PFT: Get ready for Gruden's Return

[irishranger]

I have stood by Weis, and am losing faith in him. But mark my words John Gruden is not the answer. I like coach Gruden a whole lot, but all of his successes came with veteran teams. He has never been known for developing talent. He is a schematics guy, much like Charlie. Only difference is, is that Charlie has proven time and again that he can develop QB's. If you remove CW then you must replace him with a coach that is a prove winner and overachiever. I personally dont believ we will find anyone like that, the only ones that comes to mind in the college game right now are Chris Peterson, Paul Johnson, and Gary Patterson. None are going to be willing to leave where they are at to come here.

 

[JughedJones]

I think Gruden would be great. He's a rah rah guy who can get the kids pumped.

Honestly, I think he's better suited for the college game than the pros. Plus he's one of the very few names we could bring in that would salvage our recruits.

 

[wakeuptheechoes]

There have been many coaches that did not do well in the NFL that were great college coaches. John McCay-USC, Lou Holtz-ND, Steve Spurrier-FL, John Robinson-USC, Pete Carroll-USC, Nick Saban-LSU, Dan Devine-ND, Bud Wilkerson-OK, and at least one other guy who sucked as a pro coach, what his name again, let me see, it will come to me, Oh! I remember now, Dave Wannstedt-Pittsburg. Gruden's credentials in the NFL were better than all of them. He rebuilt an Oakland tem that would have been in the Super Bowl if not for a contraversial call against New England, and won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay with a average to good Quarterback. But other than that he never had a decent QB.

All that being said, I don't believe Gruden is coming to ND. But don't make claims that he couldn't coach in the college ranks without one ounce of proof either way. I honestly don't know how he would do at any college. He does however have a decent resume.

As far as firing Weis or keeping Weis, Discuss the facts one way or the other. Leave the name calling out. (Not acusing anyone in this particular thread) Because the truth is if I new for a fact that Weis would win every game next year and we would be National Champs, I would say by all means keep him. If I knew for a fact we would go 7-5 next year, I would say fire him. If I knew for a fact that whomever replaces Weis, (if he is replaced) would win a National Championship next year, I would say hire him today, what are we waiting for. We are all caught up in what we feel, I understand because we all love ND, and love is a feeling. Whatever the case, I do believe regardless of his coaching performance Charlie Weis is a decent and good man, and should be afforded the respect a being just that.

 

[FrankMA]

I think Gruden would be great. He's a rah rah guy who can get the kids pumped.

Honestly, I think he's better suited for the college game than the pros. Plus he's one of the very few names we could bring in that would salvage our recruits.

I think you are right on both counts. I think he can motivate the young players, something Charlie cannot do, and he could salvage this recruiting class. Another thing, he would not overhaul the whole offensive system and I think the offense is excellent except for the line. Someone like Kelly would require a whole new offensive system and that would take time and patience until the right players are in place.

 

[elkona]

Gruden won't be next coach. I would not be surprised if as soon as Weis is fired, within a few days Brian Kelly is announced as next coach. Or even Meyer. My sense of Swarbrick is he won't be caught with his pants down like Kev White. A lot of planning has already gone into this decision.

 

[MeanGreen]

I like Gruden. He is an emotional guy who isn't afraid to show it. I think the players will feed off of that. No one thought Carroll would succeed at USC and look what has happened. Carroll has won because he lets the kids be kids, recruits well and has always surround himself with a great staff, Chow, Kifflin, Sarkasian(sp) and a few others. Basically it comes down to two things. 1) A quality staff that can teach the fundamentals. Forget scheme, get the players to understand their positions and turn them lose. I am sick of our DB having the back to the ball. Last I swear if Walls turns around he could have deflected the TD to Baldwin. 2) Recruiting. You don't have to get all 5 star players, just players that want to play for ND and fit what you are attempting to do.

 

[FrankMA]

Gruden won't be next coach. I would not be surprised if as soon as Weis is fired, within a few days Brian Kelly is announced as next coach. Or even Meyer. My sense of Swarbrick is he won't be caught with his pants down like Kev White. A lot of planning has already gone into this decision.

Maybe Gruden will be the next coach because a lot of planning has gone into his decision. Gruden would bring the fire the players need plus he would be a great recruiter, something I believe Kelly is not.

 

[NDMontana]

Unfortunately for Jon Gruden, Monte Kiffin--the secret to his success--is at Tennessee. There might be an answer out there....but it's not Jon Gruden.

 

[Domer4ever]

John Gruden is the best option for Notre Dame for a couple reasons:

1.) He bings instant credability to the program as a head coach. To me it matters very little that he has not been a head coach at the college level and I dont think it would be the huge adjustment for him that many think it would be. The bottom line is he has coached football his entire life with great success. His fire and passion is what is missing from this lackluster Notre Dame football team.

2.) He brings instant credability to this team as a recruiter. Jon Gruden is a houshold name in the football world and young recruits will know who he is and what he has accomplished. You think Jon Gruden walking into a young recruits house sporting the Notre Dame blue and gold wont get them fired up and excited at the prospect of going to Notre Dame? I think this area is what seperates him as the top candidate over Brian Kelly, who's biggest question is his ability to bring in the big recruits. I also believe hiring Gruden gives us our best chance at retaining the recruits we have and perhaps landing a couple big fish on national signing day.

If Weis is fired as expected this program needs to bring in a coach with passion, credability as a prior head coach, and big appeal as a recruiter. To me Gruden is the only guy who fits that bill on all accounts.

