Beaten Down in Beantown
posted by John Vannie
Boston College shut down Notre Dame with its physical, relentless defense and beat the error prone Irish 17-0 on Saturday night in Boston. The Eagles intercepted four passes from Jimmy Clausen, recovered a fumbled punt at a critical juncture and blocked a punt deep in Notre Dame territory. The Irish defense played well and prevented the score from drifting into the absurd, but the offense was completely overmatched by the eagles.
The BC defensive line, led by B.J. Raji, shut down Notre Dame’s feeble attempts to run the ball early. The Irish offensive line was outclassed by the more lightly recruited Eagle players, who were noticeably tougher in the trenches. When Coach Charlie Weis went almost exclusively to the passing game, Boston College employed seven or eight players in coverage to thwart him. Deep drops by talented linebackers such as Matt Herzlich resulted in overthrows by Clausen and a bushel of interceptions and near misses.
As a result of Irish ineptitude and poor punting by Eric Maust, the first half was played almost entirely in Notre Dame’s end of the field. Eagle kicker Steve Aponavicius kept his team off the scoreboard with an early miss, but converted a 27-yard field goal near the end of the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.
This narrow margin held throughout most of the second quarter, when Notre Dame finally strung together a couple of first downs. Hope was quickly dashed when Clausen overthrew tight end Kyle Rudolph and the ball landed in the hands of BC safety Paul Anderson at the Eagle 24. Anderson wove his way through the flat-footed Irish and scored to put his team ahead by 10-0.
Clausen had an opportunity to get his team on the board in the last two minutes of the half, but another interception in the red zone killed a drive with 21 seconds remaining. Despite the poor showing, a flicker of hope remained for Irish fans because Boston College was unable to generate any offense of its own.
Those hopes quickly dissipated on the first series of the second half. Notre Dame held the Eagles to a three and out, and the Irish were about to get the ball back in their best field position of the night. Unfortunately, Golden Tate fumbled the ensuing punt and BC recovered near midfield. Strong runs by Montel Harris set up a short touchdown pass from Chris Crane to Brandon Robinson to give the Eagles a 17-0 lead.
From that point forward, Boston College took no risks on offense and sat back in its deep zones on defense to stifle any attempts at an Irish comeback. A frustrated and confused Clausen threw two more interceptions into this coverage, but the defense never quit despite the hopelessness of the situation.
The lone scoring chances for Notre Dame in the second half followed a 42 yard punt return by Tate and a 32 yard reception by Michael Floyd. The Irish failed to convert a fourth down after the former and Clausen threw his fourth interception after the latter.
It was essentially a lackluster performance by the offense, which showed no intensity and was embarrassed throughout the evening by the Eagle defense. The running game was non-existent yet again, and the passing game has become all too predictable.
Let’s review the questions that helped determine the outcome:
Can Notre Dame stop the run and put the game into Crane’s hands?
Not really. BC gained 167 yards rushing and Crane was content to flip short passes when the need arose.
Will the Irish be able to contain Raji and Brace?
When attempts to block them failed, the Irish tried holding. That didn’t work either.
Will Clausen be able to throw the ball effectively and with the usual zip?
The sophomore QB made a number of poor decisions and overthrew several passes.
Which kicker will give his team a lift?
Aponavicius tried to give Notre Dame a lift with his hooks and shanks, while Brandon Walker’s uniform remained pristine.
Will the Irish offense bog down in the third quarter?
Tate’s fumble began a period in which ND held the ball for less than five minutes and gained only 32 yards with one first down.
Will the Irish defense run out of gas in the fourth quarter?
No, they showed a great deal of pride, but the Eagles were not really trying to score.
Can Notre Dame force third and long situations and put pressure on the passer?
Had the offense showed up, this might have mattered.
The Irish dropped to 5-4 on the season and are regressing in each successive week. This steady decline began in the second half at North Carolina and an awful Washington team provided only temporary solace. What seemed like a certain bowl berth for this team now might resemble a courtesy invitation to a once famous but washed up lounge singer to perform at a B-list Indian gaming casino. Simply stated, Notre Dame football remains so in name only.
As for the future of Charlie Weis, this loss should cause the newly appointed Athletic Director to pick up the phone and make contact with potential replacements. In truth, Jack Swarbrick should have done this when he took the job in August on the heels of a 3-9 season with no guarantees of a satisfactory turnaround this year, but the school is no longer known for proactive administration. In the interim, Notre Dame fans and alumni will have to find ways to express their discontent until the light goes on upstairs.
The BC defensive line, led by B.J. Raji, shut down Notre Dame’s feeble attempts to run the ball early. The Irish offensive line was outclassed by the more lightly recruited Eagle players, who were noticeably tougher in the trenches. When Coach Charlie Weis went almost exclusively to the passing game, Boston College employed seven or eight players in coverage to thwart him. Deep drops by talented linebackers such as Matt Herzlich resulted in overthrows by Clausen and a bushel of interceptions and near misses.
As a result of Irish ineptitude and poor punting by Eric Maust, the first half was played almost entirely in Notre Dame’s end of the field. Eagle kicker Steve Aponavicius kept his team off the scoreboard with an early miss, but converted a 27-yard field goal near the end of the first quarter for a 3-0 lead.
This narrow margin held throughout most of the second quarter, when Notre Dame finally strung together a couple of first downs. Hope was quickly dashed when Clausen overthrew tight end Kyle Rudolph and the ball landed in the hands of BC safety Paul Anderson at the Eagle 24. Anderson wove his way through the flat-footed Irish and scored to put his team ahead by 10-0.
Clausen had an opportunity to get his team on the board in the last two minutes of the half, but another interception in the red zone killed a drive with 21 seconds remaining. Despite the poor showing, a flicker of hope remained for Irish fans because Boston College was unable to generate any offense of its own.
