SOUTH BEND, Ind. (AP) Notre Dame linebacker Courtney Watson can't wait to get back on the field.

"We want to get back out there because that's the one place we know we can control what happens," the senior said Friday as the team met with the media a day before practices were to begin. "We as a team realize that there are some things we can't control, but the things we can control we need to control in the right way."

Things seemed to be out of control at times during one of the most turbulent off-seasons in Notre Dame history. The team went through three coaches in a month.

Bob Davie was fired after a 5-6 season, and George O'Leary was hired, then resigned five days later after he admitted he lied about his athletic and academic past. Tyrone Willingham was finally hired on Dec. 31.

The Irish then lost three players accused of taking part in a rape. Other player losses included former starting quarterback Matt LoVecchio, who transferred, and Julius Jones, the leading rusher the past two seasons who has been ruled academically ineligible.

The changes left the Irish with a former walk-on and a freshman vying to be the backup quarterback. Sophomore Ryan Grant, who has 29 career carries, is the starting running back, and two safeties with a total of eight starts are likely starters.

"There are a lot of people out there saying we don't have this or we can't do that. I think all that is going to help us get more focused and achieve our goal," Watson said.

Other players agree.

"The way I look at it is: The train didn't derail. We're still full steam ahead. I'm proud of the team for the way they've handled everything. Everybody's dealt with the outside issues and stayed focused. We've handled it well," offensive tackle Jordan Black said.

Willingham, who had a 44-36-1 record in seven seasons at Stanford, said he didn't have to do anything to try to keep the team's morale up amid the turmoil.

"I didn't feel like our team at any point was demoralized. I think young people are always very concerned when something good, bad or indifferent happens to their friends," he said.

"I think our young men have the resolve that they want to be successful."

To be successful, the Irish say they need to focus on beating Maryland in the Kickoff Classic on Aug. 31, and get off to a fast start.

"If we don't go out and we don't play well in our first game, then some guys will probably go out and start thinking about last year," Watson said. "That will mess up our psyche throughout the season. We need to start well."

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