 

[NDMontana]

John Gruden is the best option for Notre Dame for a couple reasons:

1.) He bings instant credability to the program as a head coach. To me it matters very little that he has not been a head coach at the college level and I dont think it would be the huge adjustment for him that many think it would be. The bottom line is he has coached football his entire life with great success. His fire and passion is what is missing from this lackluster Notre Dame football team.

2.) He brings instant credability to this team as a recruiter. Jon Gruden is a houshold name in the football world and young recruits will know who he is and what he has accomplished. You think Jon Gruden walking into a young recruits house sporting the Notre Dame blue and gold wont get them fired up and excited at the prospect of going to Notre Dame? I think this area is what seperates him as the top candidate over Brian Kelly, who's biggest question is his ability to bring in the big recruits. I also believe hiring Gruden gives us our best chance at retaining the recruits we have and perhaps landing a couple big fish on national signing day.

If Weis is fired as expected this program needs to bring in a coach with passion, credability as a prior head coach, and big appeal as a recruiter. To me Gruden is the only guy who fits that bill on all accounts.

I don't know....will it get recruits fired up? Charlie Weis could walk in and say "You know that Tom Brady guy....I helped shape him"; "Deion Branch....remember that guy?"; "Armando, you remind me a lot of Kevin Faulk. What if I told you that I could help you to 10+ year career in the NFL, too?"

What's Gruden going to say? Remember Rich Gannon or Brad Johnson? Hell, I barely remember those guys. I don't think that you can honestly say that Gruden will be an excellent recruiter at this time.

 

[PADOMERNUT]

I don't know....will it get recruits fired up? Charlie Weis could walk in and say "You know that Tom Brady guy....I helped shape him"; "Deion Branch....remember that guy?"; "Armando, you remind me a lot of Kevin Faulk. What if I told you that I could help you to 10+ year career in the NFL, too?"

What's Gruden going to say? Remember Rich Gannon or Brad Johnson? Hell, I barely remember those guys. I don't think that you can honestly say that Gruden will be an excellent recruiter at this time.

I agree completely. Yes he is a household name. But he has never coached in college. We have no idea how he will be in the living room of a high school kid and his parents.

 

[NDMontana]

I agree completely. Yes he is a household name. But he has never coached in college. We have no idea how he will be in the living room of a high school kid and his parents.

I would still give Charlie another year. I just don't think that's a realisitc possibility at this point. I'd bet a fan poll would show a majority (albeit a thin majority) would support one more year. But the alumni pulling the strings are going to run him out of town.

Sadly, at this point, as the saying goes, if it has to be done eventually you might as well do it immediately.

 

[tko]

wonder if Charlie coached from the press box all season if the Irish would have a better record?

 

[JefMaj]

I've been a win-lose-draw CW another year guy... all year. But, my heart hurts. I don't know what to feel anymore. I'm 54 and looked at my today parents to see if even resemble them - or any of my 7 siblings...some are fellow alumns as well... all ND fans... I'm lost.

 

[rogosIRISH77]

Gruden won a Super Bowl, as the HEAD COACH. We don't need another coordinator. As far as I'm concerned, I would be glad to get Gruden. Not to mention, he is fiery, which is what we need. Someone to FIRE these kids up for each and every game. Charlie has gotten softer and softer every year. He went from being kind of a hardass in his first year here, to a joke. He always says there are no moral victories, BUT... these kids do this, I do that, blah blah blah... bottom line is I LOSE. I am a loser. If we can get Gruden, dump Weis, and take him.

 

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

No, a majority of ND fans would want Weis gone. Don't mistake yourselves.

 

[Domer4ever]

I don't know....will it get recruits fired up? Charlie Weis could walk in and say "You know that Tom Brady guy....I helped shape him"; "Deion Branch....remember that guy?"; "Armando, you remind me a lot of Kevin Faulk. What if I told you that I could help you to 10+ year career in the NFL, too?"

What's Gruden going to say? Remember Rich Gannon or Brad Johnson? Hell, I barely remember those guys. I don't think that you can honestly say that Gruden will be an excellent recruiter at this time.

How about, "you see this Super Bowl ring....yeah I won that as the head coach." Gruden has a great coaching resume and has had huge success as a head coach. This is something that Weis coud never say. I dont think anyone will argue the credentials of Gruden and Weis as head coaches.

Also, I dont think its a stretch to think Gruden would not be a great recruiter. His work ethic, passion, credentials, and the fact that he's recruiting for Notre Dame would lead me to believe that he would be tremendous with the young recruits. I think he would have a similar, if not greater, impact recruiting than Lane Kiffin has had in Tennessee.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

No, a majority of ND fans would want Weis gone. Don't mistake yourselves.

Based on what??? Is there a poll up that I don't know about?

 

[bert2834]

I officially want Weis gone. I have thought he was the man up until being at the game last night. His playcalling is bad. And it seems that he doesn't motivate his players at all.

I didn't like these to quotes from Weis in the last 2 weeks. These quotes just make me not like him as a head coach.

Not word for word quotes here, they are from memory.

He said," I will not change the way I coach". If things aren't working, you have to change.

He also said, " You don't use the same play calling at away games then you would at home." You should have faith in your players to be able to execute regardless of where you are playing.

He needs to go.

Tate stays but Jimmy leaves.

 

[shamrockpounder]

ND football has weathered the storm long enough. Offense still plays with no sense of urgency, OL is still horrible, committing stupid penalties (note:chop block) our DL still can't get a decent pass rush going. Plus we ND can't even execute a simple shuffle pass for a 2 point conversion. Execution of plays in practice, repetition of drills/plays and COACHING would correct all these problems previously mentioned...COACHING...

Dear Mr. Jack Swarbrick

Enough of this Weis experiment...apparently having a mediocre football program is acceptable at ND.

Sincerely,
Please stop the bleeding.