DEVELOPING: Notre Dame Reaches Agreement In Sullivan Case

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

The University of Notre Dame has agreed to pay $42,000 to settle a complaint that it committed six safety violations when Declan Sullivan died when the hydraulic lift he was filming a football practice from blew over in a 53 mph wind gust.

The university also agreed to make a substantial contribution to a memorial for Sullivan 90 days after the agreement is finalized...

The settlement also requires Notre Dame to launch a nationwide education program directed at other schools about the hazards of the outdoor use of scissor lifts.

The Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration ((IOSHA)) originally said it was fining Notre Dame $77,500. The settlement reduces a "knowing" violation to a "serious" violation.

Here's the statement from the Sullivan family...

“The family is satisfied with this morning's settlement between IOSHA and Notre Dame," said Mike Miley, the Sullivan family spokesman. "We also look forward to seeing the launch of the education campaign and expect it will provide a safer work environment for institutions around the country. There can be no better way to remember Declan than to help others avoid future tragedies.”

And the statement from Notre Dame from Dennis Brown, assistant vice president and university spokesman...

"Notre Dame appreciates the professionalism that IOSHA officials have demonstrated throughout this process and is pleased to have reached agreement with them on the safety orders.

"What remains ever-present throughout this process is the reality of the loss experienced by Declan Sullivan’s family and friends, all of whom remain in the thoughts and prayers of the Notre Dame community.

"Notre Dame is committed to doing all we can to ensure that a tragedy like this never happens again and is working with IOSHA and others on a national education initiative on aerial-lift safety in regard to setup, training and weather-related risks.

"We felt it was important to extend the conversation with IOSHA to obtain the highest level of accuracy in its final report. At its essence, we felt that the lack of available national standards on wind-related safety procedures made it impossible to put anyone in harm’s way on a “knowing” basis, as was explained in our own investigation report.

"Any detail related to contributions by Notre Dame remain a private matter between the Sullivan family and the University."

Here's the original report on the Sullivan tragedy, thanks to our friends at WSBT-TV
 

DEVELOPING: Notre Dame Fined In Sullivan Death

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

The state of Indiana and their version of OSHA found the University of Notre Dame did not "maintain safe working conditions" when Declan Sullivan, a 20-year-old junior, died while he was filming football practice from a hydraulic lift in late October when it fell over in winds that exceeded 50 miles-per-hour.

Indiana Department of Labor Commissioner Lori Torres said the school was fined $77,500 for five violations, including failing to properly train the student videographer and failing to have the lift inspected on a regular basis. Torres says
the lift was missing the appropriate warnings and a service manual.

Dustin Grove leads the noon news...
 

Notre Dame Banning Hydraulic Lifts Use

((HT: WSBT-TV South Bend))

Notre Dame has decided to stop using hydraulic lifts to film football practices as a result of the Declan Sullivan accident and death back in October.

University officials say now that the school will instead use a remote video system.

Notre Dame's president, the Rev. John Jenkins, says the system will prevent a repeat of what happened. The university says four cameras are being placed atop 50-foot-high poles, and they should be in place by spring practice.

Indiana's state version of OSHA is still investigating the accident.

The Sullivan family issued a statement hyah...

Here's a rewind of coverage from WSBT-TV...
 

Tyler Hansbrough's Little Brother Goes Off. Ben Hansbrough Has A Career High vs Marquette

Maybe Tyler Hansbrough is Ben's big brother. Ben Hansbrough scored a career high 28 points shooting 10-15 from the field and led the Irish charge in the second half as Notre Dame defeated Marquette 80-75 Saturday.

"Ben makes us believe," Notre Dame head coach Mike Brey said in a press conference after the game. "He drives us. At crunch time, he is the guy who made us think we could win."

"I think he's one of the best players in the country." Marquette head coach Buzz Williams said after the game.

Well Tyler won a national player of the year award. It would be a longshot for Ben.

