Weis projecting 9-12 wins this season!!!!

[Deehntr56]

WEIS Projecting 9-12 wins!!!!!!

I don't know if I should laugh, or.......look over last seasons results once again, or.......believe he even has a shot at this.......even with an easy schedule.......:whistle:

"From what I’m hearing around the way, Weis is privately projecting anywhere from nine to 12 victories this year. And yes, a 12-1 mark would equal the biggest turnaround (+8.5 games by Hawaii from 1998-99) in major college football history. But given the schedule, it’s not unrealistic.

"The only regular-season game in which Notre Dame figures to be a serious underdog is the finale at USC, so Weis could conceivably have an 11-0 team heading out there if everything comes together. At that point, anything’s possible. (Kevin Garnett even said so.)

"The only regular-season game in which Notre Dame figures to be a serious underdog is the finale at USC, so Weis could conceivably have an 11-0 team heading out there if everything comes together. At that point, anything’s possible. (Kevin Garnett even said so.)"

Past controversies

Weis has been apart of some controversies this off-season.

In April, a video clip showed Weis taking a shot at Michigan. Weis made a speech to fans and claimed the Wolverines would make excuses about their new coaching regime under Rich Rodriguez.

"I always been one to never make excuses and not go about airing it," Weis said. "We’re going to start on September 6 with San Diego State. I think that the first opportunity we’re really gonna have to make a statement is that day.

"And then we’ll listen to Michigan have all their excuses as they come running in and saying how they have a new coaching staff and there’s changes. To hell with Michigan!"

Notre Dame plays Michigan in its second game, Sept. 13 at South Bend.

Weis is 1-2 vs. Michigan in his three seasons at Notre Dame. He has lost the past two games, 47-21 and 38-0. He also went 3-9 last season, one of the worst seasons in Irish history.

A year ago, Weis was being compared to some of Notre Dame coaching greats after becoming the first Irish coach to win 19 games in his first two seasons. This past year he nearly matched Bob Davie's school record of 16 losses in his first three seasons. Weis' three-year record is 22-15. That's a half-game better than his predecessor, Tyrone Willingham (21-15), who was fired after three seasons.

The critics have been all over Weis. Rather than fight back, Weis plans to answer them with better play on the field this fall.

Weis, who built his coaching reputation as a play-caller while helping the New England Patriots win three Super Bowls, won’t be calling plays for the Fighting Irish next season either.

Offensive coordinator Mike Haywood will call plays so Weis, coming off a dismal 3-9 season, can concentrate on his duties as head coach.

Weis has also received some criticism for a comment he made recently at a luncheon about recruiting.

"I could get hoodlums and thugs and win tomorrow,'' Weis said. ''I won't do it that way."

Now that last quote is funny!!!!!

[poorboyhuntin]

screw that fat bastard!

[Deehntr56]

OUCH!!!:yikes: :biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:


PBH....Doesn't like Charlie!!!!:biggrin:

[Redhunter1012]

That guy is a joke. He gets amazing recruits and does nothing. The lone feather in his cap is a close home loss to USC a few years ago. How can a recruit possibly take strength & conditioning serious when that Dude is there? He may be the most arrogant coach in all major sports. They'll be lucky to finish 6-6

[Deehntr56]

Heats on...he's delirious....and he's sniffing used jock straps......so his incoherent behavior can be attributed to that!!!:biggrin: :biggrin:

[teambringit33]

college football needs ND to be better, it makes for better TV when the bucks stomp their heinies.

[stumphole 2]

that fat bastard needs some gastric bypass. We will see pig. All I have heard out of that guy is excuses. Step back from the table slob.

[Deehntr56]

MY-MY….I thought the Wolverines were hated more than ND……….You guys don’t like Charlie????:whistle: :idea:

He runs the highly touted program of Notre Dame….you know…the school with lots of money, and the Alumni that send their kids there because they have lots of money!!!!:gaga: :biggrin:

It’s Notre Dame……….but Charlie needs to grow up , and win……talking only buys you time until the season starts…he loses his 1st 3 games…..and the heat in the kitchen will get hot….hot enough to cook him a hot ham and cheese sammich!!!!:chicken: :biggrin: :biggrin:

[jeffmo]

[QUOTE=Deehntr56;255697]MY-MY….I thought the Wolverines were hated more than ND……….QUOTE]


oh they are,truely!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Deehntr56]

I know.....had to throw that in for posterity!!!:biggrin: :biggrin: :biggrin:

[Bawana]

So who wins the Mich ND game this year??????????????/

[jeffmo]

6 to 5 and pick 'em.but i hope nd beats them by 50 points!!!

[Deehntr56]

I'm good with Jeffmo's call!!:biggrin: :biggrin:

[Fish-n-Fool]

stumphole - Weis already had the bi-pass surgery once. He nearly died and lost a law suit against the surgeon. It is obvious the man likes his food - he created that current belly out of a stomach so small you couldn't fit an ounce of food in it.

I'm out here on my own I guess - I think ND is on the right track and will get better now that Charlie isn't doing anything of substance. He recruits and manages while his new guys run the O & D, call the plays, develop the QB and work the special teams. ND has the players to win, Charlie's ignorance is the only reason that team was so bad last year. I think they win at least 6 games this year and more likely 8.


With the brand name of ND, I could recruit & coach good enough players to win 6 games as long as they keep all the service acadamies on there. There is no reason they should not be able to win 9-10 games a year - which if you are ND will get you a BCS game and a top 10 national ranking.

And Charlie isn't in the hot seat (even if he should be). I work with several ND alum. One of my company owners is a HUGE ND homer - hasn't missed a single game home or away since the 80's. He tells me after last season that if Charlie didn't win a game this year he would be back. The decision has been made to stay with him sink or swim. They will add/remove staff around him if necessary, but he is their guy. They love his recruiting and his attitude - they honestly believe they will be back by next year.

I say they will be better, and better yet in 2009. But, they won't be ready to play with the heavy hitters IMO.

[Deehntr56]

Charlie is absolutelyy in FNF, and the University along with many Alumni like him, but if he doesn't show improvement this year, and be better yet next year, the pressure will come from outside, and the Alumni and school will begin to feel that pressure forcing them to make some decisions.

I have seen that many times.

It all comes down on how he is able to improve this year, and how they are able to compete as well.

It will slowly increase as time goes on, but eventually if he doesn't begin to improve, it will get to the school and him.

[Redhunter1012]

If he doesn't win 7 games this year, he's done. Why do you think all the coaching changes happened this year. They basically told him something had to change or he'd be replaced. Make no doubt about it, this is a make or break year for the Great Weis Whale.

[Deehntr56]

Jimmy Clausen Named To 2008 O'Brien Quarterback Award Watch List
Clausen the only true sophomore quarterback named to preseason list

July 17, 2008


FORT WORTH, Texas - Notre Dame sophomore quarterback Jimmy Clausen was named to the 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award Watch List Thursday, announced by the Davey O'Brien Foundation and its National Selection Committee. Clausen was one of 31 quarterbacks to make the list and was the only true sophomore honored (Oklahoma's Sam Bradford sat out his first season).

The O'Brien Award honors the nation's best quarterback from the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Clausen, who was selected for the Maxwell Award Watch List, started nine of the 10 contests he played in as a freshman. He completed 138 of 245 passes for 1,254 yards with seven touchdowns and six interceptions. Last year, Clausen made the earliest debut of any Irish rookie quarterback in school history as he started the second game of the season at Penn State.

Watch List candidates were selected by a subset of the National Selection Committee and approved by the Davey O'Brien Executive Committee. Semifinalists will be announced October 27; finalists November 24. This prestigious award focuses on accomplishments both on and off the field. The Selection Committee is asked to evaluate all candidates on their quarterback skills and athletic ability, academics, reputation as a team player, character, leadership and sportsmanship.

