interesting read yet seemingly a naive or jaded perspective considering the many character guys he knew full were trouble yet gladly took them in while @ LSU. cecil collins notwithstanding. Ex-Irish star questions school's priorities ERIC HANSEN Tribune Staff Writer Gerry DiNardo finally admitted he was lost. He had missed a freeway exit, made a wrong turn and was now driving through New Orleans aimlessly, apologizing via cell phone for wandering onto tangents, both geographically and verbally. But one thing is clear. The former Notre Dame football All-American and former LSU football coach feels a sense of disconnect, if not disillusionment, with both sides of the Jan. 3 Sugar Bowl matchup between the 11th-ranked Irish (10-2) and fourth-ranked Tigers (10-2). http://www.southbendtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061223/NDSports02/612230398/-1/NDSPORTS "I was hired by a board, by a president and a chancellor and an athletic director that were powerless when I needed them most," he said. And yet he can't see himself snuggling up to Notre Dame, a school he helped lead to the 1973 national championship, either. "As an alumnus, I was always proud of the fact that it appeared Notre Dame kept football in perspective. You can't use graduation rate and academics as an argument that they have kept perspective, because when (former coach) Bob Davie got fired in 1999, he said, 'Well, we're doing well academically.' And the university told him, 'We take credit for that. Not you.'" DiNardo cites former coach Tyrone Willingham's 2002 ouster after three years to "go after Urban Meyer" and the reworking of current head coach Charlie Weis' contract midway through his first season as his biggest reasons of discontent. "Shame on Weis and shame on the university for giving him more money," DiNardo said. "I think that's why a lot of people root against them."But is it the actual contract itself or the perpetuation of the mythology that accompanied it? Is it knee-jerk finances on Notre Dame's part or sloppy journalism gone wild? Even DiNardo admitted most of his perception is based on rumor. "It's certainly other people's perception, too," he said. "If he didn't ask for more money, what else could it be?"
what a joke. he basically slammed ND for pretending to focus on academics. this anecdote was mentioned on some local show, forget which it was, but when emmert was interviewing LSU, Saban mentioned that we had the "worst graduation rate in the SEC". terrible.
Totally agree. By the way it's a sure sign that program is in the toilet when the only thing you can brag about is your graduation rate.
But wasn't it Saban that made sure the Athletic Study Hall was part of the package when he came on board. He has done a lot about the education of the athletes. I know that they have tutors available if the athletes need them. The whole Athletic program has prospered since Saban came on board. His biggest accomplishment was to keep Louisiana Athletes in Louisiana. That is always a good thing.:geauxtige :lsup: LSU! :usaflagwa :usaflagwa :usaflagwa
it sounds like dinardo still has some major issues about being canned at lsu. i think he really got swept up in the celebrity status and adoration that comes with being the head coach at lsu during good times. now that his house of cards has come crumbling down he's like an injured little fawn seeking approval and a pat on the back. maybe he should go cuddle up with lou tepper.
