RUMOR NO MORE: "Domer" Haywood HIRED!

There's a rumor on the web this morning that's "picking up steam" -- and it involves former Notre Dame student-athlete and the Offensive Coordinator during the Charlie Weis era -- Mike Haywood.

See link to blog post below...

Rumor has it -- that the University of Pittsburgh reached an agreement with Haywood, late last night, to become their next head football coach -- replacing Dave Wannstedt.

Haywood just finished his second year as a head coach, leading the Miami of Ohio RedHawks to a 9-4 record, a  Mid American Conference Championship -- and a spot in the GoDaddy.com Bowl -- after going 1-11 in his first season!!!  This was the "biggest turnaround"-- in number of wins -- in college football this year!   I'm also posting a nice story from the Sporting News -- about Haywood's impact on the RedHawks program and a video I found of Mike Haywood talking about his coaching philosophy. We'll keep you posted on this story...  ESPN'S JOE SCHAD -- JUST CONFIRMED HAYWOOD'S BEEN HIRED (7:14 PM EST) -- CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!  See link to his quick post:

LINK:  HAYWOOD HIRED AS PITT HEAD COACH!

LINK:  PITTSBURGH POST GAZETTE  BLOG POST

LINK:  SPORTING NEWS STORY ON HAYWOOD

LINK:  MIKE HAYWOOD COACHING PHILOSOPHY

Notre Dame "Sister/Brother" Act at NORDAM

The Nordam Group -- one of the largest independently owned aerospace companies in the world, announced yesterday (link below) that former Notre Dame grads; Meredith Siegfried and her brother Hastings Siegfried have been promoted to President and Vice Chairman respectively -- in a company their late father (Ray Siegfried II) -- who was also a "DOMER" --  founded in 1969.

Notre Dame students and alums will recognize the "last name" -- as the same name that adorns Siegfried Hall (photo) at the University of Notre Dame -- they are one in the same!  

The Siegfried Family is a NOTRE DAME FAMILY -- "Grandpa" Robert Siegfried - Class of 1937 and his son, Ray Siegfried Class of 1965 -- made a gift to the University of Notre Dame that led to the building of Siegfried Hall in 1988.  In addition, the Ray and Milann Siegfried family and The NORDAM Group donated the MBA wing of the College of Business Administration in 1995.  And, in 1997 the family funded the Chair for Entrepreneurial Studies at Notre Dame.  Ray was also a long-time member of Notre Dame's Board of Trustees.

Please note:  Now I couldn't find any information on the genesis of the name NORDAM -- but, it sure looks like Ray Siegfried used some help from his  beloved "alma mater" NOTRE DAME to name his company...

For those of you who are interested, NORDAM designs, certifies and manufactures integrated propulsion systems, nacelles and thrust reversers for business jets.  In addition, NORDAM manufactures composite aircraft structures, interior shells, custom cabinetry, radomes, and aircraft transparencies such as cabin windows, wing tip lenses and simulator screens.  It is also one of the world’s largest third-party providers of maintenance, repair and overhaul services to the military, commercial airline and air freight markets.  The company employs approximately 2,000 people around the globe, with facilities in the U.S., United Kingdom, and Singapore.

You'll enjoy the story about the Siegfried "dynasty" and their impact on the Tulsa community...

LINK:  TWO TOP SPOTS GO TO DOMERS

LINK:  THE SIEGFRIED DYNASTY IN TULSA

LINK:  NOTRE DAME'S SIEGFRIED HALL WEBSITE

LINK:  SIEGFRIED HALL "WIKI"

"Domer" Cunningham Takes Kansas AD Job...

Lawrence "Bubba" Cunningham, a 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame -- and long-time member of the Notre Dame's athletic administration -- is "rumored" to be announced today or tomorrow as the new Athletic Director at the University of Kansas.  Ironically, the rumored "other top candidate" for the position was current Notre Dame Deputy Athletic Director, Bill Scholl.

Bubba spent 15 years in the Notre Dame athletic department before departing to Ball State to become their Athletic Director in 2002.  In 2005, Cunningham was named the Athletic Director at the University of Tulsa -- where he's served the last five years.  Many ND fans will recall his decision to have his Tulsa football team wear the Declan Sullivan "helmet sticker" in their game at Notre Dame Stadium in October.  Congratulations Bubba!!!

Here's a link to a story in today's KUSPORTS.COM where you'll learn -- in "Bubba's" own words how he got his nickname -- funny stuff!  And, a link to a Washington Post story where they're reporting that Kansas is negotiating a contract with Cunningham.  HERE'S THE LATEST ON THE NEGOTIATIONS -- SEE LINK BELOW:

LINK:  CUNNINGHAM STILL IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH KANSAS

LINK:  BUBBA CUNNINGHAM TO KANSAS

LINK:  CUNNINGHAM IN NEGOTIATIONS WITH KANSAS

NFL Update -- Notre Dame Players

The 2010 NFL Season is winding down -- so, the ND GO IRISH BLOG decided to take a "lap" around the League and see how a few of our favorite Notre Dame football players are doing.  You'll note a number of season ending injuries to a few former Notre Dame stars -- two this weekend!  It's a good thing they have that Notre Dame degree!!!

LINK:  JIMMY CLAUSEN -- CAROLINA PANTHERS

LINK:  JUSTIN TUCK -- NEW YORK GIANTS

LINK:  KYLE McCARTHY -- DENVER BRONCOS

LINK:  BRADY QUINN -- DENVER BRONCOS

LINK:  CHINENDUM NDUKWE -- CINCINNATI BENGALS

LINK:  JOHN CARLSON -- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

LINK:  GOLDEN TATE -- SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

LINK:  RYAN GRANT -- GREEN BAY PACKERS

LINK:  SERGIO BROWN -- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

LINK:  DAVID BRUTON -- DENVER BRONCOS 

LINK:  ANTHONY FASANO -- MIAMI DOLPHINS

LINK:  JULIUS JONES -- NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

LINK:  JEFF FAINE -- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

LINK:  DEREK LANDRI -- CAROLINA PANTHERS

LINK:  RYAN HARRIS -- DENVER BRONCOS

LINK:  JOHN SULLIVAN -- MINNESOTA VIKINGS

LINK:  TOMMY ZBIKOWSKI -- BALTIMORE RAVENS

LINK:  MAURICE STOVALL -- TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

LINK:  VICTOR ABIAMIRI -- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

LINK:  MARK LEVOIR -- NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

LINK:  TREVOR LAWS -- PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

LINK:  COREY MAYS -- KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

LINK:  JORDAN BLACK -- HOUSTON TEXANS

LINK:  HUNTER SMITH -- WASHINGTON REDSKINS

Teo and Ruffer -- Second Team All Americans!

The University of Notre Dame's Manti Teo and David Ruffer were named today to SI.COM's All American 2nd Team!  Congratulations!  Here's a link:

LINK:  SI.COM -- ALL AMERICANS

Theismann Talks Notre Dame QB's

Former Notre Dame All-American QB, Joe Theismann -- spoke with the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen about the QB position next year for the Irish.  Never without an opinion -- Theismann talks about Dayne Crist coming back from his knee injury, Rees and his experience -- and the QB position in general at Notre Dame.  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story:

LINK:  WHO STARTS AT QB NEXT YEAR FOR THE IRISH?

Two "Domers" -- The Million Dollar Road Trip

Two Notre Dame brothers/alums; Patrick and Walter Hessert -- are now on DAY 163 of The Million Dollar Road Trip, celebrating and inspiring the American entrepreneurial spirit.  To date, they've raised over $114,000 in their travels across America!!!  The ND GO IRISH BLOG last checked in on these two when they were in NYC for Notre Dame's game at Yankee Stadium -- as you'll see, they just left Las Vegas and their next stop is Flagstaff, AZ.  Safe travels!!!  Here's a link to their blog:

LINK:  THE MILLION DOLLAR ROAD TRIP -- BLOG

Notre Dame to Honor Austin Carr!

It's about time...  If you're going to have a 'Ring of Honor' in Notre Dame's Purcell Pavillion -- to recognize Irish basketball stars -- the VERY FIRST player honored should have been Austin Carr.  Well,  on February 26th -- Austin Carr will finally get that recognition, as he'll join Luke Harangody and Ruth Riley in Notre Dame's Ring of Honor.

Austin Carr is the greatest basketball player in the history of the University of Notre Dame -- PERIOD!  Take a look at what he accomplished wearing the uniform of the Fighting Irish:

• 2,560 career points -- in just 3 seasons -- at the time, the fifth-all time in college history and Notre Dame's all-time scoring leader
• a 34.5 career scoring average at Notre Dame
• during his last two seasons at Notre Dame, Carr scored more than 1,000 points in both seasons -- joining Pete Maravich as the second player in college basketball history to accomplish this
• holds the single game scoring record for most points in an NCAA Tournament game;  61 points, and most field goals scored in a game; 25 -- folks this was before the 3-point line!
• holds the career scoring average record -- for the NCAA Tournament -- averaging 41.3 points a game in the seven games he played -- a record most experts believe will never be broken!
• named National Player of the Year and a consensus All-American in his senior season
• ESPN named him one of the Top 25 College Basketball Players of All Time!
• Inducted into the second class of the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007

Austin was the #1 overall selection in the 1971 NBA Draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers.  He played ten years in the NBA -- and even though he had severe foot and knee injuries that required surgeries, he averaged 15.4 points per game.  The Cleveland Cavaliers retired Carr's #34 jersey -- one of six they've retired in their history.  Affectionately known in Cleveland as "Mr. Cavalier" - Austin is currently the color analyst for the Cleveland Cavaliers television broadcast, serving alongside my good friend Fred McLeod.  Congratulations Austin!!!  A ND GO IRISH BLOG 'thank you' to Dr. Jim Clancy for alerting us to this story.  Here's a link to a video of Carr "starring" in a music video for the Cavaliers, when LeBron was still in town...

LINK:  AUSTIN CARR IN MUSIC VIDEO

Jill & Thomas -- You Did the Irish Proud!!!

More than 12 million people tuned into the final race last night of Season 17 of CBS's The Amazing Race -- and, many, many Notre Dame fans were part of that crowd as we cheered on OUR TEAM -- Jill Haney and her boyfriend, "Domer" Thomas Wolfard '02.  Unfortunately, they didn't reach the final finish line, first last night -- missing out on the $1 million prize that went to the winner of this globetrotting adventure race.  Here's a link to an interview with the two after The Amazing Race and a link to a replay of the final episode.  THOMAS and JILL -- you did Notre Dame proud!!!

LINK:  AN INTERVIEW WITH JILL AND THOMAS

LINK:  REPLAY OF THE FINAL RACE FOR $1 MILLION!

The Best of Nick Garner -- ND Player Interviews

Sports Talk 4 Kids' Nick Garner is back again this morning on the ND GO IRISH BLOG -- and today he's interviewing some current Notre Dame players and a couple of players you'll remember from the past.  You'll enjoy Derrick Mayes' response to Nick's question about what it was like to play in the Super Bowl:



LINK:  ROBERT BLANTON INTERVIEW

LINK:  TOMMY REES INTERVIEW

LINK:  MICHAEL FLOYD INTERVIEW

LINK:  SEAN CWYNAR INTERVIEW

LINK:  DERRICK MAYES INTERVIEW

LINK:  JOEY GETHERALL INTERVIEW

Justin Tuck & NY Giants -- Off to Detroit!!!

In what has easily become the video of the day -- and probably the year -- the Minnesota Metrodome roof collapsed at 6 AM this morning from the weight of 20 inches of snow.  See the link below.  Former Notre Dame defensive lineman, Justin Tuck, and his New York Giants teammates -- who have been stuck in Kansas City because of the snow storm -- are now off to Detroit's Ford Field to play their game against the Minnesota Vikings tomorrow night at 7:20 PM ET.  Here's the FOX-TV video of the roof collapse:

LINK:  METRODOME ROOM COLLAPSES

"Sports Talk 4 Kids" @ Notre Dame!

Well, I found this young man on the web this morning and I think I've found my new hero!!!  Nick Garner, is a sports reporter who hails from Southern California -- and as you'll see in the links below -- the kid's "got game!"  Hope he ends up as a student at the University of Notre Dame someday.  Here's a link to few stories that Nick produced -- on our favorite subject.  You'll enjoy the questions he asked Coach Kelly -- GREAT STUFF!  Tomorrow, we'll post a number of Nick's interviews of current and former Notre Dame players.  Enjoy!!

LINK:  NICK GARNER INTERVIEWS COACH BRIAN KELLY!

LINK:  NICK GARNER INTERVIEWS ND CHEERLEADER!

LINK:  NICK GARNER INTERVIEWS THE ND LEPRECHAUN! 

LINK:  NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL TRADITIONS!

ND Student's Family's -- Christmas Display!

This home might just be the "most decorated" Christmas house in America!  Matt Prygoski, a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Notre Dame -- returned home to Okemos, MI to help the family continue their nine-year tradition.  As you'll learn in the story, Matt put his "engineering" skills to good use!  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  THE PRYGOSKI'S -- A CHRISTMAS HOME

A Sports Editor Returns "Home" to ND...

