LET THE FIRINGS BEGIN!!

Seriously, I am happy...but I expect to see the O Line coach in the bread lines tomorrow.
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:06 am | #

I'm not so sure we'll be getting rid of anyone tomorrow (I feel more rumors would be swirling by now). Great recruiting class. Very exciting time for ND football.
Tommy O | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:22 am | #

Dear Santa,
Can we get some more consistency out of Coach Charlie?:

BAD: 3-9 SEASON

GOOD: FLY RECRUITING CLASS

BAD: SEEMINGLY UNEARNED LOYALTY TO A COUPLE OF WEAK LINK ASSISTANTS

GOOD: GETTING TENUTA

...it seems for everything he does that we love, there's something else I scratch my head on. Once he can even out we're in business. Oh well, for now I'm gonna enjoy this recruiting class and not worry too much about the situation with the assistants.
Tony Spilotro | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:44 am | #

We're number one in "highest star average" on Rivals and Scout. Going by those numbers (quality over quantity) Alabama drops down to sixth and ninth respectively in those two polls.

Ultimately, what matters is how they play on the field but I just wanted to point that out because Alabama has 32 or 33 recruits to our 23. Plus, Nick Saban drinks his own pee.

GO IRISH! NEVER LOSE ANOTHER GAME EVER AS GOD AND FRANK LEAHY INTENDED!
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:53 am | #

I'd say a HUGE part of the 3-9 season was the lack of contact during practice. I understand that we were short on bodies, but in the end did it really matter? The lack of contact was all on Weis' shoulders and he won't make that mistake again.

I can see this team being decent next year. I think with the schedule, ND should win at least 7 games. Get the young O and D line some experience and we should be primed to make a run in 09 and 2010.

All in all, Weis and Co. did a great job this year.
Rome | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 1:07 am | #

I don't want to pile on Latina but I haven't been impressed. It's been discussed, but the OL seemed to be the root of nearly every problem last year. Obviously, they were young and inexperienced, but I've never seen a line so consistently overmatched. I followed Latina when he was at K-State, and their OL's were terrible when he was there, also.

Am I the only one who reads Aaron Taylor's excellent blog and yearns for the days of the late, great OL coach Joe Moore? A little batting practice wouldn't hurt one bit...
http://legendsofsouthbend.com/node/52
Cu Chulainn | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 1:14 am | #

Cu Chulainn - You have an AWESOME name. That is all.
Láeg | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 1:53 am | #

The fact that John Sullivan dominated at the Senior Bowl says something of Latina's current O-Line scheme.
dolemite | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 2:11 am | #

Once again, EsPN shows their remarkable analysis powers. Three other recruiting services (that are probably more focused on recruiting than EsPN) rank us #2, and they rank us #10? The three other recruiting services rank Kyle Rudolph #19, #20, and #21, but EsPN ranks him #105?

Either EsPN is just uninformed, or more likely, they have their own agenda. Actually, it's probably both.

Whatever, wake me up for San Diego State, or when our first assistant coach is replaced, whichever comes first. In the meantime, get in the weight room boys!

Go Irish! Beat Aztecs!
Matt '09 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 3:50 am | #

I hate to go negative, but Latina and Mendoza need to be replaced yesterday. Sullivan spends one week with a different line coach and he convinces the NFL that he's a total stud. Last season I thought he played as poorly as an offensive lineman could possibly play. My head is spinning. While a new position coach can quickly implement a different philosophy and practice regimen, thus fast-tracking OL improvement, the subpar strength program of Mendoza's will take more time (YEARS!) to undo, but mere seconds to fix ("Adios, Senor Mendoza."). And, of course, the strength coach has impact on every player and position. The O Line boys were (and continue to be!) getting severely double gypped, thus they stunk up the joint worse than all others. CW needs to stop allowing his legacy and chances for success to be influenced by Latina and Mendoza.
I have been beating this topic to death for TWO FRIGGIN YEARS now, but for God's sake, the o line needs immediate relief from the sadistic tag team of Latina and Mendoza!
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 6:49 am | #

I agree that Mendoza should go (Polian too, or course). I think Latina is pretty well-respected in the football world. I suspect a lot of the blame with the O-line scheme goes to Weis. And making good offensive linemen without contact drills is pretty damn tough.
ndfootball4everandever | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 7:11 am | #

A great post by Pat about the fantastic recruiting class. Thanks Pat.

