Notre Dame fires Bob Davie

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Notre Dame football coach Bob Davie, unable to field a team that could live up to the school's storied tradition, was fired Sunday.

Athletic director Kevin White made the announcement, one day after Notre Dame finished a 5-6 season with a victory over Purdue.

The win was not enough to save Davie's job. He finished his career at the school with a 35-25 record in five seasons with the Fighting Irish, posting the third-worst winning percentage in the program's history.

White made the final decision Sunday morning after speaking with Rev. Edward Malloy, the school's president. White said the two discussed the situation late last week.

A half hour after White made his announcement, Davie appeared at his own news conference.

"This is a unique place, I think more unique than any other place in the country," said Davie, who went 0-3 in bowl games and produced just one All-American. "And it has been a tremendous, tremendous experience."

Davie guided the Irish to a 9-3 mark last season and was rewarded with a five-year contract extention, but the expectations became too lofty at a school that has won a record eight national titles.

"Those expectations are the product not only of our history and tradition and national following, but also of our institution-wide commitment to excellence in everything that we do," White read from a prepared statement.

Davie said the athletic director noted a loss in credibility as the main reason for the firing.

"Certainly, that's his prerogative," Davie said. "But when I think of credibility on this football team, if my son, Clay, grows up to be like any one of those 70 kids on that football team, I'll be really proud."

White took part of the blame for the team's second losing season under Davie, who will be paid the remainder of his contract. White promised Davie's successor will be hired following a "thorough" national search.

"I really felt we were moving in the right direction," said White, who extended Davie's contract before a Fiesta Bowl loss to Oregon State. "I have to take full responsibility. It was a misread on my part."

While rumors have NFL coaches John Gruden and Tom Coughlin as possible successors, White would not speculate. But he said he has a short list.

"We've talked about a kind of rite of passage," he said. "You always have a short list. There are always people that you wind up paying attention to."

Not many people have paid attention to the Irish, who will not be competing in a bowl for the second time in five seasons under Davie. They also missed the postseason in 1999.

Davie succeeded Lou Holtz in 1997 after serving as the school's defensive coordinator for three years. He had never been a head coach before, something White will change with his next choice.

"We're going to look for the very best head coach we can find," said White, who has been AD since March 2000. "Somebody with head coaching experience, somebody with a track record of success and somebody that's a good fit at Notre Dame."

Davie's winning percentage of .538 was better than only Gerry Faust (.535) and Joe Kuharich (.425) among the 26 coaches in school history.

Davie has some advice for Notre Dame's next coach.

"Enjoy it. Enjoy it," he said. "And I think above all, have fun and don't expect everybody to like you. Go with what's in your heart."

Davie said he did everything asked of him since he was promoted from defensive coordinator, noting the challenge of competing with the school's academic priorities.

"I am in no way bitter," Davie said. "In no way do I have a chip on my shoulder as I leave Notre Dame. In fact, I leave here with my head held high and am really proud of what we have done."

Davie opened his news conference by recalling the day he was hired, when he was joined by his wife and two children.

"I certinly don't know what the next chapter in my life is," he said. "But I know it will be better than my last because of the kind of family I have."