Who is Charlie Weis
Charlie Weis (born March 30, 1956 in Trenton, New Jersey) is a former American football coach — widely known for his time as head coach at major U.S. college football programs and as an offensive coordinator in the NFL.
Weis graduated from University of Notre Dame in 1978 and began coaching at high-school, then college, and finally professional levels.
Teams Coached & Career Highlights
Here is a summary of Weis’s major coaching stints over his career:
| Period | Role | Team / Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| 1990–1992 | Assistant / Running Backs Coach | New York Giants (NFL) |
| 1993–1996 | Tight Ends / Running Backs / Wide Receivers Coach | New England Patriots (NFL) |
| 1997–1999 | Offensive Coordinator | New York Jets (NFL) |
| 2000–2004 | Offensive Coordinator | New England Patriots — part of a dominant era that yielded three Super Bowl victories during his tenure. |
| 2005–2009 | Head Coach | Notre Dame Fighting Irish (College) — first alumnus to get the full head-coach role at Notre Dame in decades. |
| 2010 | Offensive Coordinator | Kansas City chiefs (NFL) |
| 2011 | Offensive Coordinator | Florida Gators (College) |
| 2012–2014 | Head Coach | Kansas Jayhawks (College) — final head-coach role before being dismissed after poor performance. |
Record & Legacy
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As a college head coach (Notre Dame + Kansas), his overall record was 41–49.
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During his NFL career, Weis served as offensive coordinator for teams that were among the league’s elite, contributing significantly to offensive success.
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At Notre Dame, Weis was hired on December 12, 2004, making him the 28th head coach in the school’s storied football history.
Net Worth & Earnings — The Money Story
The financial side of Charlie Weis’s career is as notorious as his on-field work. Key points:
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According to one profile, his estimated net worth is around US $8 million.
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However, his actual lifetime earnings — largely driven by coaching contracts and buyouts — are significantly higher.
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After being fired from Notre Dame Fighting Irish in 2009, he received a buyout of approximately US $19 million spread over several years.
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When his tenure at Kansas Jayhawks ended in 2014, he was owed about US $5.6 million under his contract buyout terms.
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Some sources estimate that total compensation from both schools — including buyouts — ballooned to over US $24 million for what amounted to “not coaching.”
Because of these buyouts and prior NFL earnings, the headline figures around his “net worth” are often debated — but there’s little doubt that Weis was financially very secure, even during extended periods out of coaching.
The Story — Rise, Fall, and Impact
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Charlie Weis earned his reputation in the NFL, working under legendary coaches, and being part of multiple Super Bowl-winning staffs.
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In 2005, he made a high-profile move to college football by becoming head coach at his alma mater, Notre Dame, generating big expectations.
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Though he delivered early seasons with solid win totals (including a 10–2 regular season in 2006), his tenure had mixed results and ended in dismissal in 2009.
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His subsequent stint at Kansas was unsuccessful; after a poor record and disappointing performances, he was fired mid-season in 2014.
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Despite on-field struggles late in his career, Weiss walked away with significant earnings thanks to contract structures and buyouts — a controversial but financially savvy outcome that continues to be cited when discussing big payouts in college sports.
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Post-coaching, he has remained a recognized name in football circles; though he has indicated in past interviews that he “likely is done with coaching.”
Recent News & Relevance (2024–2025)
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While Charlie Weis himself is no longer coaching, the legacy continues through his son, Charlie Weis Jr. — who has become a rising star among college offensive coordinators. That keeps the “Weis name” alive in football news.
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Because of that connection, Charlie Weis occasionally appears in media coverage — for example, in late 2025 there was reporting about his son’s potential move to another school staff, which stirred interest among fans and analysts.
Why Charlie Weis Still Matters
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Legacy of dual-league success: His career bridges the NFL and college — rare for coaches who have significant roles in both domains.
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Case study in contracts & buyouts: Weis’s story is widely cited when people discuss how coaches — even after failure — can reap enormous financial benefits through buyouts.
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Footprint through lineage: With his son active in college football coaching ranks, his influence persists; his philosophies and network continue to shape offensive football in new generations.
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Lessons in expectations vs. reality: Weis’s time at Notre Dame and Kansas illustrates the pressure and unpredictability when NFL-style coaching meets college football’s different dynamics.
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