coaches in college football.
AP
I think it's now safe to say with no hint of reservation: The Notre Dame-Charlie Weis marriage is officially doomed.
College football's $40 million man got a reprieve for his 3-9 debacle last year because, according to his apologists, it was Tyrone Willingham's fault. While there were growing grumblings following recent Irish losses to Pittsburgh and Boston College, most reasonable observers believed a 7-5 season would assure Weis' return next season, and AD Jack Swarbrick quickly put out a statement echoing such.
But that was before Notre Dame lost to Syracuse. That's right, folks: Syracuse. Saturday in snowy South Bend, Weis' band of former five-star recruits blew a 23-10 lead and lost to lame-duck coach Greg Robinson's 2-8 Orange.
Notre Dame has suffered a lot of bad losses under Weis. This was one was unquestionably his worst yet -- and, most likely, his death knell in South Bend.
It's all but assured now that the Irish -- following their inevitable beatdown at USC next week – will finish their fourth regular season under Weis at 6-6. That is unacceptable. Despite a set of three straight recruiting classes nearly any school in the country would envy, Notre Dame is no better than a low-level Big East team.
Once again, Weis has been exposed as an incompetent college coach, incapable of developing young talent.
There were signs of progress earlier this season, back when Jimmy Clausen was starting to throw more touchdowns than interceptions and the Irish managed to beat four teams (San Diego State, Michigan, Purdue and Stanford) that are all now below .500.
But then came the collapse against Pittsburgh and the shutout against BC. Weis, who to this day can't seem to figure out the actual responsibilities of a head coach, took over play-calling duties prior to last week's Navy game due to offensive coordinator Mike Haywood's personal issues. With the former Super Bowl-champion calling the plays Saturday, Notre Dame ran for 41 yards against the nation's 107th-ranked rushing defense.
Does it get any more humiliating than that?
No one knows what exactly it will cost to buy him out (he signed a 10-year, $40 million contract seven games into his debut 2005 season), but the Irish faithful will find a way. They can't let this nightmare continue any longer. Or perhaps Weis, himself a loyal Domer, will make it easy on his alma mater, accept his shortcomings, and return to his more comfortable surroundings on an NFL sideline next season.
Either way -- Weis is done.
Damaris Lewis
Brooklyn Decker
Did You See That?
Back in Time: July 3
Comments (118) Add A Comment
Agreed.
phorkster
Windsor, ON
Total Comments (33)
No! Shut your mouth Mandel! Chuckles is the greatest ND coach ever! Don't you understand it's all Ty's fault! Just give him another chance! Please? Pretty Please?
I just love watching ND and all their subway fans go down in flames...don't deprive me of that joy by bringing someone in who might actually have a clue how to develop young talent, or call an offense, or run the football!
ehood
Allen , TX
Total Comments (52)
If I were ND, I would have been scared after Weis left New England and then the Patriots had their best offensive year ever. Then, Brady gets injured, and the Patriots are still really good. At that point, you have to start thinking that maybe Weis was not a major part of the Patriots success, and ND did not really know what they were getting......
boiler1117
Memphis , TN
Total Comments (2)
If I were ND, I would have been scared after Weis left New England and then the Patriots had their best offensive year ever. Then, Brady gets injured, and the Patriots are still really good. At that point, you have to start thinking that maybe Weis was not a major part of the Patriots success, and ND did not really know what they were getting......
boiler1117
Memphis , TN
Total Comments (2)
notre dame thought they were getting bill parcells but got norv turner instead
spicoli
Titusville , FL
Total Comments (78)
he can take Miles with him...
Carlbr
Total Comments (2)
Maybe N.D. should hire Greg Robinson. He's looking for work.
Rickapolis
Annapolis , MD
Total Comments (6132)
fat and stupid is no way to go thru life coach
spicoli
Titusville , FL
Total Comments (78)
Well I finally agree with Mandel and others.. I have suffered thru another terrible coached game by Weis. I gave him all effortd for his years with ND, but I have to agree that he is no college coach. ND's defense stinks, and I am not impressed with Claussen in his 2nd year. ND has sunk to the bottom of the heap and Chuckie has to go. 20 point favorites against Sycrause and we lose. This place-kicker is sorry and the the ND pass coverage stinks. Oh, my other favorite Penn State is crusing, so Roses her we come!!!!!!! ND needs to hire JOEPA..... Get Holtz back, as he can handle players.........
hateslibs
Total Comments (67)
Perfectly said, he is completely incompetent at the college level in developing talent. Didn't anyone see this coming, considering he thrived dealing only with million dollar personalities in the NFL??
canesfan3
Pompano Beach , FL
Total Comments (2)
You know you suck at coaching when you lose to Syracuse
conesy
Springfield , VA
Total Comments (200)
Weis does seem better suited to the NFL and ND is about to finish in disarray for the second straight season, but I'm not so sure Charlie doesn't get another shot next year.
One- There's a matter of a $20 million buyout. Two- He's apparently very successful at bringing in talent. Three- I'm not sure Weis has proven beyond a doubt that he's incapable of changing his ways and assistants to better develop all that talent. Four- There's nothing "inevitable" about a USC/ND game that hasn't been played yet. Sometimes they end the way you expect, but just as often they don't.
jelly donut
Total Comments (376)
agreed, miles blows. then again so does everything in baton rouge
canesfan3
Pompano Beach , FL
Total Comments (2)
blame bush, thats been working lately
bugman329
bugman329
Rincon , GA
Total Comments (2)
man, some of you LSU fans take the CAKE when it comes to irrational venom. your team would be fine if it had a quarterback that could find his **** if it were on fire. that's not Les' fault.
drbadass
Total Comments (182)
You are a doofus. Miles lost the QB that was supposed to be the new starter before the season started. Teams need to reload and learn after losing national championship athletes to the NFL.
BleedsOrangeandBlue
Gainesville , FL
Total Comments (109)
Um, no, they ALWAYS end the way you expect them to. There was one CLOSE game...but don't tell me you've celebrated that "moral" victory so much you forgot that ND actually DID LOSE THAT GAME.
USC will crush ND. USC's offense isn't that great this year, but ND isn't scoring on the USC D, and you can't win with ZERO points.
ehood
Allen , TX
Total Comments (52)
Guess it's kinda hard to coach without Tom Brady...
junkgeek
Keller, TX
Total Comments (7)
Oh, and you LSU fans are morons. You suck this year, that isn't your coaches fault. It happens to everyone. You're acting like spoiled children. Enjoy your two recent NCs and ****!
ehood
Allen , TX
Total Comments (52)
The only team in all of college football that I love to see lose is ND...especially with a jerk of a coach like CW.
Hogtown
Gainesville , FL
Total Comments (653)
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