Pat:
Thanks for the miscellaneous updates.
Things are slow during the dog-days-of –winter for the faithful.
NDNation has been disappointing in news and even rumors.
I’ll take anything right now.
Great news about the stadium grass getting changed out. I got tired of seeing our RB slipping and throwing up sod too.
Subway Alumni | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 11:14 am | #

Don't worry. I have a signed copy of Tyrone Willingham's book.
Doug McKenna | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 11:28 am | #

Uh-oh.

According to the linked article, "The sod will come from a Colorado turf farm, the same supplier as for the recently installed new grass field at Wrigley Field in Chicago."

Not since "the Game 6 incident" have the Cubs and Irish been so inextricably linked.
PaddyTheGreek | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 11:46 am | #

Why would Schiano turn down playing at the Meadowlands? Wouldn't a bigger venue mean more $$$ in the athletic budget at Rutgers? Perhaps he just doesn't want to allow ND to have that venue which would, in a round about way, acknowledge how big a presence they really are in the NY-NJ area.
Eddie | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 11:52 am | #

"...ready to become the best intersectional rivalry in the country." That's some first-rate delusion right there.
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 12:01 pm | #

Why would Schiano turn down playing at the Meadowlands?

He wants a real home-field advantage. He also wants the state to pay for the expansion of Rutgers Stadium.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 12:08 pm | #

You must really loathe your brother.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 12:10 pm | #

I've been to Rutgers and the Meadowlands for ND games and would
not go back to Rutgers to see a game.
Rutgers stadium was small and hard to get to, the Meadowlands is large and easy to get to, they sell beer also!
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 12:17 pm | #

good for schiano for having the cojones to say no to n.d. - for reasons that probably make sense to him. but i also think he's making a mistake and also refelecting current consensus thinking that the irish are a program on the descendant. i'm guessing in a couple years he/they will be kicking themselves for turning down a 7-year (apparently open-ended) series with nd - and all the exposure that comes with that.
sc_ _ _ 'em (if the story is true).
M Jelic | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 12:21 pm | #

I think Schiano was afraid to play ND. He knows ND is on the rise and the Big East conference provides Rutgers with an easy schedule.

Schiano pulled a Fielding Yost.

He was afraid of the competition. He also knows that losing to ND will hurt him right in the center of his recruiting base.

Schiano balked, because he's chicken.
atepesm | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 12:34 pm | #

I actually like the Rut's stadium. It's a cool place, though small.

If I had to guess, Schiano's probably thinking he wants a true home-and-home. The Meadowlands vs. the Irish is not a home game for Rut. It's a neutral site at best.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 12:47 pm | #

I actually wouldnt be suprised to see UConn jump at the opportunity to play ND in the Meadowlands. While the game doesn't give them any huge advantage, it does allow them to play one of college footballs most famous and popular teams at a major stage which would most likely be shown all over the country, if not at least the east coast. For a new program like UConn, that kind of exposure could be HUGE to establishing themselves as a big time Big East program. Great for their recruiting as well.

Don't be suprised to see UConn jump at this opportunity.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 1:04 pm | #

I could see UConn playing one or two games at the Meadowlands, but I could also see them wanting to play in Foxborough. Could you imagine the hilarity if a Notre Dame-UConn game at Gillette was played on the same day as a BC home game?
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 2:29 pm | #

Five years since ND replaced the turf in ND Stadium? From the SB Tribune article, "the current turf, which has been in use for five seasons"..... Prior to the ND / UCLA game this year, the GM of the Rose Bowl told me that they replace the turf twice a year. And it shows, the field was in excellent shape, like a carpet. I guess it's just priorities.
PasadenaDomer | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 2:55 pm | #

The Rose Bowl gets more use than Notre Dame Stadium. Also, back when I was a student (80s), the turf was replaced every seven years.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 2:59 pm | #

Aw Pat, why'd ya have to set the bar so high?
indy | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 3:10 pm | #

DJ,


Great point. I hadn't even thought of that. Foxborough would be a great place for ND to play. Theres a lot of good Irish Catholic families that would RELISH the opportunity to see the Irish play up there.
Brad | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 4:15 pm | #

I think you guys are right about UConn.

