How long are we willing to wait?

[IrishinSyria]

There's a crown of gold and a crown of thorns and ND fans are going to decide which one Kelly deserves by game 4 or 5.

As for me, I won't be convinced that he was the right choice until he earns it with a trip or two to the BCS, at which point I will have an extraordinary amount of patience with him.

 

[JughedJones]

There's a crown of gold and a crown of thorns and ND fans are going to decide which one Kelly deserves by game 4 or 5.

As for me, I won't be convinced that he was the right choice until he earns it with a trip or two to the BCS, at which point I will have an extraordinary amount of patience with him.

Coach Weis got us a trip to two BCS games, patience wore pretty thin really quickly after that.

 

[PapaIrish37]

How long am I willing to wait?

More importantly than how many wins we will have this year are how the team plays and acts. As many have said there are some key spots where we are on the thin side of experience and numbers (QB, DB if there are any injuries, etc.). I too have been imbibing in the Kool-Aid but how much can you coach up a .500 team in 9 months?

So, my yard stick this year is how hard they play. Do they get better as the year goes on? Are we competitive in all of our games (or at least all but one or two if we lay a duck)? How much gas do they have left in the tank in the 4th quarter and just as importantly how much heart do they show when they are down or it is close?

If the answer to those questions are positive and recruiting goes well (which it will if these things occur), I will wait for a full five year run. A NC in year 2, 3 or 4 is when a long term, huge $ extension is called for.

I believe (is the Grotto reopened by the way) this is a 9 or 10 win regular season. If so, winning a bowl will be tough based on who we will be matched up with.

 

[TDHeysus]

I think the mold has been cast. he has 3-5 years. For me, its all about winning a BCS game.

I wont be fooled by victories against Michigan, or even USC. 10+ wins wont do it for me either. Losing a BCS game is as good as not even going to one. He has 3-5 years to WIN a BCS game.

BK's '5min plan' comments led me to believe he is fully aware of what he is up against. He appears to be saying the right things, and he appears to be headed in the right direction. But 15 years of mediocre football, coaching carousels, and my lack of confidence in the administration prevents me from fully being on-board with Kelly. Until he wins a BCS game.

 

[GreatGolson]

Whenever it comes to predictions i have a little saying, "always add a dash of reality to your Kool-aide." but anyways i BELIEVE 10 wins is possible, but i PREDICT 8 wins, you have to take into account at least 1 "what the hell were they doin out there" game, and one or two "that could have gone either way" games, so is ND CAPABLE of 10 wins, absolutely, WILL they win 10 games, i think not, but i would LOVE to be proven wrong.

 

[IrishJayhawk]

Yep, and then BURN him. Why? I think he's a witch. BURN him!

Brian Kelly turned me into a newt...

 

[phork]

Whenever it comes to predictions i have a little saying, "always add a dash of reality to your Kool-aide." but anyways i BELIEVE 10 wins is possible, but i PREDICT 8 wins, you have to take into account at least 1 "what the hell were they doin out there" game, and one or two "that could have gone either way" games, so is ND CAPABLE of 10 wins, absolutely, WILL they win 10 games, i think not, but i would LOVE to be proven wrong.

I don't think you get those "what the hell were they doing" issues with Kelly. Coach Weis got us to 2 BCS blowouts and it was all down hill after that.

 

[military_irish]

We have to have a NC by the end of the 2011 season or else we never will again. Those damn mayans just had to predict 2012....lol

what would really suck is if they go undefeated in 2012 and are headed for the NC Game and the damn world blows up in December, do you know how pissed i would be? I wouldn't be able to live with myself.


but in reality i just don't want to be fooled, i don't want him to win 10-11 games in this 1st year then, 8 next year then go 6-6 the next two years or so. then he gets fired. As much as i hate to see a loss i would rather them to just win 8-9 this year, then maybe 10-11 next then a National Championship in 2013 or so, and then stay consistent.

 

[GreatGolson]

agreed Military irish, rather a steady climb to the top of the mountain, than a freefall from the top...

 

[IrishGiant]

Brian Kelly turned me into a newt...

Did you get better?

 

[IrishGiant]

what would really suck is if they go undefeated in 2012 and are headed for the NC Game and the damn world blows up in December, do you know how pissed i would be? I wouldn't be able to live with myself.


but in reality i just don't want to be fooled, i don't want him to win 10-11 games in this 1st year then, 8 next year then go 6-6 the next two years or so. then he gets fired. As much as i hate to see a loss i would rather them to just win 8-9 this year, then maybe 10-11 next then a National Championship in 2013 or so, and then stay consistent.

If the Mayans were so great at predictions than how come they never saw their own end coming? I think all this 2012 talk is bunk, but I digress.

 

[GoingGreen]

If the Mayans were so great at predictions than how come they never saw their own end coming? I think all this 2012 talk is bunk, but I digress.

I don't want to get religous, but I guess a Notre Dame forum is an alright place.

Matthew 24:36

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

 

[ACamp1900]

Give him until the end of his contract... if ND isn't back to where ND should be, then move on.

