Assessing Brian Kelly

[DomeLover3]

Alright, I'm pretty bored right now and have some down time so I thought this would be an interesting thread idea.

Before I go into detail about it, if a thread like this currently exists, Mods go ahead and delete this...

So we are now two years into BK's tenure. Do we think he was the right hire? Is he a good fit for Notre Dame? Has he done well so far.

Take the role of Jack Swarbrick and give a coach report card of sorts on Coach Kelly.

Criteria to grade on would be:

On field performance
Recruiting
Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble)
Keeping school spirit up (almost impossible NOT to at ND. By this I mean are the pep rallies he has good? I haven't been to one yet, sadly.)
Potential to improve.

And whatever else you feel is appropriate.

Do you think BK is the man for the job. Will ND be brought back to prominence by BK? Will the next coach do something with BK's players? Asses his job security.

Go, go, go!

 

[NDBoiler]

Great thread idea!

On field performance: B-
Recruiting: A-
Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble): B+
Keeping school spirit up: B+
Potential to improve: A
Do you think BK is the man for the job. Will ND be brought back to prominence by BK? Will the next coach do something with BK's players? Asses his job security. Yes I think he is the man for the job, I just hope the administartion continues to be patient long enough for things to turn around fully. It is getting there slowly but surely IMO.

 

[SBjandy7]

I think BK has got the program on the upswing. Recruiting has been as good as I can ever remember. He's getting program defining defensive recruits. The QB quandary is going to be the defining decision thus far. I think he has the program on the way to being competetive year in and year out. I believe he is the coach to bring this program and university back to where it once was, dominant

 

[DomeLover3]

On field performance: B-
Recruiting: A
Maintaining image of the program: B
Keeping school spirit up: A
Potential to improve: A+

I like what Kelly brings. I think he could be the guy who if nothing else gets the right kind of players in and makes ND competitive. I think he should at least get another 2 years, preferably a lot more.

 

[Kingbish01]

On field performance: C
Recruiting: B
Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble): C+
Keeping school spirit up: A
Potential to improve: B
Do you think BK is the man for the job.--YES Will ND be brought back to prominence by BK? MAYBE --HE WILL NEED HELP FROM THE SEC Will the next coach do something with BK's players? YES, PLAY THEM. Asses his job security.-- B

 

[GBdomer]

I love what Bk has done so far. Changing the culture, recruiting the front 7. But this is Notre Dame and i am sick of not winning. Wasn't like there wasn't talent on this roster. On Field I would give it a C. I haven't seen the Cinnci stuff like he was doing. I know this stuff takes time. but on field has been a disappointing for me so far. Better days are coming i realize that with changing the culture. I hate the way the Dayne Crist thing was handled and some comments he has made. Do I think he is the right man for the job? Yes no doubt. Was he the right hire? Maybe. I would have still rode my bike to Norman to pick up Bob Stoops and help him back for South Bend though.

 

[DomeLover3]

Agreed GB on field is disappointing. I think the year after this we will see his Cinci style of play. I thought the Dayne Crist thing was also handled poorly as well as some other things, I like what he's doing on the recruiting trail though. I think he can handle the job, and will make us winners again, maybe not on a NC level. While he can do the job, I wonder what if we got Stoops, or Gruden, or someone else. Future is bright IMO

 

[Pa Golden Tate Fan]

I love what Bk has done so far. Changing the culture, recruiting the front 7. But this is Notre Dame and i am sick of not winning. Wasn't like there wasn't talent on this roster. On Field I would give it a C. I haven't seen the Cinnci stuff like he was doing. I know this stuff takes time. but on field has been a disappointing for me so far. Better days are coming i realize that with changing the culture. I hate the way the Dayne Crist thing was handled and some comments he has made. Do I think he is the right man for the job? Yes no doubt. Was he the right hire? Maybe. I would have still rode my bike to Norman to pick up Bob Stoops and help him back for South Bend though.

I have been disappointed so far but BK is changing the culture, recruiting better in the front 7 and giving guys second opportunities. Anyway I would give field a B-. If we can get Golson starting then the offense will take up. Better days are ahead Rome wasnt built in one day. I think hes the right guy for the job. But he was the best guy ND was going to get.

 

[Kingbish01]

I would have love to get Stoops, but 20 years ago you leave Oklahoma for ND. Today, not so much. Too bad for us, but he made the right choice.

 

[Mr. Larson]

On field performance: C+ Can't ignore the turnover ratio
Recruiting: A
Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble): B+
Keeping school spirit up (almost impossible NOT to at ND. By this I mean are the pep rallies he has good? I haven't been to one yet, sadly.) No Clue
Potential to improve: A+

We'll have a better idea after this season, but i like where the program is going.

