Like most ND fans, I am dismayed by the results achieved, or the lack thereof, during the past two seasons. I have made my displeasure known to the Universisty President by direct letter, citing repeated games which were completely non-competitive; a Head Coach who chooses to be publicly profane and egotistical; and an Administration that is hypocritical (dismissal of Coach Willingham prior to contact-end, after refusing to do the same with Coach Faust ("ND honors all contracts"); dismissing Coach Willingham when they did not even have his replacement locked-up; also, choosing to adhere to overly-rigorous academic standards, after obtaining a lucrative TV contract on the heels of a National Championship season that was accomplished with a key player who was Prop-48).

I choose to not place blame on the currect ND athletes, because I believe that they are making the best effort that they can. Whether you choose to find fault with the players, the coach, or both, the final responsibility must lie with the administration who is paid to be in charge. For the present, I am willing to believe (hope) that the program will rise up from it's present level (it is the only possible direction to go?), with the help from recruits that are on the way. However, the ND Administration, from the President on down through the AD and on to the coaching staff, must accept the responsibility and the consequences for whatever results are achieved. If the future results, i.e., number of victories, do not show SIGNIFICANT and CONSISTENT improvement, then the Administration must accept that they failed to produce acceptable results, and changes MUST be made in those positions.
The reality is that the schedule is not even that demanding!!

I remain a faithful and eager ND fan, almost as arduous as I am in my following of the Saint Joseph's Hawks basketball team (my alma mater). During my recent on-line transaction to purchase almost $400 worth of clothing from the ND bookstore, I did include a note to the bookstore staff that they should not infer from my purchase that I am in any way satisfied with the ND football results.

I look forward to learning more about ND football from the other contributors to this web-site.

Go Irish!
Ghost of Rockne, Leahy, Parseghian, Devine, and Holtz

 

[BestBIrish47]

Well written, and what a quality way to open up with your first post. I couldn't agree more with your point of view. Keep up the good posting.

 

[NDMontana]

That was a well written first post but I would prefer not to drag Willingham out of the grave anymore. His performance at Washington should've been enough to put that subject to rest. He was not doing a good job recruiting or running the program. Charlie's initial success has been offset by recent failures but he may yet prove himself.

At the very least Charlie will die game; Ty Willingham just died.

 

[goldandblue]

Great post but I also agree with NDMontana. Willingham's departure from Notre Dame couldn't have come at a better time.

 

[NDboy15]

Good post, and I agree.

 

[NDMontana]

I was just watching Around the Horn and saw Jay Mariaoti say that JoePa should have been given a lifetime contract. He said three years isn't long enough. The guy is eight friggin two, three year is a lifetime contract!

 

[IrishAddiction]

Excellent post, completely agree with you on it. The administration should be the ones taking responsibility for the results on the field, because of the job that they have done hiring coaches and the effects of the crazy academic standards, notre dame is starting to fall down into the depths of the college football ivy schools.

 

[ARALOU]

I did not take it as Willingham was a bad or terrible coach. I took it as a jab at the Administration for their so-called honoring of all contracts. Whether or not Willing ham's departure was overdue the claim that ND honors all contracts is null and void.

Dang I sound like an attorney. Whoops!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I did not take it as Willingham was a bad or terrible coach. I took it as a jab at the Administration for their so-called honoring of all contracts. Whether or not Willing ham's departure was overdue the claim that ND honors all contracts is null and void.

Dang I sound like an attorney. Whoops!

You sound like an attorney.

Nice post John.

In my mind (a very twisted one - I'm BAMBI DAMMIT) Ty HAD TO GO. I was at a public place watching ND get shot down by BYU and yelled out for him to resign.

Therefore, obviously, he had to go.

 

[ARALOU]

I must admit, that I too, was growing tired of the swiss cheese defense that Willingham was so fond of putting on the field.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I must admit, that I too, was growing tired of the swiss cheese defense that Willingham was so fond of putting on the field.

Swiss cheese defense that knocked each other out while other team scored, and "3 and out" West Coast offense.

He finished 0-12 this year. Lost to WSU.

He was quoted as saying that his stint at ND was a stepping stone for others. Maybe he should have spent more time doing his job well.

But who am I to say...

