We're going to address the other points in the presser in another post. I just wanted the play-calling issue to stand alone at first since it's such a big change.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 9:15 am | #

does anyone know where Haywood came from and if he has ever called a play before?

Surely Chaz is not going to let the whole offensive system change. I would hate to see Jimmy or Dayne out there running the "spread". There is a reason no one in the pros runs that type of offense.
ARIrish | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 9:31 am | #

We will be running the same offense with more or less the same plays. The difference will be that in the week leading up to the game, Charlie will not spend as much time scripting the plays and deciding which set of plays will be the focus of that particular matchup. Instead he will work with the entire team. Likewise, during the game, Charlie will be free to focus on more tasks than prepping the next set of offensive play calls.

Haywood coached at Texas and LSU before coming to ND, but has not had opportunity to call plays before.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 9:55 am | #

Don't worry... There's no need to make more of this than what it is. No one is going to reintroduce the "spread" or anything so ridiculous.

Weis is still the coach. He will still develop the offensive strategy and create the playbook. He's simply going to let his O.C. do his job and call the plays while Weis manages the big picture, which is exactly what a head coach should do.

Frankly, between this and the Tenuta hire, I'm absolutely giddy about the upcoming season!
Geoff Trowbridge | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 9:58 am | #

I think its important to know that this can only be a change for the better. It will allow the other coaches to add flexibility to the offense, but at the same time, Weis's expertise on offense isn't going anywhere. He is still going to be able to point out weaknesses in the opponent's defense, and call plays when he sees the need for them. Plus, he will have more time to devote to the team as a whole, and it seams as if he is more interested in team dynamics right now.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 10:13 am | #

While it is nice to see Charlie trying to make a big change, I think the jury is still very much out about the success and wisdom of this change, and will be for at least a season if not more. Even if we do much better next season, that much or all of the improvement may very well be a result of simply more experienced players and an even better defense. Off the top of my head, I am pretty sure that both Steve Spurrier and Urban (not positive on him) call their own plays and have been pretty successful. Anyway, I like the big change, but at the same time I am a little nervous about not having the robot genius calling plays. Hopefully Charlie is a genius teacher too and Haywood will be ready.
Mark | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 10:45 am | #

Is this going to help our blocking and tackling? What about blitz recognition? Do you think this big-picture idea Charlie is taking is going to improve the way we work on our fundamentals? Or is it just re-arranging the chairs on a sinking boat instead of plugging the hole?
Irish4eva | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 10:52 am | #

what about the offensive line? i'm as excited as anyone about the tenuta hire, and his decision to back away from the play calling.

but i'll consider this off season disappointing if there isn't a coaching change at the offensive line. 3 years is enough time to see progress.
buck | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 11:04 am | #

Thanks for the clarification.
GO IRISH!!!
arirish | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 11:12 am | #

Sinking boat? Did you miss the news on the last few recruiting classes?
captain jack | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 11:50 am | #

Dont look for a coaching change on the offensive line or anywhere else. We will be starting spring practice soon and this is not the time to change coaches. Weis told everyone what the problem was last year. Him. Leave it at that. I believe you will see a more physical spring practice as now the focus will be more on teaching than scheming. I think that CW knows now the value of physical practices and going 100% all the time in practice. You play like you practice. Look for some optimism instead of constantly looking for Weis to fail He did well his first two years and admitted that he made huge mistakes last year. I said before that he has to change if he wants to succeed and work out this contract, he took the first steps.Quit looking for the dark clouds before we even see how the spring goes.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 11:51 am | #

As a non-ND fan, I think it is clear that backing away from the play calling is a wise move. Too often coaches try to wear too many hats because of their need for complete control. It fails frequently because those positions were seperate for a reason. Generally, because they are a full time job. There are coaches that call their own plays (I think Tressel does) most don't and Weis' inexperience as a head man has complicated the issue. As to the knew play caller--who knows? I am impressed by Weis' ability to recognize when something is broke and quickly try and fix it. Many of the older college coaches continue to try to force 'their way' beyond all rational bounds.

The Tenuta things would concern me. They already have a DC who you guys seemed to like. What is Tenuta's job and what was he offered to take this limbo position? I would be dubious of following the 'Redskins model' where you just keep higher more coaches with longer titles until no one knows who's making the decisions.
imafreak | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 11:58 am | #

imafreak--

Tenuta's job title is assistant head coach (defense) and he will also coach the linebackers. He is replacing Bill Lewis, who had the exact same job title (except he coached the DBs), so it's important to note that the Tenuta hire is in no way downplaying Corwin Brown's role. Coach Weis has stated that he especially wanted a replacement for Lewis who had just as much experience so Brown had someone to lean on and go to for advice, but that's about it. Brown is still the defensive coordinator; I don't see much has changed for him duty-wise from last year except that Tenuta is a bigger name than Lewis.

I was really impressed with CW's decision. Obviously, I cannot know if it is the right one yet, but it shows a lot that he is willing to put his "ego" aside and do what's right for the whole team, not just the offense. And while I haven't been impressed with any of Latina's OL's at ND, I think Charlie made the right decision in not making anybody the scapegoat. Last season was so bad that you cannot blame it on any one person-- except for Charlie himself, that is.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 12:25 pm | #

I believe Charlie also said that he would still have input on whether the plays would be run/pass/play action and so on, but Haywood will call the specific play. Not sure if Charlie will have that kind of input on EVERY play, but he will have some input throughout the game.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 12:32 pm | #

Food for thought on the ND change of play callers:

When the O reviews tape of ND's following week's competition, who will decide what the strategy will be for ND's O? I assume that's now Heywood's work (with staff suggestion in support).

When ND's O prepares plays/packages for the next week's competition, what will they practice to prepare them for the chosen strategy? I assume that's now Heywood's work.

What plays will be scripted and what will their order be? I assume that's Heywood.

When the fit hits the shan and the O has to call plays NOT on the script . . . Is that still Heywood?


I guess this change makes a substantial difference in how CW spends his time preparing for games.

It'll definitely be interesting to see how this plays out.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 12:33 pm | #

It's been a few years now and I still don't get it, so can someone please explain to me:

What the heck is the "assistant head coach--defense" if it's not the defensive coordinator? From what I've always understood, you had the head coach, and then you had one coach in charge of all of the offense--the offensive coordinator--and one in charge of defense--the defensive coordinator. By being in charge of half the team, he's by default an "assistant head coach", is he not? How exactly does it work for a position coach (DB's, LB's, etc.) who in terms of the Defense is subordinate to the Def Coordinator to be the "Asst Head Coach--Defense"? It seems to be simultaneously subordinate to and superior to the D Coord.

Is it simply just a title to make the deal sweeter for a guy who some talked about being a head coach? Is it what Tenuta (and Lewis before him) needed for their egos to handle being under another D-Coord? As a military man, it just doesn't compute to have someone in charge in some situations, and someone else in others.
Nate | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 12:42 pm | #

Nate, it's an honorarium more than anything else, and a way for Charlie to pay them a little bit more money. He's always had an Asst HC-Offense and Asst HC-Defense. First it was Cutcliffe, then Latina. And on defense Lewis, and now Tenuta.
Jay | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 1:07 pm | #

I don't know what the hub-bub is about Weis handing over play calling. I see to remember that he talked about doing that last year in the preseason, and then as things went sour he followed up with the statement that he would remain the playcaller until they got out of that mess, so as to not throw Haywood under the bus.

Can anyone back me up on this?
E-man | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 1:15 pm | #

E-man, I thought it was a pretty big surprised that Weis would hand over playcalling. I think he's always viewed it as his biggest strength. When asked in the past if he would consider handing it over to Haywood, his usual answer was that it was out of the qeustion...at least for a long time.
Gabe | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 1:17 pm | #

I really like this move by Charlie in the abstract, but but can't help but think he'll quickly re-insert himself as lead play-caller when the offensive sputters a bit.
jeremy | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 1:18 pm | #

Well we can't say that CW isn't willing to make changes when things aren't working. I like the he didn't throw his assistants under the bus, and this new freedom and (especially) accountability for them should pay big dividends for the players. I'm thinking (hoping) O-line in particular.

Jon Tenuta will not be calling the plays, so I don't anticipate seeing a blitz-happy defense. However, he is a great hire because he has had success at the collegiate level, we get a solid coach who can "coach-up" our talented players, and Corwin has a great guy to whom he can go to and say "Hey Jon, help me draw up a crazy blitz for next year."
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 2:16 pm | #

Didn't Tenuta start his first day at Notre Dame yesterday (Mon, Feb 18)? Wasn't there supposed to be a press conference to "introduce" him to the media so the beat writers can ask things like "Are we going to see a blitz-happy defense this year?"
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 2:17 pm | #

I am still reserved on this decision. I think I'd rather let the D coaches have free rein. Charlie then really only has to worry about O. What about all the gut-check calls, like 4th and 4 from the 41. Is Charlie handing that call over, or holding it? But as someone else said, lets block and tackle and everything will work out.
canuck 75 | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 2:27 pm | #

In regards to what/who does what with their job tite.

Head Coach- Top man, accountable for team as a whole

D Coordiator
O Coordinator- Call plays for Defense and Offense respectively

Position coaches- Go over scheme and matchups with players individually. An example of this is when the O-Line is sitting on the Bench. In the order they play. It's the OL coach who is over in front of the bench talking to them.
aaron b | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 2:47 pm | #

canuck,

It's my understanding that the head coach makes the tough decisions, like when to go for it on 4th and 4, when to kick the extra point vs. go for 2 point conversion, when to kick the onside kick, etc. If it's 4th and 4, CW says "we're going for it, Mike, give me a good play here."
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 2:58 pm | #

And let's not overlook the role the head coach plays in planning the offensive schemes. CW isn't going to be oblivious to what's going on in the offense, he's just not going to call the specific plays. He's still going to look at the film and say "San Diego State is vulnerable deep, let's mix in some deep stuff early on to see if we can't jump out to a quick lead." Michigan has and inexperienced defensive line, let's focus more on pounding them hard with the running game."
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 3:01 pm | #

E-Man,

I think I recall that when Weis hired Haywood, he was asked who would be calling the plays. Weis said that he would call all the plays until such time as Haywood could call the offense as well as Weis, and at that time he'd let Haywood take over.

So what I'm saying is, based on that recollection, I'm as unsurprised as you are since Weis said from the outset that this day was coming. On the other hand, I could be completely wrong about what I remember Weis saying.
Lujack City | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 3:53 pm | #

since when does the O-Coordinator call defensive plays????

Im guessing you are mistaken
bubblyface | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 3:53 pm | #

nevermind...I misread that formattting..my bad
bubblyface | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 3:54 pm | #

Does anyone actually believe that Charlie isn't going to call the plays against Michigan and USC? I don't think so, but this should help the overall team and Charlie's involvement with player development.

Lou gave up calling the plays but during the big games, he always had the headset on.
The Butobi Brothers | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 3:58 pm | #

I was watching an FSU game last year when, according to the sideline announcer (fwiw), Bobby Bowden "made his influence" felt by calling a 4th down call over Jimbo Fischer. I would assume Charlie will still call or influence many key plays. It's still his team, and the Ws or Ls are his responsibility at the end of the day.

But the lion's share of the plays would be called by Mike. I know the change comes on the heels of a bad year, but this could also be a sign of Charlie's growing confidence and comfort in Mike's abilities.
Glen | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 4:05 pm | #

I imagine the offensive playcalling going like this next year:

Weis: "It's 4th and 7; we're going for it. Mike, give me a pass play, maybe a screen pass."

Mike: "Buffalo 66 out of Detroit." (or whatever those terms BGS explained last year were).

Weis: "Alright, you got that Jimmy? Buffalo 66 out of Detroit. Don't screw this up, and watch for the blitz."

-The rest of the time, I think Weis will stay out of the way, until the game becomes a nail biter. But I think that's what most HCs do.

I know Haywood is inexperienced, but I think he is going to be an excellent head coach someday, and this is the kind of guy to whom Weis should be turning over the playcalling.
JM | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 4:25 pm | #

I have a feeling they will be running more.

I really think that theses changes will be good. I really hope they will be.
Austin The Mexican Leprechaun | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 4:25 pm | #

The most important change is going to be Charlie's personality towards the players. He is not a players coach and this is one of the main reasons players have transferred. This is also the reason half the team last year seemed to not give a shit when they were on the field. They did not want to win for Charlie, period. I don't think Charlie has to change comepletely, because you can't take someones personality out of them, but you can smooth out the rough edges. Charlie has definitely recognized this, but lets just hope it changes enough to get more wins.
true2nd | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 4:46 pm | #

How do we know that Haywood is inexperienced? We act as if we know what has been going on for three years and the rest of Haywood's career as a coach. Maybe Haywood is a better Xand O guy than Charlie. We don't know and the only thing we can do is speculate. I personally believe that Haywood will be in the box along with Tenuta. Charlie will be on the sidelines to talk to the offense, as will CB. As for CW's attitude toward the players, I remember him saying that this was business and that was how he was treating this as business, that is when he was first hired. I would like to hear his words now. Also, him saying that getting the team fired up before either the Penn St or Michigan game two years ago. I believe that CW is morphing into a real head coach. He had to get rid of the NFL arrogance and he has to buy into the excitement and color that is only college football. 18 and 19 year olds can do amazing things when they are fired up and excited, when good things happen it is like a wildfire spreading, when bad things happen it is like a flood. Charlie has play on that wildfire and dam the flood.
Doug | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 5:13 pm | #

I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such...

Sorry couldn't resist - it pops in my head everytime I hear or read "I personally believe..."

BTW - she is a student now at my alma mater.
OldFan | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 6:13 pm | #

Special Teams concern me more than O and D. Bring back the Rocket to jump start Special Teams. He still is fired up. His interviews on the Legends of SB site are classic. A few ST TDs and take aways are what is needed to give the O and D more breathing room as they deal with numbers and youth issues. CW must spend some of his new extra time curing the St ills. We have the speed. We don't have the scheme.
Doc Possum | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 6:13 pm | #

Charlie, for the first three seasons, served as his own OC and called all the plays from his field level vantage point. Heywood, officially the OC, but did not actually call plays, and stood on the sideline right beside Charlie. Who was upstairs in the coaches booth? That person is quite important, and must be very trusted to recognize what the defense is doing, or notice when an opposing player might be a little gimpy, etc, and then relay that information down to Charlie so that he can factor that into his playcalling when not on-script. I remember that CW called the plays for the Pats from the sideline, but in the NFL, an eye-in-the-sky camera sends a picture down to the field immediately after each play. Colleges don't utilize that technology, so I am curious who has served as Charlie's eyeballs in the past, and will Heywood go upstairs for a better vantage point, or simply rely upon another Coach X as has been the procedure?
All that being said, I'm much more concerned about our o line's ability to block than I am about our playcalling.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 6:14 pm | #

Voice,

The man's name is Haywood - not Heywood. Jeez, did OC mj pee in your cereal this morning?
Jan | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 7:57 pm | #

I call sacrilege on Jan towards VIW & OCMJ.**giggles and smiley faces**
jim masterson | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 8:01 pm | #

Jim Masterson

One more sacrilege ain't gunna matter where I be goin'. On the other hand, the thought occured to me that the Fightin' Irish will be well represented there for all the cussin' and swearin'that last year brought!
Jan | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 8:27 pm | #

Jan,

Don't be messin' with the future Pres and her Chief of Staff. We know where you live...
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 9:30 pm | #

Remeber, it's "THE Iraq"
Catz | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 9:33 pm | #

I imagine the Special Teams will improve simply because the talent level at LB and S has improved. Those postions usually house the best special teamers.
aaronb | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 10:11 pm | #

Nice Beck reference.
Chris Luzecky | Email | Homepage | 02.19.08 - 10:31 pm | #

Good catch, Chris. Are these changes the result of a "Mutation" in Charlie's DNA?
OC mj | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 12:11 am | #

Careful what you wish for.

Even mini-Ditkas couldn't call a non-negative play with last year's OL.

Go, Irish - DEVELOP the players!
ThE LoSt BoY | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 7:01 am | #

Why can't we get some mini-Ditkas?

I hear Lost Boy. I just read the Irish Illustrated piece on the offensive line and that bit of analysis has me very troubled. How so much went wrong is beyond me. I didn't know Young got benched in the Stanford game for whiffing on blocks.
Sean Fitzgerald | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 8:28 am | #

Voice - Last year Powlus was up in the booth.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 11:44 am | #

Jade, I totally I agree with you. This year is going to be exciting. Go Irish.
Jean | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 12:13 pm | #

"How do we know that Haywood is inexperienced?"

Because he's never called plays before. Maybe he's a brilliant playcaller, but we don't know yet. Heck, he doesn't even know yet.

I hope they run the ball a whole lot more next year. To have four great RBs and not run the ball would be a travesty, especially since Hughes is so awesome (had to put that in there). Of course, to do that they need an offensive line and I think the jury is still out on that. We'll see.

Oh, and thanks, Jean. I sure hope this year is exciting.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 12:31 pm | #

3-9.
scoreboard | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 12:34 pm | #

Haywood will have an advantage this year over last. Just the fact that Jimmy really seemed to come on late last year. The same 5 that started the final 2 games on the OL last year will be back. All the receivers are back. Add all of that to a much easier schedule. All signs point to Haywood looking like a hero. Weather it's justified or not.
aaron b | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 1:49 pm | #

Doc possum,

Special teams concerns me too. I hope Frank Beamer can teach Charlie how to teach a guy to kick a FG from farther than 30 yards out? Returns are graet for field position, and BGS did a great job analyzing our field position woes this year, but I'll take a return to the 20 yrd line if we only have to go another 50 to get in field goal range as opposed to a return to the 30 and still have 60 yards to go for FG range. :)
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 02.20.08 - 2:05 pm | #

Weis is a great mind and has high ideals that he strives for. But his problems stem largely from not living life enough like a Christian.
Not respecting the capabilities of others enough- he has now made moves to change this. He has been asked to curb his foul mouth and he is now responding. Ruling his players with intimidation and threats instead of treating them as "beloved sons" whom nevertheless need to be firmly corrected ("for what son does his father not chastise?"). Making promises that do not respect the rights and efforts of others that committedly involved in the program; and consequently showing favoritism.
Despite all of the advantages he had, his vices made the team this last year a veritable house of cards.
The incomparable John Wooden was to UCLA what Weis needs to be to Notre Dame in order to make the Irish fulfill their potential and make the university proud.
Now it looks like he is cleaning up his act. I hope he continues for his sake, the team's and the whole Irish community.
Bill V | Email | Homepage | 02.21.08 - 7:01 am | #

..."Weis is a great mind and has high ideals that he strives for. But his problems stem largely from not living life enough like a Christian."...

...now there's a solution I didn't think of...
jim/redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 02.27.08 - 10:31 pm | #