Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/393046
THE FIFTH QUARTER LOU SOMOGYI "I f I can make it there, I can make it anywhere," sang Frank Sinatra many years ago of New York City. When it comes to the head coach of Notre Dame's football program, there is an inverse corollary: If you don't make it here, you're probably not going to make it anywhere. Charlie Weis became the most recent example when he was fired by Kansas Sept. 28 after compiling a 6‑22 record. Still, combine the reported long‑term pay from Notre Dame through Decem‑ ber 2015 with the severance from Kan‑ sas, and Weis could be among the five (certainly 10) top‑paid college coaches in 2015, anywhere from $4.6 to nearly $5 million, depending on what figures you review. Brian Kelly's three predecessors at Notre Dame — Bob Davie (1997‑2001), Tyrone Willingham (2002‑04) and Weis (2005‑09) — have combined for a 25‑80 ledger (.238 winning percentage) since their departures, although, in fairness, they did not inherit ideal situations. Willingham, now on the College Foot‑ ball Playoff selection committee, was 11‑37 at the University of Washington from 2005‑08, ending his coaching days with an 0‑12 mark his final season. Entering the weekend of Oct. 4, Davie was 8‑21 at New Mexico, although the 4‑9 and 3‑9 records his first two seasons don't tell the whole tale of some posi‑ tives achieved at what has been a foot‑ ball wasteland. All three averaged exactly seven wins per season during their time at Notre Dame, acceptable at many places, but reviled with the Irish. Davie was good with X's and O's, but was thrust into a chair he was not primed to handle as a first‑time head Notre Dame: If You Can't Make It Here … Brian Kelly's track record provides encouragement that he can handle Notre Dame over the long haul. PHOTO BY BILL PANZICA