Those hopes quickly dissipated on the first series of the second half. Notre Dame held the Eagles to a three and out, and the Irish were about to get the ball back in their best field position of the night. Unfortunately, Golden Tate fumbled the ensuing punt and BC recovered near midfield. Strong runs by Montel Harris set up a short touchdown pass from Chris Crane to Brandon Robinson to give the Eagles a 17-0 lead.
From that point forward, Boston College took no risks on offense and sat back in its deep zones on defense to stifle any attempts at an Irish comeback. A frustrated and confused Clausen threw two more interceptions into this coverage, but the defense never quit despite the hopelessness of the situation.
The lone scoring chances for Notre Dame in the second half followed a 42 yard punt return by Tate and a 32 yard reception by Michael Floyd. The Irish failed to convert a fourth down after the former and Clausen threw his fourth interception after the latter.
It was essentially a lackluster performance by the offense, which showed no intensity and was embarrassed throughout the evening by the Eagle defense. The running game was non-existent yet again, and the passing game has become all too predictable.
Let’s review the questions that helped determine the outcome:
Can Notre Dame stop the run and put the game into Crane’s hands?
Not really. BC gained 167 yards rushing and Crane was content to flip short passes when the need arose.
Will the Irish be able to contain Raji and Brace?
When attempts to block them failed, the Irish tried holding. That didn’t work either.
Will Clausen be able to throw the ball effectively and with the usual zip?
The sophomore QB made a number of poor decisions and overthrew several passes.
Which kicker will give his team a lift?
Aponavicius tried to give Notre Dame a lift with his hooks and shanks, while Brandon Walker’s uniform remained pristine.
Will the Irish offense bog down in the third quarter?
Tate’s fumble began a period in which ND held the ball for less than five minutes and gained only 32 yards with one first down.
Will the Irish defense run out of gas in the fourth quarter?
No, they showed a great deal of pride, but the Eagles were not really trying to score.
Can Notre Dame force third and long situations and put pressure on the passer?
Had the offense showed up, this might have mattered.
The Irish dropped to 5-4 on the season and are regressing in each successive week. This steady decline began in the second half at North Carolina and an awful Washington team provided only temporary solace. What seemed like a certain bowl berth for this team now might resemble a courtesy invitation to a once famous but washed up lounge singer to perform at a B-list Indian gaming casino. Simply stated, Notre Dame football remains so in name only.
As for the future of Charlie Weis, this loss should cause the newly appointed Athletic Director to pick up the phone and make contact with potential replacements. In truth, Jack Swarbrick should have done this when he took the job in August on the heels of a 3-9 season with no guarantees of a satisfactory turnaround this year, but the school is no longer known for proactive administration. In the interim, Notre Dame fans and alumni will have to find ways to express their discontent until the light goes on upstairs.
81 Comments:
You know, I think ND should have taken O'Leary back when they had the chance.
I've given Charlie his chance, but I'm thinking he's just not the guy for this University. We've got a solid team, but if the coach can't inspire the players to play well, then it's time to get out.
Just my opinion of course...
Jonathan
Unfortunately, I have stopped watching the IRISH when they are on TV. It is disappointing to see such a storied program play so uninspired. I think it is time to get a real head coach who will fire up the team and get the recruits playing up to their potential early in their career (how is Saban able to do this at Alabama?)
I agree. Weis is a great recruiter, but a poor coach for the college level. Does not understand the emotion of the college game versus the professionalism of the professional game.
You can only put 50% of the blame on Charlie. The players need to "fire" themselves up. They are a bunch of whiny losers who fold every time the situation looks bad.
Some of these losers are getting a full ride to play like this? I say take away the scholarships and let them slop trays in the cafeteria with people who can show them what hard work really is.
my oh my, how my beloved irish have fallen!!! i live in mass. and the 2 teams i HATE the most are usc and bc!!! not even names just letters. i kept telling everybody give weiss this year and look out for 09. however, eric hanson had on nbcsports.com, 09 might not be that good either, don't expect to much.
some thoughts: is ron powlus coaching clauson on how to run slow? if you drop 8, that means there is 4-6 yds you SHOULD be able to run for. to me you need a STRONG def and off line. i dont care if you have unitas at qb and recivers that are named jerry rice, chris carter and raymond berry. if you dont have to the time to throw the ball, what good are they. in this space last week i predicted bc would beat nd. navy will beat nd. and mark may will start, "navy is starting its own victory stretch"! maybe charlie can lose the uni's for the usc game. the pilot lose the keys to the plane. they can't find calif.
sc defense is giving up 6 pts a game!! what a slaughter!!! also, as of a couple of weeks ago. sc kickoff man had kicked 13 straght touchbacks!!! nd, not one all year into the endzone!!!
Unfortunately....the man cannot coach. He might be a very good recruiter, offensive play caller, etc....but there is no way CW is a head football coach. And...I hate it...because I have pulled for him every week...and all of the others too. But...it will not happen.
An example....Lou Holtz could have have flown into South Bend last Sunday....and prepared this same team ...and probably come out of Boston with a win. I guarantee they would have been better prepared. This is a "horribly" prepared football team week in and week out. I think that CW should call it quits on his own. Until Notre Dame reaches out and gets a tried, true and tested...a real successful COLLEGE coach....this is what we can expect. I am sorry. What we have now...what ND has now will never, ever work. If it weren't so sad, tragic and embarrassing....we could all have a good laugh.
CW is a joke. Some are destined to be a head coach, and some a coordinator. I look at Texas, Texas Tech, Florida,'Bama,and countless others, and can only dread what they would do to the Irish. It's time to get the alumni to pony up, buy this guy out,and get a real coach in there. Note, I watched next seasons opener, Nevada, and they gashed Fresno State with their spread O for over 500 yards on the ground, yikes....
