Notre Dame Scholastic Football Pages

Volume 143

Issue 7

6 December 2001 I J " ' J. , COMMENTARY- \' 100 career wins have averaged 10 wins per The Rest season or better, a feat that Coughlin has ac­ Many other names are swirling around the Rebuilding the House of Rockne complished with the Jaguars. In six full sea­ rumor mill. Notable among them are sons of NFL football, Coughlin matched Stanford's Tyrone Willingham, Georgia With Davie gone, Jon Gruden is an early favorite to lead the Irish back to glory Davie's .583 winning percentage at Notre Tech's George O'Leary, Wisconsin's Barry Dame. Keep in mind that lofty long-term Alvarez and Washington's Rick Neuheisel. winning percentages do not come as easily While all of these men are excellent football GERARDMESKILL ghost, the best word I can use to describe it than half of its recruiting class signed. Even in the NFL as they do in the NCAA, making coaches, none of them deserve much con­ is chilling. Every time I see Notre Dame on with a vacant office, the entire country is Coughlin's record appealing while Davie's sideration until Gruden, Coughlin and Bellotti t's almost eerie the way recent major TV, it gives me goose bumps." aware that a big name is highly likely to is appalling. Furthermore, Coughlin's record all get the opportunity to tum down the Irish. Ievents for Notre Dame football happen Enough said. Jon Gruden loves Notre succeed Davie. So, if anything, the rest of includes Jacksonville's expansion year, a 4- But in my opinion, the offer sheet won't get to correspond to the liturgical calendar. Dame, and, right now, Notre Dame loves Notre Dame's prospects should be enticed. 12 season that set the record for most wins past the top man on the list. 0 In 2000, Kevin White arrived in South Bend Gruden right back. But that doesn't answer No matter how long it takes to fill the void, by an expansion team in the NFL. to take the helm as athletic director just one two very important questions: One, will Jon rest assured that the Irish recruiting class Like Gruden, Coughlin is respected as an day after Palm Sunday. Just as Christians will be strong. offensive mastermind, demonstrated by celebrate the anniversary of Jesus' trium­ The best person to answer questions about Jacksonville's NFL leading numbers in pass­ phant arrival into Jerusalem as they await prying Gruden from the Raiders is none ing (1996) and rushing (1999). Such statis­ Easter, Irish fans celebrated White's arrival other than Gruden, himself. And guess tics show the versatility of Coughlin's as the beginning of a resurrection in Notre what? He isn't saying anything. Gruden's playbook, which would revive Notre Dame's Dame football. silence is all the more reason to believe he's own stale offense. The 2001 Irish ranked Nineteen months later, White has made coming to South Bend. He knows full well 110th in total offense, a statistic more shame­ his first major stride toward such a rejuve­ that all he needs to do is definitively say ful than Davie's three 6-10ss seasons. ' nation. On Sunday, the first day of Advent, that he isn't interested in the Irish head­ Unfortunately, Coughlin also is under White informed the college football world coaching job, and all of the hype will fade contract. However, his team's disap­ that Bob Davie had been dismissed. True to away. If he really weren't interested, this is pointing season means he will not be form, as that Sunday marked the beginning exactly what he would do. Yet he chooses working this year's NFL playoffs, of the vigil for the birth of Jesus, so too did not to say anything definitive, even at the making him easier for the Irish to ,I it begin the wait for Notre Dame's savior. expense of being distracted from his duties access should they decide not to wait I Of course, there's no real connection be­ as an NFL coach. Don't be misled; Jon for Gruden. I tween religion and Notre Dame football. Gruden is very interested in this job, and if (Basilica bells ringing after home football he receives the right offer, he's coming back Mike Bellotti wins is just a coincidence.) Nevertheless, THE CHOSEN ONE Jon Gruden, well­ to South Bend. If the Irish choose to go with a col­ known as an Irish supporter, is many fans' after Davie's lackluster five-year tenure, the favorite to replace Bob Davie. The Will he receive that offer? Is he the best lege coach, Bellotti