Notre Dame Head Football Coach candidate Tanner Callais -- last with the University of Texas at Austin -- has decided to withdraw his name from the Irish coaching search.
Coach Callais had been a hopeful choice for many Notre Dame alumni and fans to take over the head coaching role. His coaching experience -- including the BCS National Championship in 2005 -- and recruiting prowess had caused many to believe he could return the school's struggling football program to an elite status.
"I can't lie. Taking my name out of the running for the Notre Dame coaching job is a tough decision," Callais said. "It had been my dream since I was a little boy to be a part of the Irish tradition."
Callais cited commitments to his family as the primary reason for withdrawing his name from the search.
"When it comes down to it, I simply want to spend more time with them [referring to wife Ashley and sons Marcel and Campbell]," Callais said.
A press conference will be held Friday, December 4, 2009 at 2 p.m. on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin to discuss Coach Callais' withdrawal from the coaching search.
