With the Fighting Irish in the market for a new football coach, It seems that Notre Dame is in the news cycle 24 hours a day.

Why would anyone ever expect anything different?

The football program may have become an enbarrassment with back-to-back six-win campaigns and 21 losses in the
last three seasons, but it is not irrelevant, despite the claims of ESPN commentator Kirk Herbstreit. Notre Dame football will never, ever be irrelevant, even if the Irish go 0-12:

Having said that, we look at some of the Notre Dame news items of the day: .

First news item -- Weis backs off bizarre comments directed at Southern California coach Pete Carroll.

The recently fired Weis apparently was complaining about a perceived double standard, saying that he is criticized for
cursing on the sideline while the media ignores Carroll "living with a graduate student in Malibu."

Okay, we understand Weis is upset about losing his job, but why in the name of the Four Horsemen would he feel compelled to comment on Carroll's living arrangements? Who cares, and why is it the business of Weis? Are we back in junior high school?

Frankly, we're surprised Weis didn't tell Carroll that his mother wears army boots. What a joke this guy became. As far
as we're concerned, he couldn't get out of South Bend fast enough.

The only people who should be upset with his dismissal are the restaurant owners in South Bend. Okay, that's a cheap shot.

Item No. 2 -- Notre Dame quarterback Jimmy Clausen opting for NFL draft.

We're disappointed, as we would have liked to see Clausen return for his senior year, but hardly surprised. No one could ever really be blamed for wanting to take the money and run.

We have no problem will Clausen, who matured a great deal this year and became even more of a team leader. Of course, this is the difference between he and Brady Quinn. The latter stayed all four years at Notre Dame, showing
more loyalty to his alma mater.

It seems quite apparent that Clausen no longer wanted to be part of the circus that Notre Dame has become and didn't want to play for another coach.

One also wonders if the injury this year to Oklahoma quarterback Sam Bradford influenced Clausen's decision to enter the draft. We also wonder if the sucker punch he took from a irate fan outside a South Bend bar following a double
overtime loss to UConn also had anything to do with his decision.

"Coach Weis told me whether he was going to be here or not be here, it was time for me to go," Clausen said. "He thought I've improved so much since I came to Notre Dame. So, I'm taking his advice, and I'm going to head out."

The new coach - whomever he is - will be without Notre Dame's two best offensive weapons, as wide receiver Golden Tate also announced he is leaving Notre Dame for the draft.

Item No. 3 -- No bowl game for the Irish.

Athletic director Jack Swarbrick said Notre Dame will not be going to a bowl game because of "unique circumstances." Here's the unique circumstances, Jack - the team stinks.

It truly would have been an embarrassment - and a sign that the school has no shame - if the Irish accepted a bowl
bid after losing their final four games. Notre Dame made the right decision, even though some lesser bowl no doubt wold have offered an invitation.

Item No. 4 -- ESPN reports Irish to interview Brian Kelly.

After Oklahoma's Bob Stoops said he is not interested, Kelly appears to be at the top of the Irish's radar. He's also our No. 1 choice. Do whatever it takes to get him to South Bend. We like his passion, his intensity, and he has the rigtt name.

Of course, we also said that about another Irishman - George O'Leary - until he fudged his resume.

Item No. 5 -- Can Harangody break Austin Carr's scoring record?

Now it's time to turn our attention to hoops and Luke Harangody's pursuit of Austin Carr's all-time Notre Dame scoring
record. off 2,560 points.

Can Harangody accomplish the feat? It will be close. His chances would be aided if the Irish could win a game or two in the Big East tournament for a change, thereby giving "Gody an opportunity to score more points.

Here's the biggest issue -- Wll he able to put up the big numbers when the Irish get into conference play and he faces constant double- and triple-team coverage? We're not sure the Irish have a second - or third - scoring option to take some of the presssure off 'Gody.

Through nine games, Harangody is averaging 25.7 points against admittedly inferior competition. He entered his senior season with 1,823 career points, leaving him 738 shy of Carr's mark.

Including at least one contest in the Big East tournament, Notre Dame is guaranteed of playing 32 games this season, and that's if they don't qualify for a postseason tournament, though in all likelihood the Irish at least will make the NIT.

In a 32-game campaign, Harangody would have to average 23.1 points - definitely doable. Last year, he averaged 23.3 points, but Notre Dame's supporting cast may have been better.

Let's say Notre Dame wins a first-round game in the Big East tournament and reaches at least the second round of the NIT for a 35-game campaign. In that case, Harangody would have to average 21.1 points. That's a big difference.