8:37 PMGeorge Smith reports on ESPN News that when UConn scored the game-winning touchdown at Notre Dame Stadium, someone inside the press box yelled "goodbye Charlie (Weis)."
6:27 PMUConn defeats Notre Dame 33-30 in overtime, most like spelling the end of Charlie Weis' tenure at Notre Dame. Since 1975 at Notre Dame Stadium, Weis is 19-14, the worst losing percentage of any Irish coach, including Gerry Faust.
5:29 PMSt. Petersburg Times columnist Robyn E. Blumner is alarmed that state-funded college football coaches inject religion into their programs. She's a little late to the party, but does have a point. Wonder if ACLU will take notice.
5:07 PM Not really sure why the Sacramento Bee is reportingChris Webber calling Sacto "Cowtown" as news. That's what everyone in the state calls the city. Same thing with my hometown, Kansas City - and no one cares there.
The BOSTON GLOBE reported yesterday that fully half of the gray hooded sweatshirts sold through the NFL are adorned with the Patriots logo, a fairly obvious by-product of Bill Belichick’s “hobo coach” look.
(Doesn’t he look sharp? Or homeless?)
It seems strange that such an image-unconscious look has caught on in spite of itself, but we got to thinking: this isn’t a new phenomenon. Through the decades of NFL history, in fact, successful coaches have shaped popular fashion, usually without even trying. Let’s take a look back, shall we?
I didn’t watch that much of NBC’s pre-game coverage of the Super Bowl yesterday because frankly, the two weeks of build up to the game was enough for me. I didn’t need another five hours of hearing about how nobody expected the Cardinals to be there, or how Ben Roethlisberger was nervous during his first trip to the Super Bowl against the Seahawks a few years ago. That and I didn’t want to hear Tiki Barber say things like the Cardinals “are a team of density”.
I’m sure a lot of people in Detroit felt the same way, because everywhere they looked there were reminders of how bad the Detroit Lions suck. First of all, they were at a Super Bowl, something the Lions may not even know exists. Then there was Jerome Bettis, who is from Detroit and won a Super Bowl in Detroit, but not for the Lions. Oh, and then there was Matt Millen on the screen every few minutes pretending to know anything about football, when any Lions fan could tell you he clearly doesn’t. Dealing with Millen’s mug on the screen was probably more than any Lions fan could take, so thankfully Detroit’s NBC affiliate made sure to run a warning on the screen whenever he showed up.
But you may not have heard that folks in Seattle just don’t handle their snow well in general, as it appears that they also tossed frozen treats at their own cheerleaders and coach Mike Holmgren as he attempted to make a lap around the stadium thanking fans for their support during his coaching tenure (Sunday was his last home game as coach).
Basically, as the video after the jump shows, anyone who was on the field was fair game. A little frustrated, Seattleites?
After another dismal defeat on national television, the Seattle Seahawks are now the worst team in the NFL’s worst division, trailing even the Rams and 49ers — who have already fired their coaches this season.
Mike Holmgren’s team has been decimated by injuries this year, which may be part of the reason he decided to compare them to the high school team he used to coach 30 years ago. I don’t think it was supposed to be a compliment. Although when you’re stuck choosing between Seneca Wallace and Charlie Frye at quarterback, the comparison might be entirely appropriate
Mike Holmgren wants to be known as a loser. But the Seahawks coach doesn’t mean defeat on the field - he’s talking weight loss.
Jim Moore of the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER chews the fat with Holmgren, and the coach’s attempt to become a lean, mean play-calling machine. Since starting his diet ten weeks ago, Mike proudly proclaims he’s lost about 25 pounds.
So, who does Holmgren have to thank for his decreasing waistline? Read more…
The MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL ran an article last week reminding readers that Wolf blamed Holmgren for the Packers’ defeat against Denver in Super Bowl XXXII.
While in Green Bay last August, Wolf said Holmgren didn’t change his offensive scheme to handle the Broncos’ blitzing, resulting in a 31-24 loss: “When you fail to adjust in critical situations you’re going to lose, and that’s what happened here. To be pig-headed about it, I mean, to have the answer and then not apply it, that’s a little different.”
Wolf doesn’t deny making the statements, but doesn’t see why they’re being dredged back up.
The coach announced on Tuesday that 2008 will be his last season in the Pacific Northwest. (Unless he gets a job with the CFL’s B.C. Lions.) But before he decided to stick it out, Mike had to get the okay from the wife.
Holmgren stated, “Kathy and I came to a decision this weekend to finish my contract, and we’re very happy about it,” while adding, “We’re going to go after it hard one more year.”
We’re sure the little missus likes to hear that. But did Mike make the right decision in coming back for an encore?
We find it weird that Mike Holmgren has a street named after him outside Lambeau Field. The NFL is funny that way, like inducting guys into the Hall of Fame, who then ended up coaching again.
FAVRE STEALS THE SCENE IN ’90s REGGIE WHITE MOVIE: MAC G’s WORLD comes across this clip of cinematic gold with a Green Bay tint starring Reggie White, BrettFavre and Mike Holmgren:
It’s from the 1996 film - or more likely, TV afternoon special - “Reggie’s Prayer”, starring White as a former pro star trying his luck coaching a high school team.The scene above features then-Packers coach Holmgren as a wise old janitor who imparts Reggie with some sage advice - and football plays. Favre appears as the mentally-challenged but good-hearted assistant janitor.
Some of the riveting dialogue:Holmgren: (to Reggie) “You’re the new coach!” (to Favre) “Told ya.”
Favre: (slow) “Told ya.”
Holmgren: “First game?”
Reggie: “20 Minutes to kickoff.”
Holmgren: (to Favre) “20 minutes.”
Favre: (slow) “Yeeeppp.”
Holmgren: “My son and I invented a football play a few years ago. Here, take a look.”
Reggie: “1979?”
Holmgren: “Yeah, coach Carney was a busy fellow.”
Favre: (slow) “Busy, busy, busy guy.”
Note the way Brett masterfully commands his on-screen presence with his skillful stacking of toilet paper rolls.Watch out, 2007 SI Sportsman of the Year Award. You’re soon gonna have company on the Favre family mantelpiece with Mr. Oscar!
