Willingham Resigns

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

It's just been reported on ESPN radio(Dan Patrick) that Ty Willingham
has "Resigned" as the head coach of Notre Dame. I hope the alumni
are happy...they got what they wanted.

[RedskinRyan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1935138

damn shame. i just dont think ND had the qb to lead the team. maybe the next coach will be a better fit for brady quinn. willingham was a great coach in my opinion, real fiery and could rally a team.

[GolfFreak]

Is it a coincidence that this happened the same day the Browns lost their coach?

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Is it a coincidence that this happened the same day the Browns lost their coach?
I thought the same thing...it's convenient..isn't it?

[RedskinRyan]

maybe butch davis will go to the golden dome and willingham will do to the dawg pound

[CarMike]

Rumors are that Urban Meyer will become the HC at ND now....He's the hottest coach right now. What he has done with Utah State is amazing. Look for the Gator fans to be up in arms about this as it was believed Meyer was on his way to UF.

I think Davis resigned so he can look at getting back into the college scene. And right now recruiting is at its high point of the season.

[CarMike]

OMT, it says on the main page of ESPN.com that he was fired. Not resigning...

[RedskinRyan]

Rumors are that Urban Meyer will become the HC at ND now....He's the hottest coach right now. What he has done with Utah State is amazing. Look for the Gator fans to be up in arms about this as it was believed Meyer was on his way to UF.


you wouldnt happen to mean urban did great things at utah would ya? :Peace:

i believe they said meyer had an option in his contract that he could leave w/o penalty for a job at ND, ohio st, and michigan. perhaps this is it. but maybe willingham was fired because the irish are heavily interested in butch.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

OMT, it says on the main page of ESPN.com that he was fired. Not resigning...
Whoa.!! Then again..I'm not surprised. The alumni wanted him gone.

[RedskinRyan]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=1935210

a list of possible replacers for ty. i honestly dont see any of them going to ND though.

[dj_stouty]

I know he had a great record his first season...but what about the last two? Anyone know his record?

Coaching ND is a tough gig....especially with the pressure of that NBC contract.

[dj_stouty]

I know he had a great record his first season...but what about the last two? Anyone know his record?

Coaching ND is a tough gig....especially with the pressure of that NBC contract.

Nevermind...I answered my own question.

'02...10-3 Record
'03...5-7 Record
'04...6-5 Record

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Willingham is an excellent coach. It takes time to build a program.
And remember...Notre Dame was in the process of changing thier
whole offensive philosophy..from an option offense to a west coast
offense. Willingham needed more time to get the players to run his
style of offense.

[ShaggySkins]

Willingham is a good coach but I don't think he is as good as some of the media make him out to be. Notre Dame is a school that demands that its teams compete for major bowls, I think this is a lot like Nebraska firing Frank Solich last year. The schools just demand more then the talent can provide so the coach takes the blame.

[JoeDaSchmoe]

That's crazy. I hope he gets another job soon. I've always liked Willingham.

[Spence]

Notre Dame simply isn't the draw it used to be. Lots of kids are not impressed by the school and prefer to play somewhere that will make fewer demands of them academically. Why bother with Notre Dame when Bobby Bowden is on the other line?

[Minnesota Mike]

Buddy Teevens replaced Ty at Stanford, and he's available now too. Maybe he'll replace Ty at ND too.

(Not likely.)

[IowaSkinsFan]

Rumors are that Urban Meyer will become the HC at ND now....He's the hottest coach right now. What he has done with Utah State is amazing. Look for the Gator fans to be up in arms about this as it was believed Meyer was on his way to UF.

I think Davis resigned so he can look at getting back into the college scene. And right now recruiting is at its high point of the season.

I heard this morning that Davis would be a candidate at Florida. Can you imagine the Florida/Miami games if that happens?

[rskinsfan10]

Willingham is an excellent coach. It takes time to build a program.
And remember...Notre Dame was in the process of changing thier
whole offensive philosophy..from an option offense to a west coast
offense. Willingham needed more time to get the players to run his
style of offense.

I agree wholeheartedly. Three years simply isn't enough time to change a level of culture that was present before he took the job.

As Spence mentioned, Notre Dame isn't the draw that it used to be, so what blue chip athlete do they really think they are going to attract with this new found sense of instability that they are projecting?