What I don't understand is how individuals can use this particular forum to then criticize coaches and call for their dismissal (I believe at least six of the posts by readers fall into this category).

Excuse me, who do you think was responsible for he recruiting class? I remember many of the names called for in the ranks of dismissal being the very people who recruits noted as being key to their decisions for ND.

This is Charlie's decision...one for which he will be responsible.
Ted Eberle | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 7:28 am | #

Is it time to start pondering next year's recruiting class?
dbldomer7375 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 7:44 am | #

I'm not saying I wouldn't like to see a new O-line coach, but isn't it just a tad disengenous to have a guy recruit for you, and then fire him right after the kids ink? I don't know if any recruits came specifically because of Latina or not, but I'd be a bit put off if I was an olineman coming in, and right after I signed they fired the guy who through the whole process was going to recruit me.

Again, not saying that changes shouldn't be made, just that I think they should have been made right away, then the new guys would have a chance to talk with recruits and assure them they're still going to be taken care of. This way...meh.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 7:50 am | #

The end of that first paragraph should read "who through the whole process I thought was going to coach me" or "who through the whole process was recruiting me". Both ideas where in my head at the time. It's late, I need to get to bed.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 7:52 am | #

It's not who we should get rid of it's who we don't have - a special teams coach. Weis' first year he said the play is made up of three teams, offense, defense and special teams. We've had growing pains on defense and offense. These seem to be working out by numbers and maturity. But our special teams are still are putrid (like three week old roadside possum jerky). Field position and an extra touchdown here and there would help greatly next year! Go Irish (and get a special teams coach)!
Doc Possum | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 8:10 am | #

I'm not sold on Mendoza . The totals coming in from the combines are showing players that are not very fast or strong and have high body fat.

Hope CW can retain these guys. Doesn't mean anything if 23 come in and 5 leave because they can't play, are acedemically inelligible, get hurt, transfer, are put on social probation, or get homesick
wd10 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 8:25 am | #

Hey wd10, all 23 are not going to make it regardless of their credentials now. If half....half...turn out to be starters, it's pretty good.
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 8:34 am | #

I am certainly pleased that Notre Dame fans can see into the future and predict with such certainty that so many in the Class of 2012 will not start or remain at Notre Dame.

I believe that will be true with a mob like Saban recruited to Alabama, but I doubt it will apply to our recently signed class.

In the end, time will tell...as it always does.
Ted Eberle | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 8:49 am | #

Ted,

You're right, of course. But where's the fun in waiting to find out what will happen? It's much better sport trying to predict.

That, I believe, is 97.6% of why this blog exists.

10-3 with a bowl win next year. There, I said it.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 8:56 am | #

Maybe this has been explained elsewhere, but how can Bama have 33 recruits? I thought the scholarship limit was 25 (plus up to 5 early entries counting against the previous year's 25 limit).

If it's because not all 33 will qualify academically, what happens to them? Obviously they can't enroll at the target of their LOI, but do they go to JUCO?

What would happen if all 33 did qaulify academically? Does the school then say, sorry charlie to 8 of them as far as scholarships goes? Do those 8 have to enroll at Bama, or could they accept a scholarship elsewhere (without having to sit a year)?

Thanks
Domer96
Domer96 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 9:00 am | #

Domer96 - I believe many of them do not qualify and go Juco. And we are not just talking Bama here. I think that happens at many of the state schools, even if they don't offer more than 25 (I know it happened at TN last year when they had a top class). In my opinion, the rankings for ND would be upped a spot or two (or more) if it was based on the actual number that started classes in the fall.
mark | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 9:07 am | #

Hafis Williams describes Weis in one word as "mysterious." Interesting.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 9:21 am | #

And no mention of walk-on Nate Montana in the blood lines?
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 9:24 am | #

Latina is the root of SEVERAL problems. Get rid of him. What could possibly happen, our O Line gets WORSE? Thats not even possible.
DayBreakBoys | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 9:34 am | #

Observations:

Dolomite and Voice - Good call on Sullivan doing so much better in the Senior Bowl game vs. his year at ND.

I think the biggest head scratcher this recruiting season was that no kicker was recruited. Hopefully that was remedied as Pat pointed out that Cwynar did kicking duties in HS. I wonder if there are videos of him kicking it into the end zone.

