Brian Kelly Revisited (RIP BOZO)

[TheRealLynch51]

To the people who are stating that BK needs to go right now, what would your realistic plan be to accomplish that? Fire him now or end of season?

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

some AD said it best - whatever must be done eventually, should be done immediately. If you’ve decided BK really probably needs to go, just do it now, IMO.

I'd usually agree but Kelly deserves more respect than that. He's earned it. Hopefully he'll know how to step away when it's time, but his ego may get in the way.

 

[InKellyWeTrust]

To the people who are stating that BK needs to go right now, what would your realistic plan be to accomplish that? Fire him now or end of season?

I'm not sat ng I'm ready to get rid of him now, but I'd like to think there is a transition plan forming.

 

[dad4aa]

Beginning to realize the best QB on the team is the 2nd string and the best coach is the next one. I believe we are strongly in the second tier and closing in on the top tier if our next two classes can hold together. We still have a chance to go 10-2 or 11-1 and get a great bowl game in a “rebuilding year”. We are having a much better year than Clemson which everyone feels is in the top tier and we are once again calling for BK’s head.

 

[Sea Turtle]

Serious question, do you have inside knowledge on this stuff (and know for sure it’s all correct) or do you just cobble it together from Internet forums?

I don't have inside knowledge. It's information that I have gathered over the years from people who have inside knowledge, as well as premium sites, private boards and podcasts.

 

[Sea Turtle]

To the people who are stating that BK needs to go right now, what would your realistic plan be to accomplish that? Fire him now or end of season?

I don't think anybody is seriously calling for Kelly's removal. I vent probably the loudest on here but even I think that is a ridiculous take.

It's just frustrating because Kelly doesn't hire the best staffing candidates possible and after 12 years, we should have a well oiled machine on offense and the qb position.

 

[NDRock]

I don't have inside knowledge. It's information that I have gathered over the years from people who have inside knowledge, as well as premium sites, private boards and podcasts.

I figured.

 

[Ndaccountant]

My point is that ND has avoided the WTF loss (save for 2019 Michigan). ND got the best of Clemson in South Bend, tip of the cap on capitalizing on that opportunity, but right or wrong, it comes with an asterisk. ND has not played any other tier 1B teams over that time. Some of the other schools in the same tier of ND has and have won.

I am thrilled to not have the losses, trust me on that. But I think the stat ignores the lack of top tier wins (schedule driven).

I got hated on for this take last week and by suggesting Wisconsin may not have been all that good. Well, one week later, we have another top 10 loss and Wisconsin got trounced at home.

This isn't a hate on BK post either. Just to point out that when people talk about the 10 win seasons, only losing against top teams, etc....that ND has not had many top tier wins either. Saturday was an opportunity to fix that narrative and, by and large, ND should have won but made some questionable calls and had some mental lapses (of which I put on the coaches shoulders). We don't need to call for BK's head, that's wayyyyyy over the top. But we also need to realize that, for whatever reason, we come up short against top 10 teams far too consistently. The program is in a fantastic spot all things considered, but that doesn't mean it's in the best spot that it could be.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

I don't think anybody is seriously calling for Kelly's removal. I vent probably the loudest on here but even I think that is a ridiculous take.

It's just frustrating because Kelly doesn't hire the best staffing candidates possible and after 12 years, we should have a well oiled machine on offense and the qb position.

That's a fair take. And I agree to some point. Friend hires and QB development have been the weak points of his tenure. Mix in spotty recruiting from his assistants (and BK himself not getting involved with top guys) at times, and we get to the point we are at currently. I personally have come to the realization that ND will never get back to the days of yore without a new coach at some point. I just don't know who's out there to get ND to the next level that will actually come here. If ND ever wins a championship again, BK deserves a mini statue on campus somewhere. Like a gnome-esque 2 foot statue. Just for modernizing the program and having things set up great for whatever coach comes in post BK.

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

That's a fair take. And I agree to some point. Friend hires and QB development have been the weak points of his tenure. Mix in spotty recruiting from his assistants (and BK himself not getting involved with top guys) at times, and we get to the point we are at currently. I personally have come to the realization that ND will never get back to the days of yore without a new coach at some point. I just don't know who's out there to get ND to the next level that will actually come here. If ND ever wins a championship again, BK deserves a mini statue on campus somewhere. Like a gnome-esque 2 foot statue. Just for modernizing the program and having things set up great for whatever coach comes in post BK.

Not yet.... Win a playoff game and maybe. Right now a plaque and a watch made out of coal is absolutely deserved.

 

[TheRealLynch51]

Not yet.... Win a playoff game and maybe. Right now a plaque and a watch made out of coal is absolutely deserved.

Counter point: If BK wins a playoff game, then they have enough talent to win the whole damn thing. Which would require an actual big statue.

 

[ND88]

I got hated on for this take last week and by suggesting Wisconsin may not have been all that good. Well, one week later, we have another top 10 loss and Wisconsin got trounced at home.

A lack of killer instinct. I think Kelly needs to find a way to eradicate this excuse of a mindset: Every team brings their A game versus Notre Dame. Who flippin’ cares? This breeds the mentality that every opponent is good that Notre Dame plays, and that’s simply not the case. The team should be absolutely bored with wins against Toledo and Purdue. And jacked to destroy teams that are actual competition. Instead, every game is a contest. Psychologically, that seems like it has to jade the process a bit. ND should be of the mindset to bury teams. It took a special teams miracle and Freeman’s defense to stack points against Wisconsin. Otherwise, you could bet Kelly would have told Rees to go vanilla on the play clock and run out the time.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I'll take Kelly over Dabo
I'll also take anyone over Quinn

 

[TNUtoNotreDame]

I'll take Kelly over Dabo
I'll also take anyone over Quinn

Dabo wins big games so I would take him easily.

Quinn, agreed.

 

[Dale]

I don't think anybody is seriously calling for Kelly's removal. I vent probably the loudest on here but even I think that is a ridiculous take.

It's just frustrating because Kelly doesn't hire the best staffing candidates possible and after 12 years, we should have a well oiled machine on offense and the qb position.

Clemson doesn’t have a well oiled machine on offense, neither does Georgia, who hasn’t for years. Ohio State doesn’t have a well oiled machine on defense. Oklahoma couldn’t field a defense until last year, and now they have QB questions. I really don’t understand this expectation to be Alabama basically. Is the offense up to a minimum standard this year? Hell no, but the fact that a essentially fire BK thread gets bumped everytime we don’t look like Alabama on both sides is ridiculous.

 

[ulukinatme]

So many bad takes in here the last few days.

This was always going to be a transition year, it would have taken some luck to get to the playoff and even then there was no way we'd stand up to Alabama or Georgia. 10 wins is still doable, but it depends on who we put under center.

I think under normal circumstances we could win with any of these QBs, but not in the current shape of the OL. Given the OL situation it has to be Pyne or Buckner because they add escapability. I really like Coan, but he would have worked better last year or in prior years where the line was strong. I feel a bit bad if he's gonna get benched through no fault of his own, but at the very least he got some revenge against his old team and I'm sure scouts will see his skills and take the OL into account.

I've got no problem with what Tommy and Kelly have done given the circumstances. I haven't been impressed with Quinn or Alexander. Both position groups are struggling, our TE is the most consistent receiving threat we have, nobody else regularly finds ways to get open and make plays although Davis does on occasion. Coaches have to coach, but at some point guys have to execute. The INTs, the fumble on the kick return, the easy drop by Austin, those guys have to avoid the costly mistakes. Credit Cincinnati for playing mostly mistake free, although that does tend to happen with teams that get 2 weeks to prepare.

Everyone ready to let BK go again, I've got news for you: BK is currently still the best coach for ND at this time. Until you can show me a legit candidate that is better AND is going to leave his current gig for South Bend it would be a really bad move to can Kelly.

 

[ryno 24]

So many bad takes in here the last few days.

This was always going to be a transition year, it would have taken some luck to get to the playoff and even then there was no way we'd stand up to Alabama or Georgia. 10 wins is still doable, but it depends on who we put under center.

I think under normal circumstances we could win with any of these QBs, but not in the current shape of the OL. Given the OL situation it has to be Pyne or Buckner because they add escapability. I really like Coan, but he would have worked better last year or in prior years where the line was strong. I feel a bit bad if he's gonna get benched through no fault of his own, but at the very least he got some revenge against his old team and I'm sure scouts will see his skills and take the OL into account.

I've got no problem with what Tommy and Kelly have done given the circumstances. I haven't been impressed with Quinn or Alexander. Both position groups are struggling, our TE is the most consistent receiving threat we have, nobody else regularly finds ways to get open and make plays although Davis does on occasion. Coaches have to coach, but at some point guys have to execute. The INTs, the fumble on the kick return, the easy drop by Austin, those guys have to avoid the costly mistakes. Credit Cincinnati for playing mostly mistake free, although that does tend to happen with teams that get 2 weeks to prepare.

Everyone ready to let BK go again, I've got news for you: BK is currently still the best coach for ND at this time. Until you can show me a legit candidate that is better AND is going to leave his current gig for South Bend it would be a really bad move to can Kelly.

