Huskies Post Game: Message to Coach Weis

The Irish beat the Huskies on Saturday in blood pressure raising fashion, 37-30 in overtime. Lead changes, goal line stands, poor tackling, highlight catches, untimely penalties, superb quarterbacking - there are as many positives as negatives in this game, a list so long its going to be a few days before I can compile one. 

Losing often leaves players more receptive to coaching, as well as more able to learn from mistakes. Scary thing for the Irish is that winning often delays that perspective - unless leaders instill humility throughout. While winning is the only thing that really matters, the Irish must address the glaring issues of the first 4 games. Not only address these issues - but truly, and humbly, every coach and player must look in the mirror and figure out how to correct the flaws that will prevent us from being elite. Fundamental flaws like tackling, offensive line penalties, and getting off blocks. Every area on this team must improve significantly to have a chance at a BCS bowl, let alone even playing close with USC. 

Yes, even Jimmy Clausen must improve. While his 422 yard performance against the Huskies dazzled, there were 11 points that Jimmy gave the Huskies on a net basis. Jimmy's backward swing pass in the 2nd qtr gave the Huskies 7 points - easy. Jimmy missed a wide open Golden Tate for an easy first down inside the 10 yard line in the 2nd qtr - instead nearly getting intercepted in the end zone on a triple coverage pass to Rudolph. The Irish settled for a field goal instead of a touchdown, or at least a first and goal. Call it harsh, but I say 11 points right there can be attributed to the top rated QB in the country via passer efficiency (and a serious Heisman contender). In short, everyone needs to look in the mirror and get it together - even Jimmy. While Jimmy has been nothing short of breathtaking this season, a true leader steps up and tells the team that 11 points were his fault. Even if he played spectacularly otherwise. Jimmy is a captain and by all accounts has been a great leader this year. Lets hope he steps up and seizes this opportunity to establish a precedent of accepting nothing short of perfection. 

My message to Coach Weis: Don't let the winning be an aspirin for a migraine. Treat the injury and don't manage the symptoms. Since everyone thinks they can coach from the couch, here is my speech for Charlie - all ready for him to give to the team tomorrow:

"Don't let the ESPN highlights fool you - you guys have barely won three weeks in a row now. Congratulations, you just beat Purdue and Washington. Lets do f%cking cart wheels. You keep playing like this, and you'll get embarrassed by USC. Then the talking heads are going to have a field day. Then after the USC game, if yall still dont get it together, you will lose at least 2 or 3 more games late in the year. You are what you are - a wildly talented yet inconsistent team grasping victory from the jaws of defeat over and over - against teams with far less talent. If you dont get your sh*t together, the highlight of your season will be beating Purdue on the road. What can you do better? Everything. Nothing short of everything. Every block, every pass, every tackle, every decision - better. Be better. The rest of the season starts now."

These two weeks are the biggest two weeks of Charlie Weis's coaching career at Notre Dame. If he can't lead the Irish over the Trojans - or at least share the field with them - this season, at home, with the best Irish QB ever, then Charlie Weis never will.