Going into this weekend's game against Air Force, my Notre Dame mailbag is full. Let's take a look inside.

Do you agree or disagree that the future number of minority coaches will be influenced by Ty Willingham's success this year and in years to come?
Jeremiah, Memphis

I agree. I do think the future of minority (and I hate that word because it implies "less than human" status) will be influenced by Willingham's success. And that's both fortunate and unfortunate. Like Ty always says, "It's a shame that many are judged by one." That said, I think the door will be opened for other coaches of color, but not to an overwhelming extent. The door was open just wide enough for Ty to put his foot in. But it could be some time before it's wide enough for others to walk through without a struggle.

I know Coach Willingham is trying to forge a new offensive identity at Notre Dame that is primarily focused on a variation of the West Coast offense. I use the word variation because he doesn't have the personnel to completely and efficiently run that type of offense. My question is, why hasn't he tried to integrate a bit of the option into the offense, especially since Holiday was recruited to run it?
Mike McClain, Manassas, Va.

Actually, Notre Dame's personnel aside, any college team that runs a "variation" of the West Coast offense does so because they don't have the time pro teams have to devote to that kind of intricate system. College teams, with class commitments, have only so much time to devote to meetings and practice. A typical NFL workday is anywhere from seven to 10 hours, whereas college kids put in maybe four to five at most. To answer your other question, I think if the staff had any plans to employ some option in the attack, those plans were drastically altered when Holiday separated his shoulder a few weeks ago. I know Ty cringed each time Holiday pulled the ball down and prepared to run last week. As his shoulder heals, we could see it happen, but I'd be very surprised.

Which do you think will have a greater impact on recruiting for Notre Dame -- having an African-American coach or a top-10 finish?
Pete Kuzmich, Chicago

	ND-Pitt: Good timing The hunted: Playing a familiar role Ty trapped: Caught in the middle Work in progress: Tyrone's mantra Jordan Black: Leading by example Arnaz Battle: Battle has just begun

Excellent question. I think a top-10 finish speaks for itself. That will always generate interest. But I don't know if I can speak to the other part of your question because I haven't interviewed anyone who is currently being recruited. For parents like Kellen Winslow, who suggested his son attend Miami because of the positive influence of a black position coach, Id say Willingham as coach has a greater affect than a top-10 finish. But I just have no way of knowing how many parents of high school players, particularly black players, share Winslow's view. I can say that if I were being recuited now, I'd consider Notre Dame because of Willingam's presence.

Knowing some of the players, there are some unique personalities on the team. Some are strong and vocal, others are quiet but lead by example. In your opinion, who are some of the players that have really taken over the leadership roles? Are there different leaders for each different position, and are there one or two guys that really take charge of the entire team?
Kortny, South Bend, Ind.

Obviously Shane Walton, being the playmaker he is, leads by example. But he's vocal when necessary. You may recall the game against Maryland, when he was matched up against one of the Terrapin receivers who had referred to Notre Dame as a "scout team" -- Walton talked the kid through the night. I know some call it trash-talking, but I saw it, along with three picks, as an aggressive defense of his team. But the quintessential leader by example is Arnaz Battle. During that one stretch of the second quarter last week, Battle brought to life that cliché -- "he takes over a game." He made three individual plays (concluding with a touchdown), at a time when the offense was struggling, that underscored his leadership ability.

Many of the top-10 teams today have players that are on the Heisman watch list, save Notre Dame. Do you see any players emerging as Heisman quality athletes if the Irish continue to win and go to a BCS bowl? If not this year, will ND have any Heisman candidates in the next year or two?
Brad Williams, Fort Wayne, Ind.

You know the Heisman thing is determined before the season starts. So this year's success means little on that front. But that won't always be the case. I think you've already seen one potential candidate in Maurice Stovall. The kid is what, 17, and is not the least bit fazed by big time college football. I see the other freshman receiver, Rhema McKnight, also emerging as a legitimate superstar as well.

Alan Grant, a senior reporter for ESPN The Magazine, is spending the season in South Bend. Look for his regular reports on ESPN.com. E-mail him at alan.grant@espn3.com