 

[NDFan4Life]

I'm sort of confused by this:

Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble)

How can BK prevent players from getting into trouble? Is he supposed to watch over them 24/7? Aren't the players responsible for their actions?

 

[NDBoiler]

I'm sort of confused by this:



How can BK prevent players from getting into trouble? Is he supposed to watch over them 24/7? Aren't the players responsible for their actions?

My thinking is that the portion that is attributable to the coach is the character of the players he recruits (i.e. not Georgia) being less likely to get trouble. So in that respect, he does have some control.

 

[DomeLover3]

Assessing BK as a judge of character/disciplinarian.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

On Field Performance:
B+, which will jump to an A- or higher if he wins 8+ games this season. Many of you seem to be grading him based on where we want to be (BCS every year, occasional title runs) instead of where we're coming from. ND hasn't managed to string together 3 consecutive seasons of at least 8 wins in 18 years. If BK manages that, he's a hero in my book.

As Eric Murtaugh has pointed out, it's far more important to this rebuilding project that BK avoid bad seasons than to make the BCS one year and go 6-6 the next. Weis took us to two straight BCS games; does anyone feel like that proved ND is "back", when Weis followed that up by going 15-21?

Recruiting:
A-. Even with the painful transfers and near-misses, Kelly is recruiting far better than his W/L record would suggest, especially in position groups that ND has struggled to fill for years.

PR:
B. Kelly has been remarkably unlucky, and so much of this has been largely out of his hands-- Declan Sullivan, Elizabeth Seeberg, Floyd's DUI, Rees' arrest, etc. He bears responsibility for the Purple Face "scandal" and his questionable handling of our never-ending QB controversy, but given the fish bowl he's in, it's hard to be too critical.

Potential to Improve:
Not even going to dignify this with a response. We were 3 plays away from the BCS last season, despite what may have been the most absurdly unlucky season of all time.

Job Security:
In light of his recent contract extension, it would take a dramatic collapse for Kelly to get less than 5 years. Swarbrick sees the improvement and understands the depths to which ND's program had sunk before Kelly arrived.

 

[NDFan4Life]

My thinking is that the portion that is attributable to the coach is the character of the players he recruits (i.e. not Georgia) being less likely to get trouble. So in that respect, he does have some control.

Kelly didn't recruit Floyd, Rees, or Calabrese.

Those are the only players that I know of who got in trouble by the law.

So, going by your definition, Kelly should get an A+, since none of the players he's recruited have gotten into trouble.

 

[returnofthemack]

On field performance: C+

Recruiting:A-

Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble):B+

Keeping school spirit up:B-; I need to clarify on this grade. This isn't so much his fault as it is a by-product of our twenty-year slump. He is a good public speaker, but most people at ND are too jaded now to be pumped up. When I came in as a freshman in 2007, there was a lot of spirit from the BQ years. Obviously, it slumped that year but there was still a lot of spirit for Charlie's last two years. With the tremendous letdowns, we lost most of that. Then spirit built up to a decent level for BK's first year, then it got crapped on again. The most telling evidence was when I went back to visit for the USC night game. After we lost, we walked back to the dorm, only mildly pissed, mostly laughing at how pitifully bad Tommy Rees was. Most of the people I know just assume Rees will be QB again, and we'll suck for a while. If Everett is QB, there'll be a decent amount of spirit. Regardless, winning cures everything. ND students will always be behind the football team.

Potential to improve: B; I haven't seen anything too exciting from BK. The defense and running game are better but the team wilts badly in big games. I seriously disagreed with BK's QB management and will continue to do so. However, it is noteworthy that I don't think any teams can really blow us out like back in the Weis days. So at least they're respectable now, and if BK gets over his love for Rees, we could take a step forward.

Do you think BK is the man for the job:Yes, they're fairly respectable now.

Will ND be brought back to prominence by BK? I personally do not think so. I think he will set the table well for the next coach, whoever that is.

Will the next coach do something with BK's players? Yes, because his recruiting style will bring about a plethora of versatile athletic talent.

Assess his job security:B; Jack's not going to fire him anytime soon. There needs to be a solid foundation for the next coach. Kelly can take them to the 9 win a year level. If he can get them to break past that ceiling, he will be the man for the job and we should keep him for as long as possible. If he can't, the team will be at a great level for the next coach, who can hopefully take them to the next level.

 

[irishpat183]

On field performance- C- (it's not just about record, we are sloppy...and that starts at the top.)

Recruiting- A

Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble)- B (while the coach can't always prevent guys from doing stupid things, it's a part of the gig and you have to share in answering for boneheaded things even if it's "not your fault" and it's a part of a coaches job to not only recruit good guys, but keep people in line. A blend of both.)

Keeping school spirit up - I wouldn't know

Potential to improve.- A+

Job security- C....This is ND.


