Notre Dame Refusing Bowl Bids

[byutx]

This is something that ND has done in the past, I believe.

In 2004 ND went 6-5, fired the HC (Willingham), went to the Insight bowl with the DC as interim HC, came back and hired a new HC.

I don't know what about the 2009 team is so different.

Smart-a response: ND played football before 2004.
Nice response: I'm talking about "pre-1990's" past.

[kiwibacon]

This is something that ND has done in the past, I believe.

In 2004 ND went 6-5, fired the HC (Willingham), went to the Insight bowl with the DC as interim HC, came back and hired a new HC.

I don't know what about the 2009 team is so different.

Smart-a response: ND played football before 2004.
Nice response: I'm talking about "pre-1990's" past.

A quick google search will show you that ND has done it in the past.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/n ... &type=lgns

The school decided against going to a bowl game in 1996 after Lou Holtz resigned as coach. An overtime loss to USC in the regular-season finale cost them a shot at a major bowl that season.

For years, Notre Dame refused to play in bowls. The Irish played in the Rose Bowl in 1925, then didn’t appear in another bowl until coach Ara Parseghian finally persuaded the university to let the ninth-ranked Irish play top-ranked Texas in the 1970 Cotton Bowl.

But the decision to play in bowl games came with the proviso: that Notre Dame play a higher-ranked team or one that could help the Irish improve their own ranking. That condition no longer exists.

[snoscythe]

At least someone takes "BCS or Bust" seriously.

[Italics]

at least we don't have to listen to Holtz projecting a Irish NC next season

You are underestimating Holtz

[BerliNY]

This is something that ND has done in the past, I believe.

In 2004 ND went 6-5, fired the HC (Willingham), went to the Insight bowl with the DC as interim HC, came back and hired a new HC.

I don't know what about the 2009 team is so different.

Smart-a response: ND played football before 2004.
Nice response: I'm talking about "pre-1990's" past.

OK, yeah I know. My point is that they were in the EXACT same situation 5 years ago and still accepted a non-major bowl game invitation.

That's a great "smart-a" response though ... zing.

[Schmoe]

Here's what you do: because you're arrogant, you refuse to give your returning players extra practices and one more game to get better. You refuse to give your seniors a happy send off and a chance to go out on a high note. You blame your head coach for the problems you've been having but you punish the players, nice.

[snoscythe]

This is something that ND has done in the past, I believe.

In 2004 ND went 6-5, fired the HC (Willingham), went to the Insight bowl with the DC as interim HC, came back and hired a new HC.

I don't know what about the 2009 team is so different.

Smart-a response: ND played football before 2004.
Nice response: I'm talking about "pre-1990's" past.

OK, yeah I know. My point is that they were in the EXACT same situation 5 years ago and still accepted a non-major bowl game invitation.

That's a great "smart-a" response though ... zing.

Actually, the situation is quite different. Weiss also served as the offensive coordinator, and ND doesn't have anyone they feel confident can put together an offensive game plan in a short time and get it implemented and somehow not get blown out.

When Willingham was fired, he was only the head coach. Both the OC and DC were still with the team, so it was more an administrative matter to give the DC interim HC status. Here, ND simply has no one who can get the job done.

[craigoscarson]

The difference between being 6-6 and going bowling and 6-5 and bowling = 6-6 can potentially finish with a losing season.

I'm not saying that it's the right thing to do, but I'm not suprised it's what ND is doing.