 

[NDFan537]

He was quoted as saying that his stint at ND was a stepping stone for others. Maybe he should have spent more time doing his job well.QUOTE]

It was a well written first post John. Neutered you seem to have found a gem again that ty quote is classic.

As for the adm., and the ivy league comment.... We are Notre Dame and high "ivy league standards" is what we are about. We are also about winning NC with the smartest and most well educated players in the nation. We should not lower any standards of admissions, or change the way we do things. We will win again, very soon. Maybe not next year with Charlie, although I hope so, but very soon. Notre Dame will get it together. They always do. Think about it this way Davies just sat around and tried to let the name recrut itself and then tried to let the ghosts play on sat. as well. Then Ty came in and knew not alot about talent and pissed three years down the drain. In walks Charlie and he thought he could win with his mouth but his lips weren't plush enough so he found himself kissing the ground praying for a reprieve.

He got it, he is an alum and by all accounts has recruited well. Lets all hope he can coach them and develop them now. Next year will tell us alot, did we hire 3 bad coaches in a row, or is Charlie still breaking through the ice that was left?

Time will tell boys, time will tell.........................

 

[tankjeep]

nice post john, and i agree....the admin people need to be held to some accountability.

go irish!!!

 

[gairish]

state of nd football rest squarly on the administration

state of nd football rest squarly on the administration

Finally the post that needs to said and screamed from the rooftops

 

[NDinL.A.]

Finally the post that needs to said and screamed from the rooftops

Honestly, i could care less that they went against their policy and fired Ty Golfingham. Thank God they did it. I couldn't take it anymore, our teams were getting worse and the recruiting even worse than the playing. Best thing ND could have done, as far as I'm concerned. Don't forget, they fired him when they did because they made a run at Urban Meyer, the coach who is poised to win his 2nd NC in 3 years. It was absolutely worth the risk IMO. You're right, ND didn't fire Faust because of their ill-advised statement about honoring contracts. Well guess what, I'm glad they didn't stick with that statement, and most people here were ready for them to fire CW waaaaaayyyyy before his contract ended as well. And I'd say 98% of people (including me) would want CW fired earlier than his contract expires after next year if they have another mediocre season.

Very good post though. And I agree, the admin deserves a ton of blame. But I for one am so happy that Ty the Golfer is out of our hair. As NDMontana said, 0-12 should put that argument to bed...

 

[John Minnich]

I mentioned the Ty Willingham dismissal only to demonstrate the inconsistency and ineptness by the administration in handling critical aspects of the program. Did they have Urban Myer's commital, or not ?? I was not indicating any desire to see Mr Willingham remain as coach. (Although I don't see how he was any worse than the present coach. Charlie Weis inherited Brady Quinn, among others, which may have helped to disguise coaching deficiencies for a couple of years. For me personally, Willingham's public demeaner is preferable to Mr. Blow-hard. This is the same guy who has stated in public interviews that, as an ND student, he tried to demand a meeting with Father Hesburgh because he was dissatisfied with the coaching of Dan Devine!).

I do not want to sound as if I believe that I know all of the answers. To me, it is difficult to determine if the cause of the problems is the coach, or is it limitations imposed by the Admin on the admission of recruits. (They drove Lou Holtz away! How ungrateful!) I do know what I see and hear publicly from the coach, and I feel that I can comment on those things. As for on-the-field results, the level has declined so far from that of 1970's, '80's, and early '90's that I do wonder just what the administrators are thinking.

 

[ARALOU]

Another good post. Certainly deserves a rep. Has anyone ever had a positive rep on every post? I agree with the decline. I always said Lou read the writing on the wall and got out. I am dying for some good ole Notre Dame Football. Guess I will break out one of the old "old" Sugar Bowl tapes.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Or watch the Montana - Richmond game currently going on and pretend one of them is wearing blue and gold. Fun game so far.

 

[NDMontana]

As for on-the-field results, the level has declined so far from that of 1970's, '80's, and early '90's that I do wonder just what the administrators are thinking.

That the money from the NBC contract, ticket sales and sales of licensed gear spends the same now as it did then?

 

[NDFan537]

That the money from the NBC contract, ticket sales and sales of licensed gear spends the same now as it did then?

You are correct Montana, however, the dollar doesn't go as far.

