As with many of you, this lost has shaken my faith to say the least. However, after taking some time to reflect I am growing more calm. The loss to NW was completely avoidable, but the season can still be salvaged. Remember Louisville is without their starting QB. USC, is actually quite similar to ND. They both are young teams with depth issues and explosive offenses. The game will be a toss-up.

 

I hope and believe ND can win 9 games. This will put BK at 46-19 for his career. A winning percentage of .707. That's not bad but a little below what we all would like. For ND 8-5 is a rebuilding year, 9-10 wins is respectable, but the 11+ win seasons must be mixed in. BK has been on the lower end of the "acceptable" spectrum in my eyes. However, it becomes easier to view him favorably when looking at his adversity that he has dealt with. He has lost/failed to keep a ton of impact talent due to rather unusual circumstances. Consider the losses of Lynch, Vanderdoes, Shepard, Greenberry, Neal, Anzalone, Darby, Kiel Yuri Wright, and the fact that if not for extreme circumstances Arik Armstead and Elijah Hood would be suiting up for ND as well. There are others as well, that's off the top of my head. Then throw in Golson's suspension, the Frozen Five, the Te'o hoax and other PR disasters and it becomes clear to me that BK has had some unprecedented bad fortune.

 

Now I realize every team has injuries, suspensions and decommits, but not to that magnitude. Given the circumstances I am willing to bet that Kelly will improve beginning with next year. At some point luck will even out.

 

Consider that the 2011 recruiting class has 12 players currently suited up for ND, and the 2012 class has 11 players left. These were supposed to be the upperclassmen group that led us and they have been gashed by departures. Starting next year the vaunted 2013 class will be juniors and my expectation will be 10 wins minimum, with the exception of the occasional reloading year where I understand that 8 or 9 wins will be the limit.

 

Given the resources and talent ND has, I refese to lower expectations. I truly believe ND can do it, and I think Kelly can lead ND to it. However, he has spent all of his bad luck.

 

Finish this year strong, finish recruiting strong, and gear up for next year. Go Irish!

As with many of you, this lost has shaken my faith to say the least. However, after taking some time to reflect I am growing more calm. The loss to NW was completely avoidable, but the season can still be salvaged. Remember Louisville is without their starting QB. USC, is actually quite similar to ND. They both are young teams with depth issues and explosive offenses. The game will be a toss-up.

 

I hope and believe ND can win 9 games. This will put BK at 46-19 for his career. A winning percentage of .707. That's not bad but a little below what we all would like. For ND 8-5 is a rebuilding year, 9-10 wins is respectable, but the 11+ win seasons must be mixed in. BK has been on the lower end of the "acceptable" spectrum in my eyes. However, it becomes easier to view him favorably when looking at his adversity that he has dealt with. He has lost/failed to keep a ton of impact talent due to rather unusual circumstances. Consider the losses of Lynch, Vanderdoes, Shepard, Greenberry, Neal, Anzalone, Darby, Kiel Yuri Wright, and the fact that if not for extreme circumstances Arik Armstead and Elijah Hood would be suiting up for ND as well. There are others as well, that's off the top of my head. Then throw in Golson's suspension, the Frozen Five, the Te'o hoax and other PR disasters and it becomes clear to me that BK has had some unprecedented bad fortune.

 

Now I realize every team has injuries, suspensions and decommits, but not to that magnitude. Given the circumstances I am willing to bet that Kelly will improve beginning with next year. At some point luck will even out.

 

Consider that the 2011 recruiting class has 12 players currently suited up for ND, and the 2012 class has 11 players left. These were supposed to be the upperclassmen group that led us and they have been gashed by departures. Starting next year the vaunted 2013 class will be juniors and my expectation will be 10 wins minimum, with the exception of the occasional reloading year where I understand that 8 or 9 wins will be the limit.

 

Given the resources and talent ND has, I refese to lower expectations. I truly believe ND can do it, and I think Kelly can lead ND to it. However, he has spent all of his bad luck.

 

Finish this year strong, finish recruiting strong, and gear up for next year. Go Irish!

he'd be 60-5 if he wasn't so pigheaded.......

As with many of you, this lost has shaken my faith to say the least. However, after taking some time to reflect I am growing more calm. The loss to NW was completely avoidable, but the season can still be salvaged. Remember Louisville is without their starting QB. USC, is actually quite similar to ND. They both are young teams with depth issues and explosive offenses. The game will be a toss-up.

 

I hope and believe ND can win 9 games. This will put BK at 46-19 for his career. A winning percentage of .707. That's not bad but a little below what we all would like. For ND 8-5 is a rebuilding year, 9-10 wins is respectable, but the 11+ win seasons must be mixed in. BK has been on the lower end of the "acceptable" spectrum in my eyes. However, it becomes easier to view him favorably when looking at his adversity that he has dealt with. He has lost/failed to keep a ton of impact talent due to rather unusual circumstances. Consider the losses of Lynch, Vanderdoes, Shepard, Greenberry, Neal, Anzalone, Darby, Kiel Yuri Wright, and the fact that if not for extreme circumstances Arik Armstead and Elijah Hood would be suiting up for ND as well. There are others as well, that's off the top of my head. Then throw in Golson's suspension, the Frozen Five, the Te'o hoax and other PR disasters and it becomes clear to me that BK has had some unprecedented bad fortune.

 

Now I realize every team has injuries, suspensions and decommits, but not to that magnitude. Given the circumstances I am willing to bet that Kelly will improve beginning with next year. At some point luck will even out.

 

Consider that the 2011 recruiting class has 12 players currently suited up for ND, and the 2012 class has 11 players left. These were supposed to be the upperclassmen group that led us and they have been gashed by departures. Starting next year the vaunted 2013 class will be juniors and my expectation will be 10 wins minimum, with the exception of the occasional reloading year where I understand that 8 or 9 wins will be the limit.

 

Given the resources and talent ND has, I refese to lower expectations. I truly believe ND can do it, and I think Kelly can lead ND to it. However, he has spent all of his bad luck.

 

Finish this year strong, finish recruiting strong, and gear up for next year. Go Irish!

 

I have been in sales for more than 20 years. Coaching can easily be compared to sales as you are only as good as your last sale/win. Ask yourself, if you had this level of unprecedented bad fortune in your job, would you still be employed? I can say confidently had I experienced this bad fortune as a sales rep, I would have been updating my resume.

 

At some point you need to acknowledge the pattern of events BK has directed on and off the field at Notre Dame. Regardless of whether he had control over Tommy Rees punching a cop, or the wind blowing the scaffolding over, everything has happened while Brian Kelly was in command.

 

I like him, but it has been a bit of a **** show since he arrived. Combine that with his game production and the picture starts to become clear. It's not too impressive. I can deal with that. What I cannot tolerate however, is Brian Kelly's absolute refusal to accept responsibility publicly.

 

The Captain of the Titanic was sleeping when the ship hit the iceberg but he still went down with the ship. I expect nothing less from Brian Kelly.

Edited November 16, 201410 yr by indyirishdad

I have been in sales for more than 20 years. Coaching can easily be compared to sales as you are only as good as your last sale/win. Ask yourself, if you had this level of unprecedented bad fortune in your job, would you still be employed? I can say confidently had I experienced this bad fortune as a sales rep, I would have been updating my resume.

 

At some point, you need to acknowledge the pattern of events BK has directed on and off the field at Notre Dame. Regardless of whether he had control over Tommy Rees punching a cop, or the wind blowing the scaffolding over, everything has happened while Brian Kelly was in command.

 

I like him, but it has been a bit of a **** show since he arrived. Combine that with his game production and the picture starts to become clear. It's not too impressive. I can deal with that. What I cannot tolerate however, is Brian Kelly's absolute refusal to accept responsibility publicly.

 

The Captain of the Titanic was sleeping when the ship hit the iceberg, but he still went down with the ship. I expect nothing less from Brian Kelly.

 

I do agree that after a certain point that it can't be written off due to bad luck. However, I am not ready to dump Kelly, who I feel confident can deliver 8-9 wins despite bad luck, with the upside for more, until a better option comes along.

 

I support Kelly, but other head coaches I like are as follows:

 

Strong-I think he will be phenomenal at Texas, he does things the right way

Mullen-Recruits the South, tough D, creative O would love to see him at a premier school, though I think he will go to Florida.

Gary Patterson-I wanted him before BK was hired. He understands how to build a program

Al Golden-I like him, he seems like a good guy, Florida ties, his teams play hard

Gruden-He could boom or bust in college. He has charisma, prestige and a ring. That carries weight. Players would love to play for him. Does he want to leave the desk?

Art Briles-I love his offense and would love to have his Texas ties, but can he build a defense?

Gary Pinkel/Mike Gundy-They both intrigue me, but I'm not sure they would be an upgrade over Kelly.

Dana Holgorson-Art Briles-lite IMO

David Cutcliffe-He's done well at Duke, but I just don't see him being the type of guy who would fit as the ND Head Coach.

I do agree that after a certain point that it can't be written off due to bad luck. However, I am not ready to dump Kelly, who I feel confident can deliver 8-9 wins despite bad luck, with the upside for more, until a better option comes along.

 

I support Kelly, but other head coaches I like are as follows:

 

Strong-I think he will be phenomenal at Texas, he does things the right way

Mullen-Recruits the South, tough D, creative O would love to see him at a premier school, though I think he will go to Florida.

Gary Patterson-I wanted him before BK was hired. He understands how to build a program

Al Golden-I like him, he seems like a good guy, Florida ties, his teams play hard

Gruden-He could boom or bust in college. He has charisma, prestige and a ring. That carries weight. Players would love to play for him. Does he want to leave the desk?

Art Briles-I love his offense and would love to have his Texas ties, but can he build a defense?

Gary Pinkel/Mike Gundy-They both intrigue me, but I'm not sure they would be an upgrade over Kelly.

Dana Holgorson-Art Briles-lite IMO

David Cutcliffe-He's done well at Duke, but I just don't see him being the type of guy who would fit as the ND Head Coach.

 

Strong and Gruden are the only 2 I'd even consider. That bottom 4 of the list, no fckin way!

Strong and Gruden are the only 2 I'd even consider. That bottom 4 of the list, no fckin way!

I'd consider Briles. But good luck getting him to leave Texas. His offenses have been amazing and have literally been running away from teams. Give this man a staunch d-coordinator, and you have the makings of a very formidable team

 

To anyone who cares (just for discussion's sake), would you take Briles or Kelly going forward at ND for all things considered?

Consider the losses of Lynch, Vanderdoes, Shepard, Greenberry, Neal, Anzalone, Darby, Kiel Yuri Wright, and the fact that if not for extreme circumstances Arik Armstead and Elijah Hood

 

That's a lot of talent, but with the 5 star talent we have.... how many are seeing the field, and how many are being shunned for gym rat film guys? I have SERIOUS doubts Hood would be on the field. Kelly places way too much emphasis on pass blocking.

 

Again, I don't think anybody is screaming, "FIRE KELLY RIGHT NOW!!" What's happening is people are really starting to question his team management. I mean, Weis wasn't much of a head coach, but players really liked him. Off the top of my head, not a lot of players have had glowing reports on CBK. Except Tommy Rees. Those guys had some weird secret relationship. I'M KIDDING ABOUT THAT..... IT WAS JUST A JOKE.

I don't want anyone, whenever BK leaves, that doesn't see ND as their highest calling, who doesn't plan on staying a minimum of ten years. I want a guy like Holtz back. Someone who loves the school and is dedicated to seeing the football become a national power again. I don't think BK fits that description. I think ND is a job to him; a chance to pad his resume. I have no doubt he wants to win, I just don't think it has anything to do with ND. If some other school offered him 5 mil he'd be gone tomorrow, I believe.

 

I'm not sure men like Holtz exist any longer and I'm not implying it would ensure any amount of success.

 

I'm not an alum but there is something I have always loved about ND. Perhaps it's naive to want someone who truly loves the university as opposed to someone who has "ties" or just the prestige that comes with being the HC at ND.

I don't want anyone, whenever BK leaves, that doesn't see ND as their highest calling, who doesn't plan on staying a minimum of ten years. I want a guy like Holtz back. Someone who loves the school and is dedicated to seeing the football become a national power again. I don't think BK fits that description. I think ND is a job to him; a chance to pad his resume. I have no doubt he wants to win, I just don't think it has anything to do with ND. If some other school offered him 5 mil he'd be gone tomorrow, I believe.

