Every year ND has high expectations. Every year we hear about either how good they will be, or how great their recruiting class is.

They haven't won a bowl game since 1994. And they haven't even been competitive in a bowl game since '99.

 

You didn't hear that when Ty was the coach. Guess how many head coaches at the University of Washington have had 3 straight losing season in their history. That's right, only one. Will he keep his job long enought to make it to 4?

Edited August 28, 200818 yr by strike-3
none of your business.

Im watching College Football Live on espnu and Lou Holtz just said with a straight face that ND will win 11 games this year. Why haven't they euthanized him yet?

 

Yeah Nebraska is pretty good...

 

He said he thinks this team can win 11 games. Thats his opinion. Whats wrong with that?

I don't know why ND fans would expect this team to win a bowl game. They have lost at least 9 consecutive bowl games by an average of 17 points.

 

Like strike3 said what would that even have to do with this year?

In his inaugural season with the Irish in 2002, he wasted no time reversing the tide of the Irish program, leading Notre Dame to a 10-2 regular-season record and a trip to the 2003 Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla.

 

In the process, Willingham became the only first-year coach in Notre Dame history to win 10 games in his initial campaign. He was recognized for his efforts when he was named the ESPN/Home Depot College Coach of the Year, the Scripps College Coach of the Year, the Black Coaches Association Male Coach of the Year and the George Munger Award College Coach of the Year by the Maxwell Football Club. Willingham also made history when he became the first college football coach to earn The Sporting News Sportsman of the Year award in 2002. Willingham joined the likes of such sporting greats as Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Curt Schilling (2001), Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards basketball star Michael Jordan (1991), former Irish and NFL great Joe Montana (1989), hockey's all-time leading scorer Wayne Gretzky (1981) and NCAA basketball and UCLA coaching legend John Wooden (1970). The accolades did not stop there for Willingham as the Irish coach was named the sixth most influential minority in sports by Sports Illustrated.

 

Willingham's team started fast out of the gate in 2002 as the Irish won their first eight games, including defeating ranked opponents Maryland, Michigan, Air Force and Florida State. Notre Dame's four wins over ranked opponents tied them for the most victories over top 25 teams in the nation (along with Miami) during the regular season. Notre Dame also achieved its first top-10 ranking since 1999, topping out at No. 4 after the Florida State game.

 

Individually, the players responded to Willingham's coaching as he mentored four All-Americans in 2002. Cornerback Shane Walton was Notre Dame's first consensus All-America selection since 1993, and was one of five finalists for the Bronko Nagurski Award given to the nation's top defensive player. Center Jeff Faine was also named a first-team All-American by The Sporting News and ESPN.com. Faine was the runner-up for the 2002 Rimington Award given to the nation's top center and was the first-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns (21st overall) in the 2003 National Football League Draft. Linebacker Courtney Watson was named a first-team All-American by ESPN.com and was one of three finalists for the Butkus Award given to the nation's outstanding linebacker, while Vontez Duff earned third-team All-America honors from the Associated Press for his efforts as a cornerback and kick returner.

 

In 2003, the Irish started the season in grand style with an overtime comeback victory over defending Pacific-10 Conference champion Washington State, punctuated the year with a midseason road triumph over 15th-ranked Pittsburgh, then claimed wins in three of their last four games. Playing against a schedule ranked third toughest in the country by the NCAA (a schedule that included nine teams that played in bowl games), Notre Dame's headliners included veteran running back Julius Jones (who set the Irish single-game rushing record with 262 yards vs. Pittsburgh and finished the season with 1,268 yards), defensive end Justin Tuck (who set the Notre Dame single-season record for quarterback sacks with 13.5), and rookie quarterback Brady Quinn (who set Irish freshman records for passing yards, completions and attempts).

 

In 2004, Willingham led the Irish to a 6-5 overall record and a berth in the Insight Bowl. The Notre Dame season included several big wins including two victories over top-10 ranked teams. The Irish knocked off then-No. 8 Michigan, 28-20, Sept. 11, at Notre Dame Stadium and beat then-No. 9 Tennessee, 17-13, in Knoxville on Nov. 6. The season also included wins over a bowl-bound Navy squad, Michigan State and Pac-10 teams Washington and Stanford."

 

Check out Ty Willingham's Coaching Bio here:

http://gohuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/willingham_tyrone00.html

 

Very impressive, really.

I always enjoyed watching the Irish, as a youngster growing up and over the years. I hope Weis can get them back, to being one of the best programs.

Like strike3 said what would that even have to do with this year?

 

Like ColonelCrazy said, nothing...yet.

Check out Ty Willingham's Coaching Bio here:

http://gohuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/willingham_tyrone00.html

 

Very impressive, really.

 

He's 76-76-1. Are you really going to argue that he is a good coach?

He's 76-76-1. Are you really going to argue that he is a good coach?

 

Where did I say he was a good coach? I said that he has an impressive bio.

 

There's no disputing that. And, personally, I think he did well at ND with the exception of his last year.

In 2008, Willingham will serve as the president of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

 

Willingham, in 2002, became the only 1st-year coach in Notre Dame history to win 10 games in his 1st year. He was named ESPN College Coach of teh Year, Scripps College Coach of the Year, Black Coaches Association Male Coach of the Year & the George Munger Award College Coach of the year. He was also the 1st college football coach to win the Sporting News Sportsman of the Year, in 2002.

 

While at Notre Dame, Willingham's 2002 team posted a record high GPA of 2.911 in the spring and 2.835 in the fall. That was followed up by a 2.79 GPA in the Spring of '03 & 2.911 in the spring of '02. Willingham's teams also had similar success in his years prior to ND, at Stanford. Granted, ND & Stanford are two schools who are highly respected when it comes to academics, but Willingham's teams are some of the best academically as well.

 

Ty Willingham also has NFL experience, which is important. In 3 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the Vikings won 2 NFL Central Division Championships & made it to the playoffs all 3 years.

 

He has also been the running backs coach during a few of Stanford's best years for running backs, as well as the Vikings.

 

For his commitment to community service, Willingham was honored in 2000 with the Eddie Robinson Coach of Distinction Award. This award is presented to a college football coach nationwide for career achievement and his outstanding service as a role model.

 

Now, I'm not saying that Ty Willingham is the greatest college football coach to walk this Earth. But, despite his record at UW, he was treated unfairly at Notre Dame.

How many times have we said that the main reason Ty was let go was because of were the program was headed. That was based off his recruiting classes and as last year showed with the Juniors and Seniors(Ty's last two classes) they were not very good.

 

Take a look at his recruits this year. http://washington.scout.com/a.z?s=147&p=9&c=4&yr=2009

With Notre Dame Football you win, thats it. Like Lou Holtz said last night, they were mad at him for finishing 2nd in the country. Thats great what Ty does with his players and all but Notre Dame wants to win.

 

Now I know they were horrible last year under CW, but still he has great recruits and obvisouly they think this program is going to win in the future under CW.

In 2008, Willingham will serve as the president of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

 

Willingham, in 2002, became the only 1st-year coach in Notre Dame history to win 10 games in his 1st year. He was named ESPN College Coach of teh Year, Scripps College Coach of the Year, Black Coaches Association Male Coach of the Year & the George Munger Award College Coach of the year. He was also the 1st college football coach to win the Sporting News Sportsman of the Year, in 2002.

 

While at Notre Dame, Willingham's 2002 team posted a record high GPA of 2.911 in the spring and 2.835 in the fall. That was followed up by a 2.79 GPA in the Spring of '03 & 2.911 in the spring of '02. Willingham's teams also had similar success in his years prior to ND, at Stanford. Granted, ND & Stanford are two schools who are highly respected when it comes to academics, but Willingham's teams are some of the best academically as well.

 

Ty Willingham also has NFL experience, which is important. In 3 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the Vikings won 2 NFL Central Division Championships & made it to the playoffs all 3 years.

 

He has also been the running backs coach during a few of Stanford's best years for running backs, as well as the Vikings.

 

For his commitment to community service, Willingham was honored in 2000 with the Eddie Robinson Coach of Distinction Award. This award is presented to a college football coach nationwide for career achievement and his outstanding service as a role model.

 

Now, I'm not saying that Ty Willingham is the greatest college football coach to walk this Earth. But, despite his record at UW, he was treated unfairly at Notre Dame.

 

When you tell people at Notre Dame that last time you checked 6-5 was a winnng season, you better have your bags packed.

Yeah Nebraska is pretty good...

 

He said he thinks this team can win 11 games. Thats his opinion. Whats wrong with that?

 

You dont see Tom Osborne out on tv saying they will win 11 games this year like a wacko either.

 

By the way Nebraska is awesome compared to ND right now.:sssh:

In 2008, Willingham will serve as the president of the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA).

 

Willingham, in 2002, became the only 1st-year coach in Notre Dame history to win 10 games in his 1st year. He was named ESPN College Coach of teh Year, Scripps College Coach of the Year, Black Coaches Association Male Coach of the Year & the George Munger Award College Coach of the year. He was also the 1st college football coach to win the Sporting News Sportsman of the Year, in 2002.

 

While at Notre Dame, Willingham's 2002 team posted a record high GPA of 2.911 in the spring and 2.835 in the fall. That was followed up by a 2.79 GPA in the Spring of '03 & 2.911 in the spring of '02. Willingham's teams also had similar success in his years prior to ND, at Stanford. Granted, ND & Stanford are two schools who are highly respected when it comes to academics, but Willingham's teams are some of the best academically as well.

 

Ty Willingham also has NFL experience, which is important. In 3 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, the Vikings won 2 NFL Central Division Championships & made it to the playoffs all 3 years.

 

He has also been the running backs coach during a few of Stanford's best years for running backs, as well as the Vikings.

 

For his commitment to community service, Willingham was honored in 2000 with the Eddie Robinson Coach of Distinction Award. This award is presented to a college football coach nationwide for career achievement and his outstanding service as a role model.

 

Now, I'm not saying that Ty Willingham is the greatest college football coach to walk this Earth. But, despite his record at UW, he was treated unfairly at Notre Dame.

 

He was treated no worse than Lou Holtz was at the end of his time there. Once your fan base sits through a 6-5 season, w/ no semblance of hope for the future due to putrid recruiting, then yeah, you'll feel some heat. Not to mention that the Administration was taking a huge roll of the dice believing that they were opening up the position for Urban Meyer. Now, as an University that make millions and millions off of their football team, would you keep a mediocre coach who can't recruit, or do you buy out his contract and try to get the proven winner?

You dont see Tom Osborne out on tv saying they will win 11 games this year like a wacko either.

 

By the way Nebraska is awesome compared to ND right now.:sssh:

 

Define awesome.