It’s not the talent, stupid
UHND.com - Ken L. Britton
10/5/2001
Two years ago I had to write this article: I never thought I would have to write it again. I thought that people would see that talent is 35% recruiting and 65% coaching. Prep guru Allen Wallace himself said "talent is produced by good coaching." You want a list of HS All Americans on this team? Here it goes: Ryan Scarola, Sean Milligan, Gerome Sapp, Clifford Jefferson, Vontez Duff, Jeff Faine, Kurt Vollers, Carlye Holiday, Mark Levoir, Zachary Giles, Javin Hunter, David Givens, Arnaz Battle, Grant Irons, Mike Goolsby, Carlos-Pierre Antione, Ryan Gillis, Nick Setta, Mike McNair, and Greg Pauly. To my knowledge only Michigan, FSU, and Texas have more.
Mel Kiper, who was quoted in the south bend tribune, can blast on the lack of skill position players until his ridiculous hair gets out of place, but three offensive skill players (at least) will be drafted this year. Gene Wojciechowski can say it’s not the ‘X’s and O’s,’ but ask ANY coach at any level and they will tell you the exact opposite. Team coordination in any other sport pales to football. Without a good offensive line no running back save Barry Sanders will be able to run the ball. Without a good pass rush defensive backs cannot cover, without good linebackers to shoot gaps defensive lineman will not be able to make plays. Yes, this list does go on…
So for the last time, and I will challenge anybody to a duel with pistols who disagrees (better yet make it automatic weapons for a little fun), Notre Dame not only can bring in future prospects, but they already have talent as well. Any struggles, three years ago, two years ago, once year ago, and today, are completely unrelated to the issue of having good players. The offense as it stands is one of the worst in the history of all but a few schools. I do not care if we have Boise State talent, this type of execution is disgusting.
So the next time you see someone blasting ND’s lack of "playmakers," "speed," or "explosiveness," think of Mr. Wallace’s comment. Stop with the argument already, it simply is untrue.
New and Notes
One Dope Follows Another
-A controversial article was published in the Chicago Tribune recently regarding Zak Kustok, a Notre Dame transfer. It’s author, John Kass, alleging that Bob Davie and Kevin White have played politics, and are more interested in keeping influential people happy than winning ballgames. It also claims that Kustok was demoted to fourth string because of these politics. Though the Irish administration does not have a case
The player that was let back for a fifth year (not players, as Kass refers to) is JW Jordan, who has barely played at all as a walk on but yet was granted a fifth year.
The article is a good example with journalists spouting out ridiculous rhetoric that nobody can prove wrong. Davie does give fifth years to players who have done little, but it has little to do their parents having clout and a lot to do with his unfailing loyalty to upperclassmen. The idea that the University uses the football team as a front to get their parents money is simply farcical. Unless the parent’s name is Bill Gates, it is hard to imagine anybody donating enough to influence gambling on the prosperity of a $300 million dollar asset. The case of JW Jordan however is extremely interesting.
White Speaks
Kevin White made comments on Sunday that point to the administrations determination on the football team, and it all sounded good. To paraphrase, ND football cannot continue to float in mediocrity, and the football team being very successful is extremely important. IE Bob Davie is a dead duck.
-Look for the Irish to finish 2-9. Team moral is destroyed (see quote by Tyreo Harrison), and Tony Fisher, the only player who has shown a spark on offense, had admitted to being afraid of coming out to boos on Saturday. They should beat Navy, and get a few turnovers one time in eight.
Questions? Comments? All email is appreciated. mailto:klb1@keene.edu