Irish hoping for “return to glory” in time for MSU game
College football fans from around the nation have been hearing about Notre Dame’s “return to glory” ever since the Bob Davie years. Lately it’s been MSU’s privilege to knock Irish fans down a few pegs early in the season but unfortunately the school down the road beat the Spartans to it this year.
Now it’s regrouping time for Charlie Weis and his team. Eric Hansen of the South Bend Tribune reports that Weis will be spending some time reevaluating his team this week.
He’ll start by addressing the chronic problems on a veteran offensive line — by far the biggest disappointment on the team in the early going.
“I wouldn’t say go back to the drawing board,” Weis said. “But I think we’re going to have to go through a heavy analysis period in the next 24 hours.”
Secondly, he’ll find middle ground between sticking to his guns and making wholesale personnel and philosophical changes. Remember, one of Weis’ biggest strengths is that he does not think he knows everything and is not afraid to ask for advice.
Third, he’ll simplify the schemes. Too many mental mistakes means information overload.
“That’s why we’ll spend a lot of time in the next 24 to 36 hours as a coaching staff making sure that the plan that we have ready to go for Michigan State is one where there’s minimal opportunities for ‘yeah-buts,’ ” Weis said.
Columnist Jason Kelly of the South Bend Tribune reports that Weis was stirred, but not shaken by their loss over the weekend.
Walking into the locker room, Weis told them what was on his mind.
Other than redirecting a few downcast eyes away from the carpet and toward him, he did not try to mitigate the effects of the shattering defeat.
Weis fed their frustration with his own disappointment, a cocktail meant to challenge their pride, if not soothe their bruised egos.
“In a very matter-of-fact way — made them look at me when a couple of the heads were drooping — let them know in no uncertain terms that it’s not OK. It’s not OK to perform like that,” Weis said. “I don’t believe in that ‘We’ll get ‘em next time’ mentality. I think they have to understand that it’s not OK when you perform like that.”