It seems like the O line problems are not just lack of hitting during the week. If that was the problem, then the line would have improved after the Michigan game when they were hitting during the week. I saw no improvement at the end of the year.

I did not know Dan McCarthy was Ohio player of the year. Pretty impressive since he beat out Rudolph for the honors.

Congrats to Charlie and thanks for the nice post, Pat.
GB | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 9:53 am | #

What DID ever happen to that Montana guy?
I know he did a Schick razor commercial at one point.....
GamecockTony | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 10:47 am | #

You can add The Sporting News #2 class in the country to that list as well:

http://www.sportingnews.com/your...ic.php? t=347962
christopher | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 10:51 am | #

In Latina's defense, I think a big part of the O-Line's problem was the fact that they trained all summer and fall for the D. Jones spread option (without contact) that was replaced after the first game with the traditional Weis pro-style Clausen offense (without contact) and then finally allowed to hit right before or after the Michigan game (their first contact practices). These factors were added on top of the fact that we were starting a bunch of true sophomores and true juniors (2nd and 3rd year on campus), unlike other programs that start red-shirt juniors and seniors (4th and 5th years on campus) with the occasional stud young guy surrounded by experienced players.

Also, in Sully's defense, since the center is the QB of the O-Line, his job was infinitely tougher with all the inexperience around him so you have to excuse some of his performance for worrying too much about the young guys. He also had to call out the Mike linebacker because Weis didn't want to put too much pressure on the QB. I can't defend his inability to execute a shotgun snap, but everything else made his job tougher than in the Senior Bowl, where everyone (the other O-Linemen and the QB) knows what they're doing.

I'm not sure what Weis should do with respect to Latina and Mendoza, but there were certainly extenuating circumstances and many factors leading to the poor performances last year.
JJ | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 10:51 am | #

My though about 1/2 the class being starters is not a comment on their character....look at past classes at any school.....those guys who look like can't miss that have missed. Look at all the "great" HS QBs in the last few years that have gone somewhere else......lots of people don't meet expectations....
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 10:55 am | #

I am very excited with this recuiting class. Especially that, it is great addition to the last year class. I think this year ND is going to be very very competitive. Last year, part of the problem players were being switched to positions that they were not very used to because someone was banged up or had some academic issues. This helps in a way that freshment will not be pressured to play, their first year should focus on school work. I can't wait to go watch the spring game and see if there is any improvements; size and speed wise. As for Bama and all other schools i am not really interested in what they are doing, because when ND kids get a great education and football coaching, in the end they are winners. I believe we have a good system in place and there is always room for improvements. For all the recruits, you made a good choice you will not be disappointed, ND has great fans, great education, great family oriented environment than any other schools. Remember there is God, country and Notre Dmae. Make us proud. Go Irish. Jean
Jean | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 11:14 am | #

As JJ points out, there were SO many problems last year it's hard to identify where to start to fix them. Not installing a gimmicky offense for one game with a bunch of newbies will be a good start. Hitting in the spring and summer will also help tremendously. If Latina stays, and we don't see improvement with these other changes, then he's gone the day after our last game (hopefully a bowl win). Then you replace him with a kick-ass guy like Corwin Brown was, and you keep your recruits.

If Latina gets fired now, in February, CW will be have no more honesty or integrity than any of the chinless-bitch-esque coaches out there. Everyone will know that he just kept Latina on in order to keep this class together, which as pointed out above is very disengenuous. He mentioned in his presser that Latina has ties to one of our top recruit's high school coaches, so there's a great chance that if Latina had been fired early then that coach might have persuaded the recruit to look elsewhere out of loyalty to Latina.

I just hope last year's problems are not Latina's fault, but all the other stuff. That doesn't explain why our O-Line has been pitiful since Joe Moore left, though.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 11:34 am | #

GB - To be clear, I was largely kidding around about Cwynar being a kicker at ND. The reason ND didn't pursue a kicker is probably because they didn't want three kickers on scholarship in three consecutive classes.

Gabe - Nice catch. I guess Nate has some decent football bloodlines.

