Before anyone jumps on me for asking the question – I didn’t. John Walters of NBC Sports asked the question did in a column on Sunday. The question surprised me a bit since I didn’t expect a headline such as that to appear on NBCSports.com, but since it was there I figured I’d comment on it.
First, here is the part in his column where he asks the question.
Saturday evening was humiliation, though, quite literally adding insult to injury. During the contest ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe itemized Weis’ injury, suffered during the Sept. 13 contest against Michigan, thusly: torn ACL, torn MCL, torn PCL, ruptured capsule behind the kneecap, and a dime-sized fracture of the femur.
Ever since the injury, Weis has stoically refused to acknowledge the discomfort and pain. He has put the team before his health, and that is admirable. But as the welfare of this team continues to decline, you wonder whether Weis would not be doing everyone — himself included — a favor by having the necessary surgery and taking a leave of absence from this squad. The break, it seems, might do both sides some good. And it may be just the medicine needed to avoid a more permanent dissolution in the future.
It is an interesting question, but one I think has a rather easy answer to. No, Weis should not take a leave from Notre Dame at this time unless he risks permanent damage because of his injuries. This has been a rough season. Not as rough as last year, but rough in it’s own right. Weis has three games left though to try and at least right the ship and get this thing headed in the right direction again. For all of the time and effort that Weis has given to restoring Notre Dame, that much is owed to him.
I think Weis taking over the play calling duties as he hinted at Sunday is the first step in getting this thing back on track, but after a rather humbling loss like Saturday’s, Weis’s biggest challenge this weekend most likely won’t be x’s and o’s – it’s going to be keeping this team from mailing it in the final three games.
Walters must be off his medication. Amen, Bleed.
I went back and read Walters’s column. Boy, this is an odd suggestion. Since when does a head football coach “take leave” of his own foundering program? What is this — detention? Either you succeed or you fail; there is no “time out.” If you think the coach sucks so much, or the players have completely tuned him out, say it. Spare us the nonsensical “I’m not saying you should be fired but maybe it’s time for a long vacation” crap.
Run the damn football?
I thought we were simplifying the offense this year..
Run the damn football
Did I mention we should probably get better at running the football?
Ill be happy with beating navy and cuse. Thats 7-4. Win or lose to USC doesnt matter. I want to go to a bowl game and win. Dont care what bowl. So lets say 8-5 with a bowl win would be good IMOP. Going 3-9 last year 8-5 looks a lot better.
Irish eye 62 here is dumbfounded. I live in Columbus, Ohio where they-naturally cheer for the North High Street Institution with the Buckeyes. It is also a place where they UNNATURALLY shove it in your face if “they” know you are not a Buckeye. These “buckeyes” tell me Notre Dame paid too much for Charlie and they can’t afford to get rid of him now. Runs in my mind that we have EXTREMELY Rich Alumni– Makes me wonder.
This was one was tough to take.
Losing to Boston—was a no show for the Irish.
Teams are making comebacks to ND as ND once did to others.
( Panthers of Pitt and NC)
The BC game resembled a stupid fest. More interceptions, flags and penalties than I have seen in a long time. Clausen had the flu–can we be 7-5 by seasons end? ( loss to USC beat the others–tiny small bowl and win?)
Thoughts anyone?????
Remember what Weis taking over the play calling entails here folks….remember getting out coached verse Navy last year…he should be taking a permanent leave….big improvement from last year…6-6 likely. Yeah right.
Weis sitting out will definitely handicap the team and it’s recruiting. He should not sit out. No way.
Weis should sit in the pressbox and mentor Haywood.