probably will be Irish faithful are not willing to settle for unexpired contract he holds with the man for the job? The answer to both of those at the top of their list. His .690 win­ much less than a football god at the team's Oakland Raiders is, however, a factor that questions should pe "yes." In four ye~s with ning percentage in six full seasons helm. must be considered. the Oakland Raiders, he transformed them with the Ducks is second in school Such job requirements eliminate 99 per­ from a 4-12 team into a Super Bowl con- ' history, ranking only behind legend­ cent of the football world. What remains is tender. Gruden is considered one of the best ary Hugo Bezdek's tenure from a short list, of football deities, namely the Gruden leave Oakland for Notre Dame? And offensive minds in football today, a quality 1913-17. For the past two seasons, . Oakland Raiders' Jon Gruden, the Jackson­ two, is Jon Gruden the right man for the job? sorely needed at Notre Dame. Unlike most Bellotti's Ducks have challenged for ville Jaguars' Tom Coughlin, and the Uni­ The answer to the first question is fiercely NFL coaches, he favors a running-based of­ the national championship, ringing in versity of Oregon's Mike Bellotti. Here's a debate. According to ESPN's Joe Theismann, fense, which makes him an even more valu­ an era of success never before experi- breakdown of why any of these three grid­ there's no chance. "If I could pick one NFL able commodity to Notre Dame, a school enced at the University of Oregon. iron titans would make a perfect elixir for coach I would want at Notre Dame, it would whose offense has been tailored to the run­ More enticing to the Irish is what ails the Irish: be Gruden becaus6 I know him and his com­ ning game both by playbook writing and Bellotti's offensive numbers at Oregon: mitment and his passion and love for the uni­ recruiting. He is a charismatic leader who' 55,000-plus total offensive yards and Jon Gruden versity," he says. "But it ain't going to hap­ demands excellence and produces results. sixty-six 30-point games, both of which Now that Davie is officially gone, specu­ pen - period." , He's perfect for Notre Dame. He should be are Oregon records for the time period lation has reached a crescendo that Gruden I'm not wholly convinced, though. Yes, the next coach of the Fighting Irish. in which they have been amassed. might be headed to South Bend. His wide Gruden is locked up by the Raiders through However, it is difficult to tell whether appeal with the Notre Dame community is next season. Yes, his team looks poised to Tom Coughlin ornot Bellotti will leave Oregon for Notre obvious. He grew up in South Bend an ar­ make a run at the Super Bowl. And yes, all What if Gruden doesn't work out? The Dame. On one hand, he has achieved un­ dent Notre Dame fan. His mother painted a of this means that the Irish would have to next best answer is Coughlin. True, his team paralleled success during his time at Or­ mural of Notre Dame Stadium on his base­ wait until late January or early February to is 3-7 and hasn't been competitive lately, egon. Yet, it is also questionable whether ment wall. His father was an assistant under get the man in here. But it still is not hope­ but losing at the pro level has much less to he can improve the Oregon program any SHOES TO FILL Bob Davie is widely Dan- Devine. Gruden was even quoted re­ less. do with the coaching staff than it does in more than he has, which may lead hiln to acknowledged to have run a clean program, but cently as saying: ''To see that marching band It doesn't really matter that the Irish would collegiate football, since player acquisitions his fortunes on the field were mixed. This year's seek a change. Also, it is important to re­ lackluster 5-6 season prompted the university to walking across campus at 8 o'clock in the have to wait. The buzz has been that leaving are the responsibility of a front office and member that Kevin White has Pac-lO ties fire him after the Purdue game, a five-year morning, to look up and see Touchdown the office vacant that long will hurt recruit­ not the coaches themselves. Of all coaches from his time at Arizona State, which may contract notwithstanding. Jesus and the Golden Dome, to feel Rockne's ing. The truth is that Notre Dame has more in NFL history, only five with more than help him bring Bellotti to Notre Dame.

20 SCHOLASTICS PORTS I J " ' J. , COMMENTARY- \' 100 career wins have averaged 10 wins per The Rest season or better, a feat that Coughlin has ac­ Many other names are swirling around the Rebuilding the House of Rockne complished with the Jaguars. In six full sea­ rumor mill. Notable among them are sons of NFL football, Coughlin matched Stanford's Tyrone Willingham, Georgia With Davie gone, Jon Gruden is an early favorite to lead the Irish back to glory Davie's .583 winning percentage at Notre Tech's George O'Leary, Wisconsin's Barry Dame. Keep in mind that lofty long-term Alvarez and Washington's Rick Neuheisel. winning percentages do not come as easily While all of these men are excellent football GERARDMESKILL ghost, the best word I can use to describe it than half of its recruiting class signed. Even in the NFL as they do in the NCAA, making coaches, none of them deserve much con­ is chilling. Every time I see Notre Dame on with a vacant office, the entire country is Coughlin's record appealing while Davie's sideration until Gruden, Coughlin and Bellotti t's almost eerie the way recent major TV, it gives me goose bumps." aware that a big name is highly likely to is appalling. Furthermore, Coughlin's record all get the opportunity to tum down the Irish. Ievents for Notre Dame football happen Enough said. Jon Gruden loves Notre succeed Davie. So, if anything, the rest of includes Jacksonville's expansion year, a 4- But in my opinion, the offer sheet won't get to correspond to the liturgical calendar. Dame, and, right now, Notre Dame loves Notre Dame's prospects should be enticed. 12 season that set the record for most wins past the top man on the list. 0 In 2000, Kevin White arrived in South Bend Gruden right back. But that doesn't answer No matter how long it takes to fill the void, by an expansion team in the NFL. to take the helm as athletic director just one two very important questions: One, will Jon rest assured that the Irish recruiting class Like Gruden, Coughlin is respected as an day after Palm Sunday. Just as Christians will be strong. offensive mastermind, demonstrated by celebrate the anniversary of Jesus' trium­ The best person to answer questions about Jacksonville's NFL leading numbers in pass­ phant arrival into Jerusalem as they await prying Gruden from the Raiders is none ing (1996) and rushing (1999). Such statis­ Easter, Irish fans celebrated White's arrival other than Gruden, himself. And guess tics show the versatility of Coughlin's as the beginning of a resurrection in Notre what? He isn't saying anything. Gruden's playbook, which would revive Notre Dame's Dame football. silence is all the more reason to believe he's own stale offense. The 2001 Irish ranked Nineteen months later, White has made coming to South Bend. He knows full well 110th in total offense, a statistic more shame­ his first major stride toward such a rejuve­ that all he needs to do is definitively say ful than Davie's three 6-10ss seasons. ' nation. On Sunday, the first day of Advent, that he isn't interested in the Irish head­ Unfortunately, Coughlin also is under White informed the college football world coaching job, and all of the hype will fade contract. However, his team's disap­ that Bob Davie had been dismissed. True to away. If he really weren't interested, this is pointing season means he will not be form, as that Sunday marked the beginning exactly what he would do. Yet he chooses working this year's NFL playoffs, of the vigil for the birth of Jesus, so too did not to say anything definitive, even at the making him easier for the Irish to ,I it begin the wait for Notre Dame's savior. expense of being distracted from his duties access should they decide not to wait I Of course, there's no real connection be­ as an NFL coach. Don't be misled; Jon for Gruden. I tween religion and Notre Dame football. Gruden is very interested in this job, and if (Basilica bells ringing after home football he receives the right offer, he's coming back Mike Bellotti wins is just a coincidence.) Nevertheless, THE CHOSEN ONE Jon Gruden, well­ to South Bend. If the Irish choose to go with a col­ known as an Irish supporter, is many fans' after Davie's lackluster five-year tenure, the favorite to replace Bob Davie. The Will he receive that offer? Is he the best lege coach, Bellotti probably will be Irish faithful are not