ND fires football coach.

[VonErich Lives]

I think he's the first ND coach to ever be let go while under contract. I think he had 2 or 3 years left.

I was excited when he got there, he had the goal to restore respect before wins. The first season he did that, problem is he didn't seem to be able to recruit, plus some of the play calling made little sense.

So, the wild and unfounded rumors are already going.

Charlie Wies went to ND and said he would take a college head coaching job, but only if it was one of the "special ones" or something like that.

Urban Meyer seems to be top the list, his contract has an out for ND.

here's a few other names espn's got listed.

Butch Davis
Kirk Ferentz
Jon Gruden
Dan Hawkins
Lou Holtz
Bobby Petrino
Nick Saban
Bob Stoops
Jeff Tedford


Stoops basicly turned it down the last time, Gruden's father coached at ND and Gruden grew up in the area, but would he leave the big bucks in Tampa? Nick Saban seems to be on the short list for every coaching job pro and college that opens. Holtz would be a bad choice from a recruitment standpoint.

Also heard some talk of Tom Coughlin, but I don't think he'd walk away from the money and the first year of the Giants, but ND is considered a "special job".

Personall opinion, I think Wies is a good choice, he has a name, 2 recent superbowl rings, would bring an offense to the college ranks that would give coaches fits. He'd be able to recruit not just on his accomplishments as a pro-OC but on the type of offense he'd run. The question there is, if he has a choice between ND and say Miami (pro) where would he go?

Meyer also would be a solid choice.

I'd put those two top on the list.

I'd like coughlin there, just based off what he did at BC and he style of discipline, but I don't see that happening.

[The Outlaw]

Urban more than likely.

I am not sure that the AD has it all up there. He has had quite a few coaches, but keeps changing. Ty has a 21-15 record. He came in and won 10 games. This year is his first year with his recruits and he posted a 6-5 record and a bowl bid, and beat Michigan and Tennessee at Tennessee.

Not too shabby at all.

[RP]

being from south bend. I can tell you this much. 21-15 is unacceptable for a Notre Dame team in a 3 year span. People in Indiana are shocked he didnt get the axe last season.

Its not about being fair. He knew that taking the job. Its about winning National Championships. He didnt even come close and it seemed the team got crappier every year.

As for replacements. I would love the Utah coach to come here. That guy has greatness written all over him.

Willingham is a great coach tho. He shouldnt have trouble finding a job elsewhere. He just didnt get the job done.

[BCWWF]

Yeah, I dunno pulling the plug right now kind of seems like jumping the gun, but then again things didn't really look like they were on track to become really good in the near future. Really, the traditional powerhouses in college football are just having much more competition. I mean look at Nebraska, 5-6 this year in the Big 12 North, thats just bad for a team with the history of Nebraska. Then you could even say like Alabama, Florida, etc. So I don't really think that a new coach is going to solve all of the problems. They just need to recruit and get the best people, and they basically just can't do that as easily anymore. If the new guy from Utah comes in I doubt we see them in a BCS bowl in the next three or four years.

[VonErich Lives]

Problem is, until the mid 90's ND didn't really need to recruit, they just said "Hi, we're ND" and the top athletes came to them.

Those days are over.

I agree (and so do most sports outlets) Urban is the top choice, ESPN has him listed as option 1-10 :)

I just think Wiess would also be a good move (and keep him away fron the Dolphins) :)

[Rain Man]

It is because he is black right.

[VonErich Lives]

It is because he is black right.

been waiting for that one.

watching ESPN earlier, said they told him before the season started his job was in jeapordy, his lack of recruiting and they didn't like his play calling and this season was the iceing on the cake.

Aperently 2 weeks ago he inquired about another coaching job and asked ND for permission to interview (I forgot where).

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

ND people are stupid, they aren't a top program anymore. Now I am not saying I don't agree with firing him but I dunno, they are still expecting way too much. They need to get into a conference or something, their independent schdule is ridiculous.

[Gonzo]

I saw something about the academic standards for the school being high (which they are) therefore they aren't able to recruit the top dogs because most of them aren't smart enough in the classroom.

I don't know if I believe that though, being an ND fan, I think there are ways around that stuff.

[BCWWF]

Michigan probably offers the players more money

[VonErich Lives]

I saw something about the academic standards for the school being high (which they are) therefore they aren't able to recruit the top dogs because most of them aren't smart enough in the classroom.

I don't know if I believe that though, being an ND fan, I think there are ways around that stuff.

Every program has boosters and ways around stuff, that being said it's true. The coach befofe him (Davie?) tried to bring in the top talent but they couldn't meet the schools acedemic standers. I guess they don't offer Basket Weaving 101.

[The Outlaw]

Every program has boosters and ways around stuff, that being said it's true. The coach befofe him (Davie?) tried to bring in the top talent but they couldn't meet the schools acedemic standers. I guess they don't offer Basket Weaving 101.
Ohio State? ;)

[VonErich Lives]

Latest word is they are talking the Charlie Wiets.

Would make sense, 2 SB (possible 3) and would bring in a great offense that college game isn't used to, he should be able to recruit well, but ND still wont be a powerhouse unless they go back to lower standards for athletes.

[The Outlaw]

LOL read that a higher up in ND shaved her head to protest Willingham being fired. Said she will keep it bald until they win a NC.

Her head is going to be cold for a while...

[Gonzo]

What a dumbass :lol:

[BCWWF]

That can't be true, nobody could be that stupid

[VonErich Lives]

ND is also talking to the Bills OC (at least thats what they said on the Radio this morning)

[VonErich Lives]

Reports from ESPN that they want Charlie Wies and are negotiating today.

[The Outlaw]

http://www.detnews.com/pix/2004/12/10/sports/s010-colfb-1204n-2.jpg

:lol:

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

LOL

She couldn't find another way to protest?

[VonErich Lives]

ok, who the hell is that?

Anyway, ESPN now says the deal is done.

Now, it's interesting.

Years ago, Pats Coach Chuck Fairbanks took a college job and the owner fired him, saying he couldn't coach 2 teams, so the oc/dc co-coached the final (I think playoff) game.

Belicheck in Cleveland let a coach finish the year, even though he took a college HC job already.

The porblem for Wiess and ND is the more time he's w/ the Pats, the less time he can try and recruit for next season.

On the flip side, is Wies can do both, he could have another SB or AFC champ to help recruit.

honestly, I wouldn't be shocked if Belicheck let Wies go... there's more behined this.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Damn, I don't want to the Patriots staff to get broken up. I knew it was going to eventually

[The Outlaw]

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- The assistant to Notre Dame's president shaved her head to protest Tyrone Willingham's firing as football coach, saying she will remain bald until the Irish win a national championship.


"Because when we do, that will be justification for some people of why we fired Tyrone Willingham," Chandra Johnson said. "Not for me, but for some people."


Johnson, 50, assistant to the Rev. Edward A. Malloy, Notre Dame's president, said she shaved her head last Saturday. Johnson, the school's highest-profile black administrator, told the South Bend Tribune she was shocked at the firing of Willingham _ the first black head coach in any sport at Notre Dame.


"The process was flawed," Johnson said. "There weren't enough people in the conversation. And there was little or no consideration of the ramifications of the decision."


Johnson also said the decision has hurt Notre Dame's goal of improving diversity on campus.


"I think the damage that was done by this decision is irreparable in the immediate future," she told the newspaper.


On Wednesday, Malloy said he was surprised Willingham was not given more time to try to succeed and that he was embarrassed by the firing.

[VonErich Lives]

yeah, but Wiess is the best to lose to be honest. I'd be more concerned if Crenell went to an AFC team.

Which he probably will.

Pioli is the key.

Wiess is good, but he's not god, and we'll see what happens.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Yeah Weis is the least valuable to the team IMO. If we had to lose one guy from the staff, I'd be willing to give him up. Pioli is def the most important IMO. I really hope he doesn't leave

[VonErich Lives]

he says (Pioli) will honor his contract. I don't see him going, partially because his contract has a term that make his position = tp a heac coach!

[Gertner]

*sigh* Why Charlie Why?!?!?!(I know its $ but still)

[VonErich Lives]

Yeah, it's money, there was talk he was going at the end of the year to Carolina, cause Foxx wanted him and was willing to double his pay.

[Gonzo]

Charlie. :yes: