This is a wonderful analysis of Coach Weis progress since he was hired for the HC position at ND. It is refreshing to know, from someone close to the action, that changes are happening and we just have to hope that they will be for the best of the team.

No change will have any impact if ND does not open the season with a clear victory over Nevada without repeating the nail-biter season opening of 2008. In my opinion, Nevada is better team than SDSU so a clear victory will open the door to a bright season

One issue is not being addressed so far is recruiting. This year recruiting seems to have taken a back seat and while Texas and other teams are grasping 4 and 5 star recruits ND only accounts for three commits and only one 5-star linebacker. Let's hope this is not going to have a clear impact on future seasons

Art-58, I disagree on your recruiting comment: We have something like 70 offers out but are at the whim of 17 and 18 year old kids in terms of generating committments. Texas is not an appropriate example because every one of their commits is from Texas. Those kids grow up dreaming about being a long-horn. Our recruiting is decidedly more 'inter-coastal'. A better comparison would be programs like Alabama and USC -- each of whom have fewer than 5 committments right now as well -- and no 5 stars. The jury is definitely still out on our class but a good year on the field should reap deep rewards -- specifically with guys like Seantrell Henderson and Louix Nix.

It does appear that Charlie has made progress. However, forgive me for taking news coming out of spring practice with a grain of salt. What happens in the spring is often a dubious indication of things to come. I'll believe our running game has improved when I see it. I'll believe our defensive line is improved when we're consistently getting to the quarterback. What we do against ourselves is of little account.

Nevada is an absolutely critical game for Charlie. I'm still upset we scheduled them in the first place. This game has absolutely no upside. Winning achieves nothing but losing feeds more potential 'ND bashing' fodder to the wolves. Nevada is a dangerous team with an explosive offense. A clear victory will go a LONG way towards Weis' job security. I'm not certain he'll survive a loss.