 

[NDFan537]

Are we still notre dame?

Are we still notre dame?

Would you really trade the integrity of Notre Dame for National Championships? Are you suggesting that the mistake Notre Dame is making is not allowing unqualified students to come to play football? Do any of you want to be just another school? Did I miss when we decided that it was more important to win, than to teach young men how to suceed?

In my mind there is no place more special than Notre Dame. I believe that the problem lies more with the fan base than the admin. Look no matter where you go it takes time to build a championship caliber team. At Notre Dame because we refuse to lower our standards it is a little harder. Thats ok by me, it has happened before and it will happen again.

Why do we waste our energy arguing over things and spend precious moments booing the team? I think that if you want to root for a team that is focused on winning at all costs maybe you should root for SC, or OSU. We accept only the best, always have, always will.

That is what makes it so special when we do win. I wouldn't want it any other way!

 

[phgreek]

Would you really trade the integrity of Notre Dame for National Championships? Are you suggesting that the mistake Notre Dame is making is not allowing unqualified students to come to play football? Do any of you want to be just another school? Did I miss when we decided that it was more important to win, than to teach young men how to suceed?

In my mind there is no place more special than Notre Dame. I believe that the problem lies more with the fan base than the admin. Look no matter where you go it takes time to build a championship caliber team. At Notre Dame because we refuse to lower our standards it is a little harder. Thats ok by me, it has happened before and it will happen again.

Why do we waste our energy arguing over things and spend precious moments booing the team? I think that if you want to root for a team that is focused on winning at all costs maybe you should root for SC, or OSU. We accept only the best, always have, always will.

That is what makes it so special when we do win. I wouldn't want it any other way!

I completely agree that we do not need to lower our standards, and indeed, when we win, it makes it that much sweeter, and that was a great post....here is where we might diverge

I think ND might make it unneccisarily difficult at times, and the rigor does not yield a specific benefit to academic quality or integrity.

Scenario: Say a young man who is an O-lineman has the grades and test scores to come to ND, but we don't offer him. He goes on to play ball at a JC, or even a different DI school. After a year, he turns out to be a monster. His dream is to play here...

Question: How do we get him here???

Based on my understanding (posts here and some outside discussions) we don't, and we almost can't get him here. If this kid wasn't trying to come for a football scholarship, would different rules apply to his application for transfer??? Can anyone tell me how many transfers we've gotten in the last decade??? (I'm sure ESPN can tell us how many we've lost).

...standards are great, but then there's shooting yourself in the foot.

Are there some opportunities out there for us to fill some holes without dumping on the Academic side of things...Yea I think so...Do you think maybe there are a couple guys at BCS schools who are 2s or 3s on the O-line depth chart, and who could come here and start? Same thing on the D line side of things...how about kickers? And none of them could handle the academics at Notre Dame?...None of them?...Yea a little tough to swallow for me.

Maybe I'm off the mark here...wouldn't be the first time...but seems like CW would be workin' that angle if it had any possibility...and it seems likley SOMEONE would meet academic standards for non-football associated applicants/transfers...makes me think policy is the problem here.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

Here's another thought about "standards." Maybe they already are, but maybe "standards" should be flexible. If you are looking to recruit a band member, you probably want to know that this potential student is 1st chair and 1st quality musician. Then you should have evidence that that musician has a good history of attending class and doing well. Same goes for football. Is he a beast? Does that beast have a proven history of attending classes and doing well? SAT scores should be way down on that list of "standards".

I know someone who almost aced several testy thingys and has "high genius" level IQ, but scored only above average on SAT.

But this person was top drama student, top artist, most popular, top athlete in several sports, strongest and fastest athlete in region of 2 million population, and next to top in graduating class. Should SAT score mean so much?

What are standards?

What are the "standards" regarding the hiring of "professors" and "researchers"? I do not have a clue about ND, but I can tell you for a FACT that among 2 or 3 or 4 or... universities that I have either attended, or know about professors, that much of it is a complete farce. Nothing more than a dweeb (both male and female) looking to have sex with a colleague or student, then demand higher pay and status. Egos gone wild.

Just thinking out loud to myself. Hope nobody heard.

