Weis fought for/championed/modernized things like training table, improved facilities, loosening up redshirt rules/early enrollees rules and re-built the recruiting program( that Ty basically destroyed). Kelly benefited from many of the battles that Weis waged.
Everybody forgets that nobody wanted the job after Ty because, among other reasons, the overall program was in abysmal shape when Ty was fired.
I'm not defending how bad a coach he was, but his effort and bombast brought ND back from Ty's death row.
PS: actually the seniors on the 05/06 were Davie's and the 12-0 team was based on Weis' senior recruits.