Carufel is MIA

[irishunclebill]

Excused for personal reasons. No other details. Seems very unlikely that he will play on Saturday. Hopefully it is not a transfer for two reasons, one, he is a starter on an OL with all sorts of problems already and very little depth. and two, he is from Cretin-Derham, the home of Michael Floyd, and ND can not afford to lose any connection to Floyd.

[therizz]

This is really, really not good. I don't see how it's going to help anything no matter what the reasons were.

[stew654]

sigh wtf is goin on.. you are a soph and starting! what else do you want. Hope this turns out to be nothing

[marv81s]

let's calm down and wait it out, it could be family related or some other personal mater, so let's not get carried away right off the bat.

[DonJuan]

Could it be a pending surgery? Sounded like Charlie didn't expect him back for awhile. Let's all say a prayer for Matt. -Don

[Flyin_Irish]

Wow. This is not cool. I doubt he's transferring (I have absolutely nothing to back this up) but losing him is huge for the line. Who starts in his place, Olsen? Wenger might not be quite healthy yet. Could Stewart possibly see some time as a back up?
Whatever happens, I hope Matt is doing well and this is nothing too serious.

[scooper]

Olsen will start. Pray he hears the whistle and stops hitting when he does.

[grungejunky]

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/aroundthebend/

that should clear up any injury rumors. bad news. gotta wonder what its like in the locker room right now, it certainly seems to be a bit divided. the kid is a starter and seeing alot of playing time so it has got to be something more than playing time. hopefully he decides to come back.

[IrishChieftain777]

It appears that Matt is seriously considering leaving the University according to this blog on the Chicago Tribune's Web site.
http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/aroundthebend/

Brian Hamilton covers the Irish for the Tribune. Highlights from the article include:
"He's struggling with if he's going to stick around there or not," Bishoff (HS assistant coach) told the Tribune. "He just doesn't know if he fit at Notre Dame like he thought he would."

Matt is supposed to decide by Sunday, with Iowa and Minnesota possible destinations.

[IrishR#1]

This sucks. Who will start? Please don't say Wenger (Wanker).

[daytonirish]

Don't understand what is going on with Matt. He had moved into the starting lineup. Maybe the staff moving players around to get the best 5 ol on the field had him worried. But really don't understand leaving N.D. for Minnesota or Iowa right now.

[lionelhutz]

I can't stop shaking my head over this one. It amazes me how USC can keep a stable full of 5 star kids happy as clams...meanwhile, we have a guy who has started 3 games as a true sophomore and he wants to leave!!!! Oh, and to top things off he graduated from the same high school as our most important recruit in the 2008 class. Carufel is supposed to let the coaches know by Sunday, if he decides to leave ND you could almost bet that Floyd will be getting fitted for sweatervests!

WTF is going on in South Bend!!!!!!!!!!!

[daytonirish]

One last coment about this from me. Lets all stop trying to read more into these tranfers than there is. If these kids want to leave, wish them well and we move on. Just because players are transfering doesn't mean there is a problem in the locker room. If their was a problem it would be all over the net by now.

[Flyin_Irish]

Olsen will start. I'm not sure Wenger is 100%, so we might see Bemenderfer or possibly even Stewart as back ups. That's all speculation, by the way.

[grungejunky]

yeah i regret saying that in my initial post. charlie did mention guys being on board and maybe others who weren't. that was more of what i was aiming at. apparently carufel was not supposed to start this saturday. i don't know how that fit into the desicion though, it still doesnt seem to be playing time b/c he is in the mix. the offensive line is a mess, factual statement.

[WheelMan]

I don't know how much I trust the Chicago blog at this point. I hope he is back on Monday.

[Flyin_Irish]

One last coment about this from me. Lets all stop trying to read more into these tranfers than there is. If these kids want to leave, wish them well and we move on. Just because players are transfering doesn't mean there is a problem in the locker room. If their was a problem it would be all over the net by now.

It's pretty easy to see how one could deduce that there is some problem in the locker room. They've had 3 guys already transfer from that class, plus 2 O linemen considering transferring. All from one recruiting class. Now, I'm not in the locker room so I can't say that there are problems for sure, but there is evidence to suggest as much. Sure, you can understand that the guys who have already transferred did so because they saw the writing on the wall that ND was not going to give them their best opportunity at playing time. But still, these guys are sophomores.

[Flyin_Irish]

Carufel apparently hadn't been to practice all week, why would he start? But before that, I think he was moved to the top of the depth chart, right?

[irishunclebill]

apparently carufel was not supposed to start this saturday.

