AP, Joe Schad, University Confirm Firing; Players Vote Against Bowl Game

The AP, Joe Schad on ESPN, and the University itself all confirm that Weis is gone.

From the email sent out to ND students:

Nov. 30, 2009
For Immediate Release

Weis will not be retained as Notre Dame football coach

University of Notre Dame head football coach Charlie Weis will not be retained, University director of athletics Jack Swarbrick announced today (Nov. 30).

"We have great expectations for our football program, and we have not been able to meet those expectations," Swarbrick said. "As an alumnus, Charlie understands those goals and expectations better than most, and he’s as disappointed as anyone that we have not achieved the desired results."

Swarbrick recommended the dismissal Sunday night to Notre Dame’s president, Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C.

"We have established an evaluation process for all of our athletic programs that, in the end, results in a recommendation from Jack to me," Father Jenkins said. "I accepted Jack’s decision and look forward to working with him on selecting a new head football coach who is the very best choice possible for the University and especially for our student-athletes.

"I am most appreciative to Coach Weis for his service to Notre Dame and our community. He and his family have my prayers and best wishes."

In the interim Rob Ianello, assistant head coach and recruiting coordinator, will run the efforts to hold onto their recruiting class. He will not, however, coach the team in a bowl game. The players themselves voted down the idea, and that’s their loss, because no one—repeat, no one—puts on a show like the Meineke Car Care Bowl.