 

[tko]

Here's another thought about "standards." Maybe they already are, but maybe "standards" should be flexible. If you are looking to recruit a band member, you probably want to know that this potential student is 1st chair and 1st quality musician. Then you should have evidence that that musician has a good history of attending class and doing well. Same goes for football. Is he a beast? Does that beast have a proven history of attending classes and doing well? SAT scores should be way down on that list of "standards".

I know someone who almost aced several testy thingys and has "high genius" level IQ, but scored only above average on SAT.

But this person was top drama student, top artist, most popular, top athlete in several sports, strongest and fastest athlete in region of 2 million population, and next to top in graduating class. Should SAT score mean so much?

What are standards?

What are the "standards" regarding the hiring of "professors" and "researchers"? I do not have a clue about ND, but I can tell you for a FACT that among 2 or 3 or 4 or... universitys that I have either attended, or know about professors, that much of it is a complete farce. Nothing more than a dweeb (both male and female) looking to have sex with a colleague or student, then demand higher pay and status. Egos gone wild.

Just thinking out loud to myself. Hope nobody heard.

i often wanted to bang my "female" teachers, going as far back as junior high school. i must've gone to the wrong schools!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

i often wanted to bang my "female" teachers, going as far back as junior high school. i must've gone to the wrong schools!!!!!!!!!!!

I wanted to bang my 1st grade teacher. Oh Snap! I did! Made the front page of all the papers. She gets out of jail on our 15th anniversary, when I turn 21. Our daughter will be 15.

I am going straight to hell.

Dear God and Saint Peter: Have pity on me. You created me dammit.

 

[tko]

I wanted to bang my 1st grade teacher. Oh Snap! I did! Made the front page of all the papers. She gets out of jail on our 15th anniversary, when I turn 21. Our daughter will be 15.

I am going straight to hell.

Dear God and Saint Peter: Have pity on me. You created me dammit.

my 3rd grade teacher wanted my unit even back then, LOLOLOL

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

my 3rd grade teacher wanted my unit even back then, LOLOLOL

Lead us not into the Temptations, and deliver us from Evel Knievel.

 

[NDFan537]

I wanted to bang my 1st grade teacher. Oh Snap! I did! Made the front page of all the papers. She gets out of jail on our 15th anniversary, when I turn 21. Our daughter will be 15.

I am going straight to hell.

Dear God and Saint Peter: Have pity on me. You created me dammit.

Holy hell we have come to this. Charlie should come to this site and read some of these posts. Maybe he would have a greater urgencey to win. Or maybe he would quit, either way would be better than the present state.

I agree with the transfer things, but the problem is not in the admin. it is in the athletic dept. Every coach in ND history has coached and had the same recruiting problems and transfer problems.

Look the reason we suck is poor coaching and a young team. Charlie has another year and I pray he gets it together.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

.. have come to this...

Wore an ND shirt and women avoided me. Had to come alone.

...the problem is not in the admin. it is in the athletic dept.

Do you have a highly placed source?

Look the reason we suck is poor coaching and a young team. Charlie has another year and I pray he gets it together.

Good post.

They seem to be well coached. D is friggen good, but O is friggen stupid.

Team is young.

I think Admin fuck up. And admission fuck up.

Magazine and media highlighting every slight mistake by ND and ND cringing. Why doesn't media focus on every other winning team's fuckups? I want to see a front page cover on the winning team's use of drugs and sex. Name and pic the "booster" too.

Front fucking page.

SEC, USC, and other teams much too big and fast. Drug enhanced?

Yo media! Look it up assholes. Expose.

 

[tko]

Wore an ND shirt and women avoided me. Had to come alone.

Do you have a highly placed source?



Good post.

They seem to be well coached. D is friggen good, but O is friggen stupid.

Team is young.

I think Admin fuck up. And admission fuck up.

Magazine and media highlighting every slight mistake by ND and ND cringing. Why doesn't media focus on every other winning team's fuckups? I want to see a front page cover on the winning team's use of drugs and sex. Name and pic the "booster" too.

Front fucking page.

SEC, USC, and other teams much too big and fast. Drug enhanced?

Yo media! Look it up assholes. Expose.

the media s/b talking about the awful job dickROD is doing at Michigan and how that program will be set back for about 5 yrs if they let him continue. i can't see them winning more than 6 games next season despite another year in "his offense".