Where did that come from? Everything that I have heard said he was going to start on Saturday until he started missing practice on Wednesday. Please clarify this because if he was not going to start before he left the team, that may explain, although not even in the slightest manner excuse, his actions somewhat.

[irishunclebill]

Carufel apparently hadn't been to practice all week, why would he start? But before that, I think he was moved to the top of the depth chart, right?

The ND media guide info for the BC game lists Carufel as the starter.

[jonesman]

Guys,
This is a difficult situation that CW is starting to face. Some transfers are completely understandable, but others start to point to a problem with the leadership. This one NOBODY saw coming. With D. Jones it is very apparent that he wanted to be the THE man at QB, so when he did not get the job, he was going to leave. Zach Frazer saw the log jam at QB and also Dayne Crist coming, he knew his playing days were done. He made a clean and nice departure. Stewart was suffering some of the homesick, non playing blues. So, he was understandable. Rueland and Carufel really are concerning. Rueland was playing alot and with Carlson graduating, he would be right in the mix. This is especially true if Yeatman decides to go Lacrosse only next year. In the end, he was not homesick since he is looking at Alabama. Carufel had a bright future at ND. He was starting and playing fairly well. ND just got an emotionally charged win and with BC coming in, he had a great chance for a huge win at home this week. These last two transfers point to a possible issue with how CW is leading the troops. He can be a very brash guy with a CW's way or the wrong way. If he is struggling to connect with the kids, he better look in the mirror because he will be standing on an island sooner rather than later. Let's hope I am totally off base.

[irishunclebill]

I don't know how much I trust the Chicago blog at this point. I hope he is back on Monday.

There are still some conflicting reports out there about what is happening, but the Tribune report is the only one that specifically quotes someone who has supposedly talked directly to Carufel. On the surface that would seem to lend more credence to the Tribune blog especially since it is listing the name of the Cretin-Derham coach who talked to Matt. Of course all of that is assuming that the author has some journalistic integrity, which is a major assumption these days. However, given the specificity listed in the story, it is hard to imagine that the author would risk reporting that information if it is not essentially correct.

[lionelhutz]

he astarted the last 3 games. Although he started the last 3 games because Wenger was hurt, but still Carufel was a guy, I'm sure most on this board would agree, who was expected to be a very important piece of the puzzle for the Irish not only now but down the road as well ( I believe he has 3 years of eligibility left after this season). Wenger was thought to be moved to center after this year which would make it a 2 man battle for Rt. guard next year. The tribune quotd his HS coach saying "...he wasn't sure he fit into ND the way he thought"? Does he mean fitting in w/ teammates and coaches? Academics and social life? If the coaches didn't think he could play he would'nt have started the last 3 games. It's pointless to speculate because I doubt anybody on this board knows what Matt Carufel is thinking. I admire and respect all the kids wearing the blue and gold and wish nothing but the best for all of them...including Zach Fraser, DD, and Konrad Reuland. Any fan of ND football who has closely followed the team both on and off the field must admit that there seems to be a problem.

[marv81s]

Rueland and Carufel really are concerning. Rueland was playing alot and with Carlson graduating, he would be right in the mix. This is especially true if Yeatman decides to go Lacrosse only next year. In the end, he was not homesick since he is looking at Alabama. Carufel had a bright future at ND. He was starting and playing fairly well. ND just got an emotionally charged win and with BC coming in, he had a great chance for a huge win at home this week. These last two transfers point to a possible issue with how CW is leading the troops. He can be a very brash guy with a CW's way or the wrong way. If he is struggling to connect with the kids, he better look in the mirror because he will be standing on an island sooner rather than later. Let's hope I am totally off base.

Rueland wasn't playing alot, he was passed up on the depth chart by Yeatman, and nothing points to him playing Lacrosse fulltime, especially with him be #2 right now and looking at #1 next year, and Ragone passed up Reuland for #3, so him leaving is totally understandable, especially with another #1 TE coming in next year and another damn good TE coming in. I don't blame Reuland leaving at all.

Carufel is puzzling, but lets not get carried away. There could be quite a few other things going on that we don't know about, let's not start jumping to conclusions about Weis and his leadership style. and lets not take the word of a blogspot on a chicago trib website

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I'm not surprised, nor am I worried. I'm gonna wait till the season is over and see what happens on signing day, and then look to see who wants to bail out then. That will tell alot about what is really going on.

[marv81s]

I'm not surprised, nor am I worried. I'm gonna wait till the season is over and see what happens on signing day, and then look to see who wants to bail out then. That will tell alot about what is really going on.

sounds like a wonderful idea

[stew654]

i just dont get it. :mad:

http://minnesota.scout.com/2/690024.html

dont really think this situation really has the effect everyone is thinking it will on floyd just my opinion

[irishunclebill]

i just dont get it. :mad:

http://minnesota.scout.com/2/690024.html

dont really think this situation really has the effect everyone is thinking it will on floyd just my opinion

All that article does is take the Tribune article even more out of context than it may have been in and of itself. There does seem to be some other issue with Carufel besides just "the personal dissatisfaction with the way things are going for him at ND" impression you get from the Tribune article. Not surprisingly the Scout Gopher people took the Trib article out of its' original context, which makes it sound as if it is a done deal that Carufel is history at ND, and on his way to Iowa or Minnesota. Even the Trib article did not imply that it was a done deal. Hopefully this gets resolved very quickly one way or the other because either way it is another unneccessary distraction for a struggling football team, as well as another chance for the media to take shots at the Irish.

[NDgrandson]

I am waiting this one out. :cool:

[NDGirlzRock]

I say that it's just him takin' care of business!!! Why is everyone so frickin' paranoid????

[robdog_5]

we won't know for sure till probably after sunday, let's stay positive and hope a win vs BC cures some of the blues

[NDgrandson]

No update that I can find anywhere online. If you are in Minnesota or Northern Indiana / Chicago, you may have some local stuff I have not looked at. Keep your ears out and update us when you find something new.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Word has it that he is leaving the team, and will remain at home while determining which school to enroll in next.

[NDgrandson]

Word has it that he is leaving the team, and will remain at home while determining which school to enroll in next.

Thanks for the update. I would like to know how much of this is football related.

I remember during his recruitment, his myspace page was often linked and there was a lot of info on there. I assume that has changed but if there are any stalkers, I mean, people that can find that site again, I wonder if there would be any insight there?

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I'm sure it'll come out eventually.

[marv81s]

lets just get this out of the way right now and let it be said, do not bash or insult this young lad, he made a decision, ND is not for everyone, lets wish him the best and hope it all works out for him.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Good call Marv, and thanx for providing the update for me. Reps to marv!

[irishunclebill]

Thanks for the update. I would like to know how much of this is football related.

I remember during his recruitment, his myspace page was often linked and there was a lot of info on there. I assume that has changed but if there are any stalkers, I mean, people that can find that site again, I wonder if there would be any insight there?

The PC version of this departure is that Carufel never felt like he fit in at ND, had a hard time making friends there yada, yada, yada. However, that did not seem to be a significant problem for him until he was apparently told earlier this week that Olsen would be starting ahead of him in the BC game. It was then that he decided to go home. If that is what actually happened, then there was no way that Carufel was coming back to ND. This is the playground stuff of eight year olds happening at the University of Notre Dame. Very sad indeed.

[irishunclebill]

BTW- I agree with Marv there is no place on here to insult or bash Matt. Whatever the circumstances, Carufel is a nice kid who is possibly just a bit immature. Hopefully he will find his way.

[IrishCalves]

No matter how you slice it, you can't like these mid season transfers. Only goes to embolden the arguement that Weis needs to adjust to the college game, and deal with 18 and 19 year olds a little bit better.

[Batch]

No matter how you slice it, you can't like these mid season transfers. Only goes to embolden the arguement that Weis needs to adjust to the college game, and deal with 18 and 19 year olds a little bit better.

Are you saying that you feel he doesnt need to adjust? I honestly don't know what is going on in South Bend but it is growing...

And Matt is not someone who would have been 3rd or 4th on the depth chart. Even if he wasnt starting for the BC game he would have seen alot of playing time last Saturday.

I wouldn't be concerned if these were Ty's recruits but these are kids that Weis recruited and the fact that they are leaving mid season makes me very concerned. I posted a thread earlier in the season stating that I didnt feel like the team was responding. This doesn't do anything to alleviate that concern.

Call it a conspiracy theory or whatever you want there is definately something not right within the team.

-Batch

[daytonirish]

Interesting article in the SBT. When contacted by the SBT Matt hung up the phone on them. This is the first player to transfer that I remember not wanting to talk about his reason for leaving.

[IrishCalves]

Are you saying that you feel he doesnt need to adjust?

No. I was trying to present it objectively. Some would argue these transfers reveal the true colors of the recruits he brought in. Others would say these departures are due to Weis failing to connect. I can see where both sides are coming from.

Personally? I think he has a LOT to learn. He had great success years 1 and 2, because the pieces of the puzzle were already in place; all this team needed was an offensive mind to tap into Brady Quinn, Anthony Fasano, Maurice Stovall, Jeff Samardzija, etc. They were all pre-conditioned by adversity, had stuck it out, and were mature guys waiting for someone to take them to the next level. But as for developing players, and establishing a connection with his recruits? I think its safe to say things haven't gone as well as he hoped.

