Meyer, Weis, Wannstedt Make Coaching Debut’s
by Ty Windy
IV Leader Sports Writer
Familiar faces at new places is what college football lovers experienced as they witnessed Urban Meyer, Charlie Weis, and Dave Wannstedt make their debut with their new college football teams.
Urban Meyer, coming off a perfect 12-0 season with the Utah Ute’s, started the season off right coaching the 10th ranked Florida Gators to victory over the Wyoming Cowboys. The Florida Gators led by starting quarterback Chris Leek and school record breaking 17 consecutive passes, picked apart the Wyoming Cowboys for a dominant 32-14 victory. Leek’s 17 consecutive completions broke the school record which was held by former Florida Gator coach Steve Spurrier.
Unlike Meyer, not all three highly anticipated coaches could lead their team to victory as Charlie Weis and his Notre Dame Fighting Irish took the field against Dave Wannstedt and his alma mater Pittsburg Panthers. Weis, the former New England Patriots offensive coordinator, tried to transfer his experience with four Super Bowl championships, to South Bend and lead the Irish to a national championship. Weis started the year off right by putting up an impressive 42-21 victory over the short lived 23rd ranked Panthers from Pittsburg and newly acquired, former Miami Dolphin head coach Dave Wannstedt. Weis’ victory over Pitt earned the Fighting Irish a spot amongst the AP Top 25 poll at the 20th spot. Wannstedt’s debut was the worst debut loss by a Pitt coach since 1969.