So what? FOLLOW THAT PLANE!!!

So what? 11.18.2009



So what? FOLLOW THAT PLANE!!!

Yep. It started! The obsessive Notre Dame Football fans are already following the jet to airports conveniently located near successful college football programs. Can’t say I blame them because I don’t blame the university administration for doing the due diligence.

We are in, again, a situation of perverse frustration. We should not be in this situation, but we are. Its confusing and many are left befuddled as to how this team has lost four games this season. Navy, at home? And I wasn’t that impressed with Pitt. ND should have won that game.

So what are a ND president and athletic director left to do? Soliciting the agents and universities to see if there is a common interest is the smart move. They have to test waters. There is too much to lose. The program’s credibility is at stake as well as its position with the BCS.

Learning from past mistakes will be vital in the universities decision. If your #1 guys aren’t there why go for a new #2 when you already have that. Especially when that one
can recruit.

Weis really appears to have hit a point of diminishing returns. Strange as it seems, however he has marked improvement on this team from last year. The six losses in 2008 were by an average of 12 points a game. They also won six games by an average of 13 pts.

This year, they’ve lost by an average of 4 pts in four games, and have won again by 13 points. While the margin of points in a victory has remained constant so far, the margin of loss has shown a 300% improvement. The running game is better, the defense, as a whole is better. The kicking game is better. It just hasn’t amounted to victories. If he beats Connecticut, he’ll improve wins by 15% - not much. Talk about a “close, but no cigar!” situation.

Weis’ problems can be explained too. The missed kicks against Navy, the slip against, USC, the defense not being ready for Michigan that early (they’d beat them today). Those aren’t his fault and can attribute to three loses. But Weis’ downfall will be intangible issues.

Against Navy, the team just lacked enthusiasm, until they needed to take action. They repeated similar behavior against Pitt. Frankly, I think Weis is too calm during game time and is may make the kids too relaxed or lacking urgency. Regardless, these are within his control. There just doesn’t seem to be enough “college football” characteristics in the product he puts on the field.

Weis also is still a victim in his rush hiring upon his hiring on ND. It just seems to me that you shouldn’t rush a defensive coordinator job. Rick Minter had a good reputation at one time. By his own admission, Minter didn’t think he did a great job at ND.

So, out with Minter in with Corwin Brown: looks great at first! Then comes John Tenuta. Shift Brown over. Did you check Georgia Tech’s record when Tenuta was there? It wasn’t that impressive. When you can’t stop the blitz, he’s genius. When you do, he’s something less than average. This explains ND’s has now on defense.

Couple this with an average special team play, and you will lose games by 4 pts. Your head coach is one dimensional.

Weis has knocked monkey’s off his back as well. He’s filled the depth chart and will continue to do so. He’s beaten MSU & BC at home. He won in the green uniforms (Army). He’s won a bowl game. But he’s got three big ones that keep escaping – undefeated at home; beat a ranked opponent (who stays ranked); and beat USC. Not in five year has this happened.

Here is where the administrations crossroads meet. What would be gained if the top choices weren’t available or interested? The last three times they did this it hasn’t worked out for two of them. The third one improved the situation for all involved, but is falling short of the creating the whole package. But if #1 is ready and willing, then we must make ourselves able.

Meantime, fans watch the internet to see if a specific plane is landing near their hopeful university program’s coach in hopes of uncovering who ready and willing may be.

Keep him on or cut him loose. If they cut him loose, I’ll understand and will not question the decision. Unless the hiring decision makes me think, what did we gain? At that point, I will look back and wonder, did we all need to be more patient?