When UCLA heads to South Bend, Ind., this weekend, they will be
overcome by the numerous aspects that add to the aura of Notre Dame
football. Touchdown Jesus, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Heisman
candidate Brady Quinn and the historic Notre Dame Stadium are just
a few. But if you ask Bruin defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker or
coach Karl Dorrell what amazes them most about Notre Dame, it
won’t be their Irish mascot. It’s Fighting Irish coach
Charlie Weis. “There are few people I have more respect for
than coach Weis,” Walker said. “The way he prepares his
players, and his offensive schemes are brilliant.”
“He’s definitely not your average college coach.”
Weis, who worked with Walker as an assistant coach for the New
England Patriots, has turned around the Irish program in just his
second year with the team. The Irish are currently 5-1, and ranked
No. 10 in the country after a 9-3 record with a Gator Bowl
appearance last season. When asked for the reasons for Weis’
success, Dorrell was honest. “He has enormous name
recognition,” Dorrell said. “With the success he had in
the NFL, players want to play for him, and that has obviously
helped his program.” “He has his program on the
rise.” Dorrell certainly isn’t lying. Since Weis has
become coach, interest in the Notre Dame program has come back, and
football Saturdays in South Bend have once again become a
pilgrimage for all college football fans. This Saturday, for
example, Notre Dame will be sold out for the 190th consecutive
time. In fact, the stadium will be sold out for the 238th time out
of the last 239 games. “The program is certainly back on
top,” Walker said. “When the football team is doing
well, Notre Dame becomes a special place to play.” “Our
players will certainly be treated to something special on
Saturday.” If there is anyone who knows about playing at and
beating Notre Dame, it’s Walker. As an assistant coach at BYU
in 1994, Walker’s Cougars pulled off one of the bigger upsets
of the season by beating the heavily favored Fighting Irish at
Notre Dame Stadium. That’s why Weis, for one, is fully
prepared for the challenge that Walker’s defense will present
the Fighting Irish on Saturday. “They’re obviously
reaping the benefits of his coaching,” Weis said of Walker.
“They’re ninth in the country on total defense.”
“Those stats aren’t there by accident. They’re
pretty good.” This Saturday, under the shadow of Touchdown
Jesus, Weis’ proficient offense and Walker’s defense
will finally do battle.
COLLETTO RETURNS: Offensive line coach Jim
Colleto worked as an assistant coach for Notre Dame in the
1997-1998 season, and played for the Bruins during its 1963 and
1964 match-ups with the Fighting Irish. “It’s a special
place to be,” Colletto said. “When the band starts
playing again, I will probably start feeling the goose
bumps.” The Bruins were defeated in both of Colletto’s
games against Notre Dame as a player.