I don't want to feed into the speculation when this situation, despite all reports is still unresolved. I will, however, say that I am not above critiquing Coach when he deserves it, but I have learned one should be cautious doing it because Coach Kelly starts resolving problems in the mirror and he is a fast learner. I don't know how much more I can ask of a person. No one is perfect and I know Coach Kelly would be the first to agree with that statement, what I look for is how does a person handle their mistake? Do they look within first, do they make appropriate changes, do they redouble their efforts? I have to say I think Coach does this.
I think It was PA Golden Tate Fan who said it first and I'll add to it, the problems ND faces are problems in the wider culture and also within the institution. Culturally speaking let's just say some things have changed, but ND's mission and what Our Lady excels at is not changing. Growing up, becoming an adult is not always a comfortable thing. South Bend and Notre Dame offer some adversities that not everyone is willing to scale, that is not Coaches fault, in fact he is trying, and despite the on the field success, I would argue STILL trying to get the right equations for attracting top flight talent and being true to our mission. I am convinced there are a slew of other prominent coaches that would be to scared to even try this endeavor, and even if they did I am sure that they would be no better than Coach Kelly and probably a lot worse. Coach Kelly does get Notre Dame and he gets major college football in 2013, trying to marry the two is not an easy task. I am convinced that between Coach Kelly and Jack Swarbrick we would be hard pressed to find a better duo, if there is even one out there.
Sorry so long.