A Great Financial Move

When former Offensive Coordinator Charlie Weis left the Pats after the 2004 season, he had nothing but the future ahead of him. After helping Coach Belichick win three Super Bowls, he was headed back to coach at Notre Dame, his alma mater. He was the toast of the town when he got there.

Half-way through the 2005 season, he signed a five year contract extension which committed him to the school until after the 2015 season. He lead the Fighting Irish to a 9-3 record and a Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State.

The 2006 team had a 10-3 record, but suffered a defeat to LSU in the Sugar Bowl. They also never lived up to their pre-season number two ranking.

From that point forward, it was all downhill with records of 3-9, 7-6 and 6-6. The school parted ways with him after the 2009 season. He left with a winning record of 35-27. However, they still owed him $19 million on his contract.

Weis returned to the NFL for the 2010 season as the Offensive Coordinator with the Kansas City Chiefs. His relationship with Scott Pioli probably helped get the job. However, it didn't work out and Weis left for the same position in the college ranks with the Florida Gators for the 2011 season.

He lasted one season with Florida .He grabbed an opportunity to return to the head coaching ranks and lead the University of Kansas to a 1-11 record in 2012.

In spite of it all, Weiss picked up a check from Notre Dame for almost $2 million for the 2012 season. They will be paying him thru 2015. Who knows what might have happened if he stayed with the Pats and never left? He had Tom Brady in his prime. Could they have won more Super Bowls?

We will never know, but at least Charlie made some very serious money after rising through the coaching ranks. His departure to Notre Dame was for professional advancement as well as the money. He had mixed results as a coach, but certainly made out well financially.