I rooted for Charlie because as an ND alum, he really does care as much as anyone about the success of the program. It seems to me though that the experiment with him is about over. He has zero wins to hang his hat on as a Head Coach. If he wasn't bringing in these monster recruiting classes, he would be toast. If things go south next year, it will be time for a change.
It would be hard to buyout a guy who is an ND alum and say good riddance. I think the university should look into a demotion to Offensive coordinator, redo his contract, and hire a new head coach. Because Charlie is such a great recruiter, and because as an alum he may want to stay on to be a part of ND's return to glory, he might go for it. Granted, new head coaches want their own guys, but it could be worth a shot.
Charlie is a good guy, but he has not demonstrated any instance of competency as a leader on and off the field that can change this programs direction.
GO IRISH!
Ryan
I have to point out ONCE AGAIN, that Clausen is a "sophomore" in name only. He turned 21 in the FALL semester of his "sophomore" year. He is for all intents and purposes a junior especially with all of his starting experience. I am NOT trying to place blame on the guy, I just want people to quick making it sound like he is so young and inexperienced that we just need to wait and let him develop. We've seen Clausen, good but not great. Perhaps he will do better under the next HC. Until then, let's not make the "he's only a sophomore" excuse, OK? Have hope, just not excuses.
I could see this loss coming. Weis just doesn't seem to have any answers if that isn't already painfully obvious. If Weis is allowed to keep his job then Haywood and Latina need to go. The O-line just isn't a solid unit and the play calling borders on grab bagging. Maybe it's just me but I get the feeling that Weis just doesn't know what he's doing.
It's sobering when you consider Faust beat at least three top 10 teams during his tenure (Michigan, Pitt #1 and LSU was top 5) and even Willingham defeated a top 10 Michigan and Tennessee squad in 2004. Weis coached teams can only defeat teams with equal or lesser records and rankings.
Since 2005 ND has been mediocre and suffered numerous blowouts, embarrassments and shut out losses. For Weis to save his job he will have to convincingly win the next two games and play competitive against USC. Two wins and a blowout loss at USC and he deserves his pink slip.
I'd like to give it one more year with Weis. I mean, with the emerging talent on this team, if they can't beat a team with a winning record next year, then he should be fired. He's done well recruiting, but like others have said, I'm not convinced he can coach. Next year we'll find out for sure.
Let's move on and away from the the Kool-Aid pitcher. Who should be the next HC? It is really simple, Weis is done and winning the next three games won't even change it.
Unfortunately, we will see what a BCS contender looks like when the Irish go to USC. Look at the other times ND made it to a BCS bid under CW and laid BIG eggs...PLOP! I hope they make it to a backyard bowl and can finally WIN. If they don't then CW's days are done.
I want to comment on ESPN analyst Mark May. Obviously, he has a very strong dislike for Notre Dame football. I am sure that they play it up a bit along with Holtz, but his feelings are very apparent and he takes many opportunities to jump on the Irish.
At the same time, I think we all need to realize that he is 100% right. WHO have the Irish beaten in the last several years? WHEN do the excuses end? WHEN is it going to be their time and officially be BACK? The Irish need an offensive line. The Irish need more consistently at the QB position. The Irish need some resemblance of a kicking game. The Irish need to do a better job of pressuring the QB. But, most importantly, the Irish need HEART. It's not there. It really hasn't been there since one of the best (Holtz) left South Bend. This isn't going to be figured out on this website. It isn't going to "happen" over the next year or so. It's not there gentleman. It's not the scheme or the players...it's leadership and HEART.
Time for the Irish and CW to part ways. Great recruiter. Good guy. Horrible teacher of the game of football. That is evidenced by how little success he has with such great talent; and by how other coaches (Saban for example) have so much more success with less talent. If ND played Bama's schedule we would have at least 6 losses right now, with at least one more coming - despite the fact that our team has a better collection of talent. Anybody know why our offensive line is such a bunch of pansies? Seriously, I can't conceive of how a group of guys would let themselves get pushed around like that week in and week out. It's not like the d-lines of Pitt and BC are sooo much bigger, stronger, and faster. In fact, the reverse is probably true. Our o-lineman are probably bigger, stronger, and more talented than the opposition.
Although I agree with most of the comments above, I think you are crazy to believe that CW is going anywhere for at least another year. Unfortunately that means another year of mediocrity and more than likely the start of a severe drop off in recruiting.
Good post, Johnnie V. This year is a repeat of last year -- the team is actually getting worse each week, not better. That speaks to bad coaching. Weis has to go. Please Lord -- BRING BACK LOU! OR SKIP!
We know what Weis can do with an offensive line and a stout QB. This team would be top ten if they had an offensive line.
If I was Charlie, I wouldn't even know what plays to call. In the red zone, you can't even count on an easy 3 with a field goal.
While there are exceptions, by and large, the members of the ND football team are a bunch of pussies that do not work well together. Maybe a few of them have individual talent, but together, they have a symbiosis of suckiness...
Please, if for some absurd reason we get a bowl invite - decline it! Its like watching Curly get poked in the eyes by Moe!
Stop the insanity!
Charlie is a good enough coach-with these qualifications:
He has a bit of an integrity problem. He, with a great bias, has chosen certain players to play when they were not ready and there were better people to do the job. I believe he promised jobs to guys like Clausen and Kamara if they would come to ND. I believe this, not just because of the inside rumors I've heard of this, but because the performance level of those two and those who should have played is clear enough that it is easy to see that these guys have received a blank check.
Sharpley and Parris (among others) have had to deal with this unfair practice, and Weis' gamble has not paid off. I garauntee that if these guys would have been starters that the team would have no more than one loss by now. Much of the weird Weis play calling has been a result of this commitment to Clausen. He sold his soul and now he's living with it.
