Content provided in partnership with

So much to do, so little time: the best of the recently hired coaches already are building toward next season, but the tasks ahead are daunting

Sporting News, The, Jan 14, 2005 by Hatt Hayes

The initial meeting was brief and to the point: We stink. Now let's do something about it.

This was Charlie Weis' first powwow with his players as the new coach at Notre Dame. No time for greetings and giggles, just a quick introduction to a completely new lifestyle before Weis returned to his day job of helping the New England Patriots defend their Super Bowl title.

"You never want to hear your coach tell you something like that," says Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn. "He basically let us know it's not acceptable. Maybe that was something we needed to shake things up a little bit."

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

So it wasn't Rockne-esque. It was, however, the first step in a rebuilding process at the school with the most high-profile coaching change this offseason. Of the top five new coaches, none will be more scrutinized than Weis--whose only head coaching experience is at Franklin Township High School in New Jersey. Each new coach has a plan, one that centers on the understanding that positive change occurs when players embrace a new philosophy.

Sounds easy, right? In most cases, easy is far from reality. These coaches already are sizing up their to-do lists.

Charlie Weis NOTRE DAME

1. Recruit, Bringing in talent is more important than ever at Notre Dame, which has missed out on blue-chip recruits for years because every staff since Lou Holtz's last group hasn't been able to sell the university. Forget about those horror stories of high academic standards; each year, there are 40 to 50 elite high school players who reach Notre Dame's academic requirements but go elsewhere. Among those recent stars: Utah quarterback Alex Smith, Southern California running back Reggie Bush and Florida State running back Lorenzo Booker. Weis must use his charisma to lure stars to South Bend.

2. Scrap the West Coast offense, The Irish have a potential All-American in Quinn if he is used--and, more specifically, coached--correctly. Fired Ole Miss coach David Cutcliffe is expected to join Weis' staff as the quarterbacks coach. His hiring would give Quinn two coaches who have tutored NFL quarterbacks--Cutcliffe taught Peyton and Eli Manning; Weis taught Tom Brady. Stretching the field with deep balls isn't far away.

3. Rebuild the Irish mystique. Yeah, it's corny, but understand this: N.D. is physical enough; it just doesn't have the chemistry, mojo or karma to win big and/or close games.

Tyrone Willingham WASHINGTON

1. Recruit. Willingham had problems getting elite athletes at Stanford and Notre Dame, but the admission standards at Washington won't be as stringent. Then again, let's face reality: "Academic standards" are a crutch for any coach who doesn't put enough time and effort into recruiting.

2. Find the old Ty. Whether it was the cold climate or the young quarterback, Willingham was too conservative at Notre Dame, veering from his aggressive nature. His offenses at Stanford were among the best in the Pac-f0, and he must find something to help a poorly coached group of quarterbacks at Washington.

3. Instill discipline and direction. The Huskies have been through two coaching changes in three years, and the athletic department has been in turmoil. The football program always has been the guiding force at UW; Willingham's stoic, steady drive is just what it needs.

Steve Spurrier SOUTH CAROLINA

1. Find a quarterback. Whoever is first in the barrel for the nation's most demanding quarterbacks coach will chuck it 30 to 35 times per game. Part-time starter Syvelle Newton will get the first opportunity in the spring, but don't be surprised if Spurrier goes with rising sophomore Blake Mitchell or a freshman in the fall.

2. Let his talented staff work. In Spurrier's best seasons at Florida, he gave his defensive coordinator complete autonomy, and things ran smoothly. Spurrier made two key hires as defensive co-coordinators--fired East Carolina coach John Thompson and former Southern Miss coordinator Tyrone Nix--and he says he won't need to step into defensive meetings.

3. Change the culture of losing. Lou Holtz, one of the best motivators on the planet, couldn't do it. Will Spurrier be able to change it while battling Georgia, Tennessee and Florida every season?

Urban Meyer FLORIDA

1. Mold his read option offense around pro style quarterback Chris Leak. Meyer adjusted with Josh Harris at Bowling Green and Alex Smith at Utah, but both were mobile and athletic. Leak isn't the most mobile quarterback, but few have more accurate arms and throw more catchable balls.

2. Develop a talented group of wide receivers. Andre Caldwell, Chad Jackson and Dallas Baker are star-caliber players, but they have been inconsistent and undisciplined the past two seasons Meyer's offensive philosophy will give them the opportunity to shine, but they'll develop only with better coaching.

3. Develop an attitude on defense. Former coach Ron Zook meddled too much with one of the SEC's most talented defenses Former coordinator Charlie Strong's units at South Carolina generally were staunch, but his Gators defenses fell apart in the fourth quarter. Meyer will motivate with fear and discipline, and the defense will play with fire and fundamentals.

So much to do, so little time: the best of the recently hired coaches already are building toward next season, but the tasks ahead are daunting

Sporting News, The, Jan 14, 2005 by Hatt Hayes

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Home & Garden

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports