Charlie Weis will get a chance to cement his place in Notre Dame football lore after signing a new 10-year contract this week.
“This isn’t just any job for me,” he said. “When I came here, the thought of people thinking that I was here for a short-time fix, those type of things do affect me.
“It is very important for me to be loyal to this university.”
The deal will help squash speculation that the former offensive coordinator for the New England Patriots would be a coveted NFL coaching candidate after his success with the Fighting Irish this season. No. 8 Notre Dame is 5-2.
The new contract will make Weis the highest paid coach in college football, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Sources said the extension was worth between $30 and $40 million.
“It is important when you are doing things like this to set your priorities,” Weis said. “What is the most important thing?
“For those that know me, they know the more important thing to me is my family and being true to your word. I have been both good to my family and true to my word at the same time without this being about money.”
Weis originally signed a six-year contract through the 2010 season when he was hired last December. This new deal takes effect next season and runs through 2015.
That’s offensive
Tennessee offensive coordinator Randy Sanders resigned on Monday. His departure comes two days after the Volunteers’ third consecutive loss behind another anemic offensive performance.
The Vols average 16 points per game, which ranks 108th out of 119 Division 1-A schools. Saturday’s 16-15 loss to South Carolina dropped Tennessee out of the top 25 after beginning the season at No. 3.
It marked the first time the team has lost three straight games under coach Phillip Fulmer.
“This isn’t a response to criticism,” Sanders said. “This is a response to what I see on the field.”
Sanders will remain on the staff through the season and continue to be quarterback coach. Play-calling duties will be shared by Fulmer, Sanders and the rest of the offensive coaching staff.
Tennessee ranks 99th in total offense, 98th in rushing offense, and 101st in passing efficiency.
Quarterbacks Erick Ainge and Rick Clausen have been inconsistent starters.
“Somewhere along the line, things have gotten out of kilter a little bit offensively this year,” Sanders said. “I don’t necessarily think it’s all my fault. But the fact is, it is my ship.”
Sanders, 40, has served on the Vols staff for 17 years, starting as a graduate assistant after he was a backup quarterback. This was his seventh season as offensive coordinator.
shocking improvement
Georgia quarterback D.J Shockley returned to practice Tuesday only three days after a sprained knee sidelined him. Without the fith-year senior quarterback, Georgia lost to struggling Florida, 14-10 at the “World’s Biggest Outdoor Cocktail Party.”
Shockley wore a green non-contact jersey and a brace on his left knee. He did not participate in the scrimmage portion of the practice. The senior reported no soreness after working in other drills.
“He looked pretty good,” said backup quarterback Joe Tereshinski, who started Saturday against the Gators. “He’s a natural born leader and he was leading out there.”
Tereshinski still took most of the snaps with the first-team offense Tuesday, but Shockley is expected to start in No. 11 Georgia’s next game against No. 17 Auburn on Nov. 12. His return to practice so early in the Bulldogs’ bye week came as a surprise.
“Last week the timetable for me was to come back out more at the end of the week, so it’s been a little ahead of schedule,” Shockley said.
Shockley sprained his knee in a win over Arkansas on Oct. 22.
At the time, the senior quarterback was the SEC’s top-ranked passer, and Georgia was No. 4 in the nation.
Reach Gerald Tang at [email protected]