The defense is playing very well, and it's not that Charlie is not capable- he is. He's just got to stop being dishonest- with himself and with his players. It should be obvious to everyone by now that last years so-called repudiation of "rebuilding" was false- Sharpley was the only logical guy to lead the team, and Charlie told one story after another as to why he wasn't. Colt McCoy and many others ranked right with Sharpley as HS QBs are now leading their teams to success while Charlie is trying to build his own legacy through rationalizing.
And I blame the NDNation writers for ignoring the truth and playing Weis' game too. Maybe it's because he threatens media guys with exclusion if they don't. Now step up and be honest.
can anyone give me a short list of a few coaches that they believe would be good for the HC gig. I like Chris Peterson from Boise or Skip Holtz. It pains me every week that we cant beat these teams with lesser talent, this is starting to become rediculous. As much as I hate to say it, Mark May is right, we have no signature wins. I used to love saturdays in the fall, but now i have come to dread them. CW has the exact same record as Davie after 45 games, however, I still have a glimmer of faith that he can win, but it is running out quickly. Again, who do you think can coach this program to the top? Anyone? GO IRISH!!!!!
Please do not speak poorly of the players! One of the previous posts called them Pu**ies. Have some respect.
You should feel sorry that their talent is being wasted not that they are not impressing you. Go to Scout.com and look at the ratings of the offensive line. All 4 and 5 star recruits! They have talent but they are not being developed properly. Look at many of their run blocks and you will see good initial explosion with a delayed handoff and the back arriving thru the hole much later. It is not the players!
Clausen, Floyd, Tate, Allen, none of them performed but they are all extremely well rated. You actually think they don't want to win or they are not putting in the effort.
Please have respect for the players as you can't possibly want them to succeed as much as they want to succeed. Support them and hope they get some better instruction in the future GO IRISH!
I was at the game. After losing to BC for the 6th straight time, it is getting tough to live in Boston.
Last week I has poster on Cartier Field that Charlie was over his head and a lot of people told me I was crazy. It looks like after the Boston Massacre people are more willing to admit that CW is not earning his salary.
We should have beaten UNC who had their best player for a half. UNC without their best player killed BC. BC made ND look like high schoolers especially on offense.
As for the post calling for more time for Parris - did you see all of his drops last year?
Also, for the person that wanted CW to be offered the OC position - have you seen ND's offense the last 2 years? I don't want him anywhere near it.
I was at the game. After losing to BC for the 6th straight time, it is getting tough to live in Boston.
Last week I has poster on Cartier Field that Charlie was over his head and a lot of people told me I was crazy. It looks like after the Boston Massacre people are more willing to admit that CW is not earning his salary.
We should have beaten UNC who had their best player for a half. UNC without their best player killed BC. BC made ND look like high schoolers especially on offense.
As for the post calling for more time for Parris - did you see all of his drops last year?
Also, for the person that wanted CW to be offered the OC position - have you seen ND's offense the last 2 years? I don't want him anywhere near it.
Fr. Jenkins will start feeling the heat. ND is struggling to sell out home games - imagine the impact on NBC! Nobody wants to see a loser and that is what CW has produced.
I'm giving Weis my faith and hope for one more year UNLESS we lose to either Navy or Syracuse (after yesterday's game, even a loss to Syracuse seems likely). Forget USC (I hope we just keep them under 40 points). If we lose even one of the next two games, he needs to get out. If he's not replaced (probably for the sake of keeping our current class together), then he needs to get a new Oline coach, fast, asap, immediately!!! I believe the Oline plays like the personality of their position coach and right now Latina is coming off as a &*%$#@!!!!! Defense was suppose to be our "weakness" this season. If the defense is playing this well with less talented players than our offensive players, then the only reason for our offense's blunders is coaching. It all starts in the trenches. We have the size and ability. What we need is a nasty, bad-ass Oline coach. It doesn't matter what you draw on the board, if we can't block it up, you put the OC in a bind on what to call. Another thing, Weis needs to be the QB coach again and let Polian focus on STs. All respect to Powlus, but considering his career (highly recruited, but a bust), there are better candidates for QBs coach than him. Or else, Clausen will be another highly recruited QB, but a bust. Weis needs to go back to his roots. With all the money ND has, get a kickers coach for pete's sake. ND recruits solid kickers, but what is it with them when they get to ND. I'm still going to cheer on my Irish and support them no matter what, but unless ND is planning on joining the Ivy League, Weis and Co. better get this program into shape.
It is very frustrating watching them play. The biggest problem last year was the offensive line and it is the same this year. You cannot win unless you can block. Remember the stuff before the season about the weight training? They are huge -why do they get pushed around so easily. Weiss puts too much on Clausen. BC like Pitt got pressure on him rushing only three or four guys. No wonder there are interceptions when you have three or four receivers being covered by 7 or 8 defenders. You take away the long ball and the fade ball and ND is left with nothing.
Here is what I think they should do:
1) Play the rest of year in a normal run pass ratio. You have to try to run. Navy is small, line up and run the ball. If the line plays soft play the second team. What have you got to lose.
2) Play Tate or the freshman at tail back. The other three guys have no big play abilty. They have a abundance of talent at wideout and Tate has big play abilty that they need. At least run him in a "wildcat" formation that everyone else is doing.
3) special teams - how is it they are so poor? Blocked punts, bad punts, a weak field goal kicker, poor kick off returns. They need to recruit a field goal kicker and a punter.
Lastly, I think Weiss should be given one more year - you can not keep firing coaches. I believe he has given his all and hopefully things will get better. If they lose to Navy however look out!
Great post, but one question:
"B-list Indian gaming casino. "
Is there another kind?
And one comment: If Paul Faila threw it 46 times, it would look a lot like yesterday. Jimmy Heisman is the second coming, (without the class and baseball skills).
Texas Tech has one, that's right "one" parade all-american. A great coach can take average athletes and make them believe their great. A good coach can take average athletes and make them better. A great coach can make adjustments at half and bring out a different team. Non of the coaching abilities are evident in CW.
Wow, I really think you guys need to sober up and relax a little bit. Two weeks ago we were all wetting our pants because ND played such a "great game" against pathetic Washington. Now the world is coming to an end after a loss to BC in Boston. I think some perspective is necessary. This team is substantially better than last year's, but they are still a mediocre to good team. In no way are they very good or great!
They just came off a heartbreaking 4OT loss to Pitt. The longest game in ND history. A tough loss even for an experienced team. A week later they have to face BC, a team with a top ten defense, who is historically always "up" big time for ND, in a very hostile away environment. Can you really be surprised or upset that our mediocre offense couldn't score against a very good and pumped up BC defensive unit? Let's consider the bright side that our defensive unit played well. As difficult as it is to accept we are still a year or two from being a top ten team. I don't think a change in coach would make a bit of difference at this point.
Can we put together a short list of coaches? We shouldn't go after anyone from the pros, that is obvious. I would rather see a young up and coming coach that these players can relate to, that will be inspiring and give these kids a chance to win.
For those of you that suggest Weis just needs one more year, I am not sure where you have been for the past four years. He hasn't done anything! They had one great game where they almost beat USC at home. Remember that was Ty Willingham recruits.
I would like to pull out the archives from NDNation from the past two years. Everyone thought that this year we would lose maybe 3 games with a powder puff schedule we have, and be in the hunt for a national title next year. Keep dreaming. Make a change now, and ND may be in the national hunt in 2010 with this talent and the right coaching staff. It will take at least one season to right the ship, but with a Saban like coach, we can turn this thing around.
CW is not a good coach and is a very poor representative of Notre Dame. It doesn't matter how well he recruits 17 year old kids if he cannot help them develop. If Tyrone Willingham was fired by our admninistration after 3 years, surely this coach will be let go after this year.
I don't think so. I think a lot of people would have thought a 9-3 season would be great myself included, but a 7-5 season was at least as likely with a couple games that could have gone either way, which is exactly what we are likely to get this year. Let's not let our own personal egos cloud our judgement about this team and coach.
Wait a minute! Look over the past several weeks of postings raving about how much Clausen (and co.) has improved this year to last year. That doesn't count as player development?!? Charlie doesn't get any credit for that? Look at the improvements in the oline this year to last year! Give me a break.
Not only CW should go, but everyone on his coaching staff, (1) CW never was a head coach, his OC never called a play before this year, his QB coach never coached anyone before this year, and CW goes out and hires an expericed Defensive Coordinator to teach C Brown how to be a Defensive Coordinator. ND must bite the bullet, clean house and take the media abuse.
I hope you all enjoy providing fodder for opposing teams to take away our recruits. How about showing a little loyalty. Notre Dame threw four interceptions (to include a pick six), fumbled a punt at the fifty yard line, had a punt blocked, almost tackled its own player for what may have been a punt return for a touchdown, and still only lost 17-0, while outgaining the other team in offensive yardage. All of the above blunders are not the coach's fault. This team is much better than last year's and has almost all of its players coming back for at least two years, some for three.
If there is one area that has been concerning, it is the offensive line. For that, Weis's greatest failing is his loyalty to Latina.
The sky is not falling, and it has not already fallen. If Notre Dame is not in a BCS game next year or loses either of its next two games, then start your griping and complaining. Until then, try and remain patient, so the SC coaches aren't printing your posts to swing Cierre and Evans to their side.
Coaching Change:
D Coordinator - Charlie
O Coordinator - Tenuta
Head Coach - Dr Lou
Good night now.
I think you all are way off base! Are ND fans really this arrogant?! I hope not. I'm an alum and I would hate to identify myself with this bunch of crybabies. Please, please, please stop this endless carousel of coaches!...Holtz, Davie, Willingham, Weis...Now who? How long will it go around and around? Every time ND has a subpar year ND fans call for the coach's head. Why is ND so conceited to think it can't have a subpar year. Or even... God forbid...two in a row! I hate to do it but let's look at Penn State. How long has Joe Pa been there? 500 years? How many subpar years has he had? Probably about 450. But he still has the recruits because he's established an outstanding program. Eventually he gets the right combo of players and coaches and lo and behold they darn near ran the table this year! Now let's consider what would have happened if we kept Holtz. Maybe a couple of subpar years but he is still an excellent coach and would have kept the program running strong. It's amusing now that the people who were so quick to run him out of town are now begging for him to return. Let's stop these knee-jerk reaction that have resulted in the situation we are in right now. A team that is undeveloped and has no identity because of this endless circle of coaches that have decimated the program. For once, please leave this situation alone. Let Charlie do his thing. Give it time! Like was said last week, just because you're tired of the "young team" excuse doesn't mean that it's not valid. Bottom line is NO OTHER COACH has had to deal with the situation that Weis encountered when he came to ND. Urban Meyer and Nick Saban inherited programs that still had outstanding recruits but no coaches to develop them. ND had no recruits and bad coaching. Double whammy. Now Weis finally has the recruits coming, he is building a program, the talent is raw and it is prone to these emotional swings. That doesn't mean the program is not improving. Charlie will learn to deal with these college situations just like the Poodle has done at USC. It must be given time though. I agree if we don't see strides next year when most of Charlie's recruits are Juniors there's a problem, but until then DISPERSE THE ANGRY MOB. Let the man work. He didn't win three Superbowls doing nothing. He's a smart guy and he knows what he's doing. As long as the top recruits still come (which they are) we're in good shape. Charlie will bring us back and when he does...LOOK OUT!!
GO IRISH!!!!