[hail2skins]

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy. Couldn't resist.

[Spence]

They may have a few big years now and then, but I don't see Notre Dame ever being the power it once was. That has shifted, probably for a long time, to the sun cities in southern California, Florida, and, of course, Oklahoma. Firing Willingham won't do anything to revive Notre Dame. It wasn't the job Willingham thought he was getting anyway. He thought he was going to an elite program.

[dj_stouty]

That has shifted, probably for a long time, to the sun cities in southern California, Florida, and, of course, Oklahoma.

And Virginia. :D

[Axegrinder]

Rumors are that Urban Meyer will become the HC at ND now....He's the hottest coach right now. What he has done with Utah State is amazing. Look for the Gator fans to be up in arms about this as it was believed Meyer was on his way to UF.

I think Davis resigned so he can look at getting back into the college scene. And right now recruiting is at its high point of the season.
Davis at UNC?

[RedskinRyan]

i think it would be a shame if ND didnt become a power again. i always idolized going to notre dame as a little kid. just a few nights ago i was looking through an old notebook, and in the back i had a thing syaing my two favorite teams were the redskins and fighting irish, and i had drawn little helmets next to them(somehow notre dame's helmet had the 4 leaf clover on it). rudy is a spectacular movie and i want the DVD.

[nyjunc]

Did he deserve another year? Yeah he did but ND wants Meyer and this is what they had to do to get him and the program will be much better off for it. If Meyer can lead Utah do a BCS game(and they deserve it) then he will have ND back soon.

Ty is nothing more than a mediocre coach, he was mediocre at Stanford and he did a mediocre(closer to poor) job at ND. Like I saud he probabyl deserved a 4th yr but 3 years is enough time to at least make some strides. OU was down fro over a decade and in yr 2 Stoops won a Nat'l Title, Maryland was down foreevr and in yr 1 Friedgen led them to the ACC title so 3 years is definitely long enough but he just didn't do a good job.

[nyjunc]

As Spence mentioned, Notre Dame isn't the draw that it used to be, so what blue chip athlete do they really think they are going to attract with this new found sense of instability that they are projecting?

The athlete that wants to play every game on Nat'l TV, the athlete that wants to play for a winning coach, the athlete that wants to play at the most storied CFB school in the Country. ND will be a power once again and I think if they get Meyer it will happen sooner rather than later.

[CarMike]

The athlete that wants to play every game on Nat'l TV, the athlete that wants to play for a winning coach, the athlete that wants to play at the most storied CFB school in the Country. ND will be a power once again and I think if they get Meyer it will happen sooner rather than later.

I tend to agree with nyjunc on this one. ND is still known for their football. And if they can get the right there who can recruit better, they'll definately be a power again. Meyer will do just that too.

[Spence]

This "most storied program in college football" stuff is a joke. How old was a current high school senior when Notre Dame last won a national title? Two years old maybe? Why go to Notre Dame when you can enjoy more winning, better weather, and fewer academic demands at Florida State?

[dj_stouty]

Wilbon plays the race card...

I'm sure everybody ever associated with Notre Dame will tell you color had nothing to do with letting Willingham go, that it's totally a coincidence, which is like spitting in somebody's face and telling him it's a rain drop.

People at institutions such as Notre Dame don't sit around any more, even off the record, talking about getting rid of a person because he's a certain color. Such a conversation, if proven, would be illegal in this country, and most folks aren't that dumb. Intolerance has increasing subtlety. But the passionate distaste for Willingham in some quarters, including on campus after a loss, had an unmistakable stink to it.

I think it is quite unfair to claim Notre Dame fired Ty because of racial reasons. Isn't this the school that was herald 3 seasons ago for hiring an Africian American coach? How quickly you can fall out of favor.

ND, despite not being great lately, is still one of the most respected programs in the country. Going 11-12 over the last two seasons is a death sentence for any major program. Especially for one with a MAJOR NBC broadcasting contract.

There are going to be a lot of coaches fired this year in NCAA who have had similar or better records than Ty. Why should this situation be any different from theirs?

[CarMike]

Here is a post from a UNC MB. A poster over there by the name of "Lewpark" did a little research. I think its pretty interesting.....you decide.

