By George, It’s Quite a Time for the Irish

What a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive.

Coach O’Leary gets axed by Notre Dame, and the guy has yet to lose a game.

Seems he never lettered or had a master’s degree, maybe now’s the time to cop a plea.

More likely he’ll cry, “My bio’s erroneous, but surely, not considered felonious.”

With Rockne and the Gipper in Notre Dame’s mind, O’Leary’s re-signation was not far behind.

One thing we know, is the next football coach, like Caesar’s wife, must be above reproach.

Ron Cooper

La Crescenta

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The year is 2004. The place, Notre Dame. It is November, and the Fighting Irish are on a 29-game winning streak, highly favored to win their third consecutive national championship under Coach George O’Leary.

It has only this morning been revealed that, 24 years ago, Coach O’Leary had falsified his resume. While fans and columnists are calling for O’Leary’s dismissal, Notre Dame Athletic Director Kevin White is addressing a battery of reporters and television cameras: “We at Notre Dame place a high value on honesty and ethical behavior, but we regard Coach O’Leary’s transgression as merely a youthful mistake and he will continue as coach here at Notre Dame as long as he wishes. Remember, one of the foremost dictums of our faith is forgiveness.”

And with that, he strides away from the podium. Call me a cynic, folks, but do I hear any arguments?

Joel Rapp

Los Angeles

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I am somewhat mystified by the deluge of criticism and the resulting precipitous action by Notre Dame regarding George O’Leary. The bio clearly reads: “3 letters as offensive lineman & fullback.” In fact, Mr. O’Leary achieved three letters while at New Hampshire--DNP.

Phil Mann

Pasadena

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I don’t understand the big fuss over George O’Leary falsifying a few statements to get a job as Notre Dame’s head coach of football. That master’s degree he claimed to have--didn’t really need it anyway. So he didn’t letter in football for three years at New Hampshire--he was hired to be a coach, not a player, right? Oh, and by the way--should The Times need a quality sportswriter--I just completed my fourth novel, soon to be appearing on the New York Times bestsellers list. And don’t overlook my PhD in rocket science. Did I mention that I was married to Morgan Fairchild? Yeah, that’s it.

J. Scott Scheffer

Victorville

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Newest addition to George O’Leary’s resume: Undefeated as Notre Dame head coach.

Jeff Cohen

Huntington Beach