I'm not really sure if this is relevant or not but everyone and their mother used to think that Charlie Manuel was a dimwitted country bumpkin who couldn't coach. He made stupid calls, his team wasn't fired up, he couldn't inspire anyone...I think his team won the World Series this year. Now what do you think people think of him?!
Perception is only half the story people...
LEAVE CHARLIE WEIS ALONE!!!
GO IRISH!!!!
Just because we've gone through a bunch of coaches doesn't mean that we have to stop. If they aren't working, why would you keep them. Faith? I get it, Notre Dame is build on faith.
But it's time to face the facts. Charlie hasn't won a big game. Ever. Not even with Brady Quinn. Charlie's claim to fame is losing to USC by a bad call. That's not good enough. The fans, players and alumni deserve more.
Saban is a great example of a coach that can inject emotion and success into a school. And he's coaching in the SEC! I'm sick to my stomach about this team. Charlie proved that ND can get top-notch talent. For that I'm grateful. But it ends there.
I would love to see Lou back, but come on, is that really a good idea?
GO IRISH
Its the players. They have no stones. It should not be the job of the coach to have to inspire someone to do something every week.
If the players can't muster enough self respect to stop laying stink bombs, we should take next season off for rebuilding
Honestly, all of this talk about Charlie being a "good guy." He's not a good guy, he's an egotistical jerk. I mean, he's been dealt a tough hand with his daughter, and has responded to that bravely and heroically...but outside of that he's a total jerk. Prior to this season some of the big wigs with the University had to sit him down and tell him to completely overhaul his attitude.
In addition many of you don't seem to understand that Haywood and Powlus are shills...They don't do anything but function as sycophants for CW.
What ND needs is an offensive coordinator that can tell CW to go to hell. That is the best hope for this football team to be competitive.
We need to quit defending Charlie. Remember, we have a "schematic advantage" everytime we step on the field. That fat jerk needs to check his ego at the door and face the reality that he is a loser. How many years does he need of top 10 recruiting classes to defeat Navy? Where do our recruits rank against...well I guess they do not have college football recruits there. Enough said except the title of Charlie's book "No Excuses". GO IRISH
It's funny to read these posts. Even last year, there were cracks all over the place about how Davieham was responsible for everything wrong at ND and Weis, one of our own, was the savior.
The mistakes I've seen this year are worse than any year in recent memory. Our schedule is beyond soft and we just give away games. To collapse against UNC and not even show up against BC is inexcusable. In the PITT game we just settled for FGs, hoping that the Panthers would give us the game. We play soft; we play scared.
This is what happens when you bring aboard someone for their 1st head coaching job. While Weis finally set aside his ego with some of the coaching changes in the offseason, it's clear he doesn't: 1) understand the emotion of the college game and 2)know how to recruit the right COMBINATION of athletes.
I keep hearing about all these 4 and 5 star recruits. The problem is great receivers are worthless if you don't have an O-line to block and a QB who makes smart decisions. For some reason, Weis has gotten into bed with Clausen and it's disgusting. Jimmy shouldn't have played last year and should watch from the sidelines for the rest of 2008.
Once again, I find the Clausen and Quinn comparisons laughable. Brady Quinn understands the game better than Clausen...and may understand it better than Weis because Weis continues to put our team in a position to fail.
The Patriots experienced their best statistical year in 2007 when Charlie Wies was no longer part of the staff. In fact, there was zero drop off in production in the Patriot's offense since Charlie left their organization. I have come to the conclusion that Tom Brady made Charlie Weis look good, much like Brady Quinn (Willingham's recruit) made Charlie look good too. Unfortunately, Jimmy Clausen is no Brady Quinn. The luster on those three Superbowl rings is starting to dim...
Cheers to some of the above. I am
completely frustrated and I lose
sleep after just about every freekin' handoff but anyone who thinks we
can re-build a winning tradition
by firing Weis is playing too much
X-box. Last year was a disaster,
hope springs eternal and this year
we're sub mediocre. We currenty play ball on the level of
Northwestern and Stanford. Now how to
go up from here is a commitment to
winning that is not going to happen except from the bottom up. Let's
get to a bowl, any bowl, and win
it.
I'm full on board with changes. Brown stays, it's starting to work!
Powlus...man can't we get Kevin
McDougal to help out instead?
537
How expectations have changed. In 8 short months we went from being ecstatic with a competitive team to calling for a coach's head who has put his team in every game so far this season. To go from 3-9 to a potential winning season this year is an improvement. isnt that what we've been calling for? This year was a growing year where we would be competitive but win 8ish games. sure we've lost 2 double digit halftime leads but as a young team there are growing pains. not all progress is made in 1 year.
It's not the coach that's the problem, it's you whiny fans. Face it, the program is not very good, and it hasn't been for some 15 years or so. I feel like the kid in "The Sixth Sense" - I see dead programs that don't know they're dead. And watching you morons bang your heads against the wall and blame the coach is hilarious. Hilarious!!!
why is it, nobody is blaming Latina, his offensive line has been horrible since 2005, the reason we are losing games is not because of the play callling not the offensive line is not opening the holes and giving time for clausen to pass the ball.
The posters on this board (and others) need perspective. ND is an average to good team this year and that was to be expected. Three of the four losses could have gone either way. This game against BC was the only blow out, which should be contrasted with last year. CW is not the problem, nor is a lack of heart, emotion or whatever. The only problem real problem is that the recruiting was decimated under Willingham and ND is still recovering. It will take about 6-7 years for a full recovery, and ND is well on their way. Clausen's mobility is a big problem, a less physically mature offensive line is a problem, and the poor recruiting on the defensively line is a problem, but no team is perfect and these problems are not insurmountable over the long haul. ND may not be in the title hunt next year either, but rebuilding is a process. Firing the builder, CW, would be totally detrimental to the process since it would kill recruiting. It will take 6 or 7 years to fully evaluate CW's work, and unless there are multiple signs that the rebuild is not working, then CW should and will be the man. A rebuilding effort can not be evaluated on the basis of one game or even four. ND is clearly on an upward trajectory from last year, so relax and be patient. Rebuilding takes time and CW is not going anywhere, nor should he.
then answer me this question, why someone like saban took the bama 2 years ago and now they are competing for national champions? I agree with you the problem lies on the offensive and defensive line.
