Sorry for not posting the past few days. I have been watching the whole media feeding frenzy after the USC loss, and really just waiting for something to write about. Certainly I could have posted about a number of things. Focusing on new coaching candidates could have been a post or two, but I wasn't sure Weis would be fired and I did not want to waste the energy. I could have done a post game wrap up after the USC game, but who wants to break down a 38-3 drubbing? And I doubt you'd care to read it.
Now that Notre Dame has officially come out and backed Charlie Weis publicly, we can end the confusion and actually put things into perspective.
Notre Dame football this season has put me through the gamut of emotions - first I was disappointed by the losses to Michigan St. and North Carolina, then outraged by the losses to Pitt and BC. Finally came apathy after the loss to Syracuse, and embarrassment after the drubbing by USC this past weekend. Somewhere in between was awe as to how we almost lost to Navy on 2 straight onsides kicks. The past few days have brought numerous feelings about Charlie Weis. It feels as if we fired him Saturday night or Sunday - and then rehired him on Tuesday night. Weird.
No matter what we have all felt the past few weeks and months, we are now left with a mediocre football team and a beleaguered coach that is likely on a very short leash. I will not waste any time outside of this post speculating as to whether keeping Charlie or firing Charlie was the right move. I honestly don't know the answer, as you can give compelling reasons for both. Since I am positive and looking forward, here are a few reasons why we should be glad the school kept Charlie:
Charlie is a great recruiter that has refueled the talent pipeline in South Bend. Davie and Willingham did not recruit nearly at the top 10 level Weis has, although on the field the results have not yet been different. His Super Bowl rings are still shiny to recruits and should be to us fans also.
Charlie desperately cares for this program, and is an Alumnus of ND. I realize that my devotion to ND football does not qualify me to be coach, but this characteristic cannot be overlooked.
Charlie has been humbled and walked to the edge of his career ledge - yet he's still around. Men have a strange way of sometimes taking these experiences and improving.
Charlie's presence will create some continuity for the Irish. 5 years for a head coach is really the best way to measure him, although 5 years is too long for most fans today. Charlie now has had time to develop all of his recruiting classes and allow guys to have lots of experience in his system.
Charlie is willing to change. He certainly is going to have to change a lot, especially on his coaching staff. Look for at least 3 coaches to be gone, likely the Offensive Coordinator Mike Haywood, Offensive Line coach John Latina, and Defensive Line coach Jappy Oliver. The most important position that has been underdeveloped has been offensive line, so we must get an offensive line coaching guru to ND at all costs.
Next year Charlie will have his full lineup of experienced Weis recruits. Lets give him the one and final shot to prove his worth.
No more Charlie job talk. In the coming posts we will focus on the bowl game, recruiting, grades for every position, and any other topic that presents itself on the road to improvement. We are not looking back with regret or emotion, but with a critical approach to get better. Negativity about the program or Weis will not live here.
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