If the mark of a great leader is truly the ability to keep one's head while everyone else is losing theirs, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis would seem to fit that bill.

As he goes through a second round of people calling for him to be fired, like at the end of last season, Weis has remained calm when dealing with questions about the future and the state of the program.

While he really won't answer those questions, instead saying he can only focus on the next game coming up until after the season, those around Weis said he is handling the pressure that comes with the job in hard times.

"In many ways, he's at his very best when things get toughest," athletic director Jack Swarbrick said. "I have without exception found working with him to be a very positive experience. I feel we have a great working relationship. I enjoy working with him. He has enormous affection for the university and the young men he coaches. It's been nothing but positives working with him."

Offensive line coach Frank Verducci said Weis has handled himself as you would want a head coach to around the other coaches and players.

"He's been great," Verducci said. "He's the captain of the ship. He's got his hands on the wheel. He sets the tempo. We're tightly focused on the things we can control, and the biggest part of that is preparing for Connecticut."