Here's a few highlights from the game. (Thanks UNC.com/Youtube.com)



And full highlights from WNDU-TV. (Thanks WNDU-TV)

Tulsa Takes Care Of A Notre Dame Team In Mourning

It's been a really tough week for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. The tragic death of school photographer Declan Sullivan on Wednesday cast a pall over the Notre Dame football program and the entire university. The Golden Helmets were shined with a tribute sticker for Sullivan as the Irish took on the Golden Hurricane of Tulsa.

Early in the game Notre Dame quarterback Dayne Crist injured his knee and is reportedly out for the season.

Then losing to Tulsa 28-27 added a surreal end.

"Obviously a very difficult loss for our football team." Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly said. "Certain pales in comparison to the unimaginable sorrow we had this week in the loss of Declan Sullivan. As a father of three, I can only imagine the sorrow that accompanies the loss of your son. So it's been a very difficult time for me and everybody within our football family."

Meanwhile this was a huge win for Tulsa. It's been 14 years since the Golden Hurricane had defeated a BCS automatic qualifying school.

"Today was a big day for the University of Tulsa." Tulsa head coach Todd Graham said. "Really proud of our kids. Just came in as a team. The effort that went into putting together, I can't put into words how much this means to our program."

Here's the highlights and post game from South Bend. (Thanks NBC Sports)






Photo Courtesy: Tulsa World

Weis Lands In Kansas City...

((HT: ESPN))

Anyone with any kind of football acumen knew that former Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weis would not be on the unemployment line for long...

The HQ had figured that he would end back up in New England with the Patriots so he could be reunited with The Hoodie...

Same church, different pew...

He's heading to Kansas City- which, really is New England West these days with Scott Pioli in charge upstairs and Matt Cassel at quarterback. Todd Haley has decided that calling the plays and being head coach of the Chiefs was too much and is turning over the keys to Weis for the 2010 season.

Haley and Weis were assistants together in the Jets organization in their early days.

A lot of dots connected here... and Romeo Crennel may be another one added to the staff very soon.

Chris Mortensen checks in with Dari Nowkha over the telephone to discuss...


Here's WNDU-TV's Jeff Jeffers' version of events from South Bend...

The Big 10 Conference Becoming 12?

The Big 10 conference going to a dozen is gaining traction to the point where the league itself is exploring the possibility of inviting a 12th member.

Explore heck do it. The Big 10 right now is the only league that could compete with the mega - SEC for supremacy in college football. The Big 10 is held back because they do not have a championship game which would add millions of dollars. Then the snow ball rolls, the Big 10 network benefits, ESPN ups the ante for Big 10 football, another network throws money at the Big 10 and so on and so on.

Who will that 12th team be? That question was open for discussion at the OSG HQ and here's our take.

Missouri - Most in the Big 10 feel Mizzou fits the conference's profile, large state university with some football tradition, good basketball tradition, boosters with deep pockets and a strong fan base. Should Mizzou be on the Big 10's short list the university will listen.

“The University of Missouri has not been contacted by the Big Ten." University of Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton said in a statement to the Kansas City Star. "Should there be an official inquiry or invitation, we would evaluate it based upon what would be in the best interest of MU athletically and academically."

The Big 10 would like Missouri in the fold. odds: 2-1

Notre Dame - The Big 10 and Notre Dame have been dancing for decades. Yes they would be a great get for the conference but Notre Dame still prints its own money and won't share. The Big 10 will dangle the carrot again and it will depend if NBC wants to continue to fund Notre Dame athletics. We will set the odds at 20-1.

