The Weis Watch is officially on

Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said Wednesday that he will not evaluate Charlie Weis until after the season, and that anyone who suggests a coaching change could occur should know that it is "not under consideration at this time."

Nonetheless, the Weis Watch is officially on around the country, including the greater South Bend metropolitan area. Notre Dame's third loss in four games could not be explained away as another awkward but necessary step in the maturation process. No, this Boston massacre only fueled the fire of critics who believe Weis is more problem than solution.

There are seven years left on Weis' contract, with a reported salary of $3 million to $4 million annually. A person familiar with Weis' buyout said Tuesday that the buyout money would be so substantial ($21 million to $28 million) that firing Weis is unrealistic to even consider.


Just seven games into his collegiate head coaching career in 2005, Charlie Weis — sporting a pedestrian 5–2 record — landed a lucrative contract extension from the University of Notre Dame that would carry him through the 2015 season.

Tyrone Willingham started out 8–0 in 2002 and Notre Dame never offered him a contract extension. In fact, after just three seasons, Willingham was fired and replaced by Weis.

Notre Dame went 3-9 in 2007 and 5-4 this season under Charlie Weis.

Charlie Weis's job security is sound, at least for now, but it is not because of his quality as a head coach, but because of the fatal blunder made by Kevin White, the previous athletic director at Notre Dame.

Source: ESPN.com