South Bend, IN (Sportsbooks) - Notre Dame finally put an end to the speculation surrounding Charlie Weis, saying the Fighting Irish football coach will be back for a fifth season in 2009. Weis is under contract through the 2015 season, but the worst two-year run of any head coach in the storied history of the program led to questions as to whether he would continue. The Irish just completed a 6-6 regular season with a stunning home loss to Syracuse followed by a rout at the hands of Southern California. The .500 mark came on the heels of last year's 3-9 debacle. "Though this past season fell short of the expectations that all of us have for our football program, I am confident that Charlie has a strong foundation in place for future success and that the best course of action is to move forward under his leadership," said first-year Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick in a statement. "He, I and the others involved in leading our football program are committed to doing everything necessary to ensure a successful 2009 season. We are examining every aspect of the program and will make changes wherever we think they are needed." Swarbrick met with Weis on Tuesday in California, where the coach is currently recruiting. Weis, a graduate of Notre Dame in 1978, signed a 10-year contract just seven games into the first season at his alma mater. He brought the program to a pair of Bowl Championship Series games in his first two years at the helm, but both ended with the Irish on the opposite end of a blowout. The Irish have a mark of just 28-21 in four years under Weis. His predecessor, Tyrone Willingham had a record of 21-15 in three years. |
