Frank Splitt laments the Notre Dame decision to terminate the employment of head football coach Tyrone Willingham – breaking the university’s long-standing tradition of honoring its contract commitment to their football coach. The termination was accomplished by a small group of trustees and university officials apparently without listening to and taking seriously contrary voices and prompting then president Fr. Edward Malloy to say he was “embarrassed to be president of Notre Dame” Unfortunately, incoming and sitting presidents are in no position to oppose the will of prominent and wealthy sports boosters, especially those that sit on governing boards. The action signaled the end of an era at Notre Dame as it adopted the win-at-any-cost business model of its competitors and provided yet another example of the ability of money to trump principle.