Pittsburgh - This would be great for Penn State because the Nittany Lions can renew what was a great rivalry with the Pitt Panthers. Adding Pitt would give the conference another school in a large market who is football mad. While the Panthers have great support the fan base is a little questionable and how many boosters can write large checks? Odd 25 - 1

Rutgers - There are reports that Rutgers is openly lobbying for an invite into the Big 10. Greg Schiano desperately wants to raise the profile of the football program and the University is on board with that. Joining the Big 10 conference would give a huge boost to Rutgers for recruiting and profile. You wonder if the fan support and booster funds are there but Rutgers has the intangibles though. Odds 30-1

West Virginia - We are just throwing them out there but the Mountaineers would be a great fit in the Big 10. Great football tradition, willingness of the boosters to spend liberally and a terrific fan base. You just have to wonder if the Big 10 likes West Virginia's academic profile but WVU should be a no brainer for consideration. It's a football program dying to prove itself against the powers of the sport, this would do it. Odds 40-1

Nebraska - The Big 10 will study Nebraska hard. The Cornhusker fans are legendary for their support and being well behaved. While taking its lumps lately, Nebraska's football program is always top of mind. A change of scenery might help Nebraska but this would definitely be a hard sell. Nebraska would give up rivalries with Oklahoma & Colorado, have to refocus their recruiting territory and you can bet the Big 12 conference would fight like hell to keep one of its brand names in the fold. Odds 100-1.

Here's a few other schools to consider: Cincinnati (If they can upgrade their facilities big time but a big time long shot.), Kentucky (Talk about stirring the pot, raiding the SEC. We're just sayin')

Big 10 expansion is going to happen. Will the conference change its name? That's another discussion.

Meanwhile Drew Smith of WLUK Fox 11 in Green Bay, Wisconsin adds his own take and he even brings up Kentucky. Great minds think a like.

Thanks WLUK-TV/Youtube.com

Stoops To Notre Dame...??? Yes... Or Not...

The Chicago Sun-Times says, "Yes."
Stoops says, "No."

Brian Hanley's piece in the Sun-Times has a bunch of sources piecing together information for him...

Stoops hasn't said ''No'' to Notre Dame.

Which is the same thing as not saying "yes," either...

One source said Notre Dame has a contract offer for Stoops.

Another source said Stoops has ''been doing his homework'' on the Irish, checking with coaches who have worked at Notre Dame to get their take on the program.

How about this take: "Run away!"
Or this one: "Don't do it!"

Dave Sittler, in the Tulsa World newspaper, has the pointercount on Hanley... Sittler sent a text message to Stoops telling him about the Sun-Times piece...

Stoops sent Sittler a text back saying: "Again, wrong."

The reason, according to Sittler's sources, that Stoops hasn't said "no" is that he feels like he would be throwing Notre Dame under the bus if he did it publicly.

OU, then, released a statement which says in part:

"I work for a wonderful president (David Boren) and athletic director (Joe Castiglione), who have created an incredible work environment at OU. There haven't been any plans for a meeting or negotiations with Notre Dame and there will not be. Any reporting to that fact is completely erroneous. I will not be the next coach at Notre Dame."

So the Carousel continues...

((Stoops pictured, presumably, yelling at Brian Hanley- thanks, Tulsa World file))

Notre Dame Doesn't Feel Like Going To A Bowl...

((HT: ESPN))

They're 6-6... they don't have a head coach, and they apparently, don't have a lot of motivation to play in a bowl...

So they won't... so there...

Faced with the idea of going to either Mobile, Alabama or Detroit, the Fighting Irish just don't think a post-season bowl is a good idea. It may not even be a break-even idea if you get right down to it...

"If the landscape had been different, we would have been thrilled to take part, and we certainly look forward to being part of the bowl system in the years to come," AD Jack Swarbrick said.

The Irish ended this season with four straight losses to finish at .500 for just the sixth time in 121 seasons...

Nice work...

The News caught up with Chicago Tribune beat writer Brian Hamilton about the whole not-going thing...

Sorry Charlie, You're Not Needed Here

Charlie Weis is gone at Notre Dame.

The New York Daily News is citing a source inside the Notre Dame program that athletic director Jack Swarbrick decided to make the move now.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

WNDU-TV in South Bend has, obviously, in-depth coverage...
Jeff Jeffers sits in the newsroom for his sound from AD Swarbrick...


Weis has not met with the team since he was told he will not be returning as head coach. The team leaders did meet with Swarbrick this morning for discussions about the possibility of attending a bowl game, however there was no official vote at the meeting.

Irish assistant head coach/offense, wide receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Rob Ianello will take over until a successor is chosen.

More of WNDU-TV's coverage can be found here... a lot more...

TWTW: Weis Guys Continue Losing Ways

((HT: WNDU-TV/South Bend))

Leave it to this bunch of geniuses to find a way for Toby Gerhart to reinforce his presence in the Heisman consciousness...

A TD pass...???

And Notre Dame had a lead and lost it at Stanford 45-38...

Talk about a black eye on a storied program...
Oops... did we just say that...???

Here's your highlights and fallout...
Angelo DiCarlo has the probable future for Charlie Weis...


6 teams...??? Let's see... Cleveland, St Louis, and four others who don't know what they're doing...

TWTW: UConn Takes Out Weis Guys In South Bend

((HT: WTNH-TV))

After losing three games by a total of four points after the slaying of teammate Jasper Howard, UConn finally got a win Saturday- in South Bend, against Notre Dame, in double overtime- 33-30...

Andre Dixon scored on a 4-yard touchdown run in the second overtime, and we think that all this does is send Charlie Weis packing with an $18-million golden dome parachute...

Weis said 6-5 wasn't acceptable when he took the job, and those of us at OSG HQ think 6-5 is unacceptable now...

Here's your coverage of the game, thanks to our friends at WTNH-TV...
John Pierson stands inside in front of a monitor...

TWTW: Navy Sinks Notre Dame's BCS Hopes 23-21

((HT: WNDU-TV/South Bend))

Notre Dame's hopes for a BCS bid ended with its 2nd loss to Navy in three season as the Irish fell 23-21 at Notre Dame Stadium to the Midshipmen to drop to 6-3 on the season.

Notre Dame left 27 points off the scoreboard while inside the red zone in the defeat.

Navy becomes bowl eligible with the victory. The last time Navy beat Notre Dame twice in three season---was the last two times the Midshipmen beat the Irish--- 1961 and 1963.

In between those two periods, Notre Dame won 43 straight in the series.
Next up for the Irish is 13th ranked Pittsburgh, which improved to 8-1 on the season.

Here's Angelo Di Carlo with your highlights and post, thanks to our friends at WNDU-TV in South Bend...

TWTW: USC Hangs On In South Bend, Clausen Grades Incomplete 34-27

((HT: KCBS-TV/Los Angeles))

Jimmy Clausen threw three incomplete passes into the end zone in the closing seconds as No. 6 Southern California held on for a 34-27 victory and its eighth straight win against No. 25 Notre Dame.

The Irish rallied back from a 34-14 deficit, but couldn't score into the same end zone where the Trojans famously scored four years ago on the Bush Push.

On Clausen's first pass into the end zone, Kyle Rudolph made juggling catch but was out of bounds. The second was knocked down by Josh Pinkard and the Trojans started celebrating thinking the game was over.

But the officials ruled there was 1 second left.

Clausen fired to Duval Kamara, who slipped and couldn't get a hand on it.

Here's Jim Hill's highlights from KCBS-TV's "Sports Central" program...

TWTW: Clausen Outlasts Locker, Irish Win In OT

((HT: WNDU-TV/South Bend))

The cardiac kids did it again.

Robert Hughes scored a touchdown in overtime, and Harrison Smith and Kyle McCarthy laid out Washington's D'Andre Goodwin on 4th and 20 as Notre Dame defeated the Huskies 37-30 at the Stadium in yet another thriller for the Irish.

It was the 4th straight wild down to-the-wire finish for Notre Dame, and their third straight victory.

Notre Dame is now 4-1 and is on the bye next week before hosting USC on October 17th.

Angelo DiCarlo from NBC16 has your highlights from the field...
He even wore a headset so he could hear...


