TheWolverine.com - ND's Weis: 'To hell with Michigan'

May 7, 2008

Chris Balas
TheWolverine.com Senior Editor

Apparently, not even consecutive embarrassing losses at the hands of rival Michigan can stifle Charlie Weis. Notre Dame's self-proclaimed coaching genius was caught on film again recently, this time predicting Michigan "excuses" and embracing opportunities to make a statement.

"I've always been one never to make excuses and not blow hot air and [believe] you back your words by your performance on the field," the Notre Dame head coach said at what appeared to be an alumni reception before or after the April 19 Notre Dame Blue ? Gold game. "I think that's the message our team is going to [follow] on September 6 with San Diego State. I think the first opportunity we'll have to make a statement is that day.

"Then we'll listen to Michigan have all their excuses as they come running in saying how they have a new coaching staff and those changes. To hell with Michigan."

Whether that was a disparaging remark toward the U-M program or a plea for divine intervention after 47-21 and 38-0 beatings the last two years isn't entirely clear.

But while the win total continues to decline in South Bend, Weis' bravado has been remarkably steady. Two years ago it was an alleged comment that his Irish would "never lose to Michigan State again" following an overtime loss to the Spartans, prompting MSU quarterback Drew Stanton to respond, "That's a pretty bold statement to make that you're never going to lose to a team that's beaten you seven out of the last nine times."

A miraculous, fourth quarter comeback at Spartan Stadium in 2006 kept Weis true to his word for a year. A porous offensive line, poor team chemistry and coaching the AFCA - let alone MENSA - wouldn't endorse dashed the prognostication in 2007 in what would be a three-win season.

So what will Charlie say next?

Maybe we'll get a repeat of 2006, when Weis proclaimed in a pregame pep rally, "We have not said a word about Michigan. We have not talked about their players; we have not talked about their coaches. We'll talk tomorrow." ... and became the butt of blogger jokes across the Internet in the aftermath.

Perhaps it will be an address like the one he gave recently to an alumni gathering in Gettysburg in which he reportedly proclaimed, "I could get hoodlums and thugs and win tomorrow. I won't do it that way." (Cue a resounding PFFFFFFFFFFFT of hot air leaking from the excuse balloon).

Instead he'll attempt to do it with the "decided schematic advantage" he promised his players and followers when he first arrived on campus. A bit more of that, a bit less gum flapping and maybe even Irish fans will have a reason to tune in to NBC this fall.

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