It Can't Be Lou!

[SteveM]

In various threads, I note "Lou at the pep rally". "Lou in the locker room". Don't you see what that says?!?

ND has to bring in a retired guy to pump up the team to beat Michigan?! I'm sorry, but it's Charlie's team, that's Charlie's job! If he can't get it done, if he can't get those guys to play hungry as hell against Michigan, he don't belong there!

So even if Lou is around Saturday afternoon, Charlie has to make a command decision and take ownership of the locker room. HE has to motivate those guys to move forward with confidence and enthusiasm and faith in ND!

Using Lou is a crutch that says Charlie can't motivate. It's about time we found out if he can.

Got that?

SteveM

P.S. I'm spun up about this.

 

[SoCalDomer]

you do realize that Lou is there because the school is honoring him 20 years after he won a NC as head coach and unveiling a statue of him right?

charlie didn't just invite him to be the team motivator for the weekend.

I agree with you it's CW's team. but i don't see anything wrong with using Lou for this weekend considering the weekend is being used to honor him for what he did for the team.

 

[Folsteam_Ahead]

stevem...please take it easy. reading that just stressed me out. and it's friday afternoon. it's important to understand that people are just talking about lou being around and how that's a motivator. whether or not weis can motivate is not something we have direct access to. watch the game tomorrow and see how the team presents itself.

personally, from the practice reports it sounds like we'll be hoppin around and chirp chirp chirpin baby

 

[03euroSVT]

I would actually love to see Lou come out with the team. Man that would pump up the crowd. I am not worried about Charlie motivating the team. I think that having Lou there will be something really special for the fans.

WE ARE ND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[GO IRISH!!!]

Why would Lou's presence instantly signify that Coach Weis would not have control of the locker room? This is nothing but positive for the team and the fans to have Lou around and to honor him this weekend. I don't think have a guest speaker in the locker room is a threat to Coach Weis' sovereignty as head coach.

Lou is one of the greatest motivational public speakers I have ever seen and an icon at Notre Dame. To not have him speak to the players now or anytime would be stupid.

 

[SteveM]

Sometimes You Guys Aggravate Me!

Sometimes You Guys Aggravate Me!

You guys don't get the critical subtext of my argument. C'mon admit it, you think the guys may be more motivated if Lou talks to them. But Michigan itself should have them maxed out on motivation. Their motivation should be flat out saturated whether Lou is there or not.

I have nothing against Lou. I love Lou. I think he's a fantastic motivator. Bring him to campus for an award. But by giving him that larger role, in a backhanded way you imply that we need Lou to put us over the top motivation wise.

And that's what you guys are suggesting in your heart of hearts. Isn't it?

"Oh we're helpless! We need Lou to spike the boys just in case Charlie can't get it done..."

Ah, you guys disgust me. Lou ain't gonna be here for rest of the schedule. So let's see if Charlie can get it done right here, right now.

Get me again?

SteveM

P.S. That's why a Parcells as GM is a coach killer, he's over the shoulder history.

P.P.S. Get me again, again?

P.P.P.S. You guys... Ahh...! Back to the Bayesian Model where the simulations are more realistic.

 

[Bubba]

Man those Bayesian models are hot. Did you see them in this year's SI swimsuit edition? Smokin'!

 

[SteveM]

What Comes After Anathema?

What Comes After Anathema?

Hah! That's it! Disrupt my moment of sublime opprobrium with your subtle but lacerating wit!

Because you are crude but effective, you guys disgust me even more!

SteveM

 

[Bubba]

I apologize for not allowing you to enjoy your shameful moment. Proceed.....

 

[donjuan]

If anyone knows that more, it would be CW himself. He's mentioned several times that he needs to be more "approachable". He's playing rap during stretching. He's been more jovial with all the players instead of just the mainstays. He's positively affirming after a bad win. These are all things that he wouldn't have done 3 years ago. Is he a Pete Caroll, not even close. Is he like Lou Holtz, hell no, and a fireball like Lou doesn't come around everyday. That being said, he definitely needs to be more emotional/charismatic/player-friendly/inspirational. However; we need to remember what he's already changed to reach these goals--see the aforementioned above. He can't get to C, without going through B. Let's be happy he's willing to change his persona, and try new motivational approaches. This hasn't always been the case with past coaches.

 

[SoCalDomer]

ND has to bring in a retired guy to pump up the team to beat Michigan?! I'm sorry, but it's Charlie's team, that's Charlie's job!

But Michigan itself should have them maxed out on motivation. Their motivation should be flat out saturated whether Lou is there or not.

You seem to be advocating two different things. First, you say it's Charlie's responsibility to motivate the team. But then you say that the team doesn't need any additional motivation than they are football players who want to win.

The reality is these are college kids who do need external motivation.

Regardless of whether we think Lou will or won't motivate them, it really doesn't matter. CW/ND doesn't care what we think. But at the same time, I don't care what they do, i just want them to show up and play the best football they can on Saturday.

I do get what you're saying, and if it bothers you that's fine. At the end of the day I don't care as long as they come out to play every Saturday.

 

[coachjohnson]

I really don't think this is an issue, I don't how many times there has been motivational speakers at ND before games. Ara has done before, and this isn't Lou's first time if I'm not mistaking. Lou does motivational speeches around the country to many various people. His statue is going to be unveiled this weekend so why not have him there. Most of these kids were tiny when Lou was the man at Notre Dame but he is a great motivational speaker, this is a true treat for the players to get to take part in.(Lou is still the man) We can't forget who's in the locker room with the players and who has the last word when our beloved Irish head down the stairwell and touch the P.L.A.C sign and take the field to kick Michigan tail. The man is Charlie but I'm glad to have Lou in town.

 

[SteveM]

Michigan as an Evidentiary Contribution

Michigan as an Evidentiary Contribution

Take a deep breath...

OK, I'm calm...

I see what you guys are saying.

Let me try to clarify.

First: to SoCalDomer, No I'm not separating the kids from Charlie regarding motivation. I'm looking at ND football as a package. Players and Coaches. That self-contained group has to make it happen for themselves.

Second: I'm looking at the bigger picture now. I'm at a point where I want to see if Charlie can get it done on his own. Sink or swim based on his composite set of skills as a coach. Lou's on campus game-day theatrics just muddy the waters.

Third: OK, I surrender. Let Lou be Lou today. But I'm sure you guys are at about the same point as I am about just wanting to know if Charlie is for real on not.

That said...

BEAT MICHIGAN!!!

P.S. I played ball under transition coaches. You can be sure that Charlie feels vaguely uneasy and insulted about another coach coming into his locker room. Because subconsciously, he's engaged in the same kind of internal review of his compentency as a head coach. He no doubt wants clarity too.

P.P.S. OBTW, Dan LeBatard is 3X the odorous, foul, fetid anti-ND piece of fecal matter that Mark May is.

 

[goldandblue]

In various threads, I note "Lou at the pep rally". "Lou in the locker room". Don't you see what that says?!?

ND has to bring in a retired guy to pump up the team to beat Michigan?! I'm sorry, but it's Charlie's team, that's Charlie's job! If he can't get it done, if he can't get those guys to play hungry as hell against Michigan, he don't belong there!

So even if Lou is around Saturday afternoon, Charlie has to make a command decision and take ownership of the locker room. HE has to motivate those guys to move forward with confidence and enthusiasm and faith in ND!

Using Lou is a crutch that says Charlie can't motivate. It's about time we found out if he can.

Got that?

SteveM

P.S. I'm spun up about this.

You make not believe this but I was watching an interview of Reggie Brooks talking about Lou Holtz. In his interview he said Lou was bringing in people all the time to give inspirational words to the players. Watch this video about 4:00 minutes in.
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[SteveM]

%$#$#@ Lou's Pep Talk

%$#$#@ Lou's Pep Talk

Never mind...

SteveM

 

[Bubba]

We knew you'd come around!!!!