ND, Vaas headed in new directions

[GoshenGipper]

ND, Vaas headed in new directions
BOB WIENEKE
Tribune Staff Writer

Former Notre Dame quarterbacks coach Peter Vaas said Tuesday that he was informed well in advance of the Jan. 3 Sugar Bowl that changes on the coaching staff may be coming.

"When I was first informed of the possibility," Vaas said by cell phone, "I was surprised, yes."

Vaas and defensive coordinator Rick Minter were fired following the season. Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis replaced Vaas with director of personnel development and former quarterback Ron Powlus. New York Jets defensive backs coach Corwin Brown was hired to replace Minter.

Vaas was hired in the summer of 2005 to replace David Cutcliffe, who was originally hired by Weis to coach quarterbacks. Cutcliffe, however, had 2005 heart surgery and eventually resigned. He did not coach in 2005 but joined the Tennessee staff for the 2006 season.

Vaas coached at Notre Dame from 1990-91 under Lou Holtz. He coached running backs his first season and quarterbacks the following year. He left to become the head coach at Holy Cross, his alma mater, where he coached from 1992-95. After leaving Holy Cross, he coached in Canada and Europe.

Vaas, in Mobile, Ala., for Saturday's Senior Bowl, was asked if he knew the reason why he was let go.

"Basically, when I asked that question, it was that they chose to go in a different direction," he said. "The reasoning, to be perfectly honest with you, would have to come from Charlie or whatever the case may be. But I did ask that question and I was given the response that they just chose to go in a different direction."

Weis was unavailable for comment.

The 54-year-old Vaas, who has been in coaching since 1974, would like to stay in the profession.

"At the present time, I'm trying like heck to secure future employment in the coaching world," he said.

Vaas fondly recalled both of his stints at Notre Dame.

"I know that one of the things that we have done is we have enjoyed every moment that we have spent at Notre Dame in every capacity of what the whole thing entails -- the school, the football, the involvement with the players, both present and past," he said. "It's been a very enjoyable experience."

Efforts to reach Minter were unsuccessful.

 

[FleaFlicker]

Hmmm, sounds interesting. Some people thought Vaas might just have stepped down, or was headed to the NFL or something. I find it really interesting that someone like Paulus would take his place, with virtually no coaching experience.

Maybe Weis just wasn't liking the development of the young QB's under Vaas, and he thought Paulus could do a better job... It will be interesting if they end up talking to Minter.

 

[kjones]

Hmmm, sounds interesting. Some people thought Vaas might just have stepped down, or was headed to the NFL or something. I find it really interesting that someone like Paulus would take his place, with virtually no coaching experience.

Maybe Weis just wasn't liking the development of the young QB's under Vaas, and he thought Paulus could do a better job... It will be interesting if they end up talking to Minter.

Maybe it's just me, but i thought it was pretty clear from Powlus' press conference that he isn't really going to be coaching the quarterbacks at all, Charlie is. Powlus is there to learn, and to help out as he can. He basically said in the press conference that he was going to be learning with the players under Weis. I don't Weis was unhappy with Vaas as much as he wanted to do it himself/thought he could do better himself. Powlus is a guy with no experience who is going to soak up Weis's every word and be a protege. With no clear starter, I think Charlie just wants a more active hand in developing all the quarterbacks.

This also meshes well with the firing of minter and hiring of brown. Brown comes from the same system as Weis, and Weis understands his philosophy. Also in the press conference was teh statement from Charlie that he wanted to pass of the defense to someone he trusted and understood his philosophy (paraphrase). I think he's anticipatig being less involved with defense as he focuses more on the young offense and especially the quarterbacks.

I'm sure there are other theories, but this makes total sense to me, just from watching teh press conferences. I can't think of anything else that explains it quite as well as this.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Not really sure what to think about this...it's odd...but it's Weis' call.

 

[kjones]

I still don't think it sounds that odd. I stand by my original post.

 

[HeavenKnows]

Brady's touch was a little to be desired this past year. He wasn't making the passes this year that he made last year. For one, Brady floated more passes this year than last year. Even in the Fiesta Bowl of 2006, Brady was delivering passes that were being dropped, but they were there. This year, he was more iirratic. And it clearly showed in most opening series when he should have been most sharp.

 

[KingAdrock99]

Weis just wants someone he can control and teach him to do things the way he wants them done, rather than having an older guy who's set in his own ways.

 

[rontdtarchala]

I would tend to agree with king a on this one...and it has to be a my way or the highway situation...its all on CW's head so he better produce like........now!