Kansas gambles on Weis to rebuild football program

By Dave Skretta

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Jan. 29 2012 8:51 a.m. MST

View 2 photos »

ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, JAN. 28-29 - FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2011, file photo, Kansas football coach Charlie Weis, left, watches as athletics director Sheahon Zenger, right, answers questions during a news conference in Lawrence, Kan. He has a handful of Super Bowl rings from his time in New England, and a reputation as one of the game's greatest offensive minds. But after failing to produce a BCS winner at Notre Dame, the pugnacious Weis was keen for one more head coaching challenge, and it came at perhaps the most unlikely of places: Kansas. Now, an athletic program known for primarily for basketball is thinking pigskin, and banking on Weis' big name to restore credibility, generate revenue and, most importantly, win some games.

Orlin Wagner, Associated Press

Summary

Charlie Weis is trying to rebuild his reputation right along with the football program at Kansas.

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Charlie Weis is trying to rebuild his reputation right along with the football program at Kansas.

The former Notre Dame head coach was fired after five mediocre seasons in South Bend, his once gleaming reputation tarnished by his failure under the golden dome.

After a year with the Kansas City Chiefs and another as offensive coordinator at Florida, Weis has decided to make his final stand at Kansas, a program that not so long ago won the Orange Bowl but historically has had scant success.

Weis says he's learned to show humility and has never lost his passion and drive to win.

He'll need it at a school with three winning seasons in the past 16 years.

Comments