News On Weis Buyout

By Michael Rothstein

The Journal Gazette

The Journal Gazette has learned from a source close to the situation that Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis' buyout is at least $12 million.

The source said Weis is scheduled to be paid at least $2 million per year before incentives, which the fourth-year coach has not reached, according to the source.

Weis agreed to the new contract in October 2005, soon after Notre Dame had a close loss to then-No. 1 USC, 34-31, in South Bend after reported NFL suitors came calling.

The game remains Weis' signature game.

At least $12 million is the fourth buyout figure reported by media outlets in the past week. The Chicago Tribune reported Weis' buyout at around $4.5 million. IrishIllustrated.com is reporting the buyout at at least $10 million and ESPN is reporting the number at $16 million.

Weis is 28-20 in his four years at Notre Dame but 9-14 over the past two seasons. Since agreeing to the new deal, Weis is 24-18 and has beaten one ranked team when Notre Dame played the school -- then-No. 19 Penn State on Sept. 9, 2006 -- since the agreement.

Prior to signing the deal, the Irish had beaten two ranked teams, then-No. 3 Michigan on Sept. 10, 2005 and then-No. 22 Purdue on Oct. 1, 2005.

Notre Dame, at 6-5 in 2008, faces No. 5 USC at 8 p.m. tonight in Los Angeles.

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The Journal Gazette's Assistant Sports Editor Tony Krausz covers The University of Notre Dame. Krausz, a graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism and a native of St. Louis, has been assistant sports editor since October 2005. Prior to joining the JG, he worked at two papers in Mississippi covering high school and college athletics.


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