Jan. 2
Everyone knows I have a passion for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame. Both of my daughters, Sherri and Terri, graduated from there, plus they went back and got their MBA degrees. My two sons-in-law were both athletes there -- Chris Sforzo was on the lacrosse team and Thomas Krug played quarterback under Lou Holtz.

My allegiance to and love for the school are obvious. As a season ticket holder and a football lover, you'd better believe I was concerned with the eventual successor to Bob Davie on that sideline in South Bend.

While Willingham is Notre Dame's first African-American head coach, he has gone on record as saying he isn't like a Jackie Robinson. When you look at the numbers of African-American coaches on the sidelines, it's an absolute disgrace.

I guess you can call me a subway alum -- hey baby, wait a minute, I'm more than a subway alum. I received an honorary degree from Notre Dame. It was a thrill and an honor to receive that recognition. I believe in everything about the university -- its academics, its treatment of student-athletes, all the positives about collegiate athletics.

It was vital for athletic director Kevin White to come up with someone with all the elements that are needed to serve on that sideline. Experience was certainly an important factor, the ability to be at a high-profile program, and understanding of what coaching at a major-college level is all about.

Notre Dame wanted someone with great integrity, someone who has proven he can handle the pressures of dealing with high academic standards like the ones at South Bend. We know about the embarrassment and humiliation the school went through over the George O'Leary situation.

When it was all said and done, White picked a winner in Ty Willingham.

Everything I've heard about him, in conversations with the likes of Steve Mariucci and Mike Golic, and things I've read, quotes from coaches like Tony Dungy and Dennis Green, have been very positive. Mariucci raves about Willingham and his ethics and the classy way he deals with his athletes.

Talk about a role model, someone who lives it by example for his student-athletes -- the way he carries himself, Tyrone Willingham gets an A+!

Willingham will not be a Lou Holtz type, firing out one-liners. The former Stanford coach is a solid X's and O's coach who has shown the ability to manage and organize a football program. His record speaks for itself, as Pac-10 coach of the year twice. His players will have discipline and will graduate. His hiring is a step in the right direction.

While Willingham is Notre Dame's first African-American head coach, he has gone on record as saying he isn't like a Jackie Robinson. But he has to be proud to know he can be an example to youngsters out there who have a dream.

The former Stanford coach said that coaching at South Bend would be a dream job. That dream has now become a reality.

Willingham will prepare the way for so many youngsters who want the opportunity to coach at a major institution once their playing days are over. When you look at the numbers of African-American coaches who have graced the sidelines, it's an absolute disgrace. You have to believe there are many qualified guys who haven't received the opportunity.

This is a guy who represents everything good about college athletics. Just look at his background -- he was a walk-on at Michigan State who went out and proved he could play, in both football and baseball. He was not only a contributor in athletics, but he was a PTPer as a scholar-athlete.

Anyone you talk to tells you what a consummate pro Willingham is. White has come up with a winner.

It has taken some time, but trust me, the Irish will move in the right direction. Willingham will be magical in recruiting, and Notre Dame has a positive recruiting class coming in, started by Davie.

The new coach will be magical in his style of play -- the Irish will distribute the football and create excitement, as Willingham did in Stanford. He will bring in student-athletes (and I emphasize STUDENT-ATHLETES) to return Notre Dame to national prominence.

White has hit a home run in bringing in Willingham.