I like the Rut, but I think Jersey people are getting a little ahead of themselves in thinking that its turnaround is a permanent thing. I'd like to see, for instance, how this offense fairs without a guy like Rice. A back that good has a way of making the coach look extra smart.
Hal | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 4:19 pm | #

Why would anyone want to play at Rutgers after this.....

http://blog.nj.com/ njv_mark_diio...ers_draw_a.html
DDomer | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 4:36 pm | #

Looking at pictures of sod being laid is about as exciting as- wait for it- watching grass grow!

Wakka wakka wakka!
Bushell | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 5:23 pm | #

Excellent, excellent posting Pat.
I needed a good infusion on N.D. news.
You're absolutely right about Mike Haywood. I think Houston probably held N.D.'s dismal season against him, but in a year or two he'll be relieved because a much better job surely awaits.
Hard to figure what Schiano's real motivations were, but Rutgers will long regret this. And, by the way, is Schiano also the A.D.? That seems like a huge blown opportunity, and everyone knows Schiano is just biding his time until JoePa assumes room temperature.
I am astounded that the long line of people in the photo are all waiting to get CW's autograph. Were all of our living Heisman winners, plus Joe Montana sitting at the table with Uncle Charlie? But seriously, it's good to see that so many folks still hold the position of Head Football Coach, University of Notre Dame with such esteem and respect, and I'm glad Charlie got to feel the love. After he reels in this recruiting class with official signatures in February, I too will want to kiss his ring. (I'm partial to the one from SB XXXIX).
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 6:28 pm | #

DJ,

I like your idea.

That's one more than our AD has had.
Walk the Talk | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 6:30 pm | #

What other use does the Rose Bowl get besides UCLA games and the actual Bowl? Does an NFL team play there?

Replacing the Sod in South Bend twice a year would be impossible I think. Grass just doesn't grow/root in October in S.B. the way it does in Sunny California. My knowledge of the agricultural pressures of sod growing is lacking, though.
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 6:53 pm | #

Regarding Rutgers, they had an excellent football team last year. This year, 7-5 with some heavy duty losses. Schiano will learn fast that 7-5 won't cut it with the fans or anyone else for very long.

BTW, would Michigan, USC, OSU or Texas have played Rutgers on a home and home basis?
Lush | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 7:09 pm | #

Regarding the behavior of Rutgers fans, I think a couple of unsportsmanlike conduct flags would stop their chanting pretty quick. As far as I know it would be okay since refs do it when fans throw garbage on the field.
GB | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 7:16 pm | #

Lush makes an excellent point regarding the other programs that would not even entertain doing a home-and-true home series with Rutgers. What I don't understand is why wouldn't Rutgers use that game in Giants Stadium as a huge recruiting tool? It would be terrific revenue, bigger exposure than they ever imagined in their wildest dreams, and sort of a mini-bowl game, whereby you get a long weekend in Manhattan with all the fixins. Schiano blew it, and while he'll probably be pacing the sidelines in Happy Valley, Rutgers University will inevitably recede, returning to the horrid depths that they have long occupied, unable to offer an annual N.D. game as an inducement to lure quality coaches and recruits alike. When Schiano ultimately lands at PSU, ND should decide that playing Penn State is not in their interest anymore, or, better yet, telegraph that they will never entertain playing PSU again if Schiano is hired.
The hell of it is I don't want us playing Big East teams at all, so I'm glad the Rutgers series is over before it began. I just want Notre Dame NOT playing Rutgers because it's N.D.'s decision, not Rotgers'. And the chance to torment Schiano, possibly for years to come, would be too hard to pass up.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 8:06 pm | #

While Charlie remains at ND, ND is probably Rutgers biggest competition for New Jersey recruits. Schiano probably sees a no win situation for Rutgers playing ND, especially at the Meadowlands.
Don E. Brook | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 8:47 pm | #

Don E. Brook,
Your point is well taken, but Schiano recruits hard in FLA as well as the eastern seaboard. IMHO playing ND every other year in Joisey would help to elevate Rutgers program to something more than semi-regional. What's CW going to take out of NJ each year? Two or three guys at most. That certainly shouldn't warrant nixing the series.
Voice in the Wilderness | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 8:58 pm | #

http://www.ohiostatesucks.org/ wh...hyosusucks.html
Anonymous | Email | Homepage | 12.18.07 - 9:23 pm | #

Thanks anonymous for tOSU sucks website. I particularly enjoyed reading the story on Sammy Maldonaldo as I often follow my home state Terps when not following the Irish. Tressel is a scum bag!!
Knoxville Irish | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 9:30 am | #

FLASH -GOD IS GREAT- THE BIG TUNA ,WHO LOVES NOTRE DAME -IS GOING TO THEW HOME OF MICHAEL- PURCELLS IS MAKING CHARLIE -OFFENSIVE CO-ORDINATOR- AND WITH THE DEEP FAITH TUNA HAS IN THE BIG ENCHILIDA - THE HOME DEPOT KING HAS AGREED WITH PARCELLS TO Take the entire nd coaching staff to ATLANTA new name dog -- the atlanta fighting dogs
james dougherty | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 9:39 am | #

james dougherty,
I see they have computers now down by the river . . . under the bridge.
the Shadow does not know | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 10:02 am | #

Drunk at 9:39 AM, Dougherty? Well, you know what they say...it's always five o'clock somewhere...
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 11:32 am | #

What do you guys make of this FSU situation? I've always felt that Bowden ran a dirty program.
Greg | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 11:36 am | #

What do you guys make of this FSU situation?

If true, you get academic fraud and lack of institutional control, two of the biggest violations in the NCAA rulebook. No wonder FSU hired a former NCAA investigator to look into this; their only hope is to uncover the whole thing themselves, lay it all out in the open, and throw themselves on the mercy of the NCAA.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 11:42 am | #

Check out this article written by a Bay Area columnist in 2002 when Willingham was leaving Stanford for ND. Too bad Kevin White didn't read it...but would that have stopped him following the O'Leary debacle?


San Francisco Chronicle

Willingham goes to Notre Dame
Aftermath on The Farm
Irish's new coach will get exposed
Glenn Dickey
Tuesday, January 1, 2002

Printable Version

TYRONE WILLINGHAM is making a huge career mistake. At Notre Dame, he will be exposed for the mediocre coach he is.
Willingham has gotten an inflated reputation at Stanford, largely because the nearest comparison is Cal, which, except for one year of Steve Mariucci, has had seriously incompetent head coaches.
He was not the savior of the program at Stanford. His record of four winning seasons (one with players recruited by Bill Walsh) and three losing seasons is about par for the course at Stanford. Despite some horrible coaches such as Paul Wiggin and Jack Curtice, Stanford had had 20 winning seasons, 18 losing ones and six .500 years in the 44 years before Willingham.
Willingham's winning percentage of .550 is eclipsed by John Ralston, .588; Walsh, .585;
Chuck Taylor, .577; and Jack Christiansen, .573, who combined to coach 26 of the 44 pre-Willingham years.
Overall, Willingham is not in the top tier of Stanford coaches in the past half century. Indeed, his seven Big Game victories are virtually all that separate him from a .500 record.
As recently as two years ago, Willingham was on very thin ice at Stanford, following consecutive seasons of 3-8 and 5-6. His job was saved when he hired offensive coordinator Bill Diedrick, who was able to make use of the offensive talent being recruited.
The fact that Willingham survived two seasons like that is significant. It wouldn't have happened at Notre Dame. Stanford didn't pay as much as Notre Dame is apparently willing to pay, but it's a much better job, because alumni and administration don't expect so much.
A Stanford coach has some limitations, because the school's entrance requirements are much higher than others in the Pac-10 conference, but a coach also has important advantages. Alumni contributions have enabled Stanford to build impressive athletic facilities, and the school has a nice recruiting niche, as the rough equivalent of an Ivy League school but with a Division I-A program, the only school nationally with that combination.
Stanford's entrance requirements will prevent any coach from putting together the consistent success that coaches such as Bobby Bowden at Florida State and Steve Spurrier at Florida can expect, at schools with entrance requirements that run the gamut from minimal to nonexistent.
But Stanford alumni and administration recognize that, so they aren't as demanding as alumni of serious football schools. Some disgruntled Notre Dame alumni set up a Web site devoted to getting rid of Bob Davie. Can you imagine Stanford alumni ever doing that?
Coaching at Stanford also has lifestyle advantages, which is why they've been able to keep outstanding coaches such as Mike Montgomery, Mark Marquess and Dick Gould in place for so long. It's a cozy place, in a beautiful area with mild year-round weather, close to one of the country's premier cities.
Willingham will miss that at Notre Dame, where the pressure is unrelenting, more like a pro team than a college one.
Once, the Notre Dame job was the most coveted in the country, because the football coach had an inside track to the best athletes in the country, especially the Catholic ones. He had no trouble getting the players into school, either. Before a Stanford-Notre Dame game during his last stint at Stanford, Walsh noted that there were several players on the Notre Dame roster he had tried to recruit, but that there was a much larger number of players he didn't recruit because he would never have been able to get them into school.
That's changed. Notre Dame has raised its entrance/academic requirements, so that many of the athletes who could have gotten in 10 years ago no longer can. At the same time, the school plays a very tough schedule and both the school administration and the athletic director expect the team to be in the top 10 at a minimum. The goal is to compete for the national championship each year.
Willingham will face another problem he has never had at Stanford.
Because the pros are the bigger story in the Bay Area, college coaches don't face the intense scrutiny of their pro counterparts. He won't have that luxury at Notre Dame. The national media will descend on South Bend and make his life a hell. They'll ask tough questions and do tough stories. Losses will be dissected. His personality, or lack of, will be under the microscope.
Tyrone Willingham won't have a prayer. He should have stayed at Stanford.



E-mail Glenn Dickey at gdickey@sfchronicle.com.
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 11:43 am | #

Great post. We need something to make it to National Signing Day with our fingers and toes crossed. I wish we lived much closer to ND, so I could have stood in line. CW will take us to the level where ND fans want to see our football program. Patience is a great virtue.
Ted | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 11:46 am | #

P.S. The University of Washington should have read it also. Willingham's W-L % over the last three years at UW is .299...


PPS...The University president recently fired the AD that hired Willingham. TW won't last another 12-months...they're waiting for the buyout to dwindle to under $1 mil. Poor TW...reminds one of the football equivalent of The Producers, Max Bialystock...
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 11:52 am | #

Check out this article written by a Bay Area columnist in 2002 when Willingham was leaving Stanford for ND. Too bad Kevin White didn't read it

Well, considering that Willingham was introduced to the media on the very day Dickey wrote his column, it would be rather hard for White to consider it when he was making the call to hire Willingham.

In any event, this is beating a very, very dead horse.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 12:07 pm | #

Your "dead horse" had its fingerprints all over this year's 9 losses....and, unfortunately, next year's seniors.
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 12:26 pm | #

It is absolutely appalling how the Rutgers students treated the Navy players. Wow...I'm shocked because I never even heard of that happening. For that alone, I hope ND never plays them.

Are james dougherty and Robert T. Gilleran the same guy? Because I refuse to believe that two Irish fans are that crazy.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 12:31 pm | #

Your "dead horse" had its fingerprints all over this year's 9 losses....and, unfortunately, next year's seniors.

I know this. You know this. Most of the posters on this board know this.

The only time I will think about Willingham in 2008 is from October 12-25. After we (I hope) beat the living shit out of Washington, I plan on not thinking about him for an indefinite period.
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 12:32 pm | #

From the Ohio State Sucks! website:

"21. Not only are Ohio State's graduation rates poor, but the difference in graduation rates between black and white student athletes raises questions. The 4 class average graduation rates as of 1999-2000 for white football players was 71%, but a mere 30% for Ohio State's black football players. This is pathetic and shameful."

