http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story...whitlock/051101



Weigh in on this. I like Jason Whitlock a lot, and I have to question why Notre Dame would give him a contract extension this soon, but I don't buy the racism argument.

He makes a very intriguing and a very good argument. Notre Dame did themselves a big disservice by giving him an extension so early. They'll regret it quicker than they think.

I take no stock in this considering what a shameless race baiter that Whitlock is.

I agree that he puts race out there a lot, and I think sometimes he's just doing it to cash in....but I also see validity in a lot of his stuff. I'd like to know the exact thinking behind why Weis got a new contract, disregarding that Willingham didn't deserve one.

Even if he were just throwing the race card out there, he's got a strong argument for it. And a 10 year contract is ridiculous in any circumstance this day and age.

He's probably incredibly popular with the alumni and you can tell the team is coached about a million times better this year. He's also gone a long way in modernizing the program.

In any case, 10 years???

I would personally have waited two or three years to see things start to take shape with his program before making up my mind.

Now, honestly, he could be worth it. He could actually make ND a National Champion. But giving him that big of a deal after firing Willingham like that will only bring about questions of racism.

EDIT: And a 10 year deal in a time where two years is good luck is truly crazy

Anyone who watches Notre Dame this year and saw the team last year and doesn't see the infinate wisdom in dropping Willingham for Weis is a moron.

No one here is saying that but it's damn true. This team is miles ahead of where it was last year and average players like Brady Quinn are playing well above their heads. Weis has lost 2 games but only by about a combined 14 points. Willingham got blown out by 21 points or more on a regular basis. Willingham is also showing ND's wisdom by completely bombing with Washington.

10 years is bizarre. I have a friend out at ND and I had a mini-argument with her tonite because she's so brain washed about the football program. No matter how well he does the whole time he's there, he's still guaranteed 2-4 crappy seasons, just by the ebb and flow of things. So yeah, this doesn't make any sense.

I'll agree with that. But any race card argument that comes there way is earned by their handling of the situation.

Agreed. Notre Dame isn't famous for diversity training.

"10-year contract" isn't a guarantee that he'll be with ND until 2015. If he stinks up the joint, they'll boot him, no matter what the contract says. Be that in 2006 or 2012.

The only reasoning I can see to this is that Weis is still in demand among pro teams. For years, we've heard speculaton on head coaching gigs opening up for Weis. "10 year contract" is intimidating to any suitors looking to hire him back into the NFL.

Either that, or he gave Father O'Shaughnessey of The Holy Annucciation QB Booster Club a good knobber. Hey, the school IS filled with Catholic priests....

It should also be noted that currently Weis is winning with Willinghams kids.....

And Willingham's only good season was with the previous coaches seasons. They are Willingham's kids but they've improved greatly just from havinf Weis coach them.

There's valid points both ways. He def. didn't deserve that kind of contract, tho.