Black alumni upset by Irish firing of Willingham

[Irish Envy]

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Some black Notre Dame alumni say the recent firing of football coach Tyrone Willingham will hamper the school's efforts to recruit and retain black students and teachers.

Black Alumni of Notre Dame, a group representing about 2,000 Notre Dame graduates, has issued a statement of support for Willingham and is mailing letters to all of Notre Dame's trustees expressing their concern over his firing last week.

"The decision made by the Administration is both premature and unprecedented," the statement said. "It disregards [Willingham's] outstanding first season, off-field success and increased integrity and academic strides among our football players."

The statement represents a consensus of the group's 18-member national board, said Danielle Boucree, the group's chairwoman and a 1991 Notre Dame graduate. Boucree said Tuesday that she and other black alumni were shocked at Willingham's firing.

"They didn't think about the ramifications to the African-American community," Boucree said. "If they are truly dedicated to expanding ethnic diversity in the university, this action isn't in line with that."

When Willingham was hired, Boucree said, there was a slight increase in applications from black high school students, whom she said may have felt more welcome on campus by his hiring.

"This action does quite the opposite," she said.

Black Alumni of Notre Dame raises money for scholarships and helps the university recruit and mentor minority students. Boucree said some members of the group wanted to give up their positions in protest and no longer help recruit students, but they changed their minds.

Boucree said the group is willing to help the university repair the damage caused by the firing. And she said if a similar situation arises, she hopes the university consults people of color and thinks about the impact on the black community.

About 40 black students met with some Notre Dame administrators Sunday to discuss Willingham's firing and how they felt betrayed by the university's action, a student who attended told the South Bend Tribune.

Increasing diversity has been a major goal for the Notre Dame administration.

Black enrollment at the university has been gradually increasing in recent years. This semester, black students account for 3.7 percent of Notre Dame's undergraduate student body.

URL: http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1940649

 

[timm3117]

I hate to tell people, but by making this a black white issue there hurting the cause. Ty was fired because he wasnt a very good coach, i hate to be blount but its the truth. It had nothing to do with him being black. Yes Davie got 5 years, but its called learning from mistakes. Davie was at ND too long. ND wants to win now and Ty wasn't winning. And now to tell you the truth of why this will hurt black coaches. From now on some schools will reconsider hiring a black coach. If you cant fire a guy, why would you hire him. I'm not saying its right or wrong but it is true. If Ty was white, nobody would have said a thing. Color played no roll in hiring Ty, or in firing him.

 

[irishtexan]

I hate to tell people, but by making this a black white issue there hurting the cause. Ty was fired because he wasnt a very good coach, i hate to be blount but its the truth. It had nothing to do with him being black. Yes Davie got 5 years, but its called learning from mistakes. Davie was at ND too long. ND wants to win now and Ty wasn't winning. And now to tell you the truth of why this will hurt black coaches. From now on some schools will reconsider hiring a black coach. If you cant fire a guy, why would you hire him. I'm not saying its right or wrong but it is true. If Ty was white, nobody would have said a thing. Color played no roll in hiring Ty, or in firing him.

nicely put. im sick of this thing getting a racist spin put on it. its ridiculous we are even talking about it that way. ty couldnt do the job, and he got fired-simple as that. ty looked like he was going the same way as davie did, and the university didnt want to go that way again and he got fired. thats all there is to it.

 

[Lepresean]

I can see how the racism thing is getting out of hand but Willingham was not a ad coach. He is better then anything they will get becuase no coaches trust Notre Dame anymore. We may have one of if not the most storied program, but they proved that they treat their coaches like dirt.

 

[NDLyght37]

Yeah, my thoughts are pretty well known on this issue, but here we go again...First off, I can't understand why anyone would say race was not a factor in this situation. Tyrone Willingham was not fired because he is Black...but he certainly wasn't granted the opportunities that many of his coaching colleagues are.

In America, race is always a factor. It might not be the deciding factor, but let's not act like it doesn't play a part in what happens.

Form all accounts, Ty was an excellent coach Sunday through Friday...and he was turning things around on Saturday. There is no reason Willingham should have been canned before getting a fourth year. We rolled the dice for Meyer, and it came up snake-eyes.

 

[Guest]

I can see how the racism thing is getting out of hand but Willingham was not a ad coach. He is better then anything they will get becuase no coaches trust Notre Dame anymore. We may have one of if not the most storied program, but they proved that they treat their coaches like dirt.

Ty got 3 years. Thats very fair, considering the crappy job he did. We've been bad for 10 years now, we can't hang on to a crappy coach for two more years.

Zook got fired after two and a half years. And Florida has had plenty of recent success before Zook.

 

[lucky]

give me a break. Why is racism ALWAYS brought up. Nobody claimed racism when we hired him. He was fired because he didn't produce, not because he's black!!!!!!!!! If you win--you stay. If not----- you're gone.

 

[seIRISH]

I am so sick of this subject! Ty only got three years because davie got five. They saw it heading in the same direction. He would have been fired no matter what his color was. Can espn find a ex Notre Dame coach to talk to that had success. I am tired of that loser Davie leading the it is to hard to coach at Notre dame charge.

 

[AlbuquerqueIrishFan]

Yeah, my thoughts are pretty well known on this issue, but here we go again...First off, I can't understand why anyone would say race was not a factor in this situation. Tyrone Willingham was not fired because he is Black...but he certainly wasn't granted the opportunities that many of his coaching colleagues are.

In America, race is always a factor. It might not be the deciding factor, but let's not act like it doesn't play a part in what happens.

Form all accounts, Ty was an excellent coach Sunday through Friday...and he was turning things around on Saturday. There is no reason Willingham should have been canned before getting a fourth year. We rolled the dice for Meyer, and it came up snake-eyes.

Race wasn't a factor here. Succeed or go home. Just how I see it.

 

[bmf175]

Somebody is thinking around here

Somebody is thinking around here

I hate to tell people, but by making this a black white issue there hurting the cause. Ty was fired because he wasnt a very good coach, i hate to be blount but its the truth. It had nothing to do with him being black. Yes Davie got 5 years, but its called learning from mistakes. Davie was at ND too long. ND wants to win now and Ty wasn't winning. And now to tell you the truth of why this will hurt black coaches. From now on some schools will reconsider hiring a black coach. If you cant fire a guy, why would you hire him. I'm not saying its right or wrong but it is true. If Ty was white, nobody would have said a thing. Color played no roll in hiring Ty, or in firing him.

You know it is getting old hearing about this subject!!!!
Are you serious? They are crying about "not considering in the ramifications on the African-American community" you have to be kidding me.

You can not do anything without having people breath down your neck. The main purpose of the football team is to play football. To win football games.
Ara Parseghein said it himself LONG AGO "that if you can not do it in 3 years you can not do it." And its proven tyo be true. If Willingham would have finished out his last two years having a .500 record that would of proved nothing but we should have fired him sooner. But if we would have released him even after letting him finish his contract people would still be crying racism. It is totally stupid.

LDLyght37 you sound more and more like a cry baby everytime I read your posts. If willingham was white you wouldn't be saying all this. He was given the opportunity to coach and he proved that he was not up to standard. What other opportunity does he need?

You know what if this Board for black alumni is for all minority alumni why is the word black in the title and not the "Minority alumni board"? Their whole complaint is a hypocricy.

You know what im going to Taco Bell....wait a minute....I first have to take in the ramifications of endorsing mexican food over african food and how it will effect the african american community. ileof:

 

[NDLyght37]

LDLyght37 you sound more and more like a cry baby everytime I read your posts. If willingham was white you wouldn't be saying all this. He was given the opportunity to coach and he proved that he was not up to standard. What other opportunity does he need?

"LDLyght"...clever.

First of all junior, you are the dellusional fellow who seems unwilling to acknowledge the fact that racism and predjudice are still alive and well in 2004.

Secondly, it was ridiculous to not give a coach who won 10 games in his first season, and took us to 2 bowl games in 3 years a chance to coach his recruiting class. He should have been given 4 years, no more...no less.

Finally, if Willingham was white, I'd be saying the same thing. AD's theese days are too interested in a quick-fix, and not looking at the long-term affect on their programs. I think Zook got a raw deal...and last I checked he was as white as the day is long.

The bottom line is that Willingham & the University deserved better. By firing him just to get Meyer, we have done both a disservice.

 

[bmf175]

Yeah whatever.......

You blame the world for your short comings because you think that "THE MAN" holds you down because you are a minority. Well as said earlier I am a minority too and I only blame my short comings on me and my performance not because I wasn't given a "proper chance".

And I know that alot of people in this country are racist and love to discriminate, but I still do not feel the need to cry about it every time I get the chance.

Junior??? I might be younger than you but your years of being "oppressed" have made you a bitter old man. But I know that even though I am a minority I know that nonody not even an old man like yourself has the right to look down at me. After 3 combat tours and more combat missions under my belt than you have posts on this web site I think I have a right to call a spade a spade. So you can call me junior if you want, but Ive done enough for the country that you say is full of hate and dicriminations....Old Man

But after all is said and done I do apologize for attacking a fellow ND fan on our site.

 

[Rip Rap]

If you're each not lying about your age, he's only half a year older than you.

If you're each not lying about your age, he's only half a year older than you.

Junior??? I might be younger than you but your years of being "oppressed" have made you a bitter old man. But I know that even though I am a minority I know that nonody not even an old man like yourself has the right to look down at me.

 

[Vince Young]

Y'know, in the election we just had, Alabama fell just short on votes that would have eliminated "seperate but equal" schools and poll taxes from the state constitution. It would've been pretty much nothing but symbolism, since neither of those clauses are enforced nowadays. But the fact that just over 50% of the voters wanted them to stay in the state constitution tells me that racism is very much alive and well. And I'm a registered Libertarian who voted Bush, so I'm hardly a leftist who sees Klansmen behind every tree. Racism is still out there.

But, last time I checked, South Bend isn't in Alabama...

 

[timm3117]

Ofcourse there is racism out there. But everytime something happens to a minority, its not racism. Its the boy who cried wolf all over again. The more BS claims of racism I hear, the less I pay attention. Ty went 5-7 and 6-5 in his last 2 years thats enough said. This isnt Duke its ND, and that gets you fired. With 5-7 and 6-5, he would have been fired at Florida, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Miami, Texas, USC the list goes on and on. Dont make it a race issue unless its a race issue, which this is not. Ty is a great man, but he's an average coach. I know the truth hurts.

 

[irishgo8]

Ofcourse there is racism out there. But everytime something happens to a minority, its not racism. Its the boy who cried wolf all over again. The more BS claims of racism I hear, the less I pay attention. Ty went 5-7 and 6-5 in his last 2 years thats enough said. This isnt Duke its ND, and that gets you fired. With 5-7 and 6-5, he would have been fired at Florida, Georgia, LSU, Oklahoma, Miami, Texas, USC the list goes on and on. Dont make it a race issue unless its a race issue, which this is not. Ty is a great man, but he's an average coach. I know the truth hurts.

So if the minoritys r mad about willingham being fired - does that mean that whites should be mad every time a white coach is fired. Anyway there is NO racism in this. 5-7 when u should have gone 7-5 6-5 when u should have gone 9-2 or 11-0 (look at the Chuck long post to see my reasons) then there is PLENTY of reason to fire a coach or how about cell phones being used in the locker room u call that disciplined. It speaks for itself. Time for Tom O' Brien

 

[NDLyght37]

And not to make race the overriding issue, because it isn't. But to me there are two things at play:

1. The unbelieveable expectations of A.D.'s theese days. Whatever happened to building a program? I still say that Ty deserved 4 years to put his program in place...especially at ND.

2. Yes...Race. Anyone who says that race isn't an issue is drinking the Kool-Aid. There's a reason that there are only 3 division one colleges with a minority head coach (even though the players are overwhelmingly people of color). Also, fired Caucasian coaches are more apt to get second chances (both in college and in the pros). If Dennis Erickson is on job #4, can Art Shell get a sniff at gig #2? All I'm saying is that until the situation changes (the Good Ol' Boy Network), we will have this descrepancy. And I have no problem with groups like the BCA bringing this up. Because if you ignore it, the situation will never change. There are certain issues that minorities need to be vocal about...and this is one that I will continue to support. It's a simple matter of equal opportunity...don't give a coach a job because he's black, yellow, or brown...but don't deny him an opportunity (or give him an unfair situation to work with, and have unrealistic expectations).