Oh really? I sincerely hope Michigan fans didn't create that website...
Jade | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 12:34 pm | #

Jade:

1) I cannot believe you think James Doughterty and Robert T. Gilleran are the same person.

2) JAMES LIKES TO USE HIS CAPS LOCK BUTTON WHEN MAKING A VERY STRONG POINT, andhe ofteon hads lotts and lotsh ov typois form rdinking two much off the hard stufv i supspect.

3) RTG, on the other hand, prefers orderly enumerated lists to make his comments.

4) Moreover, every RTG post i've run across has at least one reference to Lazy Bob Davie, and how he (and not Ty) is solely responsible for this awful year.

5) And don't forget RTG's signature sign off

6) Have a nice day!
Gobert T Billeran | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 1:11 pm | #

HAHA Alright I feel the need to join in.

1. bob gilleran does indeed always make a reference to lazy bob davie.

2. he also makes references to the usc mafia that he and his group are going to pursue and destroy.

3. he is also under some delusion that he is somebody.

4. he is a disbarred lawyer in the state of california, read about it here
http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/html...ed/ 3nr9709f.htm

5. he spews garbage and nonsense on the internet 24 hours a day, seriously, just google his name.

6. http://members.calbar.ca.gov/sea...il.aspx? x=70962

Have a nice day!
Brian
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 2:01 pm | #

Maybe he has multiple personalities?

Sorry, I just really want to believe that there aren't TWO Notre Dame fans that...well, dumb.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 2:03 pm | #

Well, I should clarify that I actually enjoy reading RTG's posts. I meant no malice by it. I also didn't know about the things Brian brought up, but you can rest assured that Lazy Bob Davie had a hand in it.
scott | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 2:12 pm | #

Honestly, I don't think I could have come up with a better backstory for Robert T. Gilleran than a disbarred lawyer from SoCal. Davie was probably on the board that disbarred him.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 2:16 pm | #

Isnt a great backstory Jade? As to those who are curious why exactly he was disbarred.....wait for it......wait for it.....http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/2cbj/97oct/ 97oct-23.htm
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 2:31 pm | #

ahh sorry about that

http://calbar.ca.gov/calbar/2cbj...ct/97oct- 23.htm
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 2:31 pm | #

And...it just got better. "Obnoxious behavior"? "Moral turpitude"? I don't believe it.

Well, yeah I do.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 2:46 pm | #

I do find it kind of funny that he charged his clients for obnoxious behavior. Can we charge him for that, too?
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 3:12 pm | #

As long as you're not an attorney, charge away. :)
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 3:17 pm | #

Hey BGS staff,

heard any truth to the rumor Omar hunter is going on a visit to UF and USC? Looks like the big boy is starting to waver!
David | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 5:08 pm | #

...nice rumor, david...did you hear it...or make it up?
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 5:14 pm | #

Jim, what have I done to deserve such scorn? really, I mean give me a break...no patronizing or sarcasm here!

Buford’s Hunter preparing to abandon Notre Dame?
By Jeff Hood

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/19/07 1:13 PM

Buford defensive lineman Omar Hunter is still set to sign a letter of intent with Notre Dame in February, at least for now.

Rumors are swirling that Hunter, rated as the second-best defensive lineman in the nation by Scout.com, is close to withdrawing his commitment to the Fighting Irish.

Jess Simpson, coach of the Class AA Buford Wolves, partially shot down that speculation earlier today.

“He has not de-committed to Notre Dame,” Simpson said around 1 p.m. “I know that for a fact.

“Now, the kid may begin considering other things. He may take a visit or two and just reevaluate things.”

Prior to committing to the Irish in early June, Hunter had taken visits to Florida, Florida State, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Southern Cal.


THe visits?....UF and USC
David | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 5:19 pm | #

Also, here is the UF/USC


***Craig Haubert just talked to coach Simpson at Buford, Omar Hunter's coach.

SportsNation Billy Tucker: (3:31 PM ET ) Hunter is planning a trip to Florida but it seems like he just wants to explore all of his options before he makes one of the biggest decisions in his life. Still committed to ND and has nothing to do with their poor season.