The 2008 winner will be announced during The Home Depot College Football Awards Show on ESPN December 11. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

2008 O'Brien Watch List:
Todd Boeckman, SR, Ohio State
Sam Bradford, SO, Oklahoma
Tom Brandstater, SR, Fresno State
Hunter Cantwell, SR, Louisville
Rudy Carpenter, SR, Arizona State
Jimmy Clausen, SO, Notre Dame
Chase Clement, SR, Rice
Chase Daniel, SR, Missouri
Sean Glennon, SR, Virginia Tech
Matt Grothe, JR, South Florida
Max Hall, JR, BYU
Cullen Harper, SR, Clemson
Graham Harrell, SR, Texas Tech
Chase Holbrook, SR, New Mexico State
Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, SR, Navy
Dan LeFevour, JR, Central Michigan
Jake Locker, JR, Washington
Colt McCoy, JR, Texas
Curtis Painter, SR, Purdue
Todd Reesing, JR, Kansas
Mark Sanchez, JR, USC
Riley Skinner, JR, Wake Forest
Rusty Smith, JR, Florida Atlantic
Matthew Stafford, JR, Georgia
Tim Tebow, JR, Florida
Mike Teel, SR, Rutgers
Willie Tuitama, SR, Arizona
Drew Weatherford, SR, Florida State
Pat White, SR, West Virginia
Juice Williams, JR, Illinois
John Parker Wilson, SR, Alabama

[Redhunter1012]

Jimmy Clausen! LOL. That kid better be watching his back for Dayne Christ to take his job.

[Deehntr56]

Weis just got another recruit.......


Offensive lineman Zach Martin became Notre Dame’s 13th commitment of the 2008 recruiting season on Sunday. The 6-foot-5, 270-pound offensive tackle prospect chose the Irish on Sunday over a host of impressive offers.

The Irish are in dire need of offensive tackles in this 2009 recruiting class, and today Indianapolis, Ind. native Zach Martin made Irish head coach Charlie Weis a happy man.

"I spoke to coach (Ianello) today, and and I was waiting to speak with coach Weis. I just got off the phone with coach Weis and told him I was committing," Martin said. "He was really happy to hear that. He was pumped. I was pumped. I'm just really excited right now."

Martin chose the Irish over offers from teams like Michigan, Iowa, Virginia and Kentucky. He postponed a trip to Michigan and instead stayed at ND over that weekend. Team chemistry played a major part in his decision.

"I had a list of about six or seven things that I wanted in a school and Notre Dame hit on all of them," he said. "The final touch was probably last weekend when I went on a visit up there and got to hang out with the guys. I just felt really comfortable with them, and I really felt like I fit in there. All those guys were great to me and really made me feel at home."

Martin said his family was also very excited about his commitment to Notre Dame.

"They're all really excited for me," he said. "They know that I'm going to a great place with good academics. They know the coaches are going to take care of me, so they're really excited for me."

The Bishop Chatard high school star was planning to take one last visit to Michigan before deciding, but he said that visit wasn’t necessary as he knew where he wanted to attend college already.

"I just knew I was going to Notre Dame and I didn't want to lead anyone on anymore," Martin said when asked why he chose the Irish without taking the scheduled Michigan visit. "I just knew where I wanted to go, so I thought I shouldn't drag it on any longer."

Now that he's made his choice Martin says he's glad he can focus on his senior season.

"I'm really glad it's over," he said. "All the coaches were great. I can now just focus on my season and have a great year before I go off to Notre Dame."

[TheCream]

Which team does Weis think will win 9-12 games this season? :D :whistle:

[Redhunter1012]

It's funny how the story got spun favorably for ND. He was coming to visit UM and UM canceled the trip because RR and coaches weren't gonna all be there. They were slowplaying him because they have a few southern studs that are close to verballing to UM and only a couple spots left for OL in the class.

[Fish-n-Fool]

The actual truth is nearly never in these articles. The public really has a jaded view of recruiting and what actually goes on during the process by virtue of reading the media - their only source for ths type of information. Hell, half the time the kids don't know all the facts - speculation has forced the hand of many recruits.

Although I would argue in this specific case Zack Martin was headed to Domer Nation regardless at this point. Just too much to overcome for the other schools in the mix.

ND has a built in advantage to getting some kids due to the religous affiliation of the school. There have been many a kid that ended up at ND due to this factor swaying them. Some will bring up academics, but that doesn't hold water. If you are truly interested in academics, but just happen to want to play sports there is a list of better academic schools to choose from.

We all "lose" some kids to ND and that will never change.

Now if they could only bring in the right team to develop and coach these kids? They will be really, really good again some day - maybe they have the staff in place now to get it done; time will tell.

Red - those southern states really churn out big bodies that move. Read an interesting take on that last week where they pulled information on NFL "big guys". No surprise the south (SEC country) produces close to half of all big guys in the league. Pretty hard to argue with!!!

[Deehntr56]

FNF.......and why do you think Phil Savage recruits down south???:biggrin:

Same concept!:biggrin:

[OHBOW76]

The only way Weis wins 9-12 games is if he starts videotaping the other team like his days back in NE...LOL!

I dont hate ND, but they just aren't getting the talent like they did back in the day. What kid wants to go to south bend Indiana??

[Deehntr56]

Now that's Funny OHBOW....:D

[Redhunter1012]

The only way Weis wins 9-12 games is if he starts videotaping the other team like his days back in NE...LOL!

I dont hate ND, but they just aren't getting the talent like they did back in the day. What kid wants to go to south bend Indiana??

Actually, they have pulled in so much talent since the Great Weis Whale has been there it hurts. He just doesn't know how to develop it at all. The whole Catholic part of it helps them get kids. But the real kicker is ND has had a top Business School for quite some time now. Since the fatman has gotten there, he had the standards lowered for football players to be accepted in there just by basically applying. UM has one of the best Business schools in the nation, but won't relax the standards for student athletes. That has cost us atleast 6 really good recruits the last 2 years that almost for sure woulda came to UM.

[OHBOW76]

Redhunter,

Lets be realistic and this is coming from a Catholic, playing for Notre Dame just doesn't have the tradition or appeal that it once did. Kids use to play there just to appease their parents and get a good education. Unfortunate or not kids now are weighing their options. So tell me what kid would choose to play for ND, in Southbend IN, when they could go play at a party school like OSU or go down south where the weather is warm, the chicks are hot, they hardly have to attend class, and the teams are usually competetive.

[Deehntr56]

Redhunter,

Lets be realistic and this is coming from a Catholic, playing for Notre Dame just doesn't have the tradition or appeal that it once did. Kids use to play there just to appease their parents and get a good education. Unfortunate or not kids now are weighing their options. So tell me what kid would choose to play for ND, in Southbend IN, when they could go play at a party school like OSU or go down south where the weather is warm, the chicks are hot, they hardly have to attend class, and the teams are usually competetive.

Party school like THE OHIO UNIVERSITY, THE #1 rated party school in the state.......is what I think you want to say there OHBOW.......Since OSU/UM/PSU ALL have their own party programs....with UM and PSU right up there with the best in the BIg Ten.

Also being Catholic, and many players that attended St. Ignatius, St Eds, and other Catholic schools here That I have known over the years, that have gone to ND and currenly are attending ND......say their standards have not been lowered.

ND would nail Weis to the cross if he did.

One player said he choose Notre Dame for the academic standards only and was a 3.8 Student at St. Ignatius,he stated is working his tail off trying to maintain his 3.5 and says it's very challenging there.

The biggest Factor that these kids use is the Catholic and family tradition along with, Academics, and their parents loving the type of school that Notre Dame is known for...Strong faith and Family values. Real simple...if it means a lot to them, that's all it takes.

[deerhunt45]

RUDY! RUDY! RUDY! :bouncy:

[Redhunter1012]

God I hate Rudy. John, if you think Charlie isn't using easier entry into the Business school as a recruiting tool your missing the boat. I'm not kidding, but I bet atleast 25% of the kids in the last 3 classes are B-school entrants that never woulda made it in their otherwise. I can't remember which kid, but one of them is majoring in architecture. At ND, Arch majors have to take either a 1 or 2 year mission to Rome for their studies, but Charlie got that waived.

[Deehntr56]

Archirecture qualifications entail more than 4 years, in this case at ND, they can waive it off until after their initIAl 4 years are completed and then can resume.

My daughter has a good friend that is studying to be an architect. Very smart kid, and will be very good. She completed her 4 years and is now continuting on so she can be accredited, which includes the mandatory time in another country. It will take her bewteen 6 and 7 years before she is done, and with most of these programs that is what it will entail.

It's a very tough pogram.

My daughter graduated Magna Cum laude from Baldwin Wallace here, and will be going to Seattle this fall to get her Masters in her field. She has to get her masters before she can apply for her license to begin to see patients in her field.

She also spent 4 months in 6 different countries while in school, and ahd the option of doing it her 1st 4 years or later. There is flexibility in many of the programs and it normally takes many years to be able to complete these degrees today.

I have a friend at work. Her sisters son played baseball at St. Ignatius. I know him pretty well. He was an ok player, but was really gifted academically.

He wanted Notre Dame badly. Applied there, had a 4.2 GPA, and scored a 33 on his SAT. He made the cut and was admitted. They offered a small scholorship. This kid could get a free ride in many.many schools. They offered him a small schloroship, and that was it.

OSU Called him down to visit. He went down. They offered him a FUll 4 year scholorship, a private room on the Honors campus, all books and school expenses paid, and basically the bottom line is that they offered him free schooling, room and board and all expenses tied to the education.

UM wanted him to visit...wouldn't even go there. He was so engrossed in Notre Dame it didn't matter.

If he wanted to pursue his masters...OSU would of paid for that too.

You know what he did.......he turned it down and went to Notre Dame. His father went there, and they are Catholic and have strong faith and family values.

He's a sophomore this year and doing very well. Just thrilled being there.

For him it was the best decision, but he said he busts his back end to get the good grades. Very challenging.

[Fish-n-Fool]

ND has absolutely lowered their standards for FB players since Charlie has been there. Not that they still don't get some excellent student athletes that play football (as many others so as well). The proof is in the pudding and just within the last two weeks a kid was quoted as saying he was told (by Charlie) if he could get his ACT up to 18 he would be offered. This kid has a 17 ACT score - ND wouldn't touch a kid re-testing for a 18 in the past!!!

Look all things being equal it is no different than anywhere else. Heck, it is well documented Troy Smith was basically not going to get through admissions and Tressel lobbied and got him admitted (There was good reason to re-examine the facts). They taged Troy an acedemic high risk student and Tressel gave them his word Troy would complete his course work. I'm not trying to single ND out is what I am getting at.

ND has always done this but it used to be on a different level. The standard was higher in the past - lets just say 24 ACT was about the minimum. If ND had a shot at a great FB player and he had a 23 - they would work him in. But, there was a time they couldn't consider kids that have tested and scored 16 on an ACT. Those days are gone and Charlie does look at these kids - kids that if not for FB they wouldn't get a tour of that campus.

Personally, I see nothing wrong with it. People argue the kid took a spot that belonged to another kid with better academics. I say there are plenty of schools and life isn't fair. College campuses should be about diversity anyway (one reaosn I like OSU) and a kid willing to work & that the staff truly believes can pass the coursework - get him on campus. I'm not advocating going after guy's that haven't learned to read, but there is no reason not to take some guys with poor high school grades - there are many reasons and sometimes these kids are on the streets, have no parents - on & on.

[Redhunter1012]

Great post again FnF. And letsw face the facts, These kids are making thes schools a buttload of money by strapping it up on Saturdays, which is mostly the reason all these schools lower their admission guidelines. I'll say this, the kids that most of the SEC schools get wouldn't even get a wfiff from most of the Big 10 schools (except Illinois). I think some of those kids are borderline mentally handicapped.

[OHBOW76]

At least the Big Ten tries to get its players to graduate.....The Sec uses its kids as a means to an end (making them money), instead of a means in and of itself.

[Deehntr56]

I wouldn't rely on that kid saying that with any validity there FNF.

I have seen kids use that as leverage to get into another school, if they say the other prominent school would take them if they had an 18, leaving the door open for the other school to grab them and they now think they got a "good one".

I had one of my past use that line, he had a 23.:rolleyes: One of my players is going to Villanova as a place kicker. He is there now working out, and he played for Ignatius. He scored a 30 an his ACT and had a 4.1 GPA. He said he thought he wasn't going to get in. He waited forever to get the results and he knew one of the coaches to boot. Now it makes you wonder just a tad about this whole process. He also applied to UM. We always talked trash about him making a BIG mistake if he was going there...it was great..LOL


Academiaclly he could get in to almost any program...almost, but they piddle around and play games. The schools do as much as the players.

When I was younger the entrance restrictions were not even close to what they are today.You need Mid 20 scores today to be even considered to get into many schools as a regular student. Baldwin Wallace wouldn't even consider you with less than a 25. Years ago, many schools would take kids with a 12,13,14,15 etc.

Admission requiremenst are so much higher today,then 20 years ago, that "creative" thinking may come into play...but it's the exception at a very low incident rate.....for reasons I can't say here.

Does OSU/UM/ ND and other schools get kids in some "other" way, and do the players "leverage" schools for preferential treatment......I'll leave it to your thoughts......there's a lot of talking out there......you need to understand the game....and all of them are playing the game on both sides.

[Redhunter1012]

I wouldn't rely on that kid saying that with any validity there FNF.

I have seen kids use that as leverage to get into another school, if they say the other prominent school would take them if they had an 18, leaving the door open for the other school to grab them and they now think they got a "good one".

I had one of my past use that line, he had a 23.:rolleyes: One of my players is going to Villanova as a place kicker. He is there now working out, and he played for Ignatius. He scored a 30 an his ACT and had a 4.1 GPA. He said he thought he wasn't going to get in. He waited forever to get the results and he knew one of the coaches to boot. Now it makes you wonder just a tad about this whole process. He also applied to UM. We always talked trash about him making a BIG mistake if he was going there...it was great..LOL


Academiaclly he could get in to almost any program...almost, but they piddle around and play games. The schools do as much as the players.

When I was younger the entrance restrictions were not even close to what they are today.You need Mid 20 scores today to be even considered to get into many schools as a regular student. Baldwin Wallace wouldn't even consider you with less than a 25. Years ago, many schools would take kids with a 12,13,14,15 etc.

Admission requiremenst are so much higher today,then 20 years ago, that "creative" thinking may come into play...but it's the exception at a very low incident rate.....for reasons I can't say here.

Does OSU/UM/ ND and other schools get kids in some "other" way, and do the players "leverage" schools for preferential treatment......I'll leave it to your thoughts......there's a lot of talking out there......you need to understand the game....and all of them are playing the game on both sides.

Pretty spot on John. I don't blame kids leveraging schools for better offers either. I always laugh when the media interviews kids and they say that the first thing they are looking at is acedemics, and then depth chart, coaches, etc. The 1st thing 99% of the kids are looking at is how fast I can get to the pro's. Most of them could give a damn if their diploma (if they get one) says ND, UM or Southern Miss. Just as long as they can get to the show.

[Deehntr56]

It's pretty crazy out there....haven't seen anything like it, but the last 4-5 years have been interesting.

Remember the younng lady track start of my friends who choose OSU after she took the State Title in the long jump? One school before she committed offered her 1/2 of the cost. After they found out OSU was after her, and recruiting her hard, they upped the anty to a full ride. She didn't do it intentionally, but after she saw what this school was doing, she got a little smarter, and so did her dad. They took that school off the list. I told her dad to just let it play out, and choose the one that she liked the best.

She did her due deligence, visited, talked to others, etc. She put a lot of time into it.

3 schools(I won't mention any names) are still recruiting her even after she committed to OSU. They know she committed.

By the way she is a straight A student, with a 32 ACT. Several schools offered her a full Academic Schlorship.

[Fish-n-Fool]

Deehntr56 - You are no doubt right that kids try to leverage themselves and this is nothing new. But, it is much easier now with all the media, internet, chat boards, etc. I'm not foolish enough to believe everything that comes out of a 17-18 year old's mouth either. But, ND does not adhere to the same standards they used to. If you hear something once or twice you may dismiss it, but when you hear constant chatter there is usually some validity to the story.

I've said this before, but I work with several ND alums. A couple of these guys make several hundred grand per year - they never miss a game (home or away), donate huge amounts of cash, and are on that campus at every possible opportunity to see the team and Charlie. The one guy in particular is third generation ND grad and both his sons are there in school right now to become 4th generation. He donates enough cash that he gets to spend time with Charlie at functions, as well as talk with the staff and other coaches. He said there is no doubt they have lowered standards for FB players with Charlie becuase they feel they have to compete.

College standards have gotten crazy. Just at OSU for example back when I was in high school if you graduated and had an 18 ACT you were in with no questions asked (Not athletes - everybody). Now you better have a high 20's or better with a great HS GPA and sports, associations, etc. or you have no shot at all. Heck, the FB players range from low 20's to over 30 ACT with only a handful of the 18,19,20 scores - those days are gone.

And off topic - Eugene Clfford failed his fall drug test - this is the 3rd failure while with the team (weed every time). You won't see that in the media, but that is the truth of the matter. He didn't even get to go to the NC game last year and has been in the dog house, not allowed to play. Tressel signed his release Weds and he will be going to Tenn St. We win out here as we rid the team of a problem and pick up a schollie for this huge class. For Clifford's sake I hope he puts down the weed and realizes what is in front of him.

[Deehntr56]

I'm with you FNF.

On Clifford..it wasn't announced yet, but you are correct, he is out. It was decided on late last week.

Also another player has been lowered on the depth chart.....you may be able to guess.....

[Deehntr56]

and who said he isn't in the hot seat!!!!!;)

The heat is only going to get hotter in the kitchen!!!:D


We're still waiting for Weis to prove himselfby Ian O'Connor
Ian O'Connor is the author of the New York Times bestseller "Arnie & Jack: Palmer, Nicklaus, and Golf's Greatest Rivalry," which Kirkus Reviews calls an "exemplary sports history." His Web site is www.ian-oconnor.com.



Updated: August 27, 2008, 10:37 AM EST

His genius has been the greatest myth of all.

I was made a believer, too, a sudden convert on the morning of Feb. 3, 2005, when Weis sat before a circle of writers at the Super Bowl and started talking more trash on his way into college football than Steve Spurrier talked on his way into the pros.


Must-read:O'Connor: Is Charlie Weis a bust?

Tyrone Willingham should've never been fired, in my opinion, and the venomous emails challenging my Irish Catholichood for printing it suggested a vast legion of clueless/heartless Golden Domers disagreed. How dare I criticize a storied, faith-based university for using its first African-American coach to rescue it from the George O'Leary mess before discarding him faster than administrators had ever fired anyone in the same job?

But when I started listening to Weis, a blameless beneficiary of the Willingham wipeout, he sure sounded like a guy who'd win a lot of football games. He was three days away from another championship as offensive coordinator of the Patriots, as the maker and molder of Tom Brady, and his confidence -- no, his arrogance -- was as subtle as a fullback dive.

Someone wanted to know how Weis would compete with all the heavyweight programs that were pounding Notre Dame on the recruiting trail.

"First of all, they've got to learn about us," he said. "Now let them try to stop a pro-style offense. Let's see how they're going to do. They've had their advantage, because I came into recruiting late.