6-7 years to rebuild? Where do people get these stats?
We're not talking about a school that's on probation or coming off the death penalty. We're talking about a school that is GIVING AWAY GAMES. We gave away the UNC and Pitt games. We weren't competitive vs. an above-average BC team. We almost lost our season opener to one of the worst teams in college football...AT HOME. If you expect ND fans to sit here and just wait for 6-7 years to rebuild as we roll over every week, it's not going to happen.
Our failures this year have NOTHING to do with Ty Willingham. If you throw out Weis's 1st year because he got to campus late, that still means he's had 3 years to mold the team according to his style.
Our running game is worse than it ever was, our special teams play is marginal, and we insist on starting a QB who can't read defenses. Even worse, we're SOFT. We get pushed around. It's really just terrible football. I'm starting to think that the PICK 6 is in our playbook.
-Ray
again why nobody is blaming latina? I remembered in 2005 when we were in a 3 and 1 or 3 and 2, we always get the first down. remembered the big holes for the rbs to run, another problem is we have been good in recruiting offensive players, like floyd but not good enough in getting good defensive players specially on the front.
10 Reasons why Notre Dame football is dead
10) South Bend is a crack-ridden, crime infested city. Why go there as opposed to some warm college town?
9) Notre Dame treats existing and past players like total crap. Ex-players have to enter a lottery to get tickets and pay $300 year for the opportunity to buy expensive tickets.
8) Notre Dame is transformed into an extremely liberal school. Vagina Chronicles on campus??
7) 1-15 versus teams with winning records
6) Good recruiter but bad at developing talent
5) NO GOOD COACH wants to go there. Remember all of the coaches who did not want the job.
4) Half of the assisitants are looking for jobs
3) The new Athletic Director is going to work out of INDY not South Bend
2) The academic standards for football players are no different than similar schools.
1) Charlie Weis he was joke in the NFL. Tom Brady was part of a great system.
Alright why are we talking about Firing Charlie? This is clearly an Offensive line coaching problem with the running back. Should I need to remind you he has brought in several top 10 recuriting classes. Okay so you fire him who are going to bring in to take over? I can see us firing the Offensive Cordinator and the offensive line coach but the head coach? Who would want to come to this program?? So many band wagon coach fans if Wise had won everyone would be praising him now its "off with his head".
Weis said from day one that we would have a "decided schematic advantage" against any team we line up against. I do not see it. Weis is supposed to be an offensive mastermind. I do not see it. As head coach, Weis is responsible for the performance of the team. As head coach, he can overrule his assistants and coordinators anytime. What does Charlie do while his coordinators game plan versus opponents? Eat donuts? It is time for Charlie to be held accountable for the performance of the team. Remember, it was Charlie that hired these assistants and coordinators. We are a program searching for an identity. Charlie takes a new role/approach every week. He goes from play caller, to giving up that duty, to taking back play calling duties, to being the "CEO" of the team, to being good cop, to being bad cop, to asserting our willingness to run the ball, to giving up on the run entirely, this list goes on...His erratic approach is not what we need in a leader, and it shows on the field in his players. Bring on Skip Holtz! He has won against winning teams with 1/4 of the talent we have. Go IRISH!
I have been very supportive of Charlie Weiss, the end is now. When you get beat by a over rated Pittsburgh team with a coach like Dave Wanstadt who should have been fired last year, then take one on the chin from BC who has 0 offensive ability...the time has come! This is unreal... ND has 3-4 Heisman hopefulls in Clausen,Tate,Floyd,and Allen in years to come... I dont care how old they are, they play like juniors! This team has the talent of a top 10 team and the coaching sucks! It starts at the top down, so Charlie is in the hot seat. Fire offensive coordinators, deffensive coordinators, or whom ever you want...the problem comes right back to charlie! Sorry Charlie, its over! The alumni was winners, bottom line....they dont care if your one of them or not... they want to win and win now! They wont fire him this season, but anything short of a National Championship next year is shameful with this caliber of a Defense and Offensive talent!
It could not be more clear now, Charlie Weis is not the "one" for the ND HC position. Give it up, fire the guy, and move on. The team is fat and lazy just like he is. Stop being nice and start being real...the guy isn't cut out for the job, it was a hiring mistake. Next...
I agree that we cannot keep firing and hiring. Let him stay for 1 more year, then he has his 1st class as seniors but still will not have any of his own 5th year seniors. He has a great talent but for sure he needs better play for the O-line. How in the world can ND not run the ball? Jerome Bettis must be beside himself watching the games every Saturday.
Love the flare pass on 4th and 6 when we had to have it. Or the run up the gut on 4th and 1.
Do these guys not have plays ready for situations like this? Where's the creativity and imagination on offense?
If we lose to Navy, we should fire Charlie. Let's get an early jump on the HC search. We can be proactive and get the coach we want rather than picking through the scraps after all the other programs have pulled the trigger.
How bad is it? It's REAL bad! But if you're a Notre Dame alum/fan AND a Cubs fan, it's PURE HELL!!
But, on the other hand, could be that Notre Dame is fast on its way to becoming the "Cubs of College Football." The Cubbies are so CUTE, and that ND Leprechaun and the Irish Guard and the BAND . . . how CUTE is that?!!
And isn't it just SO FUN to go to the stadium?! FUN. FUN. FUN.