Personally, I think Charlie is to blame more for the OL than Latina. Surely the play of the line will be closely watched this year, but I think that Latina was a bit hamstrung by what Charlie tried to do on offense. At first, ND tried too much and it was more than the young OL could handle. Later, the gameplan was simplified. The downside of that is that the simplification took away the element of surprise and variety of the offense. Opposing defenses had less to worry about, which made it harder on the OL.

As for Mendoza, I disagree that he's a reason for the poor performance on the field. A few subpar combine bench press numbers is not reason to replace a strength coach. ND's teams problems to me have been much more on the technique and execution side than pure strength. He's not turning the team into powerlifters, but I don't think that's necessarily a bad thing.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 11:49 am | #

Great post as always, BGS! And congratulations to the recruiting staff and the new student athletes.

And now a potentially dumb question from someone* who never played a lick of organized football beyond elementary school:

How difficult is it to identify the Mike LB? And who usually is charged with that task?

I am guessing it is because the way defenses disguise their coverages and with all of the shifting around that occurs, but I’d appreciate some insight from someone who has been in that position before. Thanks in advance!

Dave

*I was one monster blocking FB for the mighty Phillips Falcons Elementary team, though. :-P
Dave in the Basement | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 11:53 am | #

For those wondering what happened to Nate Montana's father after he left Notre Dame, apparently he is working as a short order cook at a little soup and sandwich place in Boston.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:12 pm | #

Drudge Report:
CW to hand off play-calling to OC Michael Haywood.....
Check back for updates!
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:31 pm | #

Drudge Report Update!!!!
Can we get a big woo hoo hoo!
No coaches replaced!
CW to assist full time Coach Polian on Special Teams.
Check back for updates.....
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:33 pm | #

Drudge Updates!!!
Darrell Hand and Bartley Webb still in school on scholarship, but no longer will be playing football, medical reasons.
CW expects Yeatman, and Kuntz back in the Fall!
Yipee!!!
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:36 pm | #

Yo, Jim. Give us some links or stop celebrating by yourself.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:44 pm | #

Tenuta, oh my;
Recruiting making me faint;
Let's go win some games.
Domer Guy | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:44 pm | #

Dave,

Coming from someone who's only organized football experience is 8th grade where I played right guard and my sole duty in life was to hit the first person I saw as hard as I could, I believe the reason they identify the linebacker has to do with blitzes and coverages as you mentioned. Typically the QB identifies the LB, and then the Center makes the calls on the line as to who blocks whom. That's probably why Sully's job was hard, as he had to do all of that on his own, AND worry about whether the newbie guards and tackles could actually execute thos calls. There was practice video of CW trying to fix the O-line before or after the MSU game, and at one point he yelled "Hey, Turk(ovitch), you don't do sh*t unless Sully says so!"
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:47 pm | #

Erik, I think they're coming from the presser that started at noon today, so there's really no link yet.

I'm really really surprised that CW is giving up playcalling duties. It's a welcome surprise, but a big one.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:48 pm | #

Does anyone have Mrs. Cave's burrito recipe?
Doc Possum | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:50 pm | #

I went to the "Drudge Report" website and it just looks like the Onion. I'll be awaiting actual news, or a transcript of the presser.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:51 pm | #

ND should have the #1 recruiting class for 2008 when Scout recalculates based on who is actually academically eligible.

I'm willing to bet that not all of Alabama's 33 recruits are academically eligible.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:52 pm | #

Well, there's this:

http://www.etruth.com/Know/Staff...og.aspx? bID=442
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 12:53 pm | #

Thanks, Jade!
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 1:02 pm | #

Yes I forgot to give credit to NDLNA and e-truth.
Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa.
Erik, another Onion reader. Great!!!!
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 1:03 pm | #

und.com has the transcript of today's press conference. Good read.
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 1:07 pm | #

My sister made almost the exact comments to me regarding Sully as posted above, adding that he just may not have possessed the leadership skills required for such a young line. I've been really hard on the guy in the past; I think he surprised many with his Senior Bowl performance.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 1:17 pm | #

I have a question for people who actually watched the presser itself (I just read the transcript). Was CW asked about the whole Patriots Spygate thing? It's not mentioned in the transcript, but I know those transcripts can be a little selective and I'm just curious.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 2:03 pm | #

Oh. Never mind. I just read that in the transcript. Sorry.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 2:05 pm | #

I like this...