 

[jiggafini19]

Only color that matters in this situation: green.

 

[TomFoolery]

True enough- in the world of "big money football," will the standard be the same for Notre Dame- boy Weis? Time will reveal. He will not win big @ ND- unless he has the freedom to see his recruiting class through. Furthermore, the rest of the football world has surpassed the aura of ND.

 

[TomFoolery]

In the world of SCROOGE- "Humbug!" Ty should have been given the opportunity to have seen his contract through. ND is an open-minded institution...Were any minorities even considered after Ty's firing???

 

[BigIrish]

In the world of SCROOGE- "Humbug!" Ty should have been given the opportunity to have seen his contract through. ND is an open-minded institution...Were any minorities even considered after Ty's firing???

Yes - it was...the defensive coordinator from the Redskins, I believe. Minority coach - played for the Irish in college.

Why is it that everyone keeps looking past 1) the mysterious Washington (Huskies) phone call that Ty received. I'm still convinced that Ty WANTED to leave and that, had ND done nothing, he may have left of his own accord after the season was over. Was Ty "willing" to be fired instead of resigning, knowing that he would get a multi-million dollar buyout and that there was aleady interest being expressed by a PAC 10 school? Who knows?

And 2) The fact that Ty recognized the pressure on him to win often and soon? It was Ty that negotiated the big buy-out clause in his contract, not the Irish. Why would an ND administration tie their hands by including a huge price tag to remove Ty from his position early? And if you can admit that Ty recognized the pressure to win (by negotiating the buyout), wouldn't it stand to reason that the decision was at least amicable on both sides, if not mutual?

 

[NDLyght37]

Oh, I think Ty's dismissal/firing was entirely a mutual thing. I think this is the best situation for all parties involved (except for some of the players & assistant coaches).

But again, my issue is with the larger problem of the lack of opportunities for minority coaches.

 

[Guest]

There should be more opportunites for minorities in college coaching. The problem is alot of minority coaches are staying in the NFL as assistant coaches because they feel they'll have a better shot at being a HC in the NFL then they would in college.

The NFL has a rule where you have to interview at least one minority when hiring a head coach ,this was a great idea, and has been the big reason in the influx of minority coaches in the NFL. I think college should try this practice.

 

[seIRISH]

In the world of SCROOGE- "Humbug!" Ty should have been given the opportunity to have seen his contract through. ND is an open-minded institution...Were any minorities even considered after Ty's firing???

defensive coach washington redskins

 

[Guest]

I'll tell you a up and coming black coach who deserves a shot at coaching is Donnie Henderson, Jets 1st year DC. I watch alot of jet games, and this guy is the real deal. Very tough, they said alot of Jet players had to get counseling this year because of the way Donnie was talking to them.

If colleges were smart they'd try to get this guy. LSU job may be opening up, they should look at this guy.

 

[hybriddad]

Its a known fact that Ty negotiated the very points of his contract that led to his firing- HE DID IT- no one else!!!! What a smart man! He knew what hornets nest he was jumping into when he decided to come to ND. And he of all persons knew that if he did not produce, he would be let go before the 5 years was up and made sure that he had a great buy out wrapped up. Good luck Ty!!!

 

[bmf175]

Exactly....Everybody complains about the Ty firing (even about half the people on this web-site).
What everybody fails to realize is that Ty Losingham negotiated VERY hard for a contract that stated 'if he was fired he would be compensated for the early firing', its in the contract. Millions of dollars!!! And it was in the contract!!!
How are we not showing honor to our contracts when we did in fact compensate him for the early firing?HOW?
Now...If we would have fired him and then said we are not paying you a penny, then we would not be honoring our contract.

Now to me if somebody takes a job and the first day asks for that kind of contract. It tells me he is starting the job with his mind made up that no matter how he does he is still going to be a millionaire. They should not have fired him in the first place. Think about it, why was he so quiet not caring when ND recieved some of the worse beatings in history? Because no matter what he is a millionaire.
He's heart was not in it and he himself is a crook and should be shot. (not a threat)

The poll on the home page asking "Did Meyer use Notre Dame"
the real poll should ask "Did Ty Losingham use Notre Dame".