The Cubs go for 101 next year, and the Irish are on their way to 21! But there is always HOPE, and there is always CHARLIE. And there's lil' Charlie, too. HOW CUTE!
~mpsND'72
I think Faust is available, he has experience and is likable too. And he's not disgustingly and morbidly obese.
Charlie Weis is obviously in over his head and sinking fast. The funny thing is, I would have guessed that he would float!
NDspa.89: i wasn't wetting my pants bc we beat a s@#$y ass c@#p 0 win washington team. just like i'[m not wetting my pants bc our defense looked decent against a lame offense. people like you always have excuses. we're always 1-2 yrs away. you'll be saying that forever
Weis = Duffus
PLEASE MAKE HIM GO AWAY NOW!!!
Notre Dame Football is a talented, terrible team. I have NEVER seen so much talent go to waste like these players have under Head Coach Weis. My goodness this is just horrible.
I would love to hear from someone that is saying we must fire Wise who they would like to see ND hire? Name someone??? Come on! All I read is fire him, fire him, fire him. Whos avaliable that would want to come to ND right now? I still say that Wise needs to fire the Offensive line coach and Cordinator. The Defensive line coach as well. The other Coaches are doing a good job. And yes I will admit it would be nice to see Wise fire up the troops. But at the end of the day we need to stop and think about a few things 1) we are the cusp of another 10 top incoming class and 2) who would replace Wise? We fire him would we keep all the players we have as of now? And 2nd whos going to replace him???
I am done. I have now completely tuned out Weis and all the nonsense words coming out of that big mouth. Unless I am told by someone else that he has announced his resignation as HC at ND, I never want to hear that voice again....and no, I am not currently on the ND football team but am sure they are thinking the same thing. More false promises from Weis...sorta like I'll start my diet tomorrow after I finish eating this entire cake tonight...I'm sure his wife is tired of hearing that one too.
ND needs to quit being a training ground for wannabee head football coaches. Do you realize that ND has not hired as its head football coach an existing and successful head football coach since Lou Holtz? That is ridiculous. No other major football power has done that in recent memory. The time for experimentation is over. Four hiring-flops is more than enough. It is time to hire someone who actually has a proven record as a head coach.
A couple posts above someone questioned whom we should hire as a HC since we are all calling for Charlie' job. Well, anyone can be bought for the right price! The HC job at a storied program such as Notre Dame is a definite upgrade to other HC jobs out there. Some smaller "winning" schools that I can think of off the top of my head include Boise State, Utah, Ball State, BYU, East Carolina, and the list goes on...The HC job at ND would be perceived as an upgrade to these jobs without a doubt! Just open the position to these coaches and start the talks...
Weis is, and always has been, a joke. Maybe this is a surprise to some people, but Notre Dame SHOULD get a top ten recruiting class every year. Just because a guy recruits well does not mean he should be kept on at ND. There are tons of coaches that can recruit and coach, so why not go for one of those? That would be too sensible. What real improvements are there over last season? 1-15 against teams with winning records clearly shows that there is something about Weis' coaching that is incapable of beating quality opponents. Look at Alabama for example. Or hell, even look at USC when Carroll took over. The program had been mired in mediocrity and by his second season was well on its way to becoming the premier program of the 2000s. So don't tell me that good coaches can't turn things around quickly. You needn't look any further than our most hated rival. Four seasons is more than enough time to prove whether you are a good coach or not and all evidence points toward Weis not being a good coach for ND.
Blame the players. They have no sack. I hope you pussies are reading this. I cheer against you now, you sickening band of weenies! Flaccid Irish! Notre Shame!
To all the Weis supporters, the few of you that are left, why don't you go all the way and blindly back him for the full 10 years??? One more year just won't be enough to really know now will it?
the problem is the offensive line, our offensive line is not doing the job for the runing backs to run, that was the difference in 2005. again I blame Latina. not weis. if the other teams is getting pressure with 3 linemen and send the rest to cover the pass, is almost impossible to score deep, now on that situations you need to run the ball well so they have bring the safetys and linebackers close to the line or pass dink and dunk, but you need to have patience. on the other side we were not succcesful in getting big guys on the front, we were very lucky getting recruiting players on the secondary and linebckers as brian smith. again the problem is the offensive line. in 2005 when we need it a first down on 3 and 1 and 4 and 1 we always get the first down, this is the reason why this offense were so good besides quinn, samirsya amd stuvall. remembered the big holes were walker run. I know everybody wants to crucify weis, maybe the calls were good the problem is the execution. remember this teams is playing a 3-4 defense and for that system to works you need a big guy in the middle and the irish does not have that player yet. I will start on fire Latina and the special team coach.
Charlie accidentally ate the playbook..uh-oh!
Some of you are clearly not Irish fans. Everyone-- EVERYONE-- is upset, but the ad hominem attacks are fuel for the haters.
Firing Charlie will not make our 4&5 star recruits leave. 1-15 versus teams with winning records and no bowl wins will hurt our recruiting. These kids want a chance to win a national championship. In today's cable age, every college team is on TV so our exclusive TV contract no longer holds the same value anymore. These kids would rather be seen playing for a title than playing lower tier Big 10 teams and service academies on Saturdays. Kids may be young and naive. Very soon these kids will figure out Charlie is a fraud. Stop the bleeding before it becomes an major issue and me lose recruits. GO IRISH!
Two words: Joe. Moore. We haven't had a good OL since he left. CW: call him ... NOW.
I'm just as frustrated as the rest of you, but (unsatisfying as it is), I caution patience like a few of you. CW has improved this team from last year (buying him another year). If he improves them in equal measure next year (ie, they end the season ranked), then he stays around another year. He's a great recruiter, and he knows football--let's give him the time he deserves.
Ummmm... Joe Moore is dead.
Rob Thomson was right!!
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