"But now it's Xs and Os time. Let's see who has the advantage now."

Three seasons later, Weis would trade a large piece of his lavish contract to secure that advantage. Working on a deal worth some $30 million, Weis is 22-15. Willingham was fired for going 21-15.

He's almost tied with Ty, and that isn't what Notre Dame bargained for. The same board of trustees that overruled then-athletic director Kevin White in dumping Willingham decreed that a 5-2 record in Weis' very first year was reason enough to extend the coach's deal through 2015, at megastar wages.

Notre Dame's elders lived in fear of some desperate NFL owner raiding their campus and stealing Charlie away. And why not? That pre-Super Bowl morning in Jacksonville when Weis was talking big and loud about waking up the echoes, it sure seemed the Giants had made a mistake in hiring Tom Coughlin instead of him.

The Giants represented Weis' dream NFL job, and his alma mater, Notre Dame, represented his dream college job. At the end of 2006, with the Giants on the brink of firing Coughlin, it came as a small surprise that Notre Dame didn't extend Weis through the next appearance of Halley's Comet in 2061.


But then Coughlin won the Super Bowl over Weis' former employer, this while Charlie pieced together a true season for the ages. He became the first Notre Dame coach to lose nine games in a single year. He lost six straight games at home when no other Irish coach had ever lost five in a row.

Navy snapped a 43-game losing streak to the Irish on Weis' watch. The Air Force ripped him at home, too. Weis was responsible for a rare double dip, falling by the same 38-0 score to Michigan and Southern Cal, the loss to USC marking Notre Dame's worst home defeat in more than half a century.

Weis was 1-9 before finishing with victories over Duke and Stanford. Yet at a time when he should've been humbled to his core -- right after USC beat Notre Dame more thoroughly than Anthony Davis ever did -- Weis was still speaking in arrogant tones.

Asked if his program had bottomed out, Weis said, "I'm going to answer that very cautiously, because I don't want to be called sarcastic using New Jersey rhetoric. So let me just say people better enjoy it now, have their fun now."

Weis was promising payback, threatening to unleash a holy terror on the BCS bullies who'd blackened his eye. He was going to end up a Notre Dame legend, damnit, right there in the wedge with Rockne and Rudy.

One way or another, Charlie Weis was going to prove himself worthy of Grantland Rice's prose.

Time and TV ratings -- down 37 percent -- ultimately softened his stance. "You have to evaluate the teacher and the teaching to see why you can't progress," Weis admitted.

Or as his former boss, Bill Parcells, once said so famously, "You are what your record says you are."

Even Weis had to concede he was part of the problem in South Bend. He was an offensive guy, and last season's offensive line allowed 58 sacks.

And when times were relatively good in Weis' first two years, thanks largely to Brady Quinn, the Irish were outclassed in the bowls by Ohio State and LSU. Nobody suggested that Notre Dame had the better talent in either game, but the great coaches are said to be at their best when they have more than one week to prepare.

Weis guaranteed he'd deliver when it came to Xs and Os, and he did not. So he sat down with Bill Belichick before the Patriots beat the Giants to punctuate their perfect regular season and eventually made a stunning announcement:

Weis would no longer call Notre Dame's plays. He was handing off those Xs and Os to Mike Haywood.

"I think that some of the creativity that comes in offense sometimes gets stymied when you have a domineering head coach that happens to be an offensive guy," Weis said.

There's a difference between domineering and dominating, and Weis was hired to be the latter. He's got a highly regarded recruiting class to work with this year, and a sophomore quarterback, Jimmy Clausen, who was supposed to be the Next Big Thing.

Weis desperately needs a fast start, and a commitment to forgetting the recent past. "We're not saying one word about last season," he pledged.

It's not just last season -- the Irish have lost nine consecutive bowl games. Weis just happens to be the one who swore he'd reverse the trend.

So far, the coach has done little to add to the mythology of Notre Dame football, and a lot to harden the myth of his own genius