And you guys think Lloyd's a prick....

[WolverineSteve]

Check out this story on Chuckles....

Good Charlie, stubborn Charlie, a fact of life





This story ran on nwitimes.com on Monday, August 7, 2006 12:19 AM CDT



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Al Hamnik
Times Columnist

SOUTH BEND | Charlie Weis is as blunt as a butter knife when he warns the media: "Just follow protocol. That's all. Follow protocol."

Jump when he yells JUMP! Don't second-guess, sneak around, or be a distraction. Then, and only then, can you expect player accessibility and a sound working relationship with the football department. Disobey his wishes, pay him no mind and you're treated like a leper, banished from the pressbox.

It's Charlie's way, or the closest you'll get to Irish football is the car radio. Behind the scenes, away from cameras and tape recorders, we're told he's got the people skills of a prison guard. And a temper to match.

What's so frustrating is that Weis can be genuinely charming one moment, a tyrant the next. He had that split personality as an NFL coordinator with the Jets and Patriots, and continues to irritate other coaches at Notre Dame with his moody nature and short fuse.

A large number of alumni reportedly are upset by his behavior. As long as the Irish win, they'll bite their lip. But if the program struggles, his critics will multiply like roaches.

Notre Dame's Football Media Day was Sunday morning, not Saturday, if you can believe that. The media turnout could've been better. We have a Catholic university, on a church day, a traditional family day, basically forcing some to work.

It didn't take Charlie long to flex some muscle. Former Times Sports Writer Jeff Carroll, now working for the Irish Sports Report, was informed by school officials that he could not ask questions of Weis, his staff or players during the three-hour session. It seems Weis and senior associate athletics director John Heisler weren't happy with some of Carroll's reporting endeavors.

Here's an idea: Have someone ask the questions for you.

Personally, I think the intention was to embarrass Carroll, publicly.

Right off the bat, Weis said he appreciated the media showing patience and allowing coaches and players to use their summer to kick back and relax. He said working with us is important to him. But with high expectations, Weis doesn't want his team to buy into the hype and start looking too far ahead.

As for player accessibility, Weis usually allows media the standard 20 minutes ("that everybody whines about") before practices -- all of which are closed -- once a week. Next Saturday morning, he'll throw the media a bone by having the entire practice open, followed by a bribe -- lunch.

"Please follow protocol. Don't try to steal behind the scenes to get to any of the guys," said Weis. "We've been pretty accessible.

Meeting the Rolling Stones backstage is easier to do.

Twenty minutes to chase down local products Jeff Samardzija and Carl Gioia of Valparaiso, plus Merrillville's James Aldridge, is sufficient if you're able to clone yourself.

This column solely represents the writer's opinion. Reach him at ahamnik@nwitimes.com

[PrimeX]

Ok then...but can he hit the curveball?

:|


PS- You posted this article in the MLB forum by accident. I'll move her for ya.

[WolverineSteve]

Doh!!

Anyone have moving capabilities?

TIA

[Jimmy Medalions]

Yawn. A zero reporter writing for a zero paper goes against the coach's wishes to interview a player. Coach takes away said zero's credentials.

Said zero no longer writes for said zero paper, so zero's former colleague writes a woe-was-me piece because they're pissed said zero paper is on a black list at Notre Dame.

ps I never thought Lloyd was a prick, just incompetent

[Vito Corleone]

Sounds like Greg Pop of the San Antonio spurs. He rules with an iron fist. He is probably the only NBA coach that has 100% respect from his team.