Charlie Weis: Big Man On Campus

Steve Kroft Profiles Notre Dame's Head Coach

(CBS)  If one school defines college football in America, it's Notre Dame. It has the largest fan base in the country, and a pedigree that includes Rockne, the Four Horsemen, and some of the greatest coaches and players in history. But as correspondent Steve Kroft reports, 18 years have passed since its last national championship, and in 2004, after two miserable seasons, it turned to Charle Weis, an alumnus who never played football, to restore the glory. Any new coach at Notre Dame, automatically becomes a national figure. The only thing separating immortality from ignominy is winning. And the former offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots is off to a great start.

At 6'1" and 300 pounds, Weis has become the biggest man on campus, with a girth exceeded only by his oversized personality, which seems out of place at a school run by the Holy Cross Fathers.

---

Listen to Weis on the field and you'll hear expletives left and right. "Hey Brian, get the (expletive) off the field. You get off the field. You stay off the field," he yells.

"I consider myself brutally honest," Weis tells Kroft. "Whatever you have to do to get your point across, I make sure that I get my point across."

"I mean when I am not happy I make sure everyone around me feels the pressure," he explains.

Whoever it was that came up with the seven holy virtues obviously never coached football and certainly never spent a Saturday afternoon in Notre Dame Stadium.

So if Charlie Weis comes up a little bit short on self control, patience and humility, he's forgiven by the faithful – the fans.

In less than two years he has won 16 games and lost four, restoring credibility to the Notre Dame fight song and returning the team to the top ten. But it required a few adjustments.

"I mean you get some, you know, some obnoxious sarcastic guy from New Jersey coming in. And so it was quite a culture shock for the players," Weis says.

Asked how he changed the climate, Weis says, "I had to spend a good portion of time, you know, breaking 'em down before you could build 'em back up."

"How did you break 'em down? What do you mean break 'em down?" Kroft asks.

"I was unbearable," Weis replies. "And I was not a very, very nice guy."

What Weis saw was complacency: about winning, about going to class, and about living up to their potential. And no one was spared, not even all American quarterback Brady Quinn, who has blossomed under Weis and is one of this year's favorites to win the Heisman trophy.

Weis has called himself a jerk. When Kroft asks Quinn whether the coach is a jerk, Quinn says, "He could be a jerk – you know, I wouldn't say it to his face, but he could definitely be a jerk."

"What was his language like?" Kroft asks.

"I guess from what I understand it's New Jersey language, so I don’t think that's necessarily something you could put on the air," he says.

And Weis has a special look that he gives to his players. "Yeah, I don’t necessarily get as I think scared as other guys do, but he definitely can give a pretty devastating look," Quinn acknowledges.

[nite_raider]

Weis should be ashamed of himself being a coach at one of the premier Catholic university's in the US. To cuss and carry on like a sailor that just got off the ship is unbelieveable. The priests ought to make him attend a few confessions and offer a few hail marys for his conduct.
If a player did that he would punish them with no problem. Why not punish his fat butt.

[wright501]

What a total joke this network and program have become. North Korea and Iran are threatening to go nuclear, crucial midterm elections approach, and Charlie Weis' sideline language is news? What a cheap, empty ploy to exploit anti-Catholic sentiment. Granted, now that Dan Rather and CBS' entire news department have been exposed as incompetent and/or dishonest, it's easy to understand why no one believes a word CBS says anymore about anything of substance.

[d12engers]

I cannot beleive CBS is falling into the same category as NBS to become the advocate for ND Football and their new head coach. If they want to plan in the national championship, start playing big time teams like Michigan, Texas, Ohio State and stop playing the lowly military academies. Weis is merely promoting his team not coaching them. It would be a travesty to see ND play in the BCS National Championship, at least this year.

[mgarofol1]

First of all, if you are going to comment on Notre Dame's schedule, do some research. ND has Michigan, Penn State, Georgia Tech, and USC on their schedule this year. Second, teams like Texas, Michigan, and Ohio State all play extremely inferior opponents in their non-conference games. Lastly, someone who gets upset that a college football coach uses profane language on the sideline is so naive that I am amazed that person knows how to use a computer.

[leprechan238]

Charlie Weis is the right fit for ND. If you knew what he did off the field I'm sure your opinion would be different. Second ND plays Michigan, MSU, USC, and Purdue every year, which alone is better than any other conferences best teams schedule. They also play the military academies out of respect. ND was in financial trouble early on and the military helped them out and allowed men who were in the serves to go to ND. Also early on in Michigans season they play central michigan and Ball state (real power houses) and OSU played cincinati amd Bowling Green (more power houses) and they both get cake walks in northwestern, indiana, and Illinois every year. Also I get tired of hearing about North Korea and Iraq everyday so is it a crime to hear about something else?

[leprechan238]

Plus i know that he goes to church before everyhome game and I would guess that he goes to confession. I would look at some of the other coaches about being bad people and doing bad things (ie Miami and Dartmoths brawls)before I looked to Charlie Weis.

[tsmith2763]

How sad to read some of these ignorant comments. Charlie Weis and Notre Dame University are providing opportunities to student/athletes for a lifetime of success, on and off the field. If it takes a little verbal push to get those kids on track then so be it, and more power to em. Comments about schedule strength, self promotion and cussing are childish, full of envy and way off base.

[biochemurgic]

It is hardly surprising that an activity as absurd as football---people dressed in plastic armor running around a field bashing into one another in pursuit of an inflated object---will draw some idiots to its ranks. The sooner "60 Minutes" and everyone stops paying attention to the game and the people who choose to be a part of it, the better off society we'll be.

[wdrakejr]

if you ever played sports you know thats it takes some yelling to get you going

[ndfantp]

Charlie Weis is a good man. He helps charities; and not just the charity he started for his daughter and people just like her. So what if he swears on the sideline. Big Deal. He gets the job done. He is respected by his team, the fans, and by opposing teams. For those ignorant people that believe that he is swearing all the time need to realize that the CBS clips of him swearing were all strung together to make a point that he does swear at a Catholic institution, not that he has a lack of vocabulary. As a student of Notre Dame, and a member of the band I have had interaction with Coach Weis both on and off the field. All be it short interaction with him, he has always come across as polite and respectful.

To those of you who are pouting because CBS did not do a special on your favorite coach, suck it up. Coach Weis and the University of Notre Dame is something truly special. Our fans here are the most polite in the entire country. I have been to many other stadiums and have been treated like garbage. You would be very hard pressed to find yourself in a situation at the University of Notre Dame.

The moral of the story is that Charlie Weis is a good kind hearted man. If swearing is what it takes to light a fire under his players butts than that is what he will do. I don't believe there is one Notre Dame fan, Student, or even priest at the school that will persecute him for his vocabulary.

[ndfantp]

Charlie Weis is a good man. He helps charities; and not just the charity he started for his daughter and people just like her. So what if he swears on the sideline. Big Deal. He gets the job done. He is respected by his team, the fans, and by opposing teams. For those ignorant people that believe that he is swearing all the time need to realize that the CBS clips of him swearing were all strung together to make a point that he does swear at a Catholic institution, not that he has a lack of vocabulary. As a student of Notre Dame, and a member of the band I have had interaction with Coach Weis both on and off the field. All be it short interaction with him, he has always come across as polite and respectful.

To those of you who are pouting because CBS did not do a special on your favorite coach, suck it up. Coach Weis and the University of Notre Dame is something truly special. Our fans here are the most polite in the entire country. I have been to many other stadiums and have been treated like garbage. You would be very hard pressed to find yourself in a situation at the University of Notre Dame.

The moral of the story is that Charlie Weis is a good kind hearted man. If swearing is what it takes to light a fire under his players butts than that is what he will do. I don't believe there is one Notre Dame fan, Student, or even priest at the school that will persecute him for his vocabulary.

[woodyhayes7]

Notre Dame? Yes a sad sad commentary on this over priced over exploited institution. Like to meet a true scholar and gentleman? 60 minutes should realize they are choosing to be mediocre as ND is. Maybe you should have driven from South Bend to Columbus, Ohio. There you will find the recent national champions and currently ranked number one OHIO STATE BUCKEYES. They have a new coach. A coach who does not swear, a coach who demands more from his student athletes than an aspiration to be a professional football player. There you find a man who demands they learn the state song, sing it with the band, live the life of a college student, and eat up the little things in their lives. He teaches, he loves, he wears them out and out pops wonderful young men from a great university. He has brought back Woody Hayes, without the harsh words and sideline antics. He understands one of the greatest coaches in the history of football and leads and teaches off of his foundation. You%u2019re too ignorant to do a story where it counts, in Columbus, Ohio. Get a clue 60 minutes and bring your crews to Columbus for the Ohio State vs. Michigan game if you want to see college football.

