Quick Search

Active Bloggers

Will Moss Will Moss
Hampton University class of 1995
Hija Chang Hija Chang
Bellarmine University class of 2021
A SHORT A SHORT
Other College... class of 2003
HBCU CONNECT HBCU CONNECT
Central State University class of 1995
Michael Fortson Michael Fortson
- College Not Listed - class of 2018
Randi Payton Randi Payton
University of the District of Columbia class of 1982
Joel Savage Joel Savage
class of 1993
Deanna  Johnson Deanna Johnson
Virginia State University class of 2028
Reginald Culpepper Reginald Culpepper
Clark Atlanta University class of 1998

Notre Dame? Notre Shame!

Notre Dame? Notre Shame!
Posted By: Bryon Hollman on October 30, 2005


You know how you just see something and it doesn’t surprise you. As much as you want to be surprised, shocked, or angry it just doesn’t surprise you? Well that happened to me this weekend when I learned that the first year Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis was given a ten year extension making him coach in South Bend until 2018 or something like that.
Now I like Weis. Just like me he is a big guy who despite being offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots for their three super bowl wins, and winning rings as a coach with the New York Giants, nobody would even interview him because they felt that he had a weight problem. He became so frustrated that he went and had the gastric bypass surgery to help him slim down. Unfortunately there were complications and he has serious problems walking now. I’ve always thought he was a nice coach.
My problem is with Notre Dame. The same school that everyone wants to hold to a higher standard, the same school that has its own TV deal with NBC, the same school that feel that their football program is too good to be affiliated with any conference has just shown a blatant sign of racism.
Things have been good at Notre Dame. The team has a 5-2 record, they should’ve beaten USC two weeks ago and their offense looks 100% better than it did the previous year before Weis took over. Everyone is very excited about the way things are going.
Three years ago everyone at Notre Dame was very excited as well, when a coach came in and turned things around and helped Notre Dame start out with a 8-0 record with wins over USC, Michigan, and Purdue. The school was applauded after giving their new coach a chance breathing hope into a dying program and taking a tremendous stride towards helping college football become more diverse.


That coach was Tyrone Willingham and for those that don’t know he is black. He accepted the Notre Dame job after others didn’t want it and another coach was hired and fired within ten days after learning that he had lied on his resume. Back then everyone praised Notre Dame for giving a black man a chance. A year later they couldn’t throw him out fast enough.
Granted Tyrone’s last two years weren’t as good as his first season. He signed a five year deal and told everyone even when they were winning that he is going to need time to get his players in and get his system working. In his second year Notre Dame had a 5 and 6 record and boosters asked for Willingham to get fired, even going so far as to threaten the school by not giving them money. In his third year he was 7-4 and had a invitation to a bowl game. He had signed some big named recruits and looked to be on his way to turning things around in the next year or two. But they fired him before he even coached his last game. The school wanted to go after former Utah and current Florida Gator’s coach Urban Myer so they had to fire Willingham first. Myer went elsewhere and they reluctantly ended up with Weis.
After seven games, not the undefeated 8 games that Willingham had and still with the potential to duplicate last years record with 7 and 4, Notre Dame opens their checkbook and signs him to a new ten year extension. Why? I think we all know why, but will the media say it? Probably not.
I wish Weis well, but to be honest the move didn’t surprise me. If anything this is more of a reason to support HBCU athletics outside of homecoming, classics, and that lone rival game. There was a time when school’s like Notre Dame wouldn’t even let us on the field to play, yet our best players have to go there because they have all of the money, support, and resources to help them get to the NFL.
If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email!
Comments
Please Login To Post Comments...
Email:
Password:

 
Nice story!
Sunday, October 30th 2005 at 3:18PM
More From This Author
Bryon Monica and Adria
The Good, Bad, and UGLY of HBCU's
Marching Band 1991
NBA Installs Dress Code for its players
Black College Colors
Need to Pick out a baby name.
Latest Blogs
In a Smarr Car in a Kia in a Youtube Nightcap video in a wedding reception ITS A FATHERS MONTH THING

In a Smarr Car in a Kia in a Youtube Nightcap video in a wedding reception ITS A FATHERS MONTH THING

Leave it to the fellas Maybe Ocho Cinco how about a live Auction of your Collectibles live from thee Tender Box cigar lounge Grab a gift that brings vibes machismo cuban tradition https://eigh ...more
Hija Chang • 102 Views • May 22nd, 2026
Reviewing the 2026 Acura MDX Type S SH-AWD Advance

Reviewing the 2026 Acura MDX Type S SH-AWD Advance

The 2026 Acura MDX Type S SH-AWD stands out in the three-row luxury SUV segment. While others in the class focus on luxury, the Acura MDX has become a practical family vehicle with great performance. ...more
Randi Payton • 143 Views • May 21st, 2026
Dominican Republic: The Caribbean Island of rhythm, resilience, and beauty

Dominican Republic: The Caribbean Island of rhythm, resilience, and beauty

The Dominican Republic is more than a Caribbean destination; it is a living heartbeat. It is a place where rhythm is not just heard but felt, where resilience is woven into the soul of the people, and ...more
Joel Savage • 145 Views • May 21st, 2026
The Myth of LinkedIn: Why Most Creators Never Strike Gold

The Myth of LinkedIn: Why Most Creators Never Strike Gold

Photo: A journalist looking at a laptop screen showing a LinkedIn warning message about leaving the platform, symbolizing restricted traffic flow. Many professionals, for years, believed that joi ...more
Joel Savage • 174 Views • May 20th, 2026
African Pygmies: Ancient forest tribes fighting for survival today

African Pygmies: Ancient forest tribes fighting for survival today

Photo: A small forest‑dwelling family in a Central African rainforest. The Pygmy peoples of Central Africa, for thousands of years, have lived deep within the vast rainforests of the Congo Ba ...more
Joel Savage • 160 Views • May 20th, 2026
Popular Blogs
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?

Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 71,396,607 Views • January 27th, 2009
VISINE ALERT!!!

VISINE ALERT!!!

Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug. When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 119,746 Views • May 23rd, 2009

"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!

Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 78,303 Views • November 9th, 2006
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing Cards

HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing Cards

Vendor: Charles Jones Item Price: $20.00 Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included Item Description: Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
Hija Chang • 62,983 Views • December 2nd, 2018
Black College Student Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Kissing a White Girl

Black College Student Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Kissing a White Girl

Albert N. Wilson, a former University of Kansas student, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison and a lifetime of probation after being convicted by an all-white jury of raping a white teen girl. Bu ...more
Will Moss • 55,931 Views • June 4th, 2020
Please Give Us a Like on Facebook!
Featured Members