the following was written by a poster named pittbluegold on another message board:

[quote]I went to a corporate reception hosted by the Pitt Athletic Department Monday night. Schmoozed with several members of the Pitt athletic department, Pitt football coaches and persons of influence at Pitt. Some talking points (in general):

Wannstedt gave a rousing speech. Used analogies from Jim Collin’s book, “Good to Great.

Interesting... I tend to believe folks who can be detailed in their expierence.

Quote:Charlie Weiss at ND is putting the kids through some grueling NFL-like practices. He either has to par down these practices or he will face NCAA sanctions.

Wow...honestly didn't know you could get sanctioned for making practice too tough...only that you could get in trouble for having too many practices.

Quote:A belief that only 3 teams from the BE conference will make it to a bowl this year: Pitt, Louisville and WVU. Coaches believe that Syracuse, Rutgers and UCONN might all finish 5-6/6-5.

My belief is that one of those 3 finish 6-5 to get us 4 bowl teams for this year. I would honestly but USF in that 5-6/6-5 group as well.
[quote]I spoke directly with Jeff Long and I gave him my wish list: a ninth conference member, an end to the ND affiliation, a BE split, and an end to MT’s contract. He said, “two of those will happen in the short term, one longer term.

Actually, a certain arizona coach got blasted pretty bad for being too hard on his players. I know there was more to the story than that, but apparently overworking them CAN get you in trouble, at least at the media level :/.

where r u getting these ND facts?

During the summer time, there is only so much the coaching staff can do before practice actually begins. I thought only the Strength & Conditioning Coach was allowed at summer "workouts".

???

Quote:Now isn't that interesting? So he says two will happen short time, one long time, and the fourth? My guess is that one isn't happening?
It's been said that in the event of a split, a ninth member, an end to ND, and the retirement of MT would all happen. So something must have changed if one of those four won't happen

-- One of the more reliable posters on the WVU message board said this about the very same subject...again I can't say if it is 100% accurate or accurate at all but it is intersting...here is the quote

Quote:In the BE meetings including this year, MT has suggested that the two parties split. The best scenario for the FB schools is if the BB schools would leave on their own accord, which may happen. Seems they are grooming a comish to do that very thing. I guess we will see

ND will stay aboard as you say

And I would look for Memphis or Navy to be added as soon as a split does occur

Jackson

Quote:ND will stay aboard as you say

And I would look for Memphis or Navy to be added as soon as a split does occur

So you'd have a lovely 9 team football conference of the 8 football schools and Navy, and a lovely basketball conference of the 8 football schools and Notre Dame. I'd take it.

There was no infraction whatsoever
blowing smoke, plus those kids, going through NFL style pratices will save them from rookie pain, plus what do you think USC goes through...

Funny thing about Jeff Long, I found out a couple of days ago I live 2 doors down from his parents (in Dayton, Ohio). I need him to hook me up with some tickets :D

I like Wanny's attitude that Pitt can be a top ten program. That's so much more refreshing than the last guy who obviously believed they weren't a top 20 program. How can anyone expect the team to perform better than a coach believes they can?

I believe the 3 teams you mentioned will all get to bowls. I also think one or two of the others will surprise so that we'll have at least 4 bowl teams. If there's as great a need as last year, 6-5 teams can make a bowl.

Wouldn't that be something for Notre Dame to face NCAA sanctions? Has that ever happened in history? Weiss's honeymoon might be short-lived.

Now for the WISH LIST. This is the one that has everybody talking. I sure wish I had a definition of short term. To me, long term has always been five plus years. Short term, on the other hand, normally meant within 3 plus years.

1. 9th conference member
2. end to ND affiliation
3. BE split
4. end to MT's contract

He said, “two of those will happen in the short term, one longer term.