Here's the hit on Gooodwin... he was out before he hit the ground...

TWTW: Spare The Rod...? Michigan Spoils ND Visit To Ann Arbor

((HT: WNDU-TV))

Notre Dame erased an 11-point 4th quarter deficit only to see Michigan freshman quarterback Tate Forcier throw a game-winning touchdown pass to Greg Matthews with 11seconds left in the game as the Wolverines beat the Irish 38-34 in a thriller at the Big House in Ann Arbor on Saturday.

The game ended with some confusion as the Irish appeared to let the kickoff roll out of the end zone untouched, meaning they should have the full 11 seconds left. But only nine seconds were on the clock when the Irish snapped the ball and time ran out after a completion to Golden Tate.

Charlie Weis was not happy, trying to gain an explanation from officials as to why the clock was set at nine seconds instead of 11. Replays showed the ball was touched by Irish returner Theo Riddick during the kick, thus the reason two seconds ran off.

Forcier was 23 of 33 for 240 yards, two touchdown passes and a touchdown run. "I don't get nervous," Forcier said after the game about keeping his composure in the final minute of the game. "I've been preparing for this my whole life. It's unbelievable. I'm speechless."

Notre Dame drops to 1-1 on the season.
They will host Michigan State next Saturday at the Stadium.

Angelo DiCarlo and Jeff Jeffers have team coverage from inside in South Bend and outside in Ann Arbor... ((HT: NBC 16/WNDU))

Those of us at OSG HQ wonder just how hot the rather-large seat Charlie Weis is sitting in is now...

Florida Plays WHO For A National Title...???

We couldn't re-shist thish one...

We know Lou Holtz ish known for shaying shome outrageoush thingsh from time-to-time...
And we alsho know that E-ESH-PN tellsh shome of their analystsh to shay thingsh just to get people all riled up...

We thing thish wash one of thosh timesh...

((HT: Orlando Sentinel/Adelson))

The Florida Gators are the popular pick to play for the national championship this year. But who will they play in the Rose Bowl?

If you ask Lou Holtz, the answer is Notre Dame.

Can't be too surprised the former Irish coach made this prediction on ESPN this weekend. But seriously, Notre Dame? C'mon, Lou! Come back to us! (Insert your own Lou Holtz joke here).

Yes, Notre Dame has a pretty easy schedule, playing only one team ranked in the preseason Top 25 (Southern California). Yes, Notre Dame plays bad teams like Washington, Washington State and Purdue. But Holtz seems to think Notre Dame will either go undefeated or lose only once.

Right. Michigan is going to be better, and Michigan State played in a New Year's Day bowl last year. Winning at Stanford is not going to be a cakewalk, and neither is winning at Pittsburgh (the media preseason pick to win the Big East).

Holtz visited with the Gators a few weeks ago, and says, "I've never seen a football team as motivated as I saw at the University of Florida's practice."

But then ... oh the humanity. Watch the clip.

((HT: ESPN))

Karma or Luck of The Irish...?

You get to choose...

Notre Dame Head Football Coach Charlie Weis accepts an apology from four-letter-word anchor Trey Wingo, but not one from fellow anchor Dana Jacobson before the game with the University of Michigan...

And, in true karmic fashion, a Michigan player bestows the same injury on Weis that his former quarterback, Tom Brady ((a Michigan grad)) is now having to deal with- a torn MCL and ACL from this rolling from behind...

Weis finished the game with a wrapped leg and on crutches...
((thanks, the youtube and ESPN))

Brian Hamilton has the following update from his Chicago Tribune blog...

Charlie Weis may or may not have surgery to repair the torn left ACL he suffered in a win over Michigan on Saturday -- but if the Notre Dame coach does go under the knife, it won't be any time soon.

"I might just go without having the surgery in the foreseeable future, if at all, to the ACL," Weis said Sunday. "If we need to address it down the road, we'll address it down the road. I certainly would not do it anytime we had a game. If I did it at all, it would be on a bye week or after the season."