Tim Russert On Ty Willingham: He'd Make a Great President

The Denver Post used the occasion of Tim Russert's death to re-run an interview their Adam Scheffer did with Russert in 2002, mostly about sports. In the interview Russert (who was Catholic and a big Notre Dame fan) had something very kind words for Tyrone Willingham.

AS: Which coach would make the best president?

TR: Ty Willingham. He is the most focused, disciplined, natural leader I've seen on the field. He took a program and convinced the (Notre Dame) players to believe in themselves, to return to glory, to understand that there was something bigger than themselves--a larger common purpose.

Mind you, this is just after (or during, it's unclear when exactly the interview was conducted), Willingham's 10-3 initial season with Notre Dame. Russert would likely not give the same answer now.

That said--I'll bet if you could've bet then who would be a presidential nominee in 2008, Willingham would've gotten more favorable odds than a second-term Illinois state senator named Barack Obama.