Charlie Weis....Did he get a fair shake?

How long do you allow someone to develop into a premier leader, in this case, a premier college football coach?

When Lou Holtz accepted the ND job in 1986 he had 16 years of head coaching experience. We were fortunate enough to get a seasoned ball coach. His ND record: 100-32-2 was impressive.
Bob Davie was known as a defensive specialist but had no head coaching experience. His ND record: 35-25.
Ty Willingham was an assistant at several D-1 programs before coaching Stanford for seven seasons prior to taking the ND job. He led the Cardinal to a 44–36–1 record as head coach. His ND record: 35-25; much like his previous record.
Charlie Weis had reached the pinnacle of NFL success as an assistant coach with the Superbowl Champion New England Patriots, but he was never a college football head coach. His ND record: 35-26.

Was Charlie a bad hire? Look at the previous coaches, Davie and Willingham, and the struggles they had. Is it reasonable to think it would take only a few years to rebuild a badly beaten-down football program? Did they give him ample time to develop into a great college coach or did they think his Super Bowl rings were a good enough resume? Or was Charlie's development not taken into consideration. It will take a grrrrrreat! coach and some serious soul searching & personnel shifting within the UND administration to bring this program back to prominence. I don't think a return to glory is going to happen within five years, if at all.

I will always be an Irish fan, I just don't expect a national championship any time soon. And boy, do I hope I am wrong.

These five guys have provoked me to think more about God, spirituality, leadership and me. Here they are and a short description of their contribution to my life.

• John Wilson. John is my associate at SGC. He is one the most Jesus-like guys I have ever met. Compassion and mercy mark his life and he demonstrates this every single day. He has walked with me for many years and has literally watched me, but more importantly helped me 'grow up.'
• Chilly Chilton. Determination, tenacity and faith are what rush to the forefront when thinking about him. He has taught me about life in the face of adversity. Chilly is a true leader. Our hearts were joined the day we met in Phoenix and are connected forever.
• Ron Martoia. Ron coached me and our team for two years during some pretty uncertain times in my life. He has helped me start to develop my inner life and specifically the leader within more than any single person. His guidance during a key season of leadership formation was literally a lifesaver for me. Ron was the hand on my shoulder guiding through the tenuous waters of church leadership. I love this guy!
• Jerrell Jobe. I had the honor of working with him for 12 years. He may be one of the most complete people I know. Jerrell helped open my 'ears' to the voice. His depth and discipline still impress me, but not as much as his humility. Jerrell is the real deal! I miss him every day, now that he has moved to Texas.
• Jeanne Mayo. OK so she's not a 'guy,' but she is a true hero to me. She is the world's youngest teenager (at 55+) and the world's greatest youth pastor. She tirelessly pours her life into leaders, students and whoever else happens to walk by. This lady loves people, plain and simple. She champions underdogs, encourages the weak, and believes in those who feel hopeless. Hundreds call her "Mom" and thousands have been transformed by her loving touch and relentless commitment to love the unlovely. I am one of the fortunate souls to have gotten close to this 'hall of famer.'

There are more than just 5 guys, but these very special people come to mind right now as I reflect upon my life.

I am 2nd.

I like this website.

What BUGS me...

Ok, now it's on! "This is the stuff that moves me to a place of agitation and even confusion at times. Let me add that complaining has gotten a bad knock. It can be healthy if done in taste and with discretion and moderation...Tongue in cheek makes it more bearable too. So with my tongue firmly lodged against the soft interior lining of my mouth, here we go...This stuff bugs the daylights outta me:

1. Dirty shoes. Go ahead and throw them in the wash or pull out an old toothbrush and get that muck off those kicks. I am a believer that shoes deserve more attention than they get. So, go ahead and clean 'em up or throw them out if they're more than a few years old...OK? You know who you are.

2. Butter Fingers. That's right, dropping things....from my keys to my cell phone to a glass of milk, few things bug me more. I hate dropping things! I can end up 'losing my grip' on many different levels when this happens.

3. Repetition. People tell me stuff... a lot of stuff. It's part of my role in the lives of others and I do try to listen well, but when people insist on saying one thing three or more different ways, I want to come unglued. I sometimes interrupt when I get really annoyed, and say something like, "Ok, I get that..." Is that rude? Probably.

4. Grocery Store Parking Lots. It seems all the rules of the road get thrown out the window in store parking lots. What's up with cars cutting across parking spaces and surprising folks traveling the marked driving areas? What's up with people walking up the road like they're a car? Note to pedestrians and motorists: Walk/drive at 90 degree angles in designated areas when crossing the parking lot of any store....before someone gets hurt, aaaargh! Someone deputize me!

5. Know-it-Alls. Come on! Is there no subject you are not a final authority on? You never played a down of football but you somehow have strategy figured out at the professional level....Bang! (pretend gunshot to the head sound effect) I just assume that Charlie Weiss, or any other coach for that matter, has a better grip on the finer points of the game than I (or you) do. Call me crazy, but armchair critics make me want to gouge my eardrums out.

[huff, huff.... deep breath, exhale...]

I am now at the point of diminishing return. Thanks for listening.

What makes me sad...

This is list #2 of stuff that I have discovered about myself over the years. This is what makes me sad.

• hopelessness
• unresolved conflict
• Sandra Bullock movies
• closed mindedness
• cloudy days
• the final day of vacation
• Notre Dame losses
• broken marriages
• missed field goals
• materialism
• unfaithfulness
• distance