 

[Junkhead]

Im glad SOME people are finally seeing what ive seen since that awful game, looked more like a freaking SCRIMMAGE if you ask me!

Did someone pick up on my sarcasm? lol

 

[irishtrain]

I've kept my mouth shut to my friends about this upcoming season (last year I was dead wrong saying they would win 10 games) but to myself I think they are going to shock some people on coaching edge/talent that is not respected around the country/and a will to win that folks did not know was there. This will be a fine season and I think they lose no more than 3 games, and if they get a few breaks maybe 1 or 2. The years to come will have them BCS eligible over and over. The only thing that has me concerned is the schedule in '12/'13. Wait till you see those schedules its like the old days and its killer hard. But make no mistake about it they now have one of the top 5 coaches in America and the recruits will be coming.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

Matthew 24:36

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.

Aren't Jesus and God one in the same? Did I sleep through twelve years of Catholic education?

Also, here's what I expect from Kelly:

2010: If Notre Dame goes 7-5, I will more than likely be disappointed, for it will mean the defense didn't improve at all. I expect Brian Kelly's first team to go 9-3. I think they'll drop three out of four against MSU/BC/Pitt/USC.

Chance of going 12-0? 10% I think this team is dripping in talent, and I have a hard on imagining what a capable coach can do.

2011: If we return everyone, it's time to add #12 to the wall. 12-0.

Chance of going 12-0? 40%

2012: Should have a sh'load of talented seniors, but against Miami, Oklahoma, USC, Michigan, etc....ouch. I see a 10-2/9-3 season.

 

[donnie hoss]

I find myself wondering what should happen if the team has finishes of 7, 8, 9 wins over the next three seasons. I think back to Lou's first season and remember loses that really gave me hope. Not that we lost, but how they team played, with a plan and purpose. I live in VA, about an hour south of VaTech, and also remember Beamers arrival. Started slowly but built the program. I think BK will do a great job because he has a plan, system that works. We have talent, more than many people realize. We cant keep firing coaches in 4-5 years and expect ncs to just happen. I quess what I am trying to say is, I believe BK is the right guy and given time, will lead us back to the top. We will all know the answer by the end of next season.

 

[NeuteredDoomer]

I don't want to get religous, but I guess a Notre Dame forum is an alright place.

Did you just have a moment of cognitive dissonance?

"I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?"

 

[Jerry]

I think it matters what coaches are available. I don't see Kelly having Rich Rod numbers after 3 years. But if something horrible like that was the scenario I think you have to see who's out there. If an Urban Meyer or Bob Stoops are interested than obviously you make the change. But you can't just fire a guy to fire him with no plan on who takes over. We've made that mistake.

I've always felt the Willingham firing was justified based on the fact that ND thought they were getting Meyer.

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

he needs a full recruiting cycle at least. just as long as he makes us competitve in every game over those 5 years i think keep him. i would like to see at least 8 bcs bids and a record of 6-2 in those games 1-0 in NC game. over say 13-15 years.

 

[bjohnmwc]

This year, and possibly 2011, will show what BK can do as a coach with Weis' recruits. As early as 2012 we should be seeing BK coaching his own recruits - that'll tell the tale. You may see some of BK's guys next year, but I'd say that 2012 is when the dividends on his recruiting class should start paying off -- see was recruited to play in his system, rather than how Weis' guys play in BK's system.

 

[goldandblue]

I am having a hard time figuring how people expect the Irish to go 7-5 this year. Brian Kelly took over a pitiful 4-7 Cincinnati and went 10-3 the very next year. Why should we expect any less this year? If he can take a 4-7 Cincinnati team will far less talent to a 10 win season the very next year, Why can he not take a 6-6 team to a 10 win season?

My expectation for the Irish this year 10-2 or at worst 9-3.

To hell with 7-5....
Go Irish!

 

[irishfan]

I am having a hard time figuring how people expect the Irish to go 7-5 this year. Brian Kelly took over a pitiful 4-7 Cincinnati and went 10-3 the very next year. Why should we expect any less this year? If he can take a 4-7 Cincinnati team will far less talent to a 10 win season the very next year, Why can he not take a 6-6 team to a 10 win season?

My expectation for the Irish this year 10-2 or at worst 9-3.

To hell with 7-5....
Go Irish!

They were two years removed from 4-7. They were 8-5 the year before he got there. I'm with you though, and most of the "experts" I've seen/read recently have us going 9-3 or 10-2.

 

[phork]

As long as it is better than last year. No 2nd half fading, no losing to teams you should beat, being competitive with teams that are considered elite etc.
This will be my favourite year in the Brian Kelly regime simply because I am not expecting much this year. After that the sky is the limit.

 

[goldandblue]

They were two years removed from 4-7. They were 8-5 the year before he got there. I'm with you though, and most of the "experts" I've seen/read recently have us going 9-3 or 10-2.

You are correct. My mistake.

Still.... To hell with 7-5

10-2 is my official projection!