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Willingham fired at Notre Dame

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:06 pm
by HelenaCat95
espn.com

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:19 pm
by BozoneCat
I am a huge Notre Dame fan, and I hate this decision. Willingham was a class act all the way, and I don't think he has been in South Bend long enough to warrant firing him. I thought he always carried himself with a quiet dignity, and was a great ambassador for Notre Dame. This decision makes me sick.

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:23 pm
by HelenaCat95
My guess is that they figure Urban Meyer will be available at the end of this season, and they wanted to get a jump on getting him.

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:33 pm
by SonomaCat
Wow. I'm really surprised. ND is going to regret this decision, I have a feeling.

Some lucky team is going to pick up an excellent coach in Willingham.

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 1:37 pm
by WYCAT
I agree - bad decision. That is one thing I like about our level of competition. A coach like Kramer who runs a clean program, pushes academics, etc. can keep his job at 6-5, 7-4, etc. At the upper teir of Div. 1-A coaches are canned for going 8-3 or better all the time. Look at Solich at Nebraska, Zook at Florida, now ND. Tough business to get into.

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have Kramer and the Cats go about 10-1 next season but I really like what he has done for the university, program, kids, alumni, etc. and it isn't always about winning 9+ games a season.

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 2:17 pm
by mslacat
I think this is the first time ND has actually fired their head coach who had years left in his contract. Can not say I really mind ND doing this, I have them in the same catagory as the Dallas Cowboys. I always route for the other team!

Posted: Tue Nov 30, 2004 2:32 pm
by velochat
As long as our lady univ. keeps losing, I'm happy. Here's an interesting article that sheds some light on the upcoming coaching musical chairs season:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/s ... wfb30.html