By By ADAM FISHER / Niles Daily Star
It seems anytime a coaching vacancy has come up in the past few years, pro or collegiate, New England Patriots' offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has been at the top of the list to fill it.
Weis might finally have a shot at running a team of his own. A source close to Notre Dame confirmed Saturday that Weis has signed on to be the Irish's next head coach. The source wished to remain anonymous because of university regulations, however ESPN's Chris Mortensen confirmed the report.
The deal is said to be worth $12 million over six years. Weis' signing ends an almost two-week search for a coach after Notre Dame fired Tyrone Willingham on Nov. 30 after he compiled a 21-15 record in three years with the program.
Weis flew to South Bend, Ind. to meet with Notre Dame officials following the Patriots' 35-28 victory Sunday over the Cincinnati Bengals at home, ESPN.com reported. A press conference will be held this afternoon to announce the hiring.
Weis is a Notre Dame alumnus who returns to his alma mater after graduating in 1978. Though he never played football after high school, Weis has risen up the coaching ranks to help guide the Patriots to two Super Bowl championships in the past three seasons.
He is the first Notre Dame graduate to coach the Irish since 1963 when Hugh Devore was interim coach. Notre Dame also interviewed Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator and former Irish quarterback Tom Clements for the job.
Last season, Weis was a candidate for the New York Giants' and Bills' head coaching positions, but was hurt by his own team's postseason success. An NFL rule that prevents assistants from being hired while their teams are still in the playoffs kept Weis from getting either job.
Weis has served as an assistant for the University of South Carolina, the Giants, the New York Jets, as well as the Patriots. In addition to winning two Super Bowl rings with New England in 2002 and 2004, he was also a member of Giants when they won the championship in 1990.