Our Next Coach????? ST - He'd be Weis to ignore the hype

[k19]

Posted on Sat, Sep. 10, 2005




THE ASSOCIATED PRESS/JOE RAYMOND
With a victory at No. 3 Michigan today, Charlie Weis would be the first first-year Notre Dame coach to win his first two games away from South Bend since Knute Rockne in 1918.





He'd be Weis to ignore the hype

By Wendell Barnhouse

Star-Telegram Staff Writer


Charlie "The Little Tuna" Weis is this week's Resident Genius.

When you're the coach at Notre Dame, the spotlight shines 24/7/365. The glare is an Irish vow for better or worse, for winning or losing. A dominating season-opening defeat of Pittsburgh, on national television, has made everybody believe that Notre Dame's new coach is a Weis Guy.

[View Full Quote]For his next trick, Weis takes the Irish for another road trip. No. 20 Notre Dame plays at third-ranked Michigan today.

It's the opening act for tonight's blockbuster Texas-Ohio State contest.

The Irish and the Wolverines have tradition, similar stadiums, memorable fight songs and a rivalry that is heated even though it isn't staged every season. Michigan is No. 1 in all-time victories and winning percentage; Notre Dame is second in both categories.

"Not to downplay it, but it's no different for me this week than it was last week," Weis said. "That's how I view it. Might be different emotions for the players who experience it, but I view it as going to Michigan Stadium and trying to win the game.

"I have no emotions at all about Notre Dame versus Michigan. None."

The mouth that uttered those words sits below a crew cut, not a tousled silvery main.

But Weis is a Billable coach. He fell out of the Bill Parcells-Bill Belichick coaching tree and hit every branch. Weis' comments about the Michigan rivalry came from the Ignore All Hype chapter of the Book of Parcells.

Weis, who earned three of his four Super Bowl rings as Belichick's offensive guru, outmaneuvered Pitt coach Dave Wannstedt in the opener. The Irish had 42 points and 502 total yards -- numbers that recent ND teams would take two games to acquire.

Savvy play calling, talented quarterback Brady Quinn, a veteran offensive line ... sure, hey, why not pencil Notre Dame into a BCS game right now?

Weis might be the right coach to shake down the echoes in South Bend, but he's far from the perfect fit when it comes to dealing with the frenzy created by the outcome of each game.

He's a taciturn drill sergeant, my-way-or-the-highway ball coach.

"We've played one game, and we've played fairly well in one game," Weis said this week. "But they count by 11. It all comes down to how we play this week. We'll see how we're rated after we play Michigan."

On the opposite sideline will be Lloyd Carr. In two of the past three seasons, Carr was outfoxed by former ND coach Tyrone Willingham. Last season, the Wolverines let a winnable game in South Bend slip away because of conservative play calling.

But Saturday in the Big House, Carr's concern centers on his defense.

In the Wolverines' past three games, they've allowed an average of 434 yards in total offense.

"When I see that defense, it really worries me," former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler said. "First of all, I'm not sure that we have enough speed in there right now, particularly in the secondary. Secondly, our tackling is atrocious. That's not typical Michigan defense."

While Carr, who won a share of the national championship in 1997, is critiqued by former Michigan coaching greats, Weis can only play ghost buster. His time at Notre Dame will be measured against legends.

The last first-year Notre Dame coach to win his first two games away from South Bend defeated those noted powerhouses Case Tech and Wabash. That happened in 1918. The coach was Knute Rockne.

All it took was a lopsided victory over a ranked team on the road and Weis has become The Next Legend.

"Don't ever fool yourself about coaches being geniuses. There is no such thing," Mike Ditka told reporters before the Irish defeated his alma mater Saturday. "As great as Bill Walsh was, he was lot better when he had Joe Montana and Steve Young.

"Usually the good teams have the best football players. The better players, the better coach you are."

By all accounts, Weis is recruiting at a national championship level.

If Notre Dame upsets Michigan Saturday, Irish fever will become rampant.

Weis, though, knows what Ditka and the rest of us know. Willingham started his Notre Dame career 8-0 and was hailed as a genius. Two seasons later, he was a dismissed dolt.

Anyone in THE NE area catch this..............

Brady: Panthers will provide great test


(Sept. 14, 2005) -- Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, a Michigan alumnus, appeared at his weekly press conference wearing a Notre Dame hat over his Patriots hat. On Sept. 10, Notre Dame won 17-10 at Michigan, making former New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis 2-0 as Notre Dame's head coach. The main topic of conversation was the Carolina Panthers, who will play host to the Patriots on Sept. 19. New England defeated Carolina 32-29 in Super Bowl XXXVIII on Feb. 1, 2004.

NFL Network
Brady: This one's for Charlie [Weis].

Q: How painful is this? [Groaning and laughter]

Brady: I'm wearing it.

Q: How does the lid feel?

Brady: It doesn't happen often [a Notre Dame win over Michigan]. I've got my true colors on underneath ... my Patriot colors. They got lucky.

If Weiss had lost he would have owed Brady a Case of Beer.

[CactusCowboy]

He would be great and hopefully would stop this Bob ( overated) Stoops talk....and I am an OU grad.

[dragon_mikal]

Originally Posted by CactusCowboy

He would be great and hopefully would stop this Bob ( overated) Stoops talk....and I am an OU grad.

I couldn't agree more. If Bob Stoops ever became coach of this team we would be doomed. Everything Bill has done would be ruined.

SAY NO TO BOB STOOPS.

On the other hand, I would love having Charlie as the next coach of the Cowboys.

[Seven]

IF....that works out I would wear a Michigan cap for a week. I could not explain the joy in which that would bring us.....the Dallas fans.

[Cogan]

I don't know if we would want a Parcells clone to follow his footsteps. Normally, players are more apt to be receptive to a coach who is the antithesis of his predecessor.

Miami offensive coordinator Scott Linehan would be the perfect fit for this team. I did an article on him for KFFL, & this guy is incredible at working w/QBs & turning them into world-beaters. Just watch, he will do the same in Miami, whenever they get a real QB...haha. Seriously, we need someone who can come in here & work with the two backups, & teach them his secrets. They both have the tools, and I'm sure he could bring at least one of them up to starting quality within 1 1/2- 2 years.

Just a few QBs who have flourished under his tutelage: Doug Nussmeier, who broke almost all of Idaho's passing records, & won the '93 Walter Payton Award, Brock Huard, Dave Ragone, Chris Redman, & Daunte Culpepper. That's why I would love to have him here to bring one of our proteges along. That way, we have a quality QB waiting in the wings when Bledsoe steps down.
Plus, the players will love this guy. I love the run as much as any Cowboys fan, but it sure would be nice to have a great passing game to watch.

[MarionBarberThe4th]

I think its clear itll be Zimmer

[Cogan]

I love it! Bring back Chan Gailey.

[5mics]

I wouldn't rule out Sean Payton as a potential replacement once Tuna calls it quits. He's handling the play calling this year so this is a BIG year for him. I, for one, hope Payton does very well and becomes the next Cowboys coach.....

[CrazyCowboy]

Go Cowboys!