I love Brian Kelly as a coach and like his style. He has nowhere to go but up. However, this is ND and expectations are always high. If he doesn't make SERIOUS runs at a Nat Title by 2015, he's failed. Especially with the recruiting classes he's brining in.

 

[NDBoiler]

Kelly didn't recruit Floyd, Rees, or Calabrese.

Those are the only players that I know of who got in trouble by the law.

So, going by your definition, Kelly should get an A+, since none of the players he's recruited have gotten into trouble.

Absolutely not. My point was made with the words "less likely" and "some control" being the key operative phrases. Young men will be young men and no coach would have complete 100% control over them. It is simply less likely to occur (logically) if high character players are part of the team. You asked how BK could prevent players from getting in trouble, so this is one method that can be employed to combat that issue.

 

[NDFan4Life]

Absolutely not. My point was made with the words "less likely" and "some control" being the key operative phrases. Young men will be young men and no coach would have complete 100% control over them. It is simply less likely to occur (logically) if high character players are part of the team. You asked how BK could prevent players from getting in trouble, so this is one method that can be employed to combat that issue.

OK. Thanks for the clarification.

IMO, Kelly has done a tremendous job in getting the right kind of kids to come to ND. I know there may be some hiccups in the future, but from what I've seen, he's not recruiting kids that don't have that high moral character to be an ND student.

 

[NDBoiler]

OK. Thanks for the clarification.

IMO, Kelly has done a tremendous job in getting the right kind of kids to come to ND. I know there may be some hiccups in the future, but from what I've seen, he's not recruiting kids that don't have that high moral character to be an ND student.

No problem.

I compeltely agree with this statement. I think that the "RKG" recruiting strategy is exactly what this is in a nutshell.

 

[Buster Bluth]

A's everywhere.

 

[Riddickulous]

On-Field Performance: B

There has been solid improvement in most areas. The line play as a whole, the running game, and the defense have all made huge strides. Although we still aren't routinely crushing the lesser opponents, there were instances last year where we pummeled the teams we should have. We still fold in the biggest games (Michigan, USC, FSU).

Recruiting: B+

Maintaining the Image of the Program: B

Floyd's two arrests without suspension, the players arrested at a party in August 2010, the Declan Sullivan tragedy, the Seeberg case, the much-publicized sideline tirades, his calling out of the upperclassmen post-USC, and the Rees/Calabrese arrests generated a lot of bad press for the university.

However, this is largely out of Kelly's control and that should be factored in to the overall grade.

Keeping School Spirit Up: A

People still believe in the program. Enough said.

Potential to Improve: A

We have all the talent to be a consistent BCS/playoff contender.


Do you think BK is the man for the job - I'm still skeptical. We'll see.

Will ND be brought back to prominence by BK - See above.

Will the next coach be able to do something with BK's players - I sure ****ing hope so.

Assess his job security - Unless he goes 0-12 this year, I have a hard time seeing him not coming back for at least 2013. He's established a nice foundation, now he has to build on it.

 

[greyhammer90]

On field performance - C minus. 8 wins a year isn't bad by any means, and I agree with others that we need to build consistency. However... 0-2 v Michigan, 1-1 v Michigan St., 1-1 v USC, 0-2 v Stanford. 1-1 v. Navy. Not impressed.
Recruiting - B+ if this recruiting class stays together.
Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble) - C minus. Sorry, but he's had some arrests. Made himself look like an @ss during the USF game. Also, there was the tragedy that occurred during a practice. (not saying it was his fault, but sh*t rolls uphill sometimes)
Keeping school spirit up- A. I'm going to take this as how the program is perceived around the country. ND is seen as being on the rise, and we had two first round draft picks. Kelly also shows remarkable timing with his recruiting and wins. It seems as though we always get good news with the bad.
Potential to improve- A. Start a different QB you dummy.

Job security is solid for now. He's successfully prepared the fan base for a challenging year. It would take a pretty nasty year to really disgruntle the fans. He needs to realize how important it is that he beats Michigan this year. Going 0-3 to the skunkbears is not acceptable.

I think he's a good coach but I have yet to see the brilliance that I witnessed while he was at Cincy. We're a better, more physical team under Kelly so far... but I want to see his offensive guru come out this year. His play calling for the Bearcats was amazing, ND's has been fairly average with some occasional inspired moments.

 

[BGIF]

I'm sort of confused by this:



How can BK prevent players from getting into trouble? Is he supposed to watch over them 24/7? Aren't the players responsible for their actions?

And isn't THE UNIVERSITY? Their students first. We chide a Tressel, Paterno, Schwitzer, Bowden, Saban, et al for getting involved in STUDENT issues where an Administration should take the lead not a coach.

ND has a Student Code of Conduct. Coaches arenot mentioned as adjudicatora nor should they be. If Muffet wants to make a Forward run laps for missing a practice that is her bailiwick. Determining appropriate action for plagarism or a DUI isn't.

