Charlie Weis Fired As Kansas Head Coach

This may not be the only firing you hear of in the next few days, but it certainly got the ball rolling.

According to kctv5.com in Kansas City, Kansas Jayhawks head football coach Charlie Weis has been fired.

The announcement was made by the university following a 23-0 loss to Texas on Saturday.

The story online states ...

Weis was in the third year of a five-year contract. He came to KU after being fired as Notre Dame's coach and serving a year as offensive coordinator for the Kansas City Chiefs in 2010 and a year as the University of Florida's offensive coordinator in 2011. Weis clashed with then-head coach Todd Haley during his brief tenure with the Chiefs.

Zenger named KU defensive coordinator Clint Bowen interim head coach.

"I normally do not favor changing coaches mid-season," Zenger said. "But I believe we have talented coaches and players in this program, and I think this decision gives our players the best chance to begin making progress right away."

Zenger said he informed Weiss of his decision Sunday morning, and then told the rest of the coaches.

"I appreciate what Coach Weis did with several facets of our football program," Zenger continued. "But we have not made the on-the-field progress we believe we should. I believe new leadership gives our coaches and players the best chance to make a fresh start."

Weis launched his professional coaching career in 1990 when he was named offensive assistant and assistant special teams coach under Giants head coach Bill Parcells. The Giants went on to win Super Bowl XXV at the end of that season, beating the Buffalo Bills by a score of 20–19. After Ray Handley took over as head coach in 1991, Weis stayed on as the running back coach for two seasons, then began a four-year stint with the New England Patriots.

For the first two years (1993–1994), Weis served as the tight end coach. In 1997, Weis became the offensive coordinator of the Jets in addition to duties as the team's primary receivers coach. In his second year as offensive coordinator, the Jets finished fourth in the National Football League in offense. Weis served as the team's offensive coordinator from 1997 to 1999.

Weis returned to New England Patriots following Parcells' announced retirement after the 1999 season. He served as offensive coordinator under head coach Bill Belichick from 2000 through 2004, installing the Erhardt-Perkins offensive system, and assisting the Patriots in three Super Bowl victories (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX).