This week is the pre-season edition of Countdown to Kickoff, which includes a one-on-one interview with the head coach of the Irish football team, Charlie Weis.

After going 3-9 last year, one of the worst seasons in the school’s storied history, the Notre Dame football team is looking ahead to the new season. Coach Charlie Weis says he has been working to leave the past behind, and hopes that 2007 is all but forgotten.

“I think that you realize that, well, you could sit there and talk about the last two games, we won the last two games, and you can try to just play off that one. Or try to take that year and sit there and say, ‘OK, evaluate the year and then we’re moving forward. I think that anytime you wallow around, you know feeling sorry for yourself or looking for pity, it’s not happening,” explains Weis.

The Irish depth chart this year is full of young players, and with a young team comes an extra set of challenges. But Weis says although they may be young, they aren’t without experience.

“I think that it’s not really about what year they are, with exception of the incoming freshmen, it’s how much experience playing they have and I think that because we played so many of those young guys it’s not nearly the same as if you hadn’t played them yet, and now they’re gonna play for the first time.”

It's not all business for Weis, who says that the best part of the job, even after a rough season, is the players.

“These kinds are such good kids, I mean you very seldom hear about any of these guys doing anything seriously wrong, they go to class, they’re like what you want your kid to be like.”

To watch the complete one-on-one interview with Charlie Weis, just click on the links above.

And be sure to tune into WNDU at 7 p.m., August 29 for the pre-season edition of Countdown to Kickoff.

The special edition will feature players talking about blocking out last year and facing the new season, as well as a profile of new Irish assistant head coach Jon Tenuta.

Plus, hear all about Jimmy Clausen as he heads into his second year as quarterback for the Irish, more on how the offensive line has improved during the off-season, and get a peek at senior Pat Kuntz’s crazy haircut to replace last year’s Mohawk.