Program Turning Point

[BurningRiver]

I was watching highlights from the game against Utah in Brian Kelly's first season and started wondering.. was Robert Blanton's blocked punt/TD return the turning point in Brian Kelly's tenure here? Before that game we had just lost to Tulsa (freaking Tulsa), Diaco and his defense were coming under fire, and Kelly's seat was already starting to warm up. That blocked punt gave us a 14-3 lead in that game and set the tone for what ended up being Kelly's first big win at ND, a 28-3 thrashing of what was then the 14th ranked team in the country. From there, we went on to win the next 3 games (including a win at SC and a bowl win). 2011 was a rocky season, but to be honest I don't know if Brian Kelly makes it to this point if it weren't for that 4-game win streak at the end of 2010, a win streak that I think was ignited by Blanton's blocked punt.

So what do you guys think? Was that a turning point in the program or not? If it wasn't, can you pick out one play that you think was?

 

[goldandblue]

Brian Kelly's hire date. Look there for the turning point....

 

[Veer option]

At least for that season it was. Although I don't disagree with you that the blocked punt could have been the turning point for Kellys career at ND.

 

[tko]

Brian Kelly's hire date. Look there for the turning point....

Maybe Brian Kelly is TP?

 

[CarrollVermin]

I don't know that it was necessarily a turning point "moment" but going into USC in his first year and winning was huge in my book. Of course, that was followed by the disaster to start the 2011 season, but that win at SC was a special moment for me.

 

[goldandblue]

Maybe Brian Kelly is TP?

Lol

 

[Old Man Mike]

When Louis Nix signed his National Letter of Intent. [Hiring Kelly was number two; Kelly hiring Diaco was number three]. Even with Coach and Bobby-the-D, people wouldn't be buzzing about Notre Dame's defense if it weren't for the Big Man.

 

[Walter White]

I'll go back further. Charlie Weis's effort into recruiting top tier players was the start of Notre Dame's resurgence. I also could argue that getting Manti Teo was a pivotal point. Everything Kelly has been doing since he got here with team building and conditioning as well.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

Halftime speech at MSU this year.

2011 was a bad year and I'm sure there might have been some sort of turning point that we don't know about within the team. But from outside looking in, and being at the MSU game, I think that was the TP.

 

[IndyIrishFan1]

Maybe Brian Kelly is TP?

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I was watching highlights from the game against Utah in Brian Kelly's first season and started wondering.. was Robert Blanton's blocked punt/TD return the turning point in Brian Kelly's tenure here? Before that game we had just lost to Tulsa (freaking Tulsa), Diaco and his defense were coming under fire, and Kelly's seat was already starting to warm up. That blocked punt gave us a 14-3 lead in that game and set the tone for what ended up being Kelly's first big win at ND, a 28-3 thrashing of what was then the 14th ranked team in the country. From there, we went on to win the next 3 games (including a win at SC and a bowl win). 2011 was a rocky season, but to be honest I don't know if Brian Kelly makes it to this point if it weren't for that 4-game win streak at the end of 2010, a win streak that I think was ignited by Blanton's blocked punt.

So what do you guys think? Was that a turning point in the program or not? If it wasn't, can you pick out one play that you think was?

I agree with you, that play turned everything around.

 

[ShawneeIrish]

I agree that the blocked punt was the turning point of the Utah game and was a spring board to the huge win against USC in 2010. However, I think the true turning point for the program occurred later when Manti decided to come back for his senior season. Manti is the leader of the defense and the team. Had he not returned this year I think we still would have a very good team, but lacking his leadership and incredible play the defense would not have been this elite. Without his leadership and mental toughness I think we would have dropped at least one close game. Because of high level of recruiting, player development, and the focus on defense the program would still be trending in a positive direction but without Manti's return we would not be in the midst of a magical undefeated season.

 

[WakeUpEchoes]

I agree that the blocked punt was the turning point of the Utah game and was a spring board to the huge win against USC in 2010. However, I think the true turning point for the program occurred later when Manti decided to come back for his senior season. Manti is the leader of the defense and the team. Had he not returned this year I think we still would have a very good team, but lacking his leadership and incredible play the defense would not have been this elite. Without his leadership and mental toughness I think we would have dropped at least one close game. Because of high level of recruiting, player development, and the focus on defense the program would still be trending in a positive direction but without Manti's return we would not be in the midst of a magical undefeated season.

A good point that I overlooked. Nice.

 

[Grahambo]

Manti signing with ND for me.

With the odds stacked heavily in favor of USC, he chose ND because he prayed about it. If God was nudging him here, then I'd like to believe that was God turning the tide for us.

 

[IrishinSyria]

The turning point was when we started working on tackling in practice. 2009 Irish were one of the worst tackling teams I've ever seen play college football, this year's squad is one of the best.

 

[IrishLax]

When Manti decided to come back for his senior year when he easily could've left... that was the tipping point.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DhXgur1Nlog" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Rack Em]

When the deer finally got the boot, we started winning.

 

[Redbar]

I think the turning point might start with the hiring of Jack Swarbrick, from there you get a well thought out coaching hire, from there you get really capable assistants (including Coach Longo). We needed talent: Manti Teo and who he is, Louis Nix and who he is are all a big part of why it is happening on the field right now, but I think once Jack Swarbrick started to steer the ship it was more a question of when not if.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

When the deer finally got the boot, we started winning.

Actually that is a legit point lol.

 

[ickythump1225]

Manti signing with ND for me.

With the odds stacked heavily in favor of USC, he chose ND because he prayed about it. If God was nudging him here, then I'd like to believe that was God turning the tide for us.

I agree with the Manti signing being the turning point. A player like him is once a generation and his leadership and inspiration are a big part of why our program is looking upward. Of course getting Brian Kelly was huge for the program and is building upon the foundation that Manti laid.

 

[ickythump1225]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/DhXgur1Nlog" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Such a great moment.

 

[Grahambo]

I think the turning point might start with the hiring of Jack Swarbrick, from there you get a well thought out coaching hire, from there you get really capable assistants (including Coach Longo). We needed talent: Manti Teo and who he is, Louis Nix and who he is are all a big part of why it is happening on the field right now, but I think once Jack Swarbrick started to steer the ship it was more a question of when not if.

I like that underrated choice by you sir.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

I think the turning point might start with the hiring of Jack Swarbrick, from there you get a well thought out coaching hire, from there you get really capable assistants (including Coach Longo). We needed talent: Manti Teo and who he is, Louis Nix and who he is are all a big part of why it is happening on the field right now, but I think once Jack Swarbrick started to steer the ship it was more a question of when not if.

Winnar.

The biggest stumbling block to ND's success post-Holtz wasn't a particular coach, academic standards, weather, etc. It was the administration's de-prioritization of the football program. Jenkins and Swarbrick have turned this ship around.

 

[irishog77]

Heggie signing his LOI

 

[IrishSteelhead]

The 2011 recruiting coup of 2 stud defensive lineman from the deep south had me sold on the coaching staff's vision, and their ability to actually fulfill that vision was a turning point IMO.

 

[West Coast Domer]

It might not be a major turning point but keeping Tony Alford was huge.

 

[drayer54]

Norman... Manti's interception.... Notre Dame is relevant.

Everything else built up to it.

 

[IrishAlum1997]

It's a cosmic confluence of factors that have brought us to the brink once again. I'll go back even further and say the turning point was the Bush Push game in '05. We win that game, we are playing Texas for a national title that year. Win or lose, I don't believe the recruiting momentum would've been much, if any, stronger, and our defensive flaws would continue to manifest as Charlie would no doubt have gotten a little more latitude and more time with a potential national title under his belt.

I would go one step further to say that Brady Quinn would have gone pro a year earlier, with Sharpley and 2 true freshmen battling for the starting QB spot in 2006. The offense would have floundered, and our offensive recruiting may have stalled out, with players like Michael Floyd and Kyle Rudolph perhaps taking their talents elsewhere.

So in reality, we all have that cheating bastard Reggie Bush to thank for our beloved Irish finally being rebuilt the right way, with the potential for a decade of dominance and beyond.

 

[MrIrishCanadian1]

Since the game is to one-up each other in how far back we can point, I'll join in too: how about the hire of Knute Rockne. Without him, Notre Dame wouldn't have the magical tradition and name that it has. These have provided a major impetus for a Notre Dame return, and the tradition has helped us to bring in the top coaches, players and support for the team.