In his first 2 seasons, Willingham had six 20+ point losses, Davie had 3, and Faust had 4.

ND was shutout by more than 30 points twice in 2003. The last time ND was shutout by more than 30 points twice in the same season was 1904.

From 1960-2001, ND lost by more than 30 points 4 times. In TW's first two seasons, ND lost by more than 30 points 4 times.

The 38-12 loss to Syracuse in 2003 was the first 20+ point loss to an unranked team since 1960.

TW lost 10 games over the course of a 15 game span, the worst 15 game span since 1961.

Big Wins vs. Big Losses:
Losses by 21+ points / Wins by 21+ points

Parseghian 1964-1974 3 / 61
Devine 1975-1980 2 / 21
Faust 1981-1985 3 / 13
Holtz 1986-1996 3 / 50
Davie 1997-2001 4 / 8
Willingham 2002-2004 7 / 5

ND's play at home -- 3-2 in 2004, 11-6 under Willingham, which compares to 24-7 under Davie.

I hope this helps to show how ND was fully justified, imho, in their parting ways with TW.

ND football is akin to UNC basketball - profoundly rich, steeped traditions. Neither fanbase would stand for mediocrity. To ND's credit, actually, Faust and Davie were retained far longer than they should have been, strictly based on ND's admirable principles. With the evolving face of national football conferences and the BCS as we know it today, ND could no longer linger by the wayside of the competitive and made the best move possible.

[nyjunc]

This "most storied program in college football" stuff is a joke. How old was a current high school senior when Notre Dame last won a national title? Two years old maybe? Why go to Notre Dame when you can enjoy more winning, better weather, and fewer academic demands at Florida State?


They are still the most storied program in the history of CFB, it's been a while since they were near the top but you can't take away what they've done. In the NBA The Celtics are still the most storied franchise and they haven't done anything in 20 years, in MLB the yanks were down fro a long time but they were still the most storied team in MLB.

I think it is quite unfair to claim Notre Dame fired Ty because of racial reasons. Isn't this the school that was herald 3 seasons ago for hiring an Africian American coach? How quickly you can fall out of favor.

I don't think race had anything to do w/ it but that's what we'll hear opver the next few days and weeks. Did race play a factor in Florida letting go of Ron Zook? Zook only had 3 years and his team fared much better than Ty and he was a much better recruiter. Did race play a factor when UNC got rid of Matt Doherty in CBB? Another storied program that was impatient w/ mediocrity. This was not a racial issue, it might bring up the fact that there are so few black coaches but that is a different issue. As far as ND goes they didn't get rid of him b/c he was black, they got rid of him b/c they were tired of medicocrity and they have the abilityt to get an Urban Meyer or maybe a Bob Stoops(though I think the entire reason they let him go was b/c of Meyer even though some rumors have started about Stoops)

[Spence]

They are still the most storied program in the history of CFB, it's been a while since they were near the top but you can't take away what they've done. In the NBA The Celtics are still the most storied franchise and they haven't done anything in 20 years, in MLB the yanks were down fro a long time but they were still the most storied team in MLB.That's for historians and people who care about such things. Despite the weight of overwhelming evidence, Notre Dame apparently believes that top high school football prospects care about history as much as they care about winning now, nice weather, and never having to attend class. You, apparently, agree with Notre Dame. It would be nice if we lived in that world, but I'm afraid both you and Notre Dame are going to continue to be disappointed.

[Spence]

In the NBA The Celtics are still the most storied franchise and they haven't done anything in 20 yearsJust for the record, the Celts have done a few things in the last twenty years, though just barely. The Celts played in the NBA Finals four straight years, from 1984-1987. They won the Finals in 1984 and 1986. I don't know about anyone else, but I still regard that 1986 team as the greatest NBA team I've ever seen.

[nyjunc]

That's for historians and people who care about such things. Despite the weight of overwhelming evidence, Notre Dame apparently believes that top high school football prospects care about history as much as they care about winning now, nice weather, and never having to attend class. You, apparently, agree with Notre Dame. It would be nice if we lived in that world, but I'm afraid both you and Notre Dame are going to continue to be disappointed.

I'm not a Notre Dame fan and i could care less if they ever win another game but I am very confident they will be a big time program again. If it was all about whether then how does OSUI and Mich get top talent? how does OU gets top talent? and why have the 'Noles been down for 4 years? ND has ALOT to offer. They have the most Nat'l Title, the most Heisman winners, etc... they have all of their home games televised Nationally on NB and all of their road games are televised Nationally on another network, no other school gets as much TV exposure as ND. Like I said I don't care but if I was a betting man I'd bet they are top 10 w/in 2 years of Urban Meyer taking over.

[nyjunc]

Just for the record, the Celts have done a few things in the last twenty years, though just barely. The Celts played in the NBA Finals four straight years, from 1984-1987. They won the Finals in 1984 and 1986. I don't know about anyone else, but I still regard that 1986 team as the greatest NBA team I've ever seen.

You know what I meant, they have basically done nothing in almost 20 years. They last made the Finals in '87 and lost to what i feel is the best NBA team I have ever seen- the '87 Lakers. Since then they made 2 conf final in '88 and '02 and that's it and they have become irrelevant in basketball but the minute they become good again(if it ever happens) it will be great for the league b/c of their tradition just like it will be great for CFB if ND was good again.

[Spence]

If it was all about whether then how does OSUI and Mich get top talent? how does OU gets top talent? and why have the 'Noles been down for 4 years? ND has ALOT to offer. They have the most Nat'l Title, the most Heisman winners, etc... they have all of their home games televised Nationally on NB and all of their road games are televised Nationally on another network, no other school gets as much TV exposure as ND. Like I said I don't care but if I was a betting man I'd bet they are top 10 w/in 2 years of Urban Meyer taking over.It's not all about the weather, I never wrote that it was. Weather is a factor, however. OU gets top talent because a lot of people like the weather there, but mostly because the program wins, a bowl game is virtually guaranteed, and no academic demands are made of the students. I'm not suggesting that Bob Stoops finds cocaine and hookers for his players the way Barry Switzer did, but OU expects its football players to play football and then study if they can find the time. A school like Notre Dame has very different priorities and it hurts recruiting. You really shouldn't cite OU to bolster your argument because it tends to bolster my argument.

Even when the Seminoles are down, they're still much better than most Division 1 teams and far better than Notre Dame has been in a while. Of course, there is more than one big program in Florida. Miami is another and they do the same sorts of things FLA State and OU does. A top high school recruit cares much more about preparing for a big payday in the NFL than how many championships Notre Dame won once upon a time. Schools like Miami put players in the first round of the NFL Draft. In 2004 the Hurricanes put six players in the first 19 places of the NFL Draft. Heck, even Miami of Ohio got one in there. Notre Dame didn't place a single player in the first round. In fact, since 2000, Notre Dame has only placed one player in the first round of the NFL Draft. That was Jeff Faine, who went 21 overall to the Cleveland Browns in 2003. Since 2000, little Jackson State has placed more players in the first round of the NFL Draft than Notre Dame.

This is the sort of thing top recruits care about. They don't even know who Ara Parseghian is and they don't care either. They care about using college as a springboard to the NFL and not having to study much while they're doing it. On that score, Notre Dame simply does not have much to offer. Can Notre Dame still attract talent? Sure. But attracting the top high school seniors? Well, that appears to be much more problematic.

[Spence]

You know what I meant, they have basically done nothing in almost 20 years. They last made the Finals in '87 and lost to what i feel is the best NBA team I have ever seen- the '87 Lakers. Since then they made 2 conf final in '88 and '02 and that's it and they have become irrelevant in basketball but the minute they become good again(if it ever happens) it will be great for the league b/c of their tradition just like it will be great for CFB if ND was good again.Yeah, the Celtics have a great history, a great tradition. No NBA team can match it. Doesn't seem to help them get free agents, though, does it?

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

I'm not a Notre Dame fan and i could care less if they ever win another game but I am very confident they will be a big time program again. If it was all about whether then how does OSUI and Mich get top talent? how does OU gets top talent?
The schools you mentioned do not have the academic requirements
that Notre Dame has. At the start of the Lou Holtz era those requirements
were relaxed. And you saw the results..WINNING FOOTBALL.

[Spence]

The schools you mentioned do not have the academic requirements
that Notre Dame has. At the start of the Lou Holtz era those requirements
were relaxed. And you saw the results..WINNING FOOTBALL.Exactly. Holtz didn't win because he's a genius. He won because he knows how to win with great players. Notre Dame does not get those great players anymore. Not many of them anyway.

[SkinsKY]

That's crazy. I hope he gets another job soon. I've always liked Willingham.

Ditto.

[Patrick]

This "most storied program in college football" stuff is a joke. How old was a current high school senior when Notre Dame last won a national title? Two years old maybe? Why go to Notre Dame when you can enjoy more winning, better weather, and fewer academic demands at Florida State?

AND better PAY!!!! .....unless you go to a school in the SEC..... ;)

[nyjunc]

It's not all about the weather, I never wrote that it was. Weather is a factor, however. OU gets top talent because a lot of people like the weather there, but mostly because the program wins, a bowl game is virtually guaranteed,

But it wasn't like that before Stoops got there, the last time they were big time before Stoops was when Switzer was there.

and no academic demands are made of the students. I'm not suggesting that Bob Stoops finds cocaine and hookers for his players the way Barry Switzer did, but OU expects its football players to play football and then study if they can find the time. A school like Notre Dame has very different priorities and it hurts recruiting. You really shouldn't cite OU to bolster your argument because it tends to bolster my argument.

You can find ways around those things even at ND.

Even when the Seminoles are down, they're still much better than most Division 1 teams and far better than Notre Dame has been in a while. Of course, there is more than one big program in Florida. Miami is another and they do the same sorts of things FLA State and OU does. A top high school recruit cares much more about preparing for a big payday in the NFL than how many championships Notre Dame won once upon a time. Schools like Miami put players in the first round of the NFL Draft.

That's great but again b/c of probation Miami was down but b/c they are Miami they were able to rebuild fairly quickly which is what ND should be able to do. It wasn't long ago that ND was producing a ton of NFL talent and they can do it again. I'm not sure any school has produced mroe NFL 1st rounders and NFL players overall than ND so they can sell the recruits on that so if the Championship. Heisman and other positive history isn't enought then that should be. I'll be shocked if they land Meyer and aren't a big time team again, there's too much to work w/ not to eventually be good again.

Yeah, the Celtics have a great history, a great tradition. No NBA team can match it. Doesn't seem to help them get free agents, though, does it?

Now you are talking about $ and players care more about $ than winning sometimes. As a Yankee fan our tradition has helped us get FAs, yeah the money helped but w/ all things equal that could be what puts someone over the op and makes them sign. By the way, big time FAs are a rarity in the NBA b/c of the cap so it's not like they keep trying to get players only to be turned down.

The schools you mentioned do not have the academic requirements
that Notre Dame has. At the start of the Lou Holtz era those requirements
were relaxed. And you saw the results..WINNING FOOTBALL.


Then they can relax them again and if they want to win they will.

[Spence]

AND better PAY!!!! .....unless you go to a school in the SEC..... ;) :lol1:

[Spence]

If Notre Dame relaxes its academic standards it will be competitive again with the top football progams. That's the only way it'll happen, though. The notion that Notre Dame is so hallowed that it can compete with the practices at the top programs on name alone is shockingly naive. If Notre Dame changes its policies regarding JUCOs and high school seniors with crappy grades, lousy SATs or dodgy personal habits, it will return to its former position. That's the only way it'll happen, though. The old days are gone. Notre Dame can only compete with the rogues by becoming a rogue itself. Either Notre Dame gives up on being a top football school or it gives up on its admirable ethics. They can have one or the other, not both.

[rskinsfan10]

Too many posts to quote, but well said Spence in every last one of them.

[Skin-E-Dip]

Why is the media all over this firing like a civil right law has been broken. Willingham will get another job, but by big leads to once dominated teams will get anyone fired. Some have suggested that since there are so few minority coachs, Willingham should be giving a longer chain than other white coachs. He couldnt possibly do that. How could Willingham return and face his players and coaching staff and demand their respect when they know the only reason he is back is because of his race. Equality is what has been faught for, it can be a good thing because it open once closed doors but it can be a bad thing when you have to go by the same standards as everyone else.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Why is the media all over this firing like a civil right law has been broken. Willingham will get another job, but by big leads to once dominated teams will get anyone fired. Some have suggested that since there are so few minority coachs, Willingham should be giving a longer chain than other white coachs. He couldnt possibly do that. How could Willingham return and face his players and coaching staff and demand their respect when they know the only reason he is back is because of his race. Equality is what has been faught for, it can be a good thing because it open once closed doors but it can be a bad thing when you have to go by the same standards as everyone else.
Willingham should have gotten the same opportunity as any Notre Dame
coach...to finish out his contract. No one is asking for more than any other
coach...just the same treatment. The real problem is Notre Dame's unrealistic
expectations. They DO NOT seem to realize where they stand in the
landscape of college football..or the reasons why. And until they do, I
don't care if Vince Lombardi himself comes to coach Notre Dame,they
will never be relevant.

[Skin-E-Dip]

Willingham should have gotten the same opportunity as any Notre Dame
coach. I find it interesting that Willingham was the only Notre Dame football
coach to not be allowed to finish out his contract.

A sports reporter mentioned that this is becoming more nad more frequent in college football across the board. Honestly Willingham had a uproad battle to fight because Notre Dame has been sucky and he knew that they were expecting the ship to be righted soon.

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

A sports reporter mentioned that this is becoming more nad more frequent in college football across the board. Honestly Willingham had a uproad battle to fight because Notre Dame has been sucky and he knew that they were expecting the ship to be righted soon.
I can't disagree with you there. It was a mistake on his part to take the
job. Truthfully, I wouldn't recommend that job to anyone.

[LATrueRedskin]

Willingham will get a job somewhere in the near future. He's a great coach. We haven't heard the last of him.

[IowaSkinsFan]

Too many posts to quote, but well said Spence in every last one of them.

Agreed.

I think ND is in a damned if they do, damned if they don't position right now!

[GibbsRules!]

Mooch turned 'em down, big surprise...

Notre Dame comes calling, but Mariucci staying in Detroit

Dec. 4, 2004
SportsLine.com wire reports

DETROIT -- Lions coach Steve Mariucci said Saturday he was contacted by Notre Dame about its coaching vacancy but decided to stay with Detroit.

"I am absolutely 100 percent committed to the Detroit Lions and my desire to build the Lions into a winner," Mariucci said in a statement.

Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White, who was in Ann Arbor for Saturday's Notre Dame-Michigan men's basketball game, declined comment.

Mariucci is a former head coach at California.

[rskinsfan10]

Marriuci declines there offer to coach. This is getting better and better every day.

[Spence]

What planet is Notre Dame on? Not this one. Where do they get the nerve to even suspect Steve Mariucci or Jon Gruden would be interested in that job? They still think it's one of the best jobs in all of football. That's preposterous. It's actually a lousy job. You get all the pressure to win now that you find at any big college program, but few of the resources to actually accomplish it. Notre Dame has one opinion of itself and the entire football coaching community has another opinion entirely.

[rskinsfan10]

I hear that the HC at Suitland HS is available. They just won the state championship in an upset, so Notre Dame surely should put them on their hot candidates list.

[Spence]

I hear that the HC at Suitland HS is available. They just won the state championship in an upset, so Notre Dame surely should put them on their hot candidates list.He's got a good program at Suitland. What would he want that Notre Dame job for? ;)

[rskinsfan10]

He's got a good program at Suitland. What would he want that Notre Dame job for? ;)

Great point.

On a side note, one of my co-workers' son plays running back for Suitland. Actually, he's a cousin of Keino's as a matter of fact.

[Minnesota Mike]

Lou Holtz is available.

[rskinsfan10]

I'm hearing that Jim Fassel has told them no thanks.

[GibbsRules!]

I just heard Jim Fassel notified ND that he was interested in the position. What a nut...
Fassel tosses name in for Irish job
Chicago Tribune
Dec. 6, 2004


CHICAGO - If Notre Dame's attempt to land a big-name coach who has won at the college level doesn't pan out, the university could turn to an intriguing candidate who, like Pete Carroll at Southern Cal, would bring NFL experience and a college background to the job.

Jim Fassel, who led the New York Giants to the Super Bowl in 2001 and was fired after last season, may be interested in trying his hand at resurrecting the Irish program, according to a friend and former associate.

