Players React

Player interviews are available here, as they react to the news of the end of the CW era at ND. You can also get these in video here.

Two major themes pop out at me from these interviews. The first is the sincere-sounding and strong relationship these players have with Charlie Weis. None of this sounds like it's prepped, it doesn't sound forced. I believe these kids truly love Coach Weis, and that's a bigger statement about the man than any lame blog posting, media opinion or rumors can make. These are from the kids in the locker room with the man.

The second thing that stands out to me is their (at least public) commitment to Notre Dame - Notre Dame the institution, the ideal, the SCHOOL, along with the football program. If this attitude permeates the entire team fairly consistently, and the recruits to at least some degree, I think that bodes well (to use a CW-ism).

Sorry for all the text, but it felt like it was worth pulling out some of these and giving these players a venue outside of being buried in articles from reporters with angles, or deep in the UND.com archives.

Some quotes from Golden, Eric Olsen and Kyle McCarthy:

Golden Tate

On Charlie Weis...

"It is hard to lose a family member and that's how I see Coach Weis. These last few weeks have been tough for us."

"I think if any person in this world sat down and had one conversation with [Weis] and look at the way he sees things, you would sit down and see a great person. It's tough to look from the outside in, but if you get a chance to sit down and talk with him, you'll see the things that he's brought to Notre Dame and his family."

"As far as I'm concerned Coach (Weis) is still a mentor to me. Even if he goes to USC or Michigan, I still plan on keeping in contact with him. Our relationship is very unique. Every time I've talked to Coach (Weis) he's talked to me like (Weis' son) Charlie, Jr. and that's certainly a good thing. He's always told me the truth whether I've wanted to hear it or not. At times he's told me, 'This is what's best for you. Not for Notre Dame, not for me. This is what's best for you.' I will definitely take (his judgment) into consideration [when considering going Pro]."

"The guy who recruited me, the guy I built such a relationship with is not going to coach me anymore. The guy who designed plays to get the ball in my hands and the guy who designed plays to help me receive all these awards. To an extent, I want to say it's not his fault for our season. Players have to take accountability. I think if I made more plays, maybe we wouldn't be in this situation right now. From the outside in, it looks like it's all Coach Weis, but there's more to it than that."

On ND as a program...

"When I signed up, I signed up to be a student-athlete and support all decisions made here at Notre Dame. That's what I'm doing. I'm trying to stay positive and keep this team together as a family."

"The administration made an educated decision and I have to support it. I'm in this program and I've got to support the decisions they make and try to make this program a better program."

"If you're in the position to come to this University, you will take advantage of it. Personally, when I signed up for Notre Dame and committed, I knew what I was signing up for - to be a student-athlete. Not just an athlete, a student-athlete. I knew that I was coming to this program to earn a degree and to represent this college playing football and baseball. I think I've done a pretty good job through the three years I've been here so far. I think coming in as a recruit, you must understand that it's not all about football. It's more than that. It's about being a man or woman of character. That's what makes it tough for Notre Dame to choose athletes, because we want people to represent this college the way it's supposed to be represented - high character, great morals and ethics."

Eric Olsen

On Charlie Weis...

"He really was a Notre Dame man and he loved this university with all his heart. He wasn't a hypocrite with regards to academics or any of the little things outside of football that are important to this place. The University of Notre Dame is something special and anyone who has ever played here in the past would say the same thing. Coach Weis has done a tremendous job of keeping that tradition, so the next guy who comes in here will have to do the same thing and do it with integrity.

"For me, it's tough personally because of my personal relationship with Coach Weis. I have a great affinity towards him. I know he's going to move on and get a job somewhere else and be successful. I'm going to stay in touch with him the best I can. I'm very grateful for everything he's done for me."

"Obviously I'm very close to Coach Weis and this breaks my heart and is tough to swallow. With everything that has been said about him and everything that has gone on he's really taken it with dignity. He's such a stand-up guy and for him to take it week after week, taking all the blame on himself from the media and for him to stand up in front of the press says a lot about his character. As a person Coach Weis is a family man, he cares about his players. And as a coach, it has been great for me to pick his mind about all the little things about playing football."

Kyle McCarthy

On Charlie Weis...

"Ultimately, it falls on the players, and we did not produce like we should have. This is Notre Dame and a place where people expect us to win and when we don't someone has to take the hit. Unfortunately, Coach Weis was let go and as a player you feel bad about that because he is the type of guy you play for, that we followed, and it is tough to see him let go."
"Coming from a guy who has been around him a whole lot in the last five years, you really form a connection with him and saw the type of person he was. There is a big gap between the perception of Coach Weis and what kind of person he actually is. We respect him an awful lot and wish him well. He has done an awful lot for me as a person and a player and I can't thank him enough."
"People don't know what kind of person he is. When you get to know him on a personal level, he is very caring. He is a guy who cares about his players and his team. He cares about you as a person most importantly. I am just thankful and appreciative of what he has done for me."

On the program...

"No one is wavering on the commitment to the program - like Mr. Swarbrick and Coach Ianello said - we came here for the right reason. We all love Notre Dame and support Notre Dame and whatever is asked of us, we will be ready to take the torch."

One final note on Chris Stewart's interview, who mentioned that he could be back for his 5th year, depending on who the new coach is. With his vast improvement this year, that would be a great boon to a line that will lose 3 starters...hoping it works out Chris.