All of these defections have been on OFFENSE, his specialty, so I don't see how he's not at some level of fault with these transfers. Yes, Carufel hanging up on reporters is a sign of immaturity, but honestly is it fair to pick on a 18-19 year old amature athlete who is dissatisfied? Its college; you're learning for a reason. Not every 18-19 year comes pre-packaged with emotional maturity, and someone has to have oversight of that and help them along. Charlie has to take on the responsibility of keeping these kid's noses to the grind, rather that see kids jumping ship at the first sign of adversity. Thats not how you build a championship caliber team.

[marv81s]

Calves, I totally understand what your saying, but do you honestly think the defections all being on offense are due to Weis not being able to communicate with them?

Zach, burried on the depth chart
DD, didn't sign on to be a backup
Rudolph, another depth chart issue
Carufel, pissed that he was being "demoted" to 2nd string, which given the inconsistent line play probably wasn't going to last
Stewart's brief stint, another depth chart issue


Weis's "tell it like it is" demeanor probably doesn't sit well with most of the younger kids these days, but you can't coddle these guys either. I rather have a coach tell it like it is, than some shithead hanging on my nuts like Poodle, but I'm sure I'm in the minority.

I am sure most of the kids don't like the way Weis treats them, but I guarantee you that if they were 6-1 rather than 1-6, it wouldn't be an issue.

[Sureal]

Calves, I totally understand what your saying, but do you honestly think the defections all being on offense are due to Weis not being able to communicate with them?

Zach, burried on the depth chart
DD, didn't sign on to be a backup
Rudolph, another depth chart issue
Carufel, pissed that he was being "demoted" to 2nd string, which given the inconsistent line play probably wasn't going to last
Stewart's brief stint, another depth chart issue


Weis's "tell it like it is" demeanor probably doesn't sit well with most of the younger kids these days, but you can't coddle these guys either. I rather have a coach tell it like it is, than some shithead hanging on my nuts like Poodle, but I'm sure I'm in the minority.

I am sure most of the kids don't like the way Weis treats them, but I guarantee you that if they were 6-1 rather than 1-6, it wouldn't be an issue.

With all the depth chart "stuff"(good problems IMO) I wonder if other programs go through the same mess we are with transfers. I can understand transfers after a season but not during the season. That is what's bothering me the most

(I would like to say more but I am in a hurry to look at Marv's new avatar so I can't fully concentrate.)

[NDisNCin2010]

Calves, I totally understand what your saying, but do you honestly think the defections all being on offense are due to Weis not being able to communicate with them?

Zach, burried on the depth chart
DD, didn't sign on to be a backup
Rudolph, another depth chart issue
Carufel, pissed that he was being "demoted" to 2nd string, which given the inconsistent line play probably wasn't going to last
Stewart's brief stint, another depth chart issue


Weis's "tell it like it is" demeanor probably doesn't sit well with most of the younger kids these days, but you can't coddle these guys either. I rather have a coach tell it like it is, than some shithead hanging on my nuts like Poodle, but I'm sure I'm in the minority.

I am sure most of the kids don't like the way Weis treats them, but I guarantee you that if they were 6-1 rather than 1-6, it wouldn't be an issue.

edit above to Reuland, (not Rudolph)..i know things seem bad but a guy transferring from ND before he even graduates High school would surely be a first!

[NDGirlzRock]

Case in point....how many transfers did USCless have this year....3 or 4 I believe. (Don't quote me on that #) They are stocked at every position. You gotta think that these kids want to play. Plus, there are cases of guys not fitting in, it's just a fact of life.

[marv81s]

thanks for correcting that, i must have distracted myself with my avatar

the in season transfers puzzle me too, I understand why DD did when he did, so he could be elgible to play next year.

The other 2, I have no idea why they did when the did. Only thing I can think of is that if they weren't going to contribute now, then why waste their time and be a distraction. Your in or your out, but I have a hard time buying that one with this latest transfer, but either way he is gone and if its because he was homesick and/or just didn't fit in, fine, best of luck to him either way

[daytonirish]

Question for everyone. Would we all be this worried or talking about Charlie having problems with his recruits if we were winning? Or is it that when were winning and kids transfer it's because they weren't getting playing time and want to be somwhere that they get the playing time they think they deserve?

[IrishCalves]

Dayton: I think this transfer in particular stirred the pot more. The guy was starting, and it was obvious to anyone that the OL shuffle wasn't at an end. He was going to get another shot in the lineup, so yeah, I'd be alarmed if a guy who started last week went home the next, and transfered that following Monday, even if we were 6-1. Its not that we all think the sky is falling; its that these are mid-season transfers for guys who honestly had real hope at moving up the depth chart.

marv81s: Its not simply because of Weis's communication. That was the main gist of what I said, but there's a lot more to it than communication. I also think that a lot of these kids may have signed on the dotted line for the wrong reasons. I can't help but wonder if Weis was leaning on the playing time pitch more than the tried and true ones at Notre Dame; academics, tradition, the program itself. Recruiting pitches are a two way street, but you can't deny it: if the kids came for the school, or the program, as much or moreso than the depth chart, or the teams W-L record, these defections wouldn't be happening either.

Point of it all being, its a very complicated, layered scenario, and there's no simple reason why this is happening. Can't pin it all on Weis; can't pin it all on the kids. Nor can you completely absolve either party. I'm just trying to get at more thought out reasons than, "We're losing and these kids are cry babies when they don't get playing time!", which is a summation of some of the explanations I've heard from other ND fans/sentiments.

[WheelMan]

Question for everyone. Would we all be this worried or talking about Charlie having problems with his recruits if we were winning? Or is it that when were winning and kids transfer it's because they weren't getting playing time and want to be somwhere that they get the playing time they think they deserve?

I think it only bothers people since we are not winning this year. On my way home after the game, I was listing to the post game show. I forget who it was, but he was talking about the players that have transferred in the past. It is a bigger deal when it happens at ND and when the recruit is highly rated coming into ND. If it was some 3rd or 4th string that was not that highly recruited, then no one would care.

When I look at the o-line, I can not think of what they must hear about how bad they are playing this year. If you read anything talking about ND and what it needs to improve it is the o-line. It is no surprise that one of them would not feel like hanging in at ND if they are feeling like they are the reason ND is not doing well this year. If you have started 3 games and are getting pulled for someone else, then you might think you are getting blamed for the problems. IMO

We will be fine and this has happen over the year at ND and will continue to happen. When we are winning it is easier to stick with the team as a player and as a fan.

[Batch]

Case in point....how many transfers did USCless have this year....3 or 4 I believe. (Don't quote me on that #) They are stocked at every position. You gotta think that these kids want to play. Plus, there are cases of guys not fitting in, it's just a fact of life.


They had 2, both of which occurred in camp. Not even a sniff of a transfer since.


Question for everyone. Would we all be this worried or talking about Charlie having problems with his recruits if we were winning? Or is it that when were winning and kids transfer it's because they weren't getting playing time and want to be somwhere that they get the playing time they think they deserve?

My concern is how do we start winning if we keep losing players. Luckily the class that seems to be having problems, is rather large.

-Batch

[daytonirish]

Calves: I understand what your saying. And I agree that you can't lay the blame on just one party or the other. I'm just getting tired of all the conspiracy folks running around right now. As far as Matt goes I guess if he would give someone his side of the story it would allow us all a better chance to understand his reason for leaving. I believe thats one big reason why his transfer is causing so many questions right now. Here's hoping when he's ready he'll tell his side . I don't try and bash the players who transfer, I wish them all the best and hope things turn out the way they plan.

[irishunclebill]

Calves: I understand what your saying. And I agree that you can't lay the blame on just one party or the other. I'm just getting tired of all the conspiracy folks running around right now. As far as Matt goes I guess if he would give someone his side of the story it would allow us all a better chance to understand his reason for leaving. I believe thats one big reason why his transfer is causing so many questions right now. Here's hoping when he's ready he'll tell his side . I don't try and bash the players who transfer, I wish them all the best and hope things turn out the way they plan.

I would not be waiting with baited breath to hear directly from Carufel to explain himself, and I don't blame him for not doing so. Carufel will be speaking only through his former High School coaches so as to not jeopardize his scholly chances at Minny or Iowa. The party line is already established that he left ND because he did not fit in, did not make friends etc. That is most likely true, but it is obvious that the actual reason for his departure is that he was a starter who was told he was losing his job to Eric Olsen, and his reaction to this combined with his general unhappiness at ND led to his leaving. The only real speculation about this aspect of it is whether Carufel would have left if it was Wenger who was going to take over his spot, when Wenger only lost the starting spot due to injury. In any case, it's a no win situation for Carufel to explain his actions directly, if he uses the "could not find friends" reason, he is branded on the ND message boards as a loser and a sissy, if he uses the "lost my starting job" reason, he is branded as a baby who puts himself above the team. No wonder he hung up on the SBT. His best course of action is to remain silent, and ND's best course of action is to move on without him.