This times a thousand. Anyone thinking BK should go or isnt a good coach is being emotional. Did you really expect Notre Dame to go 12-0 this year. This was a top ten team. Not very good but this team will develop for next year.

 

[Irish#1]

I'm not sat ng I'm ready to get rid of him now, but I'd like to think there is a transition plan forming.

I find your post rather amusing given your forum name.

 

[Irish#1]

I got hated on for this take last week and by suggesting Wisconsin may not have been all that good. Well, one week later, we have another top 10 loss and Wisconsin got trounced at home.

This isn't a hate on BK post either. Just to point out that when people talk about the 10 win seasons, only losing against top teams, etc....that ND has not had many top tier wins either. Saturday was an opportunity to fix that narrative and, by and large, ND should have won but made some questionable calls and had some mental lapses (of which I put on the coaches shoulders). We don't need to call for BK's head, that's wayyyyyy over the top. But we also need to realize that, for whatever reason, we come up short against top 10 teams far too consistently. The program is in a fantastic spot all things considered, but that doesn't mean it's in the best spot that it could be.

I guess beating Clemson last year doesn't count? Even minus TL, they were a more loaded talented team than ND.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

I'm not sat ng I'm ready to get rid of him now, but I'd like to think there is a transition plan forming.

This site is an absolute dumpster fire rn. Not an "intelligent ND football discussion" at all, it's an emotional meltdown.

BK isn't going anywhere. We lost to a top 10 team, and a damn good one. Anyone here who thought this was a CFP caliber team, that's your own damn fault for either getting your hopes up and not paying attention, or just not having a high football IQ.

I still think 9-3/10-2 is attainable and a damn fine season considering we replaced our all time winningest QB and 4/5 starters on the OL, as well as the nations top LB and a boat-load of other defensive players.

You don't replace as many starters as we did on both sides of the ball and run the table unless you're Alabama and...nope, that's the list. Can't help you if you have unrealistic expectations. It's fine to be mad on Saturday night, give it 24 hours, but to be calling for BK's job with the state of the program, especially these past 4-5 seasons...just irrational.

 

[NDohio]

I wish this thread would just go away - yet here I am reading/posting in it...

Calling for BK to go is just absurd. During the time this thread has been in existence a majority of the names of possible replacements have failed to have the same amount of success as BK - and some of them have crashed and burned. It's comical.

 

[dankgesang]

I guess beating Clemson last year doesn't count? Even minus TL, they were a more loaded talented team than ND.

With all due respect, this isn't a good characterization of what Clemson was missing in that game. They were also down Skalski, Tyler Davis, another starting linebacker and Bresee by the end.

If, say, UNC had beaten us in overtime last year at Chapel Hill, and we were without Book, JOK and MTA, and they were holding that up as a "top tier" win, we would think that was pretty cringey shit on their part.

 

[Irishize]

With all due respect, this isn't a good characterization of what Clemson was missing in that game. They were also down Skalski, Tyler Davis, another starting linebacker and Bresee by the end.

If, say, UNC had beaten us in overtime last year at Chapel Hill, and we were without Book, JOK and MTA, and they were holding that up as a "top tier" win, we would think that was pretty cringey shit on their part.

Fair enough but ND was still a 6-10 point home underdog (depending on which bookmaker you chose) despite Clemson’s injuries.

 

[NDRock]

With all due respect, this isn't a good characterization of what Clemson was missing in that game. They were also down Skalski, Tyler Davis, another starting linebacker and Bresee by the end.

If, say, UNC had beaten us in overtime last year at Chapel Hill, and we were without Book, JOK and MTA, and they were holding that up as a "top tier" win, we would think that was pretty cringey shit on their part.

Notre Dame was also without Austin, Patterson, and I believe Lenzy for that game. Everyone wants to downplay the Clemson game because Lawrence was out. To me it showed (as is this year) that without a Lawrence or Watson, Clemson and ND are not that far apart. Notre Dame these last four years with one of those guys at QB would have been capable of beating anyone.

 

[Ndaccountant]

I guess beating Clemson last year doesn't count? Even minus TL, they were a more loaded talented team than ND.

I didn't say they lacked "any" top tier wins, just that they don't have many, which is largely schedule driven. So when the time comes when you have a top 10 game, you need to win. For the most part, ND hast lost those games.

 

[anarin]

This site is an absolute dumpster fire rn. Not an "intelligent ND football discussion" at all, it's an emotional meltdown.

This times 1000000000000000000000000000000000.

Sometimes I feel like I'm at NDNation.

Did ND shit the bed against Cincinnati? Absolutely.. And we can dissect the game 1000 different ways. Fact is, they lