Embarrassed...not for the reasons you think.

Sometimes I am embarrassed to be a Notre Dame fan, but not for the reasons you think...

Is it fair to be critical of a coach that has the worst winning percentage in my lifetime? Yes
Is it fair to demand success against teams that are inferior to yours? Yes
Is it fair to expect a coach to do everything they know how to do in order to put a contender on the field every Saturday? Yes
Is it fair to question a coach's judgment when you see the same problems every single weekend? Of Course!

Is it fair to degrade a man that you don't know personally because he is overweight? NO
Is it fair to question the work ethic of a man that dedicates almost every waking hour to his job? NO
Is it fair to attack a man for wanting his son with him on the sidelines instead of watching him on TV? NO
Is it fair to abuse a man who loves Notre Dame more than anyone I can think of after the fans attack his personal life? NO
Is it fair for fans to be offended when he finally speaks up about how he is a human being and isn't made of steel? NO

I could go on because today I was ashamed to be an Irish fan when I read the interview Weis gave on Sunday morning at 4:00am. That interview showed me the reason I have loved Weis as a man since he arrived in South Bend five years ago. He calls it how he sees it and doesn't care who hears it, including his "beloved" fans.

I will be the first to say that Weis did not get the job done. I will not, however, say that he didn't give it his best shot. The man practically killed himself on the sidelines; not for the money, not for the fame, but because he loves Notre Dame enough to put his reputation on the line in order to bring the program back to glory.

You show me a coach that would come back for the second half after completely blowing out his knee.
You show me a coach that would actually show up for an interview at 4 in the morning hours after he just lost his final home game at Notre Dame.
You show me a coach that receives so much respect from his players that they will link arms and WALK side by side with him showing the Nation that they support him.
you show me a coach that will go up to the opposing QB, who transferred from his team and joined the team that handed him his final home defeat, and congratulate him on his success.

I dare you to show me a coach like that.

I do not accept the mediocre teams that COACH Weis has fielded the last few seasons, but I thank the MAN for what he brought to Notre Dame and what he sacrificed to give every player and fan his best effort.

Grow up ND Nation...our time will come!

Embarrassed...not for the reasons you think.