[daytonirish]

But as a coach of the team he wants to tranfer to don't you want to know the reason a player left his former team? You have to look at it as to how it will affect the players you already have on your team?

[Sureal]

So when do we get his scholarship? Or a better question to pose is how does this process work now? When does he get released,etc...

I know that we been through alot of these already but if somebody can explain the administrative side to it for me that would be great. Thanks in advance!!!

[irishunclebill]

But as a coach of the team he wants to tranfer to don't you want to know the reason a player left his former team? You have to look at it as to how it will affect the players you already have on your team?

As a coach I surely do, but as Matt Carufel do I tell that coach the truth, which is now fully coming out even from Irish recruiting site Mods, which is basically he quit. Brewster and Ferentz will be easily able to discern this anyway because it is no longer a secret. CBS SportsLine has the story up now about Carufel being supplanted by Olson as the starter for BC. Carufel's story line has to be that he was unhappy at Notre Dame, which is also true anyway. It makes no difference in the end because Carufel will have no problem at all getting a new schollie, especially from Brewster & Minny, who will hope to capitalize on this fiasco to still try to lure Floyd to the Gophers, even though they have no shot at him.

[irishunclebill]

So when do we get his scholarship? Or a better question to pose is how does this process work now? When does he get released,etc...

I know that we been through alot of these already but if somebody can explain the administrative side to it for me that would be great. Thanks in advance!!!

I would guess that Carufel's schollie will not actually be released until ND is sure of where he is headed, but since it almost certainly seems to be to either Minny or Iowa, that is basically a mere formality at this time. I have already adjusted the GH Scholarship Breakdown to take into account Carufel's departure as it is almost an absolute certainty that his schollie will now be available for the 2008 class.

As to how it affects Carufel's remaining NCAA eligibilty and when he can play again for another team, that one is really complicated, and I would not venture to even guess how the NCAA rules apply to a mid-season transfer for a player who has had as much PT as Carufel had this year.

[daytonirish]

Yeah I can understand him getting one from Minny, but I would not understand him getting one from Iowa and Ferentz. I understand his team is having a down year, but they did just beat a top 25 team sat. And even though his players might not know what happened now I'm sure they would find out soon enough. Also I agree with Minny having no shot with Floyd.

[NDisNCin2010]

http://www.blueandgold.com/content/?aid=4521

From B+G article by Lou Somogyi...from Carufels coach:

“I am not placing blame on Notre Dame and the staff or Matt,” Cretin-Derham Hall assistant coach Andy Bischoff told BlueandGold.com web editor John Haynsworth late Sunday night. “Unfortunately it was just a bad marriage and Matt ended up very unhappy as a person.

“Football was a huge factor but there were other factors to his decision other than football. He never made a bunch of friends in or outside of football. He missed home and school was hard on him. He is a pretty quiet kid that keeps to himself and just never really felt comfortable, but we have other kids who have had good experiences and we will continue to support kids looking at Notre Dame if that is a school they are interested in.” Yo Floyd!

[stonebreakerwasgod]

Nice comment from the coach. Well CW, we could use at least 2 more OL this go round. Get on it!

[goirish41]

In all my years of playing sports, if I ever lost my position to someone else, that was my que to work harder to earn it back. A guy who quits because he gets passed up on the depth chart is, well, a quitter. Because of that, I'm not too upset that he left. I'm not trying to bash Matt here, but he's not going to succeed anywhere if that is his attitude.

[Flyin_Irish]

Has it been confirmed that Carufel was informed that he would not start this week? He was listed as #1 on the depth chart. And honestly, I thought he was doing a decent job at RG. Sure, he has room to improve, but he's a soph and compared to the other options, he was pretty effective.

[mlcspinner]

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10410205

a little more info


leave because you lose the starting job ? I don't know about that :confused:

[marv81s]

sometimes things are just that simple and silly spinner

[stonebreakerwasgod]

I'm not gonna say anything bad about thiswussbecause he left with class.

[futurendcoach]

+flying irish you don't have any idea on how good he was playing, you know nothing of football.

[irishunclebill]

Just so we can dispel any further conversation that Matt Carufel departed Notre Dame with class, I direct you to this lovely article from the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

http://www.startribune.com/507/story/1491954.html

Here is the Carufel part so you do not have to scroll down.


Carufel visits U

Matt Carufel, the former Cretin-Derham Hall standout offensive lineman who has left Notre Dame, was a spectator at Gophers football practice Wednesday and said he is interested in Minnesota, but might visit Iowa, too. He would have to sit out a year if he transferred.

