One Man's Trash Another Man's Treasure
On this day a year ago, Notre Dame fired their head coach Tyrone Willingham (now the coach of the UW Huskies). After making three straight bowl appearances, albeit losses, Willingham was terminated without apparent cause with two years remaining on his contract. I am not one that supports the use of the term "racism" in describing actions within the media, it is applied too broadly and often in lieu of the actual reason the event occurred, but something seems a little bit fishy here.
Notre Dame went 7-0 in Willingham's first year, Charlie Weiss went 5-2 during the same stretch. Weiss received a contract extension for this record, while Willingham was terminated three years later. Willingham was skewered by supporters and alumni for not being able to catch the big recruit. Currently, Samardjia, Quinn, Caruso, and others on the Notre Dame roster (all Willingham's recruits) are gaining national acclaim and awards for their efforts (Quinn will be invited to the Heisman Presentation and Caruso is one of three finalists for TE of the year).
It seems to me that Willingham was given the short end of the stick here. There seems to me to be no apparent reason for his termination. How long does it take for a program to rebuild? Is it really achievable to implant a game plan on someone else's recruits and contend for a title in a mere three years? Most would think not, but Willingham did do that. Look at Notre Dame, all his players, all the juniors and seniors with his coaching, played USC down to the wire. They are currently vying for a spot in a BCS bowl, and if it weren't for a loss to MSU, possibly in the title game (barring a loss by USC or Texas this weekend). Willingham turned Notre Dame around, not Weiss.
I don't think that Notre Dame was acting on racist intentions, but the intentions they did act on were malicious and disheartening. I always root against Notre Dame, even if Oregon was up against them. I'm sure Weiss is a good coach and a great guy, but he didn't double Notre Dame's wins in his first season like Willingham did a Washington. However, if Willingham's termination never happened, UW would be without a great coach and a great guy, so selfishly I am glad it happened.
Now to other noteworthy things of the day:
Dr. Z finally got it right. He has my Hawks No. 3 in the league in power rankings behind the Colts and the Broncos. I don't mind being behind the Broncos even though we have the same record. Shanahan could put an unathletic complete idiot behind that line and that scheme and he'd (or she'd) run for 1000yds. Case and point, Ron Dayne, 81 yds and a TD last weekend.
Ever wonder why the NBA has a lottery for draft picks when other sports don't? There was a time when shorts were shorter and high tops were higher (along with the spectators) in the early 70's where two teams (I think it was the Nuggets and Jazz) were playing their final game for last place in the league and the No. 1 pick in the draft. The halftime score was 0-0 and the game was eventually won when one team intentionally started putting points in their oppenants basket to score against themselves. With a NFL draft filled with talented players, in both specialty positions and on the line, why not start Cody Pickett (sorry bro) or Vinny Geriatric and make it look like your trying to win? I really hope that both of these teams continue to lose because they both need some serious help, OT Winston Justice. I don't care about RB's and QB's, games are won on the O line. Look at the lineman from the top five teams currently in the NFL, 68.7% of their starters have at least one pro bowl appearance, that's astounding.
In other news:
A woman in France received a face transplant today. No comment, that's just f-ing nuts what they can do.
Thom Sightings:
I have two roommates, one who I do work updates on (Doc) and the other I hardly ever see (Thom, pronouced "Tom"). There was a Thom sighting yesterday; he came home and went into his room and listened to a song he wrote for his girlfriend. He's really cool but busy all the time so he can't be around even though he wants to hang out. I asked if I could borrow him to rake up the leaves outside because he is a tool. He gave me a confused look. He's really not a tool, I kid, I kid.
Work Report:
Doc put on his typical blue button up shirt that every other guy on the planet has and did some work today, I really don't know what though. I got up at 9 and he was leaving so that meant he got up before 11 today. He claims he left by 7:15 and went to the Way to research a listing. He an Moe are going to look at something on Saturday. Moe is not his partner (if he was there's nothing wrong with that) and he contacts Andre 3000 because he may need another place in a month or two. He then contacted "HotMisty" (describing a fart perhaps?) about another listing. Because of this, he needed a nap for four hours. I proceeded to wake him up to "Final Countdown" by Europe to which he got ultra pumped.
More Cowbell!!
Herm
Notre Dame went 7-0 in Willingham's first year, Charlie Weiss went 5-2 during the same stretch. Weiss received a contract extension for this record, while Willingham was terminated three years later. Willingham was skewered by supporters and alumni for not being able to catch the big recruit. Currently, Samardjia, Quinn, Caruso, and others on the Notre Dame roster (all Willingham's recruits) are gaining national acclaim and awards for their efforts (Quinn will be invited to the Heisman Presentation and Caruso is one of three finalists for TE of the year).
It seems to me that Willingham was given the short end of the stick here. There seems to me to be no apparent reason for his termination. How long does it take for a program to rebuild? Is it really achievable to implant a game plan on someone else's recruits and contend for a title in a mere three years? Most would think not, but Willingham did do that. Look at Notre Dame, all his players, all the juniors and seniors with his coaching, played USC down to the wire. They are currently vying for a spot in a BCS bowl, and if it weren't for a loss to MSU, possibly in the title game (barring a loss by USC or Texas this weekend). Willingham turned Notre Dame around, not Weiss.
I don't think that Notre Dame was acting on racist intentions, but the intentions they did act on were malicious and disheartening. I always root against Notre Dame, even if Oregon was up against them. I'm sure Weiss is a good coach and a great guy, but he didn't double Notre Dame's wins in his first season like Willingham did a Washington. However, if Willingham's termination never happened, UW would be without a great coach and a great guy, so selfishly I am glad it happened.
Now to other noteworthy things of the day:
Dr. Z finally got it right. He has my Hawks No. 3 in the league in power rankings behind the Colts and the Broncos. I don't mind being behind the Broncos even though we have the same record. Shanahan could put an unathletic complete idiot behind that line and that scheme and he'd (or she'd) run for 1000yds. Case and point, Ron Dayne, 81 yds and a TD last weekend.
Ever wonder why the NBA has a lottery for draft picks when other sports don't? There was a time when shorts were shorter and high tops were higher (along with the spectators) in the early 70's where two teams (I think it was the Nuggets and Jazz) were playing their final game for last place in the league and the No. 1 pick in the draft. The halftime score was 0-0 and the game was eventually won when one team intentionally started putting points in their oppenants basket to score against themselves. With a NFL draft filled with talented players, in both specialty positions and on the line, why not start Cody Pickett (sorry bro) or Vinny Geriatric and make it look like your trying to win? I really hope that both of these teams continue to lose because they both need some serious help, OT Winston Justice. I don't care about RB's and QB's, games are won on the O line. Look at the lineman from the top five teams currently in the NFL, 68.7% of their starters have at least one pro bowl appearance, that's astounding.
In other news:
A woman in France received a face transplant today. No comment, that's just f-ing nuts what they can do.
Thom Sightings:
I have two roommates, one who I do work updates on (Doc) and the other I hardly ever see (Thom, pronouced "Tom"). There was a Thom sighting yesterday; he came home and went into his room and listened to a song he wrote for his girlfriend. He's really cool but busy all the time so he can't be around even though he wants to hang out. I asked if I could borrow him to rake up the leaves outside because he is a tool. He gave me a confused look. He's really not a tool, I kid, I kid.
Work Report:
Doc put on his typical blue button up shirt that every other guy on the planet has and did some work today, I really don't know what though. I got up at 9 and he was leaving so that meant he got up before 11 today. He claims he left by 7:15 and went to the Way to research a listing. He an Moe are going to look at something on Saturday. Moe is not his partner (if he was there's nothing wrong with that) and he contacts Andre 3000 because he may need another place in a month or two. He then contacted "HotMisty" (describing a fart perhaps?) about another listing. Because of this, he needed a nap for four hours. I proceeded to wake him up to "Final Countdown" by Europe to which he got ultra pumped.
More Cowbell!!
Herm
posted by HermNation at 5:35 PM
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