Weis' Mood Sours as Irish Outlook Improves

[Water Pony]

Loved this article. Classic FB anyone?

By TOM COYNE (AP Sports Writer)

From Associated Press

November 14, 2005 6:19 AM EST

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - The better Notre Dame's outlook gets, the more coach Charlie Weis' mood sours.

Weis doesn't want the Fighting Irish (7-2), who moved up one spot to No. 6, to get too comfortable with their success. He admits he was ornery last week as Notre Dame prepared to face Navy.

He was [deleted] the Irish players at practice. He was [deleted] them in meetings. He even yelled at them as they warmed up before the game Saturday so they wouldn't get too complacent.

Weis said he had decided that was going to be his attitude before he met with the team for the first time last week. It wouldn't have mattered if the Irish had done everything perfect getting ready for the Midshipmen.

"That's irrelevant. You just act in an ornery mood all week," he said.

So with a Bowl Championship Series berth within reach and a Syracuse team that has lost seven straight heading to town, what kind of mood is Weis going to be in?

"Probably worse," Weis said.

Just to accentuate his point, he started his news conference Sunday by emphasizing everything the Irish had done wrong in their 42-21 victory over Navy a day earlier. He called it one of the worst performances by Notre Dame's special teams all season.

"I wasn't very pleased with just about everything we did," he said.

Not even the average 12.5 yards per punt return the Irish had against Navy, which entered the game seventh in the nation allowing an average of 4.22 yards per return.

Despite the Irish defense giving up fewer big plays - which Weis defines as a pass of at least 20 yards or a run of at least 10 yards - than they have all season, he still thought the Irish gave up too many big plays.

"There were way too many 6- and 7-yard gains on first and second down," Weis said.

Nitpicking aside, though, Weis conceded he was pleased with his team's play. Just don't let the players hear about it.

He was particularly pleased that the Irish didn't take Navy lightly even though many outside the program expected an easy victory. He said the fact that the Irish took the Midshipmen so seriously shows they are beginning to mature.

"I think the team is beginning to learn that you can't take anything or anyone for granted," he said. "That's part of the maturing process of a team that's starting to become a pretty good football team."

But even Weis can't stay in a bad mood all the time.

He let his players enjoy their victory after the game on Saturday. In fact, he plans to allow them to savor the victory through Monday.

"I let them have their brief time of enjoyment, then on Tuesday get back to business," he said.

Weis doesn't worry that his team will figure out that his bad mood may be a good sign for the Irish.

"I don't know if they've figured me out yet," he said. "I think eventually my shtick will get old. But I think right now they're learning a different message each week."

The message is simple: keep coach in a bad mood and everything will be all right.

[tex23bm]

mmmmmm..... Irish...