At Notre Dame, Fassel would follow in the mold of Dan Devine. After success at Arizona State and Missouri, Devine was head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Packers from 1971-74. Devine succeeded Ara Parseghian in 1975 and led the Irish to a national title in 1977, his third season at the school.

[rskinsfan10]

He supposedly denied that Tribune story earlier today.

[GibbsRules!]

He supposedly denied that Tribune story earlier today.

Smart move on his part, I heard it on ESPN radio on the way home tonight that he was considering it, maybe he just wanted some press :rolleyes: ...Thanks Kenny

[rskinsfan10]

Smart move on his part, I heard it on ESPN radio on the way home tonight that he was considering it, maybe he just wanted some press :rolleyes: ...Thanks Kenny
Hey, who really knows what's going on?

Tomorrow they'll be having a press conference announcing his hiring.

I would think that with all the coaches due to be fired shortly in the NFL, he would be licking his lips at those prospects rather then going to Notre Dame.

[rskinsfan10]

Mortensen just said on Monday Night Countdown that he spoke with Fassell and he says he doesn't know how those ND rumors started.

[GibbsRules!]

Mortensen just said on Monday Night Countdown that he spoke with Fassell and he says he doesn't know how those ND rumors started.
Yup, another snub for the Fighting Irish...


Fassel: I'm not becoming a college coach
Story Tools: Print Email
Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com
Posted: 2 hours ago


Take Jim Fassel's name out of the college coaching rumors. The former Giants coach told FOXSports.com he is remaining in the pros.

"I have no interest in returning to college," Fassel said. "I'm staying in the NFL. And my main reason for this decision is my ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl, and I can't do that in college."
Fassel said he has talked to Stanford, but, despite reports, has not contacted nor been contacted by anyone from Notre Dame.

"I had one guy call me yesterday and say 'Jim, I know for a fact Notre Dame has a private jet flying into Teeterboro (Northern New Jersey airport) to meet with you,'" Fassel said. "There was no truth to that. So I want to make it clear now and put an end to all these rumors."

Fassel, who was the the third winningest coach (60-54-1) in Giants history, remains on the Ravens' staff. And the Ravens actually host Fassel's former team this Sunday in Baltimore.

[rskinsfan10]

More proof that the inmates are running the asylum (http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=1941810)

[nyjunc]

Yup, another snub for the Fighting Irish...


Fassel: I'm not becoming a college coach
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Jay Glazer / FOXSports.com
Posted: 2 hours ago


Take Jim Fassel's name out of the college coaching rumors. The former Giants coach told FOXSports.com he is remaining in the pros.

"I have no interest in returning to college," Fassel said. "I'm staying in the NFL. And my main reason for this decision is my ultimate goal is to win a Super Bowl, and I can't do that in college."
Fassel said he has talked to Stanford, but, despite reports, has not contacted nor been contacted by anyone from Notre Dame.

"I had one guy call me yesterday and say 'Jim, I know for a fact Notre Dame has a private jet flying into Teeterboro (Northern New Jersey airport) to meet with you,'" Fassel said. "There was no truth to that. So I want to make it clear now and put an end to all these rumors."

Fassel, who was the the third winningest coach (60-54-1) in Giants history, remains on the Ravens' staff. And the Ravens actually host Fassel's former team this Sunday in Baltimore.


Fassel is one cocky guy, I want to know what dopey organization is going to ire him? PLEASE let it be Miami?

He should stop being so cocky and take the ND job b/c it is the best job offer he;d get.

[GibbsRules!]

Fassel is one cocky guy, I want to know what dopey organization is going to ire him? PLEASE let it be Miami?

He should stop being so cocky and take the ND job b/c it is the best job offer he;d get.
Cocky? Yeah, you are talking about Mr "I guarantee we will make the playoffs". I guess they kind of deserve each other...

[nyjunc]

Cocky? Yeah, you are talking about Mr "I guarantee we will make the playoffs". I guess they kind of deserve each other...

Yeah that was a bold move w/ that rough stretch of games coming up. They had to play Ari, Was, Pitt, Dal and Jax. That whole "guarantee" stuff was pure nonsense. The NFC was at it's weakest EVER(maybe until this year) and they got thumped by all the good teams they played including being brought quickly back to Earth in the SB.