[judevonne]

Charlie is a great coach and will do great things for Notre Dame!

[go1rish]

While I did not go to Notre Dame, I did go to a private school and it has been my experience that there is a lot of jealousy over private education and schools like ND, especially from fans of schools who do not have a century long tradition of football excellence. They are like lottery winners with their "new" money.

[irishfan2727]

There truly is no middle ground when it comes to ND football. You're either on the train, or you're getting run over by the train! The soft schedule line of reasoning is tired. I wish ND played Northwestern, Minnesota and Illinois every other season.

[go1rish]

Choosing to go to Ohio State over Notre Dame isn't a 4 year mistake, it's a 40 year mistake!

[billnew1]

violent ground acquisition games are just a crypto-fascist metaphore for war

[fjphan]

I thought the article on Charlie Weis was very mild, and pleasing to see him. I played High School Football in the early 70's and the cussing and the abuse was part of everyday at practice. Notre Dame is the highest institution in the country when it comes to the sport of football. If given a chance to see a game there at the grounds where the birth of football took place. DO NOT give it up. Charlie is what ND needs. He is the type of individual that will bring the school and her fans what has been desired since 1988, another National Championship. I look for and hope for Charlie to be one of the greats to coach many National Championship Teams. Please don't be fooled by his cussing as I said in the beginning of my post, it is part of 90% of football coaching. And why put him down for any part of his body, thats what he is and doesn't make him better or worse.
God Bless Charlie
And God Bless Our Lady and The University

[jfgnd]

I am truly shocked! A football coach who uses profanity. What has the world come to? I am not sure if all those out there, who suffer from Notre Dame envy, realize that Coach Weis scored a perfect 1600 on his SAT, which is probably why he chose to attend Notre Dame and now serve as its Head Coach. Go Irish!

[drplee]

Charlie Weis is a great and fair coach. I have seen other coaches (i.e Bowden, Brown, and even Holtz) really lobby their teams in the public eye. He never does; he doesn't care what people think. He even mentioned that although a USC win would have been beneficial, he couldn't root for them. As far as the swearing, if that's the worst thing he does, he's better than 99% of us. Football and sports is part of our nation's rich social history. Give 60 Minutes and Charlie a break.

[irishchick10]

I am a very big Notre Dame fan and I think that having Charlie Weis is wonderful. Even though he swears at least he shows his emotions better than Tyrone WIllingham. Coach Weis teaches those kids to be wonderful students. In order to play for his team, you must have wonderful grades. Not decent grades, but wonderful grades. He made a program for his daughter. Also, you need to remember Montana and the pass right play. I've never heard of a coach who listened to a ten year old child about a play they should run. Go Irish and remember, we're 7-1!:)

[keaomom]

I am saddened that a network would set this man on such a high pedestal when there are men and women coaching on the high school and college level that have successful programs and teams without the use of offensive and derogatory language.
What about the men like Greg Sherwood, who coached in the Panhandle of Texas, who respected, loved and honored each and every player, coach and individual that came into his program.
It's sad that we accept this type of coaching and teaching for our children and young adults, when there are other individuals with such integrity that we should be honoring.

[ndfantp]

Commenting on WoodyHayes comment. I don't think he realizes that 96% of Notre Dame football players graduate with at least one degree. And this is not some wimpy degree in General Studies, or Physical Education. I know for a fact that Brady Quinn is a Political Science major. Also there are many football players who are double majors. Let me tell you something, being a double major anywhere is not an easy task, but being a double major at the University of Notre Dame is a daunting task. I will take ND over Ohio State now and forever.

[tommyboy721]

Charlier wiess - Is a true Football coach - Football teaches alot of the youlger ( Colloege Kids) about Life . some people on thei board might be a little hipercrytical of his Cussing . They are acting like that is the 1st time someone has ever don ethat . This is the real life - it even happens at the great school of ND. Right wrong or indifferent charlie is a real person . as he said he in his interveiw you cannot care about everyone's opinion . Because he is in the spot light , that many more people will see him and have some sort of comment - That is life - I am sure charlie is not gonna lose sleep over the arrogance of some people that live ina a BUBBLE . I understand he goes to church and does alot of great things outside Football - at least people know where they stand with people like charlie weiss . People that sugar coat everything in life - ( Whow are they helping - Or Hurting??)

should really see the big pciture of what Charlie and other coach's are all about on teaching Kids and adults --