Just like CW said when he had a press conference and KW introduced him as the new head coach. "Im not here as a stepping stone. In the past coaches have used this school as a stepping stone not caring about Notre Dame."

Who do you think he was talikng about? Maybe Davie and Losingham perhaps?

Perople open your eyes!!! I know I havent been the most sympathetic towards the BCA but this is not NDs wrong doing. ND was used once again by sombody who was not sincere. We trusted him and believed in him and the whole time he had an out in his contract ensuring he would be a millionaire.

 

[NDLyght37]

What do I call a guy who takes a high pressure job and stipulates in his contract that he be reimbursed if he's terminated early...smart. Don't hate on Ty just because he played the game like any other NCAA coach. To say that Willingham "used" ND is laughable. Even if he did, we used him just as much to recover some class & dignity after O'Leary-Gate (not to mention the Kudos we recieved for being progressive enough to hire a Black man).

As for his demeanor on the sidelines, I prefer my coaches to be in the mold of Tom Landry and not Bobby Knight.

Finally, just because you obviously seem to hate Tyrone Willingham, that doesn't invalidate the BCA's point.

 

[BigIrish]

The BCA does have a point. Honestly, I think their failure to speak up would be irresponsible. The fact of the matter is that Ty got fired from Notre Dame, and despite what anybody says, ND is still widely viewed as the elite of the elites. Personally, I think that the attention ND has received over this issue only serves to prove the influence they still have over fans, alumni, athletes, and the media.

 

[bmf175]

What do I call a guy who takes a high pressure job and stipulates in his contract that he be reimbursed if he's terminated early...smart. Don't hate on Ty just because he played the game like any other NCAA coach. To say that Willingham "used" ND is laughable. Even if he did, we used him just as much to recover some class & dignity after O'Leary-Gate (not to mention the Kudos we recieved for being progressive enough to hire a Black man).

As for his demeanor on the sidelines, I prefer my coaches to be in the mold of Tom Landry and not Bobby Knight.

Finally, just because you obviously seem to hate Tyrone Willingham, that doesn't invalidate the BCA's point.

You see thats the problem with you buddy. YOu see the hiring of Ty Willingham as a "progressive step" you are so concerned with being Politically Correct that you fail to comprehend reality.
And you just addressed another of my points the hiring of a coach does not have to be seen as "progressive" in the arena of race issues. It has to be "progressive" in the area of finding a great coach for a team that is struggling.

And you would call somebody that tries to get that in their contract SMART? I call somebody that gets that in their contract, EsPECIALLY after to this point ND has never fired somebody prematurely, a QUITER. Thats what seperates us two. I will always work to do my best and you will always be asking "why me?" ," its because im a minority, isnt it?"

And I dont think I ever said I wanted a Bobby Knight for a coach he would not fit the Notre Dame mold. But what I did say was that a coach that shows some emotion and is able to motivate and inspire football players to win games is exactly what a good coach should be able to do, ie Holtz, Spurrier.
Willinghams stoic personality does not help anything. Being quiet and looking dumb founded when your team is getting their ass whipped does not help anything and it does not motivate your players to do anything.

If you ever played any kind of organized sports in your life you would know this. Because I have and I will tell you what being down by 21 points in the 3rd qtr and looking up at your coach to see what he wants, and if you see your coach looking dumb founded its going to make you think OH SHIT, but, looking up at a coach showing emotion and believeing we can still win is a totally different thing.

Dont put words in my mouth I never said I hate Tyrone Willingham, I did say that Coach Willingham sucks, there is a difference.

And Finally the BCA sucks!!! They are a hipocracy in themselves... they stand for all minorities? wow... Ive never heard them say anything about Why doesnt Norm Chow get a HC job somewhere? They are out for themselves thats all. Otherwise it would be called the MCA-Minorities Coaching Assoc. And then I might actually show some support for it.

So go ahead and type your "LOLs", Im waiting to read them and shot holes in them.