Notre Dame Rumor Mill

Whoo, boy! The rumor mill is running rampant among the Fighting Irish cognoscenti. Ever since Notre Dame lost to Navy last Saturday (second time in three years), the cries of “off with his head” have been directed at coach Charlie Weis with a vehemence not seen since . . . the time they were directed at the previous ND coach.

Poor Charlie’s been on the hot seat for more than three years, ever since he signed the ten-year contract that expires in 2015, and whose idea was that? Although his win-loss record isn’t exactly a disaster, for Notre Dame football, success is only measured by an appearance in a BCS bowl, something that hasn’t happened in the Weis years. (Someone please correct me if I’m wrong.)

Here are some of the more interesting rumors that circulated on Monday:

• Weis gets fired this week. He is replaced by Corwin Brown or Ron Powlus, QB coach and former Irish star.



• Weis stays on to coach the remaining three games: Pittsburgh, Connecticut, and Stanford. If he wins all three there may be a reprieve. Or, if he wins all three, he graciously steps aside and allows the aforementioned Brown or Powlus to coach any ensuing consolation bowl.



• Weis gets fired after this season.

Here is a list of rumored successors:

• Brian Kelly (currently with the Bearcats of the University of Cincinnati)



• Urban Meyer (currently with the Florida Gators; if only ND had been successful in wooing him four years ago . . .)



• Jon Gruden (ESPN broadcaster this year, former coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders

Whoa! Jon Gruden? Really?

Hold on. These are just rumors and flights of fancy. Kelly and Meyer are doing very well at their current schools. Why on earth would they move? As for Gruden, I have to think that there will be a few NFL openings for him after this season. Why would he go to the college game?

In fairness to Weis, when he took over after Tyrone Willingham he did coach Brady Quinn into one of the most successful quarterbacks in recent Irish memory. But that was years ago. In sports, you’re only as good as “What have you done for me lately?”

Interesting days ahead for the Fighting Irish. Meanwhile, here's an interesting analysis from Sports Illustrated:
"Notre Dame Is No Longer Different Than Other Programs of Its Type" by Stewart Mandel