Taylor: Irish have pieces in place to turn program around

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BY TOM COYNE
AP Sports Writer | Sunday, December 09, 2007 | (12 comment(s))

Taylor: Irish have pieces in place to turn program around

SOUTH BEND | Notre Dame has the pieces in place to be successful and return to dominance, former Fighting Irish player Aaron Taylor told the team Friday night.

"The answer to getting Notre Dame back on track is you. You are enough," Taylor said at the team banquet. "You have what it takes."

After back-to-back berths in Bowl Championship Series games, Notre Dame (3-9) set a school record for losses in a season that was much worse than even most critics expected even though the Irish were young and inexperienced.

The Irish finished last in the nation in total offense, averaging just 242 yards a game. They averaged just 75 yards a game rushing, 60 yards below the previous record low of 135 yards a game set in 1959. They also gave up 58 sacks, shattering the school record of 38 set in 2002.

Taylor was critical of the team during the season on his blog, Legends of South Bend. He was particularly critical of coach Charlie Weis, writing in one report: "Coach Weis' ability to develop untapped potential into on-field talent has yet to be proven."

On Friday, though, Taylor was upbeat and positive. Taylor, a tackle at Notre Dame from 1990-93 who won the Lombardi Award in 1993 as the nation's best lineman, said the lessons he learned at the university have helped him succeed in life.

Talking to the media before the banquet, Taylor said he couldn't estimate how long it would take to turn the program around, but he doesn't believe it will be long.

"I think that as that talent matures and as coach Weis and his ability and his transition to the college game matures as well, that's going to be a deadly combination," he said.

Weis told the players next season began last Monday when they started their offseason weightlifting program. He also told them that 3-9 is not acceptable.

"No one likes going 3-9. You know all those sayings about perseverance and how you can grow from being 3-9. Well, you can grow from 12-0, too," he said.

At least a dozen recruits, some of whom already have committed to the Irish, attended the banquet.

Defensive end Trevor Laws was named the team's most valuable player. Laws led the Irish with 112 tackles, the second most by an Irish lineman. He also won the Knute Rockne Student-Athlete Award. Tight end John Carlson was the Nick Pietrosante Award winner as the player who best exemplified the courage of the late Notre Dame fullback.

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Weis is not the right guy wrote on Dec 13, 2007 11:17 AM:

" This guy is so overrated. He did a nice job with the guys that Willingham recruited, but now that his guys are showing up, hmmmmm. What a poor representative for ND. He's a fat slob. How can he lead young men and talk about discipline, when he can't even discipline himself to put down the fork. I look forward to another dismal year next year. "

Domer 1990 wrote on Dec 11, 2007 2:42 PM:

" Weis was saved by strong recruiting, but don't think for a second that if ND is 3-9 next year Weis won't be fired...b/c recruiting will fall right along with the record. I personally think that he will right the ship by making fundamental changes in his coaching personality and his coaching staff. All true ND fans knew that this year would be a struggle, but none to the extent that it was. Charlie will evolve or die out like the dinasour. And please...enough with the fat jokes allready. GO IRISH! "

KASH in MA wrote on Dec 11, 2007 1:57 PM:

" Hi Board. As I divulged in my screen-name, I'm from Massachusetts. 5-7 miles north of Foxboro Stadium. I attended ND. I witnessed the 1988 National Champion team. I've seen Charlie's success with the Pats. (who are UNDEFEATED, by the way) The pro-game is different from the college game. (witness Carrol's success at USC and compare it to his abysmal pro-career) My point? My point is that Charlie's a hard worker and you gotta cut him some slack. DO NOT FORGET his success the first 2 years he was with us. "

Steve wrote on Dec 11, 2007 7:51 AM:

" I only wish they would bring Lou back! ND football has not been the same since he left. At least Weis doesn't have to worry about being forced out because his win total is getting to close Rockne's. I'm sorry, but Charlie needs to go. If he doesn't win at least eight games next year he should be gone. Heck, he should have been gone after the Navy loss. "

dwintx wrote on Dec 11, 2007 6:48 AM:

" I don't know why everyone thinks ND will improve drastically next year. I see nothing changing but the age of the players, and a few key players lost to graduation. With Notre Dame's brutal schedule, they'll be lucky to win 5 games. Believe me, there is nothing more that I would like to see than 12-0 and a national championship, but for some reason, the coaching staff just can't get it done. "

Blue and Gold Blood wrote on Dec 11, 2007 4:22 AM:

" To the Irish faithfull. We all new this was comming. Even Pete Carrol and i thank him for his respect and honesty. I truly believe Coach Weis will lead us to glory once again very soon.We just have to stand by him and support our beloved Irish. With the #1 class comming in and his relentless recrutic ethics, we will shake down the thunder with a volley heard on high!! They had there fun. "

PWAND wrote on Dec 10, 2007 8:54 PM:

" Weis leaving means all the recruits that we love and dream of winning a NC are gone too...remember that. This isn't 1950...WE R ND...but we have to respect the fact that it takes longer...be patient and 2010 is a correct assumption! "

Bobby Kool- Irish in SC wrote on Dec 10, 2007 8:01 PM:

" I think Aaron has the right approach for the new players, and for Coach Weis- New players will have the chance to step in as the four year starters, like Zibby did. But, Weis cannot rely on the NFL strategy to bring along a player, he must tap the young talent early, or else he will lose their confidence. For example the 11 players who have left in the last two years. And finally, bring in a dam line coach that can take mediocre talent, like a line coach from South Florida and bring them to national prominence. Ala- where is Joe Moore or some of the ex- 25 lineman that have been in the NFl! Last in offense in the nation is not very Weisz!! Bring in coaches to produce or cut them loose. "

ND FAN wrote on Dec 10, 2007 4:12 PM:

" Weis has to go.Do not let the door hit you in your big fat !#@ Charlie. "

Mike wrote on Dec 10, 2007 1:29 PM:

" why have taylor on the staff just becuase they guy can speak does nt me he can coach "

Terry wrote on Dec 9, 2007 7:11 PM:

" Three years - 2010 "

Michael Finn wrote on Dec 9, 2007 5:02 PM:

" Solid article. I only wish that coach weis could find a spot on the coaching staff for big aaron. He along with tim brown would be awesome! "

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