Kelly disappointed by team's progress thus far

[Jason Pham]

“We’re a work in progress … We stink right now,” Kelly said. “We are so far away from where we need to be in terms of attention to detail. This was a step back for us today.”

The Observer - Football: Kelly disappointed after fourth practice

What do you guys think ?

 

[The Polish Irishman]

I have been disappointed for the past 3 years.

 

[Ironman8]

I like the fact that he simply tells it how it is, and requires a level of enthusiasm and effort that simply wasn't seen in Charlie's practices. I thought that the players were way too complacent and obviously lacked a hunger during the last few years, which starts in the competition and effort put forth in practices, even in the spring. This all ties into the perfectionist attitude BK brings to the table, which I love, but will take some time for the players to truly get and understand, as well as adapt to, especially because of how different it was under the previous regime.

I do not like, however, him calling out individual players for criticism. If he wants to single out players for praise, thats ok, as that can motivate the players praised to keep it up, as well as motivate other players to work harder to be praised publicly as well. However, I think it is pretty tough on a 18,19 year old kid to be called out publicly, especially at Notre Dame were the media coverage is as extensive as it gets. Crist is a young kid coming off major surgery and having to learn a completely new system on the fly, while trying to emerge as a "team leader" as well. I understand BK trying to show unhappiness as to the progress of the team, specifically the offense, in the first four practices, and that starts with the quarterback, especially in this system. Maybe Kelly believes that Crist is the type of kid that will respond positively to this type of criticism, and if so that helps me to understand and stomach it. I simply believe, however, that if you want to individually call out a kid, do it without using the media while at the college level, especially at a place as media crazy as Notre Dame. I never played football at the college level though, so I could easily be off base on this. Anyone have other thoughts?

 

[fitz_bu47]

I love it, he is calling out Crist b/c he knows he can handle it, and that he is gonna be the guy so he has to be able to....No B.S. w/ this regime, Kelly has a motive for everything, I think we are all gonna be very happy w/ the difference in the squad.

 

[Rizzophil]

I like the fact that he simply tells it how it is, and requires a level of enthusiasm and effort that simply wasn't seen in Charlie's practices. I thought that the players were way too complacent and obviously lacked a hunger during the last few years, which starts in the competition and effort put forth in practices, even in the spring. This all ties into the perfectionist attitude BK brings to the table, which I love, but will take some time for the players to truly get and understand, as well as adapt to, especially because of how different it was under the previous regime.

I do not like, however, him calling out individual players for criticism. If he wants to single out players for praise, thats ok, as that can motivate the players praised to keep it up, as well as motivate other players to work harder to be praised publicly as well. However, I think it is pretty tough on a 18,19 year old kid to be called out publicly, especially at Notre Dame were the media coverage is as extensive as it gets. Crist is a young kid coming off major surgery and having to learn a completely new system on the fly, while trying to emerge as a "team leader" as well. I understand BK trying to show unhappiness as to the progress of the team, specifically the offense, in the first four practices, and that starts with the quarterback, especially in this system. Maybe Kelly believes that Crist is the type of kid that will respond positively to this type of criticism, and if so that helps me to understand and stomach it. I simply believe, however, that if you want to individually call out a kid, do it without using the media while at the college level, especially at a place as media crazy as Notre Dame. I never played football at the college level though, so I could easily be off base on this. Anyone have other thoughts?

Right or wrong, Brian Kelly is ALWAYS extremely tough on his quarterbacks. He wants them to be the fearless leaders of the team.

 

[kmoose]

Woody, Bo, "Bear", Lou............all of these guys have at least two things in common:

1. They are legends in the annals of College Football Coaching history.

2. They weren't the type to coddle players. They would call a specific guy out, publicly, in a heartbeat. But, now that their days have passed, you also hear their former players say that these coaches might tear them down in public, but they would always build them back up, in private. Perhaps Kelly is simply taking a page from their books?

How about we give Kelly at least one full season, before we start complaining about his coaching?

 

[The Polish Irishman]

I bet the players would rather hear Kelly yell than Bon Jovi being played.

 

[TDHeysus]

i think its his management style. its his way to push the team.

 

[chadder20]

I love it, its about time a coach stands up and says it how it is! I love the fact that BK is full of fight and there is no room for excuses in his program and thats exactly what this team needs! I hope the entire team takes on his attitude... I think he has come to the realization that we have all had for years now, there are not many RKG's on this team.

 

[NDinL.A.]

We're not in Kansas anymore Toto.

Like it or not, this is who Brian Kelly is, and he's not going to change now that he's on the biggest stage in college football. He won this way at his previous 3 stops, and I guarantee you he is firm in his faith that his system and the way he runs a program will produce a winning football team in South Bend.

We were 16-21 the last 3 years, so change was obviously sorely needed. If he has to call out certain players and bitch to the media about who needs to step it up in order to turn this this around, then so be it. Because I guarantee you this...those guys that are getting called out right now and those guys who are hating Coach Kelly right now will all be converts once they the improvement of the team and once we start winning games. I've read what plenty of former players have said about him, and almost to a man they have said that there were plenty of times that they HATED Kelly's guts, but at the end of the day he made them better players, better men, and in the end, part of a much better team.

I think we all want that out of this team...

EDIT: For those of you who haven't read any articles on his presser, he's actually been very pleased with the defense's progress and intensity in practice. It's the offense that has drawn his ire.

 

[phgreek]

...so far so good...

Now if he'd take a page out of Jim Boylin's book (HC U of Utah basketball)...where he reminded folks after a dismal year filled with mediocre intensity and horrible W/L..."scholarships are renewed each and every year"...and some folks heard his message, packed up, and left for easier pastures...don't want to see anyone quit, but I think it helps when folks understand that if they are not committed, neither is the university.

Now...would ND ever not renew someone simply based on football performance...I doubt it because it would get all blown out of proportion, and hurt future recruiting. You'd have morons on ESPN speculating and saying things like "what if a kid gets hurt...ya gonna kill his scholly then too"

But hearing the coach say it or allude to it is powerful stuff, and it forces guys to evaluate their commitment.

Either way...here is to hoping he finds the magic buttons to push...

 

[Riddickulous]

I like his honesty.

 

[DirtySecret]

I bet the players would rather hear Kelly yell than Bon Jovi being played.

Some people still can't get over it.

 

[alan46514]

He can start with a new qb

 

[NDinL.A.]

He can start with a new qb

Are you going to elaborate on that or just say something that on the surface is beyond ridiculous and run and hide?

 

[paule459]

I LOVE THIS GUY. HE IS GOING TO MAKE NOTER DAME WHAT IT ONCE WAS. PUT HIM UP THERE WITH LOU HOLTZ AND ARA PARCIAN. i CAN'T SPELL BUT I KNOW FOOTBALL AND WINNERS. HE'LL TAKE THEM TO AN UNDEFEETED SEASON IF THEY LISTEN TO HIM.

 

[NDinL.A.]

Please don't type in all caps. It's rude and very difficult to read. Thanks!

 

[paule459]

Sorry but I just wanted to make a point. The faithful at Notre Dame don't know they just hired the next 100 game winner and a national championship or two.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

It is much easier to get a defense ready than an offense, especially an offense with a new scheme.

 

[condoms SUCk]

It is much easier to get a defense ready than an offense, especially an offense with a new scheme.

This is true, but I have to think that he is not THAT upset with the offense, I mean come on, he has a lot of talent to work with, more than he has had in the past. I think this is his way a putting a fire underneath the players, which is part of his overall plan. I say we take feedback slow and don't get to excited either way. Spring ball will show us how things are going but lets be honest he has only had 4 practices with them so far. How much can you really teach in 4 practices.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

This is true, but I have to think that he is not THAT upset with the offense, I mean come on, he has a lot of talent to work with, more than he has had in the past. I think this is his way a putting a fire underneath the players, which is part of his overall plan. I say we take feedback slow and don't get to excited either way. Spring ball will show us how things are going but lets be honest he has only had 4 practices with them so far. How much can you really teach in 4 practices.

It's easier to set up an entire defense to win a championship, given the athletes in that time, than it is to set up 3 consecutive handoffs or snaps or completed passes or correct snaps to the holder on offense or PAT in that time.

 

[pani_nasz]

This is true, but I have to think that he is not THAT upset with the offense, I mean come on, he has a lot of talent to work with, more than he has had in the past. I think this is his way a putting a fire underneath the players, which is part of his overall plan. I say we take feedback slow and don't get to excited either way. Spring ball will show us how things are going but lets be honest he has only had 4 practices with them so far. How much can you really teach in 4 practices.

I agree. If we have learned anything so far, it is that, among his other attributes, BK is a savvy politician. And smart politicians know how to use the media rather than be used by it. I think the team understands this also, and is buying into the new regime one practice at a time. I just don't see character guys like Crist moping because they got a little bad ink.

 

[Ben E.]

PURELY MOTIVATIONAL! defenses are always ahead of the offense this time of year...plus they are going against base plays so they get a chance to act like hero's when nothing is on the line! its all good as i see it!


remember how lou used to talk about navy? when a hc talks about his team to the press there is always an agenda!

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

THIS IS BK TRYING TO MOTIVATE HIS O. DONT THINK HE WOULD DO THIS IF THE BOYS COULD NOT HANDLE IT.

 

[BGIF]

Motivation through the years

Motivation through the years

Yeah, fair, just fair.

Rockne on the prospects for the 1929 team which went 9-0-0

We'll have the worst team Notre Dame has ever had

Frank Leahy 1949 before the Irish went 10-0-0

If you look at it on paper, there is no justification for Notre Dame to be rated in the top 20.

Lou Holtz preseason 1988 before ND went 12-0-0

 

[Ben E.]

Rockne on the prospects for the 1929 team which went 9-0-0

Frank Leahy 1949 before the Irish went 10-0-0


Lou Holtz preseason 1988 before ND went 12-0-0

exactly!!!!

 

[IrishInFl]

LOUD NOISES!!! Sorry, just making fun of all the caps.

I also like to point out that he is mainly giving harsh criticism to his best players(Te'o, Floyd, and Crist come to mind). I hope this lights a fire under the players.

 

[Riddickulous]

Kelly has another five months to get his team ready to go. I'm psyched to see how they do.

 

[TDHeysus]

offense does take longer to get running on all cylinders....but as a great HS coach(Ulloa) once told me, we start to build this team with the defense. The toughest, meanest, best athletes will comprised the defense. then from the players that are left, we will build our offense.

I know its not exactly the same on the college level, but I think coaches in general get the defense together early, and develop the offense thru the summer.

 

[BirdmanND06]

Rockne on the prospects for the 1929 team which went 9-0-0

Frank Leahy 1949 before the Irish went 10-0-0


Lou Holtz preseason 1988 before ND went 12-0-0

The more I hear what Kelly has to say and see what he does with the team, the more convinced I am that he is the right guy for the job.