Asked about Litchfield (Minn.) tight end John Carlson, who is a senior All-America candidate at Notre Dame, Carufel said: "How can he be doing anything the way things are going?" He said defensive end Trevor Laws, an Apple Valley graduate, is one of the Irish starters.

Speaking about the Irish's 1-6 record, Carufel said, "There are more reasons why Notre Dame isn't winning than why they should," but he declined to elaborate further.

So, let's get this straight. You lose your starting job and your reaction is to quit on your teammates and your team instead of working harder to get the job back. Then you go running home in the middle of a football season and a school term like a spoiled little boy who did not get his way. Now, you bad mouth your former team and teammates, while at the same time you lack the cojones to elaborate on the reasons "why Notre Dame isn't winning. I'm afraid class is not the proper word to describe Matt Carufel. Words that come to my mind for me are bitter, gutless, bi**h, pu**y, coward, and so on.

This should also dispel any thoughts in anyone's mind that this kid wil not be a negative influence on Michael Floyd with regards to Notre Dame. The only good thing about his obvious bitterness coming out in the press is that Floyd, who seems to be as level-headed as EJ, will see these comments for what they really are, the sour-grape ramblings of an immature kid who could not deal with competing for playing time while his team was struggling through adversity.

[jonesman]

His comment is very confusing. He said that John Carlson is struggling,but then there is the statement about Laws starting. What is that all about??? I do not see much in this comment. On the comment about reasons we are losing, he should have just kept his mouth shut.

[stew654]

This is just another reason why the oline play has been less than inspiring .. you throw in a player who has already mentally quit fighting because of whatever selfish reasons. Its no wonder there were breakdowns. I know you cant blame everything on this but obviously it didnt help the situation. Anyways i like Olsen and Wenger's upside...lets get trev and page in here stat!

[williamson143]

Have to agree, Stew. I wonder if Carufel's comments are symptomatic of the problems with the O-line. Perhaps the affliction has been purged?

[daytonirish]

The way he talks now he'll end up at Minny.Hometown school continue to say negative things about N.D. and play for a losing school and team. But he'll be the big man on campus and will be able tospend time with the family pets and mommy taking care of him.

[stew654]

Have to agree, Stew. I wonder if Carufel's comments are symptomatic of the problems with the O-line. Perhaps the affliction has been purged?


Cut the cancer out this season, whoever has to go BYE!...Lets get all the growing pains out
and start to show some improvements and positive momentum goin into next year.
Put up a good fight vs usc..impress floyd, baldwin, trev and page then win the games nd should (navy,AF,duke, stanford). Keep the recruits we have happy sign them all. Dont waste summer/spring installing option offense...there problems solved....we there yet?

[daytonirish]

Hey stew, we don't put up a good fight agianst usc. We destroy the poodle and the rest of them boys from the west coast.

[irishunclebill]

FWIW- An on-campus source who will not provide any details to back up his assertion, but has been known to provide very reliable information in the past, is saying that the real reason for Carufel's departure is academic, and that he lost his starting job primarily due to that factor, and the possibility of his becoming academically ineligible. If this is accurate, his true reasons for leaving mid-semester are starting to become crystal clear.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

The bible is a religious books. The others are for studying. Sometimes you gotta open them up.

(and yeah, I googled Bible to make sure)

[NDisNCin2010]

FWIW- An on-campus source who will not provide any details to back up his assertion, but has been known to provide very reliable information in the past, is saying that the real reason for Carufel's departure is academic, and that he lost his starting job primarily due to that factor, and the possibility of his becoming academically ineligible. If this is accurate, his true reasons for leaving mid-semester are starting to become crystal clear.

this would be the WORSE reason for him having to leave! ND above all other schools in D-1 prides itself on graduating and assisiting its players along the way, providing help, tutors, guidance etc...if they cant keep a starting football player eligible who had a private school high school education then either: A) CW lowered the ND academic standards to get the guy here in first place or B) Carufel was smart enough to cut it and had the academic chops, and somehow CW staff/admins allowed this to happen.
becoming academically ineligible doesnt happen overnight...

[NDGirlzRock]

this would be the WORSE reason for him having to leave! ND above all other schools in D-1 prides itself on graduating and assisiting its players along the way, providing help, tutors, guidance etc...if they cant keep a starting football player eligible who had a private school high school education then either: A) CW lowered the ND academic standards to get the guy here in first place or B) Carufel was smart enough to cut it and had the academic chops, and somehow CW staff/admins allowed this to happen.
becoming academically ineligible doesnt happen overnight...

Yeah, but if you're a winney a**, there is not much the ND medicine can do for you. The "KID" needs to grow up???

