In Praise of Weis

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Notre Dame AD Jack Swarbrick optimistic about season ahead - ESPN

ND AD Jack Swarbrick is optimistic about the '09 season. He notes the addtion of Verducci, Hart, and Alford and another strong recruiting class,

... helps provide the depth and, importantly, improves the competitive environment at practice

Swarbrick praised Weis for coaching through the pain last season. The damage to his knee was so severe it appeared he had been through a car wreck. Yet Weis coached without pain meds to keep a clear head.

Swarbrick also discussed the new 5,000 seat hockey area, reorganization of the medical services, strength and conditioning, and nuitrition departments into a sports performance department., and finding ecomony in difficult financial times.

 

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Swarbrick's comment about coaching without pain meds struck a cord.

We praise players for playing through pain but I don't recall anyone giving Weis credit for doing the same. No, he was didn't have to push through 600 pounds of linemen pursuing a QB 30 times a game, he just had to be mentally sharp all through game week prep, and then, through 3 -4 hours of actual game time matching wits with the likes of Carroll, Davis, Dantonio, Jagodzinski, Harbough, and Wannstedt standing on crutches. He obviously could not be at 100% of his normal performance capability. We recognize how Ragone's and Aldridge's knees impact their performance as well has Clausen's elbow surgery as a freshman but do we do the same with a coach?

When Holtz had neck surgery he went upstairs to the box. Davie was the top coach on the sidelines and the players responded. Weis toughed it out for most of the season standing on crutches in pain without meds.

I remember damaging a knee skiing, no where near the extent of his and having trouble staying focusing on my job assignments at work and I got to sit.

Would an uninjured Weis have been the difference at UNC, PITT, or SYR?

 

[IrishAddiction]

i said it during last season that there is no doubt charlie is one tough SOB. no doubt. Im optimistic about this season, but i have always been optimistic about every season at the beginning of the season. Hell i thought we were going to go to a BCS game in the 07 season, then we flat lined at 3-8.