I not trying to make excuses, but the 05 and 06teams had virtually no injuries, this year not so much not saying that much by it but it does make a difference.
What is this setting us back years bullcrap? The team is stocked right now. The team will be stocked for the foreseeable future. The right coach could come right in and win instantly. This isn't like when Charlie started and everyone knew that 2007 would be a stinkfest. ND is deep at almost every position and they would be able to ride out 1 year if there was a coaching change right now.
As for the winning numbers theme. Stats are for losers. *points to the scoreboard.
Speaking of stats being a wonderful thing, Navy had 218 yards against Pitt. And whats the difference between Navy playing Towson State and Boise playing UC Davis? I think we can all agree that Navy is a pretty good team by the fact that they are 14-13 the past 6 years against BCS team/ND.
WOW....we could ride out a single year, even though we're "stocked for the foreseeable future"..!?!
Make your mind up?
With the rumor mill in full swing regarding CW future, tell me how that translates as a, "positive," to respective declaries?
In regards to your last comment (losers etc) I was pointing out that it won't matter how many points our O put up, it might still not be enough for a win!
With the talent at the skilled positions a 1 year blip on the recruiting front won't really cause any lingering effects.
And you know that how?
It's not about a, "1 year blip," it's about those future players weighing up their options in regards to them declaring, if our HC position is in question, why would elite talent come to ND? (other than an education) Like I said earlier, it could put us back years.
Look, the cupboard won't be left bare like it was after Willingham. Why would elite talent come to ND? Its certainly not just about a coach, while it helps a little bit. Fact is if they fire Weis this year the next coach will get to do mop up duty on what remains of this class. Now if they hire the right guy I believe whoever that is can turn things around on a dime. Regardless of whether Clausen and Tate go. This roster is stacked with O talent and I believe a real defensive coach can turn this D around to where its serviceable.
The big question I hear on here is what do we do if Charlie gets canned. We're going to lose this and that and ND football is going to suck for 5 more years. Guess what fellas? It sucks RIGHT NOW. Navy once is just barely acceptable, the law of averages says so. Twice, in 3 years? Unacceptable. The losses and near disasters that have happened this year have pushed me over the edge and I can say that I would put up with an average year with some fresh coaching on board. If you like it the way it is, congrats I am sure Faust is smiling at you where ever he is.
Bottom line - you don't fire a 9-3 Gator Bowl guy. 3-9; 7-6; and if he goes 10-3.... with stocked cupboards... it doesn't happen. I'm not sure it happens with 8-4, then 9-4.... with the losses we've had. Now, if we lost to MSU, USC, BC, and one more..... CW would be in worse shape. But, UM, Navy.... that's correctable next year.
Q: Should Charlie Weis be fired?
A: Yes, but not just because Notre Dame lost to Navy over the weekend or will fail to qualify for a BCS bowl game for a third straight year. These types of decisions are not that cut-and-dry.
You fire a coach—or demote a quarterback or can the branch manager—because you no longer have confidence in that guy to get you to where you need to be. I believe that applies to Weis, who in five years has yet to elevate this title-hungry program to where it hopes to be. This is not about retribution or payback for unfulfilled expectations. Is he the right man to guide this blue and gold vessel? If you believe so, then ride out the rough waves the way Rutgers did with Greg Schiano or Wake Forest did with Jim Grobe. If not, then the school ought to sever ties and move in another direction. I fall into the latter camp, feeling as if Weis is an excellent recruiter and developer of quarterbacks, but may never get over the hump of mediocrity.
There is a disclaimer that needs to be put forth in this discussion. If the Irish is only able to make a vertical move by changing coaches, it ought to stand pat for another year. Why go through this process if you’re not going to hit a home run and make a dramatic upgrade? There are plenty of good coaches out there, who won’t necessarily succeed at a place as demanding and unforgiving as Notre Dame. It’s not a given that, say TCU’s Gary Patterson or Boise State’s Chris Petersen, could maintain their recent levels of success in South Bend. Two coaches come to mind: Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly and Florida’s Urban Meyer. Go find a way to get one of them, or else we could be back here again in three or four years.
Bottom line - you don't fire a 9-3 Gator Bowl guy. 3-9; 7-6; and if he goes 10-3.... with stocked cupboards... it doesn't happen. I'm not sure it happens with 8-4, then 9-4.... with the losses we've had. Now, if we lost to MSU, USC, BC, and one more..... CW would be in worse shape. But, UM, Navy.... that's correctable next year.
That's assuming that the talent stays and doesn't jump if Charlie is fired.
Yes, always next year. You realize that 7-5 is a real possibility don't you? So whether we lose recruits do to Weis being canned, or the program continually losing, you are still lost and no further ahead.
Biggest worry? Clausen. Tate is awesome and it would suck to not have him, but the fact is WR is loaded and thats one position I am not worried about. You think a lot of these guys are going to transfer and waste a year?
Yes, always next year. You realize that 7-5 is a real possibility don't you? So whether we lose recruits do to Weis being canned, or the program continually losing, you are still lost and no further ahead...
Rebuilding is a 4-step process
1) Losing by a lot (2007)
2) Losing close games (2008)
3) Winning close games (2009)
4) Winning by a lot (2010?)
Give the guy a chance to coach his team in 2010. If we are in the same position next year, then get rid of him. Kelly isn't going anywhere unless somehow the Georgia or Michigan jobs open or a coach suddenly bolts to the NFL (Meyer or Carroll). Otherwise, Kelly will still be available next year.
Believe me if things end in Ann Arbor like they have been talking about, that is the AD being forced out ahead of his planned departure next Sept. Kelly could very well be gone.
Rebuilding is a 4-step process
1) Losing by a lot (2007)
2) Losing close games (2008)
3) Winning close games (2009)
4) Winning by a lot (2010?)
Give the guy a chance to coach his team in 2010. If we are in the same position next year, then get rid of him. Kelly isn't going anywhere unless somehow the Georgia or Michigan jobs open or a coach suddenly bolts to the NFL (Meyer or Carroll). Otherwise, Kelly will still be available next year.
It really doesn't take that long if coaching is above average.
To go from 3-9 to being a BCS team? Granted we had the talent, but teams don't go from 3-9 to the BCS in one or two years. We shouldn't have been in that position in the first place, but regardless, we were a 3-9 team two years ago.
Losing 2 out of 3 to a pretty decent Navy team is less of a fluke than beating any team, crappy or not, 43 straight times. That's Globetrotters-esque. I'm not saying it's Ok to lose to Navy, just saying it's not like losing to Washington State right about now.
I saw a bowl projection (Sports Illustrated maybe?) that may be posted around here somewhere, but had us in the Gator vs. VaTech. We could beat them this year...they're not great.
The fact of the matter is, with Weis' so-called "amazing" recruiting classes there is NO WAY we should be losing to Navy. We dont lose in 43 years and now we have lost 2 out of 3 years both at home. With arguably the best quarterback in the nation and the best recievers in the nation there is nooo way we should be losing to a navy team.
It really doesn't take that long if coaching is above average.