[irishunclebill]

this would be the WORSE reason for him having to leave! ND above all other schools in D-1 prides itself on graduating and assisiting its players along the way, providing help, tutors, guidance etc...if they cant keep a starting football player eligible who had a private school high school education then either: A) CW lowered the ND academic standards to get the guy here in first place or B) Carufel was smart enough to cut it and had the academic chops, and somehow CW staff/admins allowed this to happen.
becoming academically ineligible doesnt happen overnight...

I disagree. The reason this person spoke up at all is because of Carufel opening his mouth to the Star Tribune. Carufel is obviously a very immature kid, and immaturity of that caliber lends itself to disregarding the help that is available to him. On the whole ND graduates 98% of their incoming freshman, and part of the reason for that is that the students tend to help each other out. Given that Carufel's lack of social skills at ND has been documented, he obviously did not take advantage of that.

In addition, for incoming freshman football players that 98 % number is lower for various reasons, but historically 1 out of 20 players will not graduate purely because of academics. Apparently, Carufel would have been in that 5% category.

There is an old saying that is trite but true. You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make him drink.

[The Jester]

this would be the WORSE reason for him having to leave! ND above all other schools in D-1 prides itself on graduating and assisiting its players along the way, providing help, tutors, guidance etc...if they cant keep a starting football player eligible who had a private school high school education then either: A) CW lowered the ND academic standards to get the guy here in first place or B) Carufel was smart enough to cut it and had the academic chops, and somehow CW staff/admins allowed this to happen.
becoming academically ineligible doesnt happen overnight...

Having worked for the basketball team at my University, I can say that the tutoring, guidance, etc... is not something unique to Notre Dame. Most, if not all universities seem to have these precautions in place. Student-athletes from all over the country become academically ineligible. It is simply unrealistic to expect anyone to do their job with 100% accuracy, even at Notre Dame.

I also disagree with your assertion that academic eligibility can't happen overnight. Carufel was a sophmore at Notre Dame. It is my understanding that all Notre Dame freshman are required to go through a first year of studies program, which I'm sure would include several introductory courses rather than immediate focus in one particular area of study. Perhaps the courses in Carufel's major were more difficult than he had anticipated. It would have taken a year to figure this out due to the first year of studies program. Does anyone know what Carufel's major is? Maybe the classes will be easier at Minnesota or Iowa.

[NDisNCin2010]

There is an old saying that is trite but true. You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make him drink.

maybe thats what this, as you guys call him "social misfit" needed...a couple drinks to loosen up a bit.

in the end, F this guy, he's dead to me now, im just worried that he doesnt screw up the Floyd recruitment at this point.

[irishunclebill]

Having worked for the basketball team at my University, I can say that the tutoring, guidance, etc... is not something unique to Notre Dame. Most, if not all universities seem to have these precautions in place. Student-athletes from all over the country become academically ineligible. It is simply unrealistic to expect anyone to do their job with 100% accuracy, even at Notre Dame.

I also disagree with your assertion that academic eligibility can't happen overnight. Carufel was a sophmore at Notre Dame. It is my understanding that all Notre Dame freshman are required to go through a first year of studies program, which I'm sure would include several introductory courses rather than immediate focus in one particular area of study. Perhaps the courses in Carufel's major were more difficult than he had anticipated. It would have taken a year to figure this out due to the first year of studies program. Does anyone know what Carufel's major is? Maybe the classes will be easier at Minnesota or Iowa.

You are absolutely right about ND's FYS program for Freshman, and partly because of that you do not have to declare a major in the first semester of sophomore year. I don't know whether Carufel did declare a major or not, but I would guess that if he did it would probably be something like WHINING.;)

[irishunclebill]

There is an old saying that is trite but true. You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make him drink.

maybe thats what this, as you guys call him "social misfit" needed...a couple drinks to loosen up a bit.

in the end, F this guy, he's dead to me now, im just worried that he doesnt screw up the Floyd recruitment at this point.

LOL- true dat on both points.

[goirish41]

There is an old saying that is trite but true. You can lead a horse to water, but you can not make him drink.

maybe thats what this, as you guys call him "social misfit" needed...a couple drinks to loosen up a bit.

in the end, F this guy, he's dead to me now, im just worried that he doesnt screw up the Floyd recruitment at this point.

:D

[therizz]

Looks like Matt is going to enroll at Minnesota with T Brewster.

http://slog.cstv.com/hodgereport_fb/

[IrishKnight1023]

I really think Minnesota is worse than us and the future looks bad for them which is the only thing we've got going for us.....recruiting and the future.

[stonebreakerwasgod]

In two years, we'll be pretty damn good, not so much for Minny.