Willingham’s Winning Ways Shine Through

This was not the Tyrone Willingham most folks expected.

At Tuesday’s news conference in South Bend, Ind., to introduce media and fans to the third Notre Dame football coach employed since Dec. 1, the no-nonsense Willingham actually got off a couple of one-liners--then cautioned that was the end of his night club act.

Willingham takes his cues from Dennis Green, not Shecky Greene.

“I won’t be telling many jokes,” Willingham said. “This is about as good as it gets.”

Irish fans who suffered through last year’s 5-6 season and five years of relative mediocrity under former coach Bob Davie, may be heartened to know Willingham is ready to get down to the business of restoring Notre Dame football to glory.

It is serious business.

“That is my goal,” he said. “That’s why I’m here. To reach that level of excellence this university has always had.”

Notre Dame made history Monday when it hired Willingham, the first African-American to lead an Irish program, with the larger goal of making history again on the football field.

Willingham, who turned 48 on Dec. 30, signed a six-year contract reportedly worth about $1.5 million per year, which would make him the nation’s highest paid Division I coach.

Willingham left the relative comfort of Stanford, where he led the Cardinal to four bowl games in seven seasons, to take on the biggest challenge in college football.

“They told me it brings bright light,” Willingham said of the scrutiny he will endure under the Golden Dome. I’ve always said in my life if you’re doing the right things, it does not matter how bright the lights or how many lights. But if you’re doing the wrong things, it only takes a flashlight.”

Willingham said the right things on his first day at work.

He grew up a Methodist in North Carolina, but spoke of sneaking out of church on Sunday mornings in order to watch Notre Dame highlights.

“I can’t say it was all the voice of Lindsey Nelson,” Willingham said of the announcer’s legendary voiceovers on Irish football games, “but there was something there. Something that stayed with me.”

This wasn’t a day in which many details were unearthed. Willingham would not address the specifics of his hire, why Notre Dame passed him over the first time when it hired Georgia Tech Coach George O’Leary on Dec. 9, only to accept his resignation five days later after it was learned O’Leary had fudged his resume.

“I prefer not to go over those things,” he said.

Willingham would not impugn the performance of his predecessor, Davie.

“None of that will exist,” he said. “What I hope to bring is consistency in everything I do. From the manner I walk, from the manner I talk, from my actions with this football team.”

Willingham said his becoming the first black Notre Dame coach was important, but not a major issue in his mind.

“Is this significant?” Willingham said in response to a question. “Yes. I say it is significant. But I am, first and foremost, the football coach at the University of Notre Dame. The young men will expect me to be that.”

There were questions that Willingham could only begin to address.

Who were his influences?

In life, his parents, Willingham said.

In football, he cited Minnesota Viking Coach Dennis Green and West Coast offense architect Bill Walsh.

What about his philosophy on recruiting?

“If you don’t recruit every day, you’ve missed the boat,” Willingham said.

What about his coaching style? He led a wide-open, pro-style attack at Stanford, yet Notre Dame has a history tied to the running game.

“I’m primed for this one, I want you to know that,” he said of the question. “As I understand the tradition, the focus is to win. My offense is about winning. My defense is about winning. Special teams is about winning.

“Everything we do is about winning.”

How about that tough-as-nails schedule? Notre Dame opens next year against Maryland, followed by Michigan and Purdue. It plays at Florida State.

Can the Irish possibly keep pace?

“It is what we have,” Willingham said. “And if that is it, we must prevail.”

What about the snow? Can Willingham, his wife, Kim, and their three children adjust to the cold weather in South Bend?

Willingham noted he was a Minnesota Viking assistant coach and played college football at Michigan State.

“We do get a few drops of snow there,” he said.

Could he please give an assessment of Notre Dame’s talent level?

“I think it is a fair question, but I would not comment on that,” Willingham said. “What we have, what we don’t have is not important to me. What’s important to me is whatever we have we take and make it the absolute very best.”

The news conference was running late. Willingham found himself taking glances at his watch.

He wanted to be forthcoming but also knew of the enormous mission on which he was about to embark.

“To say it is a dream come true is true,” he said of his hiring.

Willingham fancies himself a man of action, not words.

“I will alert most of you in the media that I am very much to the point,” he said.

The point to Willingham was not about answering questions about Notre Dame.

It was about finding answers.