My Motto is to learn something NEW everday I am on this earth . Today I learned is how some people ae judgemental about a sport they have No idea what it is about ..It is ok Toi learn about something !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[irish_allday]

I couldn't be happier that 60 Minutes did a profile on the best college coach there is. Coach Weise has shown a new found hope for the Irish Faithful and we love him dearly for that! I am an Irish fan who lives deep in the Spartan country of Michigan State University but my faith has never waivered! In a country hat seems to believe that you have to be in a conference to be a good team Notre Dame is proving that with an AWESOME coach and an OUTSTANDING team you can do wonders!!! And for all the haters who are upset their coach didn't get a profile on 60 minutes...DEAL WITH IT! May be it's because the coach of YOUR team hasn't been getting calls to go pro since the day he took the job at the school you love so much.

[wrweise]

I am a die hard of fan of the University of Notre Dame and of all of their athletic programs. I was so excited to hear that Charlie Weis was hired in last year, I was also proud to see him start a new tradition having the players go over to the student section and sing the almator for all the fans. I have faith that he will bring us a National Chamionship next year, and be considered on of the great coaches at Notre Dame, alond with Rockne, Leahy, and Holtz. So watch out for us next year all you Michigan fans, I know he will have the team to come back and fight like the Irish has been known to fight. We may not have Brady or Jeff with us next year, but they will be cheering for all the new freshman coming in. I would also like to say good luck for the rest of the season.

[irishbailes]

What a breath of fresh air to hear about a little something else besides war, elections, and nuclear threats. Charlie Weis has brought back what ND is supposed to be. With a TV deal like they have, people want to see ND win at all costs. If that takes a coach giving them a little extra language on the sidelines, then so be it.

I don't believe that people actually have the nerve to badmouth anything Weis does as headcoach. It's not the most well known thing that Weis walked into the USC locker room after ND's loss to them last year and praised the team on their victory and hard work. Or that Weis visited a young cancer patient who was a lifelong fan of ND and had the child call a play that Weis actually followed through on. That shows more character than most any coach in NCAA Football.

To end off, d12engers clearly doesn't know anything about ND Football since they already do play Michigan, every single year....

[oldster4]

Rarely make a point of watching 60 Minutes anymore, but the chance to see Charlie Weis was irresistible...thought you would try to make him look bad, because of your own promos. What a great surprise to see that it did not happen, because Charlie is the best, OR because you failed to make something of nothing. Either way, Charlie came off great as did Notre Dame. I guess you have to be Catholic, OR FORMER CATHOLIC, to understand that Notre Dame football is a religion to all of us who love her, and always will, with or without so called 'bad' language. GO DAME!

[poohwt01]

What Charlie Weis has done for the students, the football team, and special children like his daughter Hannah is bigger and will have a far more positive effect on their lives than a dozen Opera's. Learn more about the man before you form your opinions. I'm sure that when Charlie one day stands before our maker he will hear those sweet words we all hope to hear,"Well done good and faithful servant!" I have had a daughter in Irag and have a daughter at Notre Dame & both places change lives and are both very important stories so if you don't like it change the channel!! GOOOOOOOOOO Irish!!!!!!!!!

[irishfan255]

All you have to do is listen to the love in his voice when he talks about his daughter and see the twinkle in his eye when he looks at his wife, not to mention the footage of him standing with his arm around his son after a ND victory to know that Charlie isn't as tough as he would like us to believe he is. He is a good man teaching young men life's values at a noble institution. If it takes a little salty language to achieve this then so be it. Keep up the good work Charlie.
Go Irish !

[nugewqtd]

Please think before you post.
The story is not about Charlie Weis' language, that was the 'pitch'. See in order to enitce people to watch the story you have present something that will do so. Thus when the story ABOUT Charlie Weis was reviewed the advertising team for 60 minutes decided that the best angle they would be to comment on the irony of his profane language on a Catholic school's campus.
Next I believe there are going to be many people who will always find something negative to say about Notre Dame. If you like them then this was a warm and fuzzy story that will leave you smiling(which is why it was the last story, and yes 60 minutes is aware of the problems with Iran AND North Korea AND the Iraq War AND the descrimnation against Gay Marriage AND the list goes on, BUT in order to do an in depth story it takes time. If you want brief updates then watch your evening world news. Don't jump 60 minutes b/c they decided to air the Charlie Weis story. Freak'n Idots, GOSH!) And if you don't like Notre Dame you will just make some random ignorant comment that the rest of us will just laugh at. la'er~adam

[scott0u812]

Give Charlie a break - I love his style, and his IRISH !!! I'd take Charlie for my son's football coach anytime. He wants the best out of his players, and I do not issue with his language....bet soldiers swear in Iraq sometimes too.
Notre Dame stadium is a nice environment - no riff raff....
People had a choice this week end, either watch ND football or go to the movie house and watch some awful scary movie......Myself, I'm glad I watched the IRISH and GO CHARLIE WEIS ! you and your boys are headed for # 1

[adidas_43344]

I THOUGHT IT WAS ABOUT TIME SOMEONE GAVE CHARLIE WEIS SOME CREDIT FOR WHAT HE GOSE THREW WITH COACHING. I AM A BIG NOTRE DAME FAN IM FROM KOKOMO INDIANA BUT LIVE CLOSE TO COLUMBUS IN OHIO. SO I AM A HUGE BRADY QUINN FAN SEEN HIM PLAY HIGHSCHOOL FOOTBALL AT DUBLIN. CHARLIE IS A GREAT FATHER AND COACH AND ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR HIS TEAM AND KEEPS THERE HEADS UP. GOT TO GIVE HIM PROPS KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND GGGGOOOOOOO NOTRE DAME!

[irish736]

Just what is Ohio State's graduation rate and do they include Maurice Clarett in the percentage.No one would argue that Coach Tressell is good but he could only be great if he coached at Notre Dame

[lovend1]

Thanks NDFanTP, I agree with what you said! And Brady Quinn is working on a double major,along with several other athletes.
Charlie Weis is an asset to Notre Dame and to the community. He has brought Notre Dame football back to the way it was when I was growing up. Exciting,fun and spirit filled and being a season ticket holder, I have seen the stadium fill up every week and there are even more people tailgaiting since Charlie came to town. Charlie will go down in history with names like Leahy, Rockne, Parseghian and Holtz. Thank You Charlie for bringing REAL FOOTBALL back to Notre Dame! WE LOVE YOU!

[plaice]

Charlie is a good family man. what more can I say

[devintacy]

charlie weis is the epitome of notre dame football and the best coach weve had for a long while i loved the show on him and think he deserves more the only thing that should have been done is an interveiw with samardzilla but other than that major props to old nd and go weis
WE-IS ND

[hbgpa50]

Interesting piece on Charlie Weis, I thought it gave a little insight on a personal level. Charlie Weis is a good man in every sense of the word. I've noticed a number of comments about your story...mostly positive. Albeit one uninformed poster who felt that the story was simply an advertisement for ND football and ND needs to play "tougher" foes ILO the "lowly" service academies. I would never refer to our service academies as "lowly", they play inspired, competitive,clean football. Also ND does play the "big" teams (Mich.,GA.Tech, USC,etc.)
Hair-brained comments referenced by the poster (above) gives creedence to the fact that ND is truly a dynamic team you either love or hate, with a fan base that spans across the nation.

[lovend1]

I just have to make one more comment about d12engers comments. Maybe you should take a look at Notre Dame's schedule before you make comments.You might also want to do your homework and find out WHY ND plays Navy every year and always will, and find out about the special relationship between the 2 schools. I invite anyone reading here to visit Notre Dame on a home weekend. You will find everyone to be friendly, helpful and pleasant and this includes the students, the fans, the players and the BEST staff of Ushers at any college anywhere. You will also find opposing team fans being invited to ND tailgate parties. ND is truly a special place. Please don't knock it until you try it.

[dkorourke]

Tis the luck of the Irish to get Charlie Weis.

GO ND!

[leprechan238]

Not only Maurice Clarrett but also Santonio Holmes was arrested twice before he played for the Steelers. Its not only the team but the quality of player that ND produces compared to OSU. OSU is nothing special.