SportsNation Billy Tucker: (3:32 PM ET ) Wants to be confident in his decision on Feb. Hard to blame him for that. Carroll has been at the school trying to get a visit to USC as well.
David | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 5:24 pm | #

Seriously, Jim what gives?....I would think the people here know I don't talk crap....as James would say, I WAS JUST ASKING! :-)
David | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 5:25 pm | #

This should make some people happy.

http://profile.myspace.com/ index...iendid=81663058
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 5:51 pm | #

Guys:
Have you been following the situation with Willingham at UW? He is on a short leash and was forced to fire sevral assistants including defensive coordinator Kent Baer, something he refused to do while at ND. This is not a rumor--guess who interviewed for Baer's job today??

BOB DAVIE!!
Lush | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 7:27 pm | #

I hope it's just to reassure him that ND is the place to be, and that it does indeed do that. Can't have another D-lineman poached by sir chinless.

Unrelated topic, wasn't CW planning on doing a total season evaluation on December 17th? Anyone know if that happened or if he's made any comments about it? Probably too soon, just wondering. No rumors please. :)
Erik '04 | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 7:41 pm | #

I think he was going to start evaluating on Dec. 17. There's no way he can do that in just two days, more likely it will take at least a couple of weeks and even months. If he did have it completed already, I'd be worried. Chances are we wont hear much about it either.
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 7:53 pm | #

All the memories of Trattou are flooding back. Do you remember his quote about de-committing from ND, being so happy, jumping around and hugging the Florida coaches? It was the dorkiest thing I've ever read. "Hooray, I'm an idiot and a turncoat. Yippee!!!"

If Hunter leaves us for Darth Meyer we're kidnapping Tebow. Enough is enough.
Fighting Binny | Email | Homepage | 12.19.07 - 11:18 pm | #

I made this comment earlier in the year, and I still ask. Who would ever hire Mike Haywood as an OC or HC? He has very limited game experience (in the last 3 years) except for shuffling people on and off the field after Charlie barks the orders out to him. He looks very disinterested and unhappy during the games. I really think that it is time for him to move on.
LEO t | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 1:26 am | #

I would chip in $100 toward Davie's salary at UW. The opportunity to watch him at work under Ty would be worth every penny.

And I'll go on record as saying Meyer has about as much chance of prying Omar out of our DC's clutches as he does of curing cancer.

Is Hunter ranked as the second-best DL in the country now? Wow - isn't that a big jump in his stock since the early fall? I suppose the standard disclaimers about these rankings apply, but it speaks to the staff's talent evaluation process. Well done Omar. Here's one fan hoping we see you in the blue and gold.
indy | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 9:55 am | #

Were I coach at Stanford as was Ty,economics alone would have made a strong case to move to ND.

Palo Alto certainly is a far more compelling area than Michiana. However, I would venture that the cost of living is at least double ...



Give an increase in salary as well, the economics are very compelling, for moving on.

Were living costs more moderate Dickey's column would have been a more compelling one for Ty .
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 10:47 am | #

Used "compelling" a bit too much,sorry.
Dana Payne | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 10:48 am | #

still, a very compelling post.
M Jelic | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 11:03 am | #

Were I coach at Stanford as was Ty,economics alone would have made a strong case to move to ND.

Palo Alto certainly is a far more compelling area than Michiana. However, I would venture that the cost of living is at least double ...


Stanford gave Harbaugh a $3,000 housing stipend, and is beginning to purchase homes in the Palo Alto area for the use of their coaches. IIRC, Stanford's OC, a father of four, has moved into a four-bedroom home in the area that was purchased by the University (were this not the case, he could not have afforded to take the position in the first place).
DJ | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 11:33 am | #

Heh. If only the cost of housing in Palo Alto were only double that of Michiana . . .
david | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 11:54 am | #

...is ND still recruiting?...or just holding on for dear life...
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 12:00 pm | #

i asked this in the previous post, but does anyone know which recruits DIDN'T attend the banquet? it would seem to me that those might be the obvious places to focus for now (tho not that the staff can afford to ignore anyone).
yz | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 12:45 pm | #

The cost of living, or at least housing in Plao Alto is closer to 4x that of South Bend.


Here is a 1369 square foot house for $1.4M
SFPeninsula | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 1:03 pm | #

http://www.mlslistings.com/ Repor...opertyId=789150
SFPeninsula | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 1:04 pm | #

If anybody thinks Corwin is going to lay still while Leyer gets Hunter to visit, they're out of their mind. He knows how crucial Omar is to this class and will do everything in his power to get him to remain loyal to his pledge.
Brian | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 1:56 pm | #

I'll take your post as an apology Jim/RB....here's more on that issue:

According to ESPN's Craig Haubert and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Under Armour All-American Omar Hunter is seriously looking at Florida and USC.
His high school coach, Jess Simpson, went as far to call Florida, "a more likely alternative to Notre Dame," in the Journal-Constitution's article.
Simpson added, "I don't think it was so much the season they [Notre Dame] had. I think he's just starting to reconsider where he's going to school and how far away it is and the weather and the climate, and how easy it is for his family to come see him."

Apparently the Atlanta j/c got the quote wrong, UF a more likely alternative than USC....
David | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 2:03 pm | #

I understand that people are allowed to change their minds and it doesn't bother me (too much) because, at the end of the day, we all only want guys who want to be at ND. But is this guy seriously just realizing NOW that it's a little cold in South Bend and, oh by the way, it's a little far from Georgia? Come on.
Jade | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 2:36 pm | #

...poor david...consistently looking for approval...
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 2:37 pm | #

Okay, I've been waiting a few years to ask this. Now that Lloyd Carr is no longer coaching Michigan, will he be getting the band back together again, that band being Lloyd Carr and the Commotions?

I loved 'Rattlesnakes'.
Joe Subway | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 3:01 pm | #

Hey all, quick question and I know any answers would be mostly conjecture, but on Tuesday's Power Hour with Mike Frank, Frank spoke of the potential transfer of some current ND players. Does anyone have any information on who these players might be?
Jesse | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 4:44 pm | #

No offense Jesse, but at this point it would just be spreading rumors, most of which are untrue. There may or may not be additional transfers. But at this point I don't think it does anyone any good to bring up names.

Many, many college players consider transferring at some point in their career. But usually those thoughts fall by the wayside and no one is the wiser. Now with the instant communication of the internet, people hear a guy bitching to a dormmate and before you know it, he's packed and shipped to his home state University in the court of public opinion.

I suggest we all just sit and wait on this topic. If it happens, we can talk about it then. Until then, let's give the kids a chance to work through what has to be a tough decision.
Pat | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 5:36 pm | #

Jade, I doubt he's just now realizing that it's cold in SB and a long way from home. However, he may be reconsidering where he prioritizes those things relative to when he committed to ND originally.

It looks as though the coaching staff is on top of things, given that Weis reportedly visited him last week.
Mr. Wednesday | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 7:39 pm | #

When was the last time ND fans were concerned that 5-star recruits would de-commit rather than commit??
Lush | Email | Homepage | 12.20.07 - 8:53 pm | #

no jim, i just expect men to act like men and say they are wrong when they are..I provided proof and substance to my post which you specifically asked for....if you wouldn't be so quick to judge people on this site and their intentions, maybe you wouldn't catch so much crap! Regardless, I still enjoy your posts, and I hope that everyone has a wonderful CHRISTmas!
David | Email | Homepage | 12.21.07 - 10:41 am | #

irishbandofbrothers.blogspot.com/

check this out on Omar!
David | Email | Homepage | 12.21.07 - 10:47 am | #

No worries, thanks Pat. Not my intention to spread rumors.
Jesse | Email | Homepage | 12.21.07 - 11:21 am | #

...just how needy are you, david...?
jim / redondo beach | Email | Homepage | 12.21.07 - 4:16 pm | #

RU ND

greatest intersectional rivalry

just what I was thinking
VAMAN | Email | Homepage | 12.21.07 - 9:48 pm | #

thanks for ruining my christmas present to my dad... he found me in that picture three days before Christmas.
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