Agreed. Can we really keep blaming the last decade and a half on coaching? Lou Holtz' 1993 season was, to me, the last successful season the Irish have had. We've gone 1-9 in bowl games since then and have had a 118-84 record. Notre Dame has not had a coach since Lou Holtz. I don't care about Ty's 10-3 season or Weis's 10-3 season. Neither of them ever had what it takes to be a long term coach at Notre Dame. Knute, Ara, and Lou all coached at least 10 years which, to me, is what the Irish need, a long-term coach. I think Kelly has that pedigree.
There have been problems in the program for quite a while now. I think it is deeper than recruiting, coaching, or scheduling. I think Administration has a lot to do with it. I, for one, love the tradition at Notre Dame. That is what draws people in. And I also believe that most of the traditions need to remain but there could be a little leniancy in some things. I made the comment about academic standards earlier this week in another post but I think I have since changed my thinking on that subject. I do still believe academics at Notre Dame are top-notch and I do still believe football players recruited to play for ND are required to be successful in the classroom however, it is still D-1 football. You really can't think that these players have it so hard when it comes to studies. I know there are a handful of football players that do care about their schooling and are successful but I find it hard to believe that their course work is too tedious.
I guess what I'm trying to say is I strongly agree with irishtrain, the problems at ND are much much deeper than the head coach.