I finished reading the book "Return To Glory", an inside look at Tyrone Willingham's amazing first season at ND by Allan Grant.
While I was reading the chapter on last year's USC game I finally came to the final page and read a piece I am sure you would like to read. It seems that Ty has no enemies and pretty much gets along with everyone, not a grudge type of coach but that changed last year against USC. This will be bulletin board material all week, guaranteed. Just like Georgia had one thing on their board last week about Clausen from last year's game. Same scenario here. Here is the last page of the chapter.
With less than five minutes left in the game and the score 44-13, things got ugly in a personal way. On second-and- 13, Trojans safety Troy Polamalu roared through the guard-center gap untouched and dropped Holiday for a nine-yard sack. On the sideline, Willingham stood, arms folded, motionless and expressionless. USC had not only thrown 2 passes on their previous series, but with a 31-point lead, they had just sent their best defensive player on a blitz. After the play, Polamalu took himself from the game--and act Pete Carroll called "cute." Willingham stood and watched. He didn't say anything, he didn't yell or scream, he just watched.
Back in September, only days after his first game, Willingham had already had his eye on USC. He knew what that game meant to Notre Dame, knew the depth of the rivalry, and knew win-loss records against bitter rivals are often the benchmark of a coach's career and may determine a coach's success at any school.
After the game, he would shake Pete Carroll's hand and look him in the eye, but he wouldn't say anything to him. And the next morning, Willingham would get up and return tothe Coliseum and sit in a director's chair to tape a special guest segment of Live with Regis and Kelly. He would calmly talk about the game, listen to Regis say the Irish played too much zone defense, and laugh at his jokes. But for the moment, Willingham just watched USC and let the image of them celebrating burn into his head. He'd see them again the next October. And he'd remember.
Well next October is here and I will gladly take the 10 pts.
I grabbed it yesterday just as soon as it came out. It is now down to 8 in some places. Get on this now.
Plays and analysis to come in a bit.
HORNS
While I was reading the chapter on last year's USC game I finally came to the final page and read a piece I am sure you would like to read. It seems that Ty has no enemies and pretty much gets along with everyone, not a grudge type of coach but that changed last year against USC. This will be bulletin board material all week, guaranteed. Just like Georgia had one thing on their board last week about Clausen from last year's game. Same scenario here. Here is the last page of the chapter.
With less than five minutes left in the game and the score 44-13, things got ugly in a personal way. On second-and- 13, Trojans safety Troy Polamalu roared through the guard-center gap untouched and dropped Holiday for a nine-yard sack. On the sideline, Willingham stood, arms folded, motionless and expressionless. USC had not only thrown 2 passes on their previous series, but with a 31-point lead, they had just sent their best defensive player on a blitz. After the play, Polamalu took himself from the game--and act Pete Carroll called "cute." Willingham stood and watched. He didn't say anything, he didn't yell or scream, he just watched.
Back in September, only days after his first game, Willingham had already had his eye on USC. He knew what that game meant to Notre Dame, knew the depth of the rivalry, and knew win-loss records against bitter rivals are often the benchmark of a coach's career and may determine a coach's success at any school.
After the game, he would shake Pete Carroll's hand and look him in the eye, but he wouldn't say anything to him. And the next morning, Willingham would get up and return tothe Coliseum and sit in a director's chair to tape a special guest segment of Live with Regis and Kelly. He would calmly talk about the game, listen to Regis say the Irish played too much zone defense, and laugh at his jokes. But for the moment, Willingham just watched USC and let the image of them celebrating burn into his head. He'd see them again the next October. And he'd remember.
Well next October is here and I will gladly take the 10 pts.
I grabbed it yesterday just as soon as it came out. It is now down to 8 in some places. Get on this now.
Plays and analysis to come in a bit.
HORNS
