Kansas City, Mo. ? All he said was, “Jordan Black, Dallas Christian High School,” but now Notre Dame fans seem furious at their former offensive lineman. On the one hand, Kansas City’s second-year tackle admits he’s miffed at his alma mater over the firing of coach Tyrone Willingham.

But he insists he was only seeking to promote his Mesquite, Texas, high school when he elected not to link his name with America’s most storied college football program during his Monday Night Football introduction.

Angry calls began flooding in at once. Close friends and total strangers alike are demanding an explanation. Message boards have been abuzz.

“As crazy as some of the comments have been, I think I’ve probably burned a lot of bridges,” said Black, who started 42 games for the Fighting Irish.

“Notre Dame thinks I’m the devil, I think.”

Black, a fifth-round draft pick in 2003, made his first NFL start at right tackle in the 49-38 victory over the Titans.

He had said before the game that he probably would identify himself by his high school, which is on a fund-raising drive. But he also made it clear he did not like the way Notre Dame had handled the coaching situation.

“It doesn’t seem like they did their homework or had a plan,” Black said Wednesday.

Willingham, whose three-year tenure was the shortest of any non-interim Notre Dame coach in 70 years, was fired with three years left on his contract and a record of 21-15.

Utah coach Urban Meyer, believed to be Notre Dame’s top pick to replace Willingham, instead took the Florida job. Notre Dame has since hired New England offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.

“I love Notre Dame and I’m grateful for what they did for me,” Black said. “But I wasn’t too impressed with the way they went about their coaching search. It didn’t seem like they had a plan at all.”

Black played for Willingham his senior year and was sorry the coach was not allowed to finish his contract.

“I had friends calling me right after the game and (Tuesday) saying, ‘What’s the deal? What are you doing?'” Black said. “There’s a message board, ‘ND Nation,’ and people are just ripping into me.”

He’s not responding.

“Some of the comments people are making don’t even deserve a response,” he said.

“I love Notre Dame. I wish them the best and I always will. It was just a situation where I wanted to promote my high school, and all the ND alums out there, or whoever they are, didn’t like it.

“There are a lot of people who are hacked off at me.”