Notre Dame introduces new football coach

SOUTH BEND, Ind., Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Charlie Weis was introduced Monday as the new football coach at Notre Dame.

"I'm here because expectations weren't met," Weis said at a news conference. "My job is to raise those expectations. That's why I'm here."

Notre Dame announced his hiring Sunday as the successor to Tyrone Willingham, who was fired two weeks ago.

Weis, a 1978 Notre Dame graduate, got a six-year contract. Reports said he'll make $2 million a year.

The 48-year-old Weis has been offensive coordinator of the Super Bowl-champion New England Patriots for five years. He has been an NFL assistant coach for 16 years -- nine with the Patriots -- and also was an assistant in college, but never a head coach above the high school level.

Weis is to handle both the New England and Notre Dame jobs through the end of this season.

"For the time being, I'm involved in two organizations," Weis said. "My feelings are I owe Notre Dame and the entire family to give them my best. And I owe the New England Patriots my best."

Willingham was named coach at the University of Washington Sunday.