AT N.D., IT COMES WITH TERRITORY.

Byline: Scott Wolf Daily News Staff Writer

For the first time in more than a month, Bob Davie was able to relax as he strolled around Pitt Stadium.

A man named Mike stopped by, an old friend who played American Legion baseball in nearby Montour, where Davie grew up. ``This guy was a great catcher,'' Davie said.

Another friend named Sam came by and shook Davie's hand.

``How's your dad?'' Davie said. ``Fine,'' Sam replied.

Davie smiled as he reminisced with old friends following Notre Dame's 45-21 victory over Pittsburgh last Saturday.

When you are Notre Dame's beleaguered football coach, moments like this are fleeting, as Davie realized before he even left the stadium.

``It's not about me coming back home to Pittsburgh,'' Davie said. ``It's about our football team getting a win.''

It had been exactly 35 days since Davie had experienced a victory. And exactly 35 years since Notre Dame fans last lived through a four-game losing streak.

A loss in Pittsburgh might have made people wonder if the 43-year-old Davie would survive his inaugural season.

His 2-4 start, combined with the fact he replaced Lou Holtz, has made him the most embattled head coach east of John Robinson.

``As far as the experience of being head coach at Notre Dame, it really has been what I have expected it to be,'' said Davie, whose team plays host to USC on Saturday. ``Certainly I am disappointed that we are 2-4 right now. It is pretty much what I expected it to be, to be honest, as far as the job itself.''

That means Davie fully expected the critics to pounce if he didn't immediately win football games.

Actually, they began getting restless when Notre Dame was 1-0. A narrow season-opening victory over Georgia Tech seemed scandalous to Notre Dame supporters, and South Bend sports-talk shows were loaded with second-guessers.

Then came the four-game losing streak, last accomplished under Hugh Devore in 1963.

For Davie, the best defense has been to attack issues head on.

``At some point, playing football at Notre Dame is what it is,'' Davie said. ``Whether you are (the quarterback) or the head coach at Notre Dame, that is all part of the territory.''

In other words, what other program has its own national TV contract and a coast-to-coast following?

What other university has their sports psychologist publicly chastise impatient fans by saying, ``Don't boo. Booing hurts recruiting.''

Or the former coach offering his opinion on national TV?

``It's not talent, it's not coaching . . . it's confidence,'' Holtz said.

Davie would politely disagree.

He knew the job would be stressful, but he didn't fully appreciate the rebuilding job he inherited at a school that never admits it's rebuilding.

``I didn't realize it, but Notre Dame has been 24-19-1 in the last 44 games,'' Davie said. ``So I think we have to be realistic. There are problems that have not just developed overnight. And, I have said this before, but certain things aren't going to go away overnight.''

Translation: Holtz's recruiting dropped off dramatically his final two years and Notre Dame is in the process of paying the price for the decline.

``We have a lot of players who get a false feeling that they're a Notre Dame football player because they've played in a lot of games,'' Davie said. ``When in reality, they're really not at the level they should be at to play in these types of games.

``We have to be honest about the situation.''

Such assessments rarely came from Holtz, who spent most of his time inflating opponents. So far, it's safe to say Davie is nothing like Holtz.

``Bob carries with him that real down-to-earth, Western Pennsylvania work ethic,'' said Tommy Richards, a former Pitt football player who went to high school with Davie. ``I think that helps him deal with the external pressures and all the pulls and tugs he gets.''

When people clamored recently for reserve quarterback Jarius Jackson to replace Ron Powlus, Davie wasted little time defusing the controversy.

``I don't know how many people who (say Jackson should play more) have watched practice tapes,'' Davie said. ``People make opinions based on bits and pieces.''

Although Davie's struggling, he does have some history in his favor. Notre Dame was 1-4 in 1986, which was Holtz's first season. But the Irish won four of their final six games.

That model is making this Saturday's game with USC important, because many hope Notre Dame turned its season around by beating Pitt.

Holtz also had another advantage over Davie. He replaced Gerry Faust, which gave him a longer grace period to rebuild the Irish's image.

Those who know Davie believe he can make Notre Dame a winner, if people are patient.

``He has all the experience and qualities to be successful,'' said Texas A&M coach R.C. Slocum, where Davie spent nine years as an assistant. ``(He) will provide strong leadership to the football program. Bob Davie will do a great job for Notre Dame.''

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Photo

Photo: (color) Notre Dame coach Bob Davie, pictured as an assistant last year, has learned quickly about the pressures one faces in South Bend.

Associated Press