Posted by ESPN.com's Graham Watson
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| | AP Photo/Michael Conroy |
| | Charlie Weis and Notre Dame are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2007 season. |
SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- In 2006, Notre Dame's mantra was "9-3 isn't good enough."
In 2007, the catchphrase became, "Tradition Never Graduates."
On Friday, Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis introduced a new slogan: "Dive right in."
Weis said the phrase came from coach Bill Parcells, who used to say that he was looking for players who would "dive right in." Weis said growing up in New Jersey, the Jersey Shore would open Memorial Day weekend. The outside temperature would be about 90 degrees, but the water would be about 50. Some people would go up to the water, dip their toe in and decide it was too cold to swim. Others would set their stuff on the beach and dive right into the water without hesitation.
"Basically, the whole thought methodology for our team is that we're looking for players who want to dive right in," Weis said. "I'm not looking for toe-in-the-water type of players. I'm looking for players that aren't waiting to see how things go, they're going to be part of making things go."
The players were given T-shirts with the new motto and almost all that were available for interviews during Friday's media day correlated the message to a fresh start and being fearless.
"I think it's just not being afraid or worried about anything," linebacker Maurice Crum said. "Some people worry about, 'Oh, if I do this, what's going to happen? Am I going to get yelled at? Or taken out? Or whatever.' Just go attack. Go play fast. Play full speed and everything will take care of itself."
Weis said the motto would tie directly into Notre Dame's desire for a fast start in both fall camp and the season. The Irish started 0-5 last season with double-digit losses in each game.
Weis said he didn't think his team could have a fast start to the season if it didn't practice that way initially. He's preached to coaches and players about the fast start and said the team would set the tone for playing fast during Friday's opening practice.
"I think that the team is hungry to get out there and start winning football games," Weis said. "When you go out there and you start losing football games, that doesn't mean you can't still have a good year, but that's not what we're looking to do."
