Notre Dame fires Charlie Weis

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Notre Dame has fired coach Charlie Weis, Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick announced Monday.

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

Swarbrick said he recommended to University President Rev. John Jenkins on Sunday night that Weis be let go with six years left on his contract.

Assistant head coach Rob Ianello will step in for Weis until a new coach is hired.

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 — the most losses ever by the Irish in a three-year span.

Weis wound up with a 35-27 record in his five seasons, a record worse than his two predecessors, Tyrone Willingham and Bob Davie, who also were fired.

Weis has six years left on a 10-year contract signed midway through his first season.

Among the people considered likely candidates are Oklahoma Coach Bob Stoops, Cincinnati Coach Brian Kelly, TCU Coach Gary Patterson and Stanford Coach Jim Harbaugh.