[nugewqtd]

Also Woodyhayes7, who said that this had to be about the team ranked number one. Does it matter. If you don't like Notre Dame then just say so.
Ohio State is a good university and has an excellent football team this year (which I never saw anything within the story that was bashing of ANY other college). But that does not mean that everything has to be about your team. I am glad to have seen something about my team, but if they had done a story on Jim Tressel, then good for him. And don't try to play a numbers/stats game. There are plenty of coaches in college football who teach and lead their athletes that could of had stories done about them. I can think of one Big Ten conference coach who has a fairly long history that I would have watched (though I probably would not have enjoyed as much) by the name of Joe Paterno.
Oh Woodyhayes7, I know what it is, you are just upset that Notre Dame gave up last year in the Fiesta Bowl, so now you are haunted by the fact that maybe Ohio State would not have won if Notre Dame played all four quarters. Heres on shoulder to cry...and now it is gone. Next time don't bother to watch something if you are not going to enjoy it. la'er~adam ***********

[yreebm1]

It was the Abbott & Costello flixs we use to watch, that was the point of the story, nothing more. Wasn't someone trying to put ND on a higher level, someone trying to push ND on the media. There are countless other great coaches in the NCAA, there are countless schools who have the same kind of tradition, maybe not as long. The humor in the story was the church and the coach, LOL.

MB

[dpon54]

There are a lot of reasons I have a lot of respect for CW. I can't tell you how proud I am every time he mntion s(which is often), how important the Band of the Fighting Irish is to their success, especially since my daughter is a member of that band. But the more I read about him and listen to his strong convictions and beliefs, I am inspired by him to work harder at the things that are important in my life.

[luckofnd]

Way to go Coach Weis. Bring back the "Glory" You are doing an excellent job. I miss South Bend. I will see ND in Colorado Springs November 11th. Hope Coach and his team will be at the Pep Rally. Cheer Cheer for Ol Notre Dame. Play like the Champions you are. Beat Air Force

[nugewqtd]

Thank you LoveND1 for the informed post about why we play Navy every year since WWII. Navy helped Notre Dame finicially, it is Notre Dame's way of repaying that debt by playing them in a game. And Notre Dame does play tough teams. Notre Dame does play tough teams and always extends offers to continue playing these teams. There is only one school that I know of that Notre Dame is not willing to play (ahem Miami) and that was due to rivarly becoming too heated and not worth playing if the teams were going to behave that way. And Notre Dame does not drop a team just because that team may beat them (unlike the way Michigan refused to play ND for some 40 years because Notre Dame finally beat them after ten years losing to them (1910). la'er

[bigalmypal]

KROFT--LIKE THE HEINDENBURG-- IS HOT AIR PERSONIFIED--A FIRE EXTIGUISHER SHOULD BE IN THE ROOM--ON ALL INTERVEIWS WHERE HIS LIPS MOVE--LIKE THE PAPER UNDER THE BIRD SOME TRASH AIRS BECAUSE A STEADY DIET OF TRUTH IS NOT DIGESTIBLE TO (GE) THE GREASE (MONEY)BANKROLLERS--BUT LATELY THE BACKDRAFT--OFF--KROFT -IS LIKE A PARACHUTE IN REVERSE CATCHING-- THE EGO MANICAL--BAFFOON ATTEMPTING--A STRAIGHT STORY-- ANDY COVERED DUBYA--AND OTHERS LIKE HIM (KROFT)--LAST WEEK

[denver4257]

All during the NFL Games of Sunday October 29th the lead was that Mr. Weis was swearing etc on the sideline during the games and that the priests would be surprised. No they won't be ,the story is the same with a Catholic School as it would be with any other major university in which the football programs is a real money maker the rule of action is "out of sight,out of money" when large amounts of money are involved.

[thecolorline]

I enrolled on this site just to respond to the Weis story. I'd always respected ND (although I never liked them) because they were usually winners. However, after the way they mistreated Ty Willingham, I could never respect ND again. One may say, at least ND hired Ty, but that was only because O'Leary misrepresented himself and ND needed a last-minute hire.

Ty had one really bad season and gets ousted. Why hire a Black coach if all you are going to do is fire him after a few years? Did you just want to say that you hired a Black coach? You kept Gerry Faust all those losing years.

You can run that "ND is a special place that wins the right way" line all you want, but everyone who hasn't drunk the Kool-Aid knows different. Just like forgiving Weis his cursing and firing the school's first Black coach for not winning everything immediately, ND is just like every other school. Money talks. If you weren't ND, the national media might have the guts to criticize you as opposed to celebrate you.

[leprechan238]

I understand what you are saying about Ty but it wasnt his skin color that mattered. He was hired because he knew how to run a respected program that has both good football and a high academic standard. He didn't have just one bad year he had one good year a few of mediocre years and then a bad year. That was following Bob Davie who had a lot more mediocrity. The alumni has a lot of input on the coach and they felt he was too passive about how he coached, which he was. It was never about skin color, it was about results.