willing to settle for unexpired contract he holds with the man for the job? The answer to both of those at the top of their list. His .690 win­ much less than a football god at the team's Oakland Raiders is, however, a factor that questions should pe "yes." In four ye~s with ning percentage in six full seasons helm. must be considered. the Oakland Raiders, he transformed them with the Ducks is second in school Such job requirements eliminate 99 per­ from a 4-12 team into a Super Bowl con- ' history, ranking only behind legend­ cent of the football world. What remains is tender. Gruden is considered one of the best ary Hugo Bezdek's tenure from a short list, of football deities, namely the Gruden leave Oakland for Notre Dame? And offensive minds in football today, a quality 1913-17. For the past two seasons, . Oakland Raiders' Jon Gruden, the Jackson­ two, is Jon Gruden the right man for the job? sorely needed at Notre Dame. Unlike most Bellotti's Ducks have challenged for ville Jaguars' Tom Coughlin, and the Uni­ The answer to the first question is fiercely NFL coaches, he favors a running-based of­ the national championship, ringing in versity of Oregon's Mike Bellotti. Here's a debate. According to ESPN's Joe Theismann, fense, which makes him an even more valu­ an era of success never before experi- breakdown of why any of these three grid­ there's no chance. "If I could pick one NFL able commodity to Notre Dame, a school enced at the University of Oregon. iron titans would make a perfect elixir for coach I would want at Notre Dame, it would whose offense has been tailored to the run­ More enticing to the Irish is what ails the Irish: be Gruden becaus6 I know him and his com­ ning game both by playbook writing and Bellotti's offensive numbers at Oregon: mitment and his passion and love for the uni­ recruiting. He is a charismatic leader who' 55,000-plus total offensive yards and Jon Gruden versity," he says. "But it ain't going to hap­ demands excellence and produces results. sixty-six 30-point games, both of which Now that Davie is officially gone, specu­ pen - period." , He's perfect for Notre Dame. He should be are Oregon records for the time period lation has reached a crescendo that Gruden I'm not wholly convinced, though. Yes, the next coach of the Fighting Irish. in which they have been amassed. might be headed to South Bend. His wide Gruden is locked up by the Raiders through However, it is difficult to tell whether appeal with the Notre Dame community is next season. Yes, his team looks poised to Tom Coughlin ornot Bellotti will leave Oregon for Notre obvious. He grew up in South Bend an ar­ make a run at the Super Bowl. And yes, all What if Gruden doesn't work out? The Dame. On one hand, he has achieved un­ dent Notre Dame fan. His mother painted a of this means that the Irish would have to next best answer is Coughlin. True, his team paralleled success during his time at Or­ mural of Notre Dame Stadium on his base­ wait until late January or early February to is 3-7 and hasn't been competitive lately, egon. Yet, it is also questionable whether ment wall. His father was an assistant under get the man in here. But it still is not hope­ but losing at the pro level has much less to he can improve the Oregon program any SHOES TO FILL Bob Davie is widely Dan- Devine. Gruden was even quoted re­ less. do with the coaching staff than it does in more than he has, which may lead hiln to acknowledged to have run a clean program, but cently as saying: ''To see that marching band It doesn't really matter that the Irish would collegiate football, since player acquisitions his fortunes on the field were mixed. This year's seek a change. Also, it is important to re­ lackluster 5-6 season prompted the university to walking across campus at 8 o'clock in the have to wait. The buzz has been that leaving are the responsibility of a front office and member that Kevin White has Pac-lO ties fire him after the Purdue game, a five-year morning, to look up and see Touchdown the office vacant that long will hurt recruit­ not the coaches themselves. Of all coaches from his time at Arizona State, which may contract notwithstanding. Jesus and the Golden Dome, to feel Rockne's ing. The truth is that Notre Dame has more in NFL history, only five with more than help him bring Bellotti to Notre Dame.

20 SCHOLASTICS PORTS