Report: Irish paid fortune to fire Weis

Published May. 20, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

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Notre Dame paid more than $6.6 million and counting to sever the contract of former football coach Charlie Weis in 2009, the Chicago Tribune reported Friday.

The newspaper cited federal tax documents that confirmed Weis, now offensive coordinator for the Florida Gators, was still earning smaller payments from the Irish, an arrangement set to run through December 2015.

The expense was the result of rewarding Weis with a lucrative 10-year contract in October 2005 and firing him in November 2009 after a 16-21 record in his final three years. His entire record was 35-27 over five seasons.

The Fighting Irish earned Bowl Championship Series bids in his first two seasons.

The Tribune quoted Form 990, which Notre Dame submitted to the IRS.

"Termination payment of $6,638,403 was made during the reporting period to Charles J. Weis under a separation agreement that includes much smaller annual payments through December 2015," the document confirmed.

Weis, 55, signed a three-year, $2.6 million deal with Florida, making him one of the highest paid assistant coaches in the country. He joined the Gators from the Kansas City Chiefs.