"In Latina's defense, I think a big part of the O-Line's problem was the fact that they trained all summer and fall for the D. Jones spread option....."

The same spread offense lasted all of a quarter. Apparently training for that offense meant not blocking anyone, because that's pretty much what they did all season.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 2:27 pm | #

I side with the other posters who think the O-Line's problems last year were substantially related to CW's decision to not emphasize live hitting. I'm pretty sure that won't be the case this year and we'll get a true read on whether Latina can coach them up. I trust CW's judgment on this, and I gotta say, it would have been easy for him to scapegoat Latina. I think it shows that he takes responsibility and is not going to throw somebody under the bus just to please the fan base.
rays15 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 3:34 pm | #

The und.com transcript of today's presser is a must read:

http://und.cstv.com/sports/m-foo.../ 020808aaa.html

One of the best, most informative pressers to date. Charlie has really done some good evaluating of the season, of his performance, and of the future, and I think he understands all of the problems that we saw from our couches and computers. He's not firing anyone, because HE was the problem. Firing an assistant coach after a season when so much of what that assistant coach did was directed by CW wouldn't be fair, so he's giving all the assistant coaches the opportunity to do their thing without his interference. That way, if they screw up again this year (and I don't think they will) he can justifiably fire them.

The other thing that I like is he's going to become more involved with the players. He's going to be the father figure (visible, approachable) instead of the god figure (directing the assistant coaches but not directly influencing the players). I like this approach, as it will allow him to teach the underclassmen on a more personal level, and is consistent with the kind of "buddy-buddy" personality that makes the Poodle somewhat successful.

I don't think I'm summarizing this well, so just read the press conference transcript. I'm super pumped for this year, and hope that greater control by the assistant coaches will allow them to utilize their skills for greater success on the field.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 3:56 pm | #

here's another link on today's news:
http://blogs.chicagosports.chica.../aroundthebend/
kmf | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 3:56 pm | #

Is anyone else disgusted about Milton Knox's decision to go to UCLA? Yeah, yeah, I know. His dad needed to sign the LOI and he didn’t want Milton to go to school at ND because it was too far away. He wanted him to stay close to home, but couldn’t he watch his kid play for ND on NBC et. Al? Wasn’t the word on the street that if he got a higher ACT score, Charlie was going to offer Milton a scholarship to attend ND? Judas….Mr. Knox, let your son fulfill his dream. Don’t be selfish and hold him back!!

Give me a break. Anyone hear if Vegas has a line yet on how long it will take Neuheisel will screw up and get fired?

Way to go Mr. Knox.
Clutch | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 4:07 pm | #

Is anyone else having trouble with the "Inside Signing Day" video?

I thought the "although the behind the scenes video doesn't appear to be available there now." was just referring to I-tunes, is it gone from und.com as well?
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 4:20 pm | #

Erik '04, I couldn't agree more with your sentiments. The question in my mind has been can Weis get past his own ego and trust his staff to do what they're paid to do - looks to be a resounding "yes"! I'm back on board the Charlie Train.
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 4:47 pm | #

If we don't want to offer a kicker, then I hope we're going to be on a full-court recruiting press down at the soccer field.
Burbank Steve | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 5:59 pm | #

I picked this up from the press release:

Q. If he (Haywood) could have gotten a head coaching job, would he go somewhere where he could call plays?
COACH WEIS: Contractually he would not have been able to do that.

I know it's been mentioned here earlier, but can anyone explain that to me? Is that saying that if Haywood were hired to be the head coach at Houston, for example, he would not have been able to call the plays? Maybe I'm not interpreting that right, but how is that possible?
kmf | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 6:05 pm | #

KMF - It's a transcription error. Dont worry about it.
Láeg | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 6:44 pm | #

Haywood could have accepted a head coaching job. He could not accept a coordinator's job at a college. He could apparently accept a pro job of any sort.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 6:49 pm | #

I may be out on an island here, but I liked Charlie calling the offensive plays. This was the one demonstrable skill he had coming out of the Patriots-- he regularly picked the right play against the defense opposing him. His first two years, with BQ at the controls of an experienced offense, he made exceptional calls, except for one fourth down fake against LSU. Will Mike Haywood be as good a play-caller? Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of the Head Coach being accesible to the players and working more closely with the assistants AND the defense, but the downside is the potential of poor plays called. I hope Mike H. proves me wrong.
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 6:58 pm | #

