Since it seems like some here weren’t too thrilled with the Verducci hire based on the comments to the posts about his hiring, here are some quotes from Hayden Fry about Verducci from Saturday’s South Bend Tribune.
“I’m not familiar with Charlie’s philosophy,” Fry said, “But Frank will do anything that the head coach tells him to do. I gained so much faith in Frank that I didn’t have to communicate with him a whole lot after the first year or two, because he was so smart and had so many good ideas.
“I think every coaching staff, though, must adjust to the personnel that’s available. I don’t think a coach can just put in his system verbatim, because he may not have the players who can execute it. But Frank is smart enough to evaluate the players he inherits and then only implement what he can teach and what his players can execute.
“Sometimes a head coach wants one thing, and the assistant can’t teach it. Sometimes a head coach wants his system in now, but they don’t have the material to execute it. Frank’s been there and done that, so I think it will only be a short time before Charlie says, ‘This is your baby. Let’s go.’ “
Verducci worked under Fry for 12 years so he knows a thing or two about him. Fry is a legend in Iowa and very well respected in the coaching community.
I said it last week, and I will say it again – I think this was a very good hire for Notre Dame.
C-Dog “The pros get up for two or three games a season plus the playoffs”?????
You must be thinking of teams like the Cowboys and Bengals….classic underachievers who missed the playoffs. Teams like Pittsburgh seem to play inspired every week which puts them in contention every week.
While I won’t argue that ND has been playing with inspiration and therefore doesn’t need to start, I think GOOD teams (including professional) play inspired ball every game.
One point I think worth making is that CW is not afraid to tell a recruit that he plays the best players regardless. Prior to the Hawaii Bowl he told the media that he expected Dane Crist to contend for the starting quarterback position next year. Is it any coincidence that Clausen had his best game of the season?
My point is that ND has been playing underclassmen who have been outmatched by more experienced players on other teams which, in turn, has caused some head hanging. When they see that they have someone biting at their heals, they’ll either play inspired or learn to view the game from the bench.
I also don’t see a problem with playing NFL style in college. If it works in the NFL it should work in college. It’s a matter of having the players, learning the system and running it the way it needs to be run. Pete Carroll runs his pretty effectively at USC.
I think the biggest problem for CW is that he hired too many coaches who didn’t fit his game (because he barely spoke to them before hiring them due to his Patriots committments) and then didn’t have the heart to fire them when he found out they didn’t work well with him. Now that he’s had a few years and his back is against the wall, he’s looking hard at coaches who he believes will work well with him. Whether or not that works for him is still to be determined. If it doesn’t, then it’s certainly not going to bode well for his evaluation as a head coach.
Easy everyone.
JC, jason can chime in, but you also have a point this was you and I discussing. But let’s all chill now and talk to the points.
Mike Shanahan is an interesting thought. He’s one who might do better in college, believe it or not. Gruden also would be an interesting thought.
A couple of points here about ANY NFL coach. Much of what makes it in the NFL is jail bait. A coach who deals with those guys in a leadership manner is going to be a tough guy. As long as Gruden demands that the players behave in a manner acceptable to the university at all times and handles any problems appropriately, I have no problem with him. I might like Shanahan better.
That said, CW is going to stay unless the team looks average to a little better than average. There’s too much talent now and with the weak schedule, other than USC Michigan St. is the only team that should even be favored against the IRISH. But there is no way the administration pulls the trigger until late September. And hey Weis might be learning enough by this trial to be the next great coach at ND.
also, jason, JC defended Weis in another post. Look no one is going to post here with rah rah everything is great stuff. And everything is not great. Until proven otherwise, this program is in a period of underachievement. What we fans want to know is how much hope to have.
The question about Verducci is valid. The NFL mentality to running a program has not worked at several schools. These kids were all stars among diluted and lesser talent. Now everyone is as good. They need to be torn down with discipline and honed into better players. The pros get up for two or three games a season plus the playoffs. In college, you have to play inspired all the time. The worry is that we need inspiration from the coaches.
My hope is that Young and Grunhard get these kids fired up to play harder and with more emotion.
At least now we have true ties to the Holtz era.
im sorry i did not know only you two could post here ill leave you alone.
again my apologiez
jason_h537
So you got your opinion and C-Dog nor myself asked for it. I was responding to C-Dog. Like it or not Tyro.
Mike Shanahan is NOT going to be the coach at Notre Dame. Gruden, as great as a coach as he may be, is not the type of peron id want coaching at notre dame. Gruden is a nick saban type dicatotor coach that represents the exact opposite of what notre dame football is. its funny how rather than supporting the team and hoping for a successful campaign in 09. all i hear about is how bad this hire is and how bad our coach is. why not just wait and see because weis is the coach for at least one more year. so stop hating and suport the team.
C-Dog,
I would be extremely nervous if I were CW with Mike Shanahan sitting out for a year. And Jon Gruden now out of work. ND is Gruden’s dream job also. They are proven Head Coaches.
I agree the players are a good read to discover the heart beat of the team. We will definately know from their comments during spring practice how things headed.
Right JC, all deals are done, rumors notwithstanding. It either works to a 10 win or more season or we’ll all be guessing about a new coach.
I think there will be some indicators by the spring game. What do you think?
I want to hear statements from players that they believe in the coaches and in Notre Dame. You really can’t win at Notre Dame unless you believe in what Notre Dame stands for.
Sans the hype, Show me the money! If we win a National Title this year, I’ll be impressed.
i think that weis has a really strong personality and imposes his will on the offensive staff.hopefully verducci will be able to take the o line as his own. the irish need a strong veteran o coordinator as well to make sure weis doesnt go pass happy or tries the spread again. i still think verducci is a good hire and i hope our o line plays upto their potential next year