Sorry but this isn't a coaching criterion at ND.


Nor is Pep Rallies.

What the coach says at a rally to pump the crowd, whether they court the student body is relevant but a Pep Rally itself. Common on. He's not being paid a couple mill a year to be the ship cruise director. I want my coach working on his game plan, preparing his players (Holtz Friday Night Visualizations), and watching films not auditioning music.

Shake Down The Thunder - ON THE FIELD!

Chuck Lennon, the Band Director, and the Cheerleader Coach have more to do with ND pep rally's than Kelly or any other ND coach.

 

[BGIF]

OK. Thanks for the clarification.

IMO, Kelly has done a tremendous job in getting the right kind of kids to come to ND. I know there may be some hiccups in the future, but from what I've seen, he's not recruiting kids that don't have that high moral character to be an ND student.

Neither did Faust, Davie, Willingham, and Weis.

100 years before the expression RKG became a manta for noobies, the expression "Notre Dame Man" embodied the fundamental characteristics of the Notre Dame experience and what was looked for, and what ND expected you to be.

OMM and WhiskeyJack probably were the Right Kinda Guy in their respective day but they wear their "Notre Dame Man" Tradition like a West Point Officer does "The Long Gray Line".

 

[NDBoiler]

Neither did Faust, Davie, Willingham, and Weis.

100 years before the expression RKG became a manta for noobies, the expression "Notre Dame Man" embodied the fundamental characteristics of the Notre Dame experience and what was looked for, and what ND expected you to be.

OMM and WhiskeyJack probably were the Right Kinda Guy in their respective day but they wear their "Notre Dame Man" Tradition like a West Point Officer does "The Long Gray Line".

I am not sure if you are criticizing my post, but if you are, the reason for the reference to RKGs was of course because this thread was about BK and not previous coaches. I do not view myself as an ND football noobie if that is what you are implying just because I haven't been on IE that long. Just wanted to clear that up. My apologies if that was not your intended point.

 

[mgriff]

He gets a pass this year from me so long as it doesn't get really bad. I'm not really going to judge him since it's been rebuilding. Normally year three is big for me but with this slate, I think it will be hard to judge.

He's done a good job implementing his philosophy, and I think he does a tremendous job game planning and accounting for many scenarios. He usually gives the offense a leg up in that regard.

He's done a good job recruiting and he's been burned by a couple of decisions, but overall I'm pleased. I want to see it on the field.

 

[jimmymac]

On Field Performance:
B+, which will jump to an A- or higher if he wins 8+ games this season. Many of you seem to be grading him based on where we want to be (BCS every year, occasional title runs) instead of where we're coming from. ND hasn't managed to string together 3 consecutive seasons of at least 8 wins in 18 years. If BK manages that, he's a hero in my book.

As Eric Murtaugh has pointed out, it's far more important to this rebuilding project that BK avoid bad seasons than to make the BCS one year and go 6-6 the next. Weis took us to two straight BCS games; does anyone feel like that proved ND is "back", when Weis followed that up by going 15-21?

Recruiting:
A-. Even with the painful transfers and near-misses, Kelly is recruiting far better than his W/L record would suggest, especially in position groups that ND has struggled to fill for years.

PR:
B. Kelly has been remarkably unlucky, and so much of this has been largely out of his hands-- Declan Sullivan, Elizabeth Seeberg, Floyd's DUI, Rees' arrest, etc. He bears responsibility for the Purple Face "scandal" and his questionable handling of our never-ending QB controversy, but given the fish bowl he's in, it's hard to be too critical.

Potential to Improve:
Not even going to dignify this with a response. We were 3 plays away from the BCS last season, despite what may have been the most absurdly unlucky season of all time.

Job Security:
In light of his recent contract extension, it would take a dramatic collapse for Kelly to get less than 5 years. Swarbrick sees the improvement and understands the depths to which ND's program had sunk before Kelly arrived.

exactly spot on. I fully agree with everything in this post. Kelly's not going anywhere, we need consistency. No coach is going to come in and win the ship right away, but we're headed in the right direction.

 

[Irish YJ]

Same thing Whiskey said except a B- or C+ for team performance. Unlucky yes, but I feel the TOs are huge, and the QB situation (all around) could have been handled better. I'm not a huge DC fan, but didn't care for the way it came down, nor did I like what I saw the rest of the year. The QB issue IMO will define him over the next two years.

 

[woolybug25]

Criteria to grade on would be:

On field performance: C-
Recruiting: A-
Maintaining image of the program (players not getting into trouble): B
Keeping school spirit up ??
Potential to improve.: A

Promoting the University: A (I can't remember getting the love we get in the media now, since maybe Holtz)