Dec. 1, 2004
The University of Notre Dame's football
team will participate in the Dec. 28 Insight Bowl in Tempe, Ariz. -
with current Irish defensive coordinator Kent Baer serving as the
interim Irish coach.
That decision came tonight on the heels of the announcement
yesterday that Irish head coach Tyrone Willingham would not be
retained.
Notre Dame athletics director Kevin White met with a small
group of senior players Tuesday to discuss the bowl situation - and
then a larger group of seniors met on its own Tuesday. A full team
endorsement came late this afternoon, with the understanding Baer
would serve as interim coach. Other current Irish assistant coaches
are expected to continue in their roles through the Insight Bowl
preparation and game.
Baer is in his third season as Irish defensive coordinator.
He previously spent nine years on the football staff at Utah State,
one at Idaho, five at California, three at Arizona State and seven at
Stanford. He was a finalist for the 2002 Frank Broyles Award that
goes to the top assistant coach in the nation.
The Irish finished their regular season with a 6-5 mark and
in the Insight Bowl will play a Pacific-10 Conference team to be
determined this weekend.
