Dan expresses his thoughts and feelings on the Weis firing and who could right the listing ship that is Notre Dame Football. 12/2/09 By Dan My feelings about the Weis dismissal were best stated elsewhere (and shamefully copied here): I like Weis, but I love Notre Dame.   Weis is a good guy. This is by no means a universal view, but consider Pass Left, the trip to Iraq, Hannah and Friends, his calls to Herzlich, to name a few. Granted these events may have been the brainchild of a well-oiled PR machine, but I cannot subscribe to that level cynicism (and I work for Congress!). In recent days, we've learned that Weis truly earned the respect of his players, most of which stated their preference for his retention. Graduation rates for the team are currently tied for first place in the FCS with Duke and ND has been able to maintain its independent affiliation and NBC contract. Now I will be the first to admit that these accomplishments have little to do with performance on Saturday, but make no mistake: these are a big deal for ND. Add in Charlie's alumni status and I don't think there were many who didn't want Weis to be the one to bring the ND program back to prominence. The bottom line is that he didn't.   Even looking back, it was the RIGHT decision to bring Weis back for his fifth year. The difference between Weis and Willingham was that it looked like the program was heading in the right direction under Weis. Blue chip talent was again making its way to ND and last year the squad, while going 7-6, vastly improved over the previous season. Firing Charlie after four years would have left a number of 'what ifs' and practically ensured a difficult year when multiple factors (senior offensive line, easier schedule, veteran QB with multiple explosive targets) seemed to indicate only good things to come. After this season, the only 'what ifs' seem to involve which day of the week Clausen and Tate will be playing next year.   In the end, as Charlie now famously said "6-5 is not good enough". Even if it was the defense that sealed his fate, his teams could not get it done (or keep it done). ND has had little to celebrate the last five years and a change had to be made. I wish him the best of success wherever he ends up and hope that one day he will rediscover his old love for his alma mater. No matter what the prima donnas at ESPN feel, Weis was a respectable hire and a respectable man that just did not pan out.   But what's done is done.  Looking ahead to the future, these are my thoughts:   Jim Harbaugh - He may be a Michigan man and he may be relatively inexperienced (which will be a big negative for Swarbrick and others), but what impresses me about the Stanford coach (besides his throttling of USC) is his approach to football. Reportedly one of Harbough's first items on the agenda after taking over the Cardinal team was teaching his players how to hit and play tough. Gerhart may be a special player, but he is also the product of instruction in how to fight, something ND has been sorely lacking since the days of Lou.   Urban Meyer - While leaving with Tebow might not be a bad decision, Meyer is not going.   Bob Stoops -  Aside the recent post-season record, Stoops' tenure at OU has been impressive and he certainly has experience bringing a team back into contention. The below 50 percent GSR has me slightly concerned that he might not do well in a more strict academic environment. I also do not think he will leave Norman.   Jon Gruden - The upside with Gruden is that his NFL connections and experience will keep and lure recruits. His ND connections don't hurt either. Furthermore, it is hard to believe that he is done coaching as young as he is. The downside is his lack of college coaching experience. Does ND want to attempt another NFL guy so soon?  Granted Charlie was an OC and never a head coach, but it is hard to argue that the NFL is not much different than the college game.   Brian Kelly - The question on Kelly is whether he truly believes Cincy can become a "destination job". Right now even multiple 10+ win seaons have not given Kelly a shot at the NC (yet). Rumor has it that the coach is more interested in ND than vice versa, although this may very well be a mistake on the Irish if true. Kelly has coaching experience and experience with winning. He is more known for his offense, but he was both a linebacker in college and a DC in his previous life. While maintaining a certain minimum level skepticism inherent in any Domer, I have one foot on the Kelly bandwagon.   Chip Kelly - I don't think he yet fills Swarbrick's criteria for "sustained success". While he definitely shows talent, I don't know if ND is ready to take a gamble on a relatively inexperienced head coach again.  Up side is his offense would certainly be a fit for the number of receivers ND has.   Gary Patterson - His prior experience with defense would be a huge plus. Could he maintain the wins with a tougher schedule in a much tougher environment?   There are clearly other names out there that have been floated - Petersen, Davis, Cowher, Dungy (although the last I think is ludicrous) - the bottom line is that Swarbrick needs to move quickly if he has not begun so already. Harbaugh, Patterson, and Kelly are all in the midst of contract extensions.  If ND wants to try to throw around its weight (and money) they will have to do it before names are taken permanently off the table. The position may still be elite (at least in the eyes of the media), but long gone are the days when a call from ND will guarantee a new coach.