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/ne...tory? id=3237593

changes and advice abound. i think these are all good moves by weis. if he doesnt let anyone go i think he's at least done enough to allow these coaches to really show if they have the stuff to shine w/o charlie micromanaging
alanon | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 8:05 pm | #

I believe one of the things that we discussed during the season was CW showing more faith in his assistants. Trust. I didnt see anywhere in the transcript where he talked about New England and the fact that he sought advice from people like Gene Corrigan, who was highly regarded, shows that Charlie is wanting to become a great college coach. Jon Tenuta has the credentials to go anywhere, he could have gone to the NFL as a position coach. CW's hiring of Tenuta was a coup. The head coach is responsible for the gameplan being in place and that everyone is on the same page. I believe Haywood will be an exceptional play-caller and he has one of the best beside him in Charlie. Remember, Lou was reluctant to hand over the offense while he was at ND. I truly believe this is a huge growth spurt for Charlie as a head coach. I will say that he is a man of his word and his loyalty shows that he doesnt throw anyone under the bus. I believe this will go a long way for solidifying the future of ND football. Go Irish!
Doug | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 9:10 pm | #

Outstanding press conference. One of the most insightful glimpses of a coach's thoughts I have ever seen. I know people have been upset with the product this season but charlie does so many things to make me proud to be a domer.
michael | Email | Homepage | 02.08.08 - 11:22 pm | #

Doug,

As usual, great post. You have stuck by Weis throughout, and this latest presser reveals why we should, too. I'm looking forward to the next several seasons.

Go Irish!
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.09.08 - 2:16 am | #

Can someone explain something to me? ESPN's already got their "Top 150" list of 2009 recruits up (fine, I got that, they've been scouting, of course, no problem.) What I'm confused about is that many of them already are listed as "commits"--USC with about 4-5, including a QB.

I didn't think that coaches could even contact juniors until this recruiting period was over? And I didn't think that kids could commit verbally before the previous recruiting year was over? Isn't that why Cave and Golic and someone else committed a week after signing day last year?

What's going on?
Nate | Email | Homepage | 02.09.08 - 5:55 am | #

I'm sorry, USC had 8 commits. tOSU had about 4-5, GA had 3-4, Missouri and Illinois had a few...GT had one, at least. Is this even legal?
Nate | Email | Homepage | 02.09.08 - 6:04 am | #

Commits are legal for 2009. Under new rules, head coaches can't have direct contact with kids for a specific period of time after signing day. These commits were likely done to beat the new contact rule. Cw said himself that he was contacting 2009 kids for the past two weeks. 2009 kids can sign early.
Doc Possum | Email | Homepage | 02.09.08 - 11:42 am | #

2009 kids can sign early?? I think you ment to say they can commit, but I am sure there is no early signing going on anywhere.
The Dude | Email | Homepage | 02.09.08 - 2:14 pm | #

The 2009 kids cannot sign early but they can verbally commit to a school even in their junir year. As Nate noted, USC and tOSU are off to great starts and of the bunch that ND has offered, at least two have already commutted elsewhere (John Simon (tOSU) and De'von Flournoy (USC).
Eddie | Email | Homepage | 02.09.08 - 3:48 pm | #

You forgot Mike Golic Jrs uncle Greg Golic, who was also a fine player for the Irish.
TD | Email | Homepage | 02.09.08 - 4:01 pm | #

From the hoops game:

"At Notre Dame, we're halfway smart, so we can add up and trading two for two is all right," Irish forward Luke Zeller said.

There's a slogan for you! We're Notre Dame. We're halfway smart!
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 02.10.08 - 10:09 am | #

obviously zeller is an optimist. i guess that's better than 1/2 way dumb.
ndcreightonjay | Email | Homepage | 02.10.08 - 12:52 pm | #

Nitpick:

Bloodlines. We started to note this as the recruits began picking ND, but it bears repeating. The football bloodlines in this class are impressive. To wit:

Mike Golic, Jr. - father Mike and uncle Bob were stars at Notre Dame
Dan Posluszny - older brother Paul starred at Penn State and currently is a Buffalo Bill

Should be David Posluszny
tburger | Email | Homepage | 02.11.08 - 10:40 am | #