Found this story this morning in the Pueblo Chieftan News -- a newspaper in southern Colorado -- about its Sports Editor's (Judy Hildner) return home to Notre Dame for the first time since the 50's.  Thought you would enjoy!

LINK:  GOING HOME TO NOTRE DAME

ND Alumni Club of Buffalo -- In The News!

It didn''t surprise me to learn of a story like this in today's Buffalo News -- as the "Senior" Notre Dame Alumni, in the Buffalo area, turn out every week between Thanksgiving and Christmas to help their community!  You'll enjoy the story:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME ALUMNI -- PACKAGING TOYS!

Where Are They Now? -- Kyle McAlarney

The former 2008 first-team Big East basketball stand-out, for Mike Brey's Fighting Irish of Notre Dame, is now playing professional basketball in Greece!  This past October, McAlarney signed a contract to play with the Ikaros Esperos in the Greek A-1 League.  

Prior to signing with Ikaros, McAlarney briefly played for a professional team in the Israeli Superior League before heading back to America to play in the NBA Development League for the Springfield "Armor" and then the  Fort Wayne "Mad Ants" (photo).  Kyle averaged 11 points per game in his 43 games in the NBADL.

The Ikaros Esperos play out of Kalithea -- which is a suburb of Athens, Greece.  Kyle scored 19 points in his debut with Ikaros -- and is currently averaging 13.9 points per game, seven games into the season (stats linked below).

This past year, Kyle was the subject of a controversial "Outside The Lines" segment on ESPN -- where they profiled the lack of "white" players in the NBA, see the link below.  And to give you a little flavor of what professional basketball is like in Greece -- take a look at the link below to the riots in their Championship game this past season.  Good Luck Kyle!

LINK:  ESPN "OUTSIDE THE LINES" -- KYLE McALARNEY

LINK:  McALARNEY SIGNS WITH IKAROS

LINK:  McALARNEY STATS WITH IKAROS

LINK:  RIOT AT GREEK PRO BASKETBALL GAME

Hyundai Sun Bowl -- Post Practice Interviews

Notre Dame's football team practiced today "inside" -- getting ready for their upcoming bowl game against Miami.  Here's a link to Notre Dame's Hyundai Sun Bowl Central -- where you'll find videos of interviews with a few players and an interview with Coach Brian Kelly:

LINK:  NOTRE DAME  -- HYUNDAI SUN BOWL

Irish Hoops on ESPN2 Tonight vs. Gonzaga!

Mike Brey's Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on the Gonzaga Bulldogs tonight in a home game that will be televised on ESPN2 at 8:30 PM EST.  It's the first time these two schools have met in basketball -- and the Irish are 7 point favorites -- as they attempt to "bounce back" from Wednesday's loss to Kentucky.  Should be a very good game!  Here's a link to the South Bend Tribune story about tonight's game:

LINK:  IRISH HOST GONZAGA TONIGHT!

A Little Off Topic: Army - Navy Game Today!

I know this is a Notre Dame blog -- but, we did play both of these teams this year!  The "Army - Navy Game" has always been my favorite "non- Notre Dame" football game of the year.  I'll be glued to the TV set this afternoon at 2 PM EST (CBS) as they kick off the 111th game in the history of "America's Game" from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Navy leads the series over Army; with 54 wins, 49 losses and 7 ties.

One of the greatest spectacles in sport is the MARCH ON -- as the Army Corps of Cadets and the Navy Midshipmen take the field in Philadelphia (this takes place two hours before kick-off) -- I've posted some videos below of this.  And, here's a link to the official website for the game - when you get there, click on the RIVALRY tab.  You'll enjoy the stories.

LINK:  ARMY-NAVY GAME:  OFFICIAL WEBSITE

LINK:  "AMERICA'S GAME" -- SIGHTS AND SOUNDS FROM 2009

LINK:  MARCH ON -- TO THE STADIUM

LINK:  MARCH ON -- ARMY'S CORPS OF CADETS

LINK:  MARCH ON -- NAVY'S MIDSHIPMEN

A Notre Dame Christmas for Cancer Patients

Athletes from nineteen of the the University of Notre Dame's varsity athletic teams were represented at a Christmas Party in Notre Dame's Heritage Hall for 100 pediatric cancer patients and their familes from South Bend's Memorial Hospital.  Here's a link to the WNDU-TV news story along with a second link to an eleven minute video that UND.COM produced about the event.  I wasn't able to provide a direct link to the UND.COM video -- so you'll need to click on it when you get to the page!

LINK:  WNDU-TV STORY 

LINK:  UND.COM COVERAGE