 

I'm not sure men like Holtz exist any longer and I'm not implying it would ensure any amount of success.

I'm not an alum but there is something I have always loved about ND. Perhaps it's naive to want someone who truly loves the university as opposed to someone who has "ties" or just the prestige that comes with being the HC at ND.

 

 

Nobody worth hiring does. Hell, winning national title after national title wasn't enough for Pete Carroll at USC, it may not be enough for Saban at Bama. You have men who are at the severe competitors, most won't be satisfied being king of the hill at one place.

I'd consider Briles. But good luck getting him to leave Texas. His offenses have been amazing and have literally been running away from teams. Give this man a staunch d-coordinator, and you have the makings of a very formidable team

 

To anyone who cares (just for discussion's sake), would you take Briles or Kelly going forward at ND for all things considered?

 

No, and if you think Kelly doesn't care about defense, look at Briles. Nobody in the Big 12 cares about defense, if ND ever wanted to join that conference, they'd fit right in.

No, and if you think Kelly doesn't care about defense, look at Briles. Nobody in the Big 12 cares about defense, if ND ever wanted to join that conference, they'd fit right in.

Charlie Strong seems to care about defense. Think he's going to show that to all ND fans week 1 next year.

Rarely are great coaches, the true builders of sustained success, known before they arrive. However, Charlie Strong has that aura of a great coach. He would have been my #1 choice if ND had been hiring last offseason.

I would take BK over any of those coaches in the list.

 

Can you guys step back and read this thread? We are acting like level 4 meltdown after losing a fluke to NW. BK isn't on the hotseat.

 

BK is going to leave us before we even have a chance to put him on the hotseat.

It's a mystery why, but utterly predictable that message-board fans, no matter of what college program, will suggest Jon Gruden--with his .540 winning percentage--as an attractive HC possibility.

It's a mystery why, but utterly predictable that message-board fans, no matter of what college program, will suggest Jon Gruden--with his .540 winning percentage--as an attractive HC possibility.

 

I love that guy though, haha.

[quote=OKLAHOMAIRISHFAN;607704

 

I'm not sure men like Holtz exist any longer and I'm not implying it would ensure any amount of success.

 

 

And how long do you think the current administration would tolerate a coach who allowed his football team to fight an opponent before the game even started?

 

The new Notre Dame wants gentlemen. And that's what they have. They don't want a$$ kicking mean mofo's like the guys Holtz recruited and unleashed come game time.

 

Every time I see posts about Lou or Ara, I wonder why people don't understand how much Notre Dame has changed since then.

And how long do you think the current administration would tolerate a coach who allowed his football team to fight an opponent before the game even started?

 

The new Notre Dame wants gentlemen. And that's what they have. They don't want a$$ kicking mean mofo's like the guys Holtz recruited and unleashed come game time.

 

Every time I see posts about Lou or Ara, I wonder why people don't understand how much Notre Dame has changed since then.

 

Frankus I was actually in deep thought immediately after our loss last Saturday and wondered this myself.

 

I'm 30 and watched my first game vs michigan in 90,91 something like that...

 

Anyways I didn't really pay close attention until about 10 years old and I was remembering the different attitude our early 90's teams had vs the teams he had later in his years.

 

I wish I was 5 years older so I could remember more of the Lou era. All I've known since is mediocre football teams that play to the competition and come up short in big games.

It's almost amusing to watch the meltdown. I said almost. As someone who has not been a BK fan, I actually believe he still has a chance to right the ship, get the wheels back on the wagon. It's a question of how open he is to continue to get better, realize his weaknesses, learn from others. If you don't grow, you gotta go...

I love that guy though, haha.

 

I dont. When him and Jaws were announcing together, I could not watch!

ND's ranking after 10 games in Kelly's 5 seasons:

 

NR

NR

3

NR

NR

he'd be 60-5 if he wasn't so pigheaded.......

had BK just taken a knee on 3 straight plays rather than trying to run the clock out with mcdaniel he'd be 8-2 at this point in the season.