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Brian Kelly went before the media for the first time today as the Head Coach of Notre Dame.  Check the comments for updates.

I'm listening to Bill Cunningham on Cincinnati's WLW AM 700, and, between Montgomery Inn ribs commercials, I've heard the following:

• Cunningham has called for the crucifixion of Brian Kelly.  Literally.
• He's compared Kelly to Tiger Woods and Bill Clinton.
• He's renounced Notre Dame's standing as a Catholic university.
• He compared Kelly's actions to those of the Japanese during Pearl Harbor.
  
• He has, in part, "lost his faith in Christ".
• He's taken a call from a lawyer named "Bulldog" who is currently racing around a Cincinnati courthouse trying to find a judge to sign an injunction that would (1) prevent the presser from happening, and (2) prevent Kelly from coaching at Notre Dame by claiming breach of contract.
• Izzie's Deli in Cincinnati has reversed course and will no longer be naming a sandwich after Brian Kelly.
• A litany of hits: Abortion clinics will proliferate in South Bend because Kelly is pro-choice; Brian Kelly supports gay rights (I think this was meant as a negative?); Brian Kelly believes in global warming; Brian Kelly knew John Kerry and Ted Kennedy; Brian Kelly voted for Dukakis.

Good luck, Coach Kelly.  You've left one giant pot of crazy for an even bigger one.

Now that Weis is gone, we'll keep you updated on the latest rumors, innuendo and hearsay in the comments section.

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Official Press 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."
 
Weis spent five seasons as Irish head coach from 2005-09, with his teams achieving consecutive records of 9-3 (Fiesta Bowl appearance) in ’05, 10-3 (Sugar Bowl appearance), 3-9, 7-6 (Hawai’i Bowl victory) and 6-6 in ’09 – for an overall 35-27 mark.
 
Swarbrick announced that Rob Ianello, the Irish assistant head coach/offense, wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator, will assume responsibility for football operations until a new coach is hired. Ianello has spent the past five seasons on the Notre Dame staff and previously was part of football staffs at Wisconsin (1990-93, 2003-04), Arizona (1994-2002) and Alabama (1987-89).

AP Story

SOUTH BEND, Ind. — A person familiar with the decision says Notre Dame has fired coach Charlie Weis.

The move comes after a string of disappointing seasons that was capped by four agonizing losses, including the regular-season finale on Saturday night at Stanford.

The person confirmed the firing to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because the official announcement had yet to be made.

The New York Daily News first reported the firing.

A brash offensive coordinator with the NFL champion New England Patriots when he was hired five years ago, Weis raised Irish expectations with back-to-back appearances in BCS bowl games in his first two seasons.
Since then, one of the nation's most storied football programs has gone 16-21.

Here's the follow-up question.  Harbaugh has been added to the list because a lot of you folks voted for him in "Other" last time.  Same as before, though: If you choose "Other", please explain in the comments.

This is the first question.  The second will later in the week.  Enjoy.

Another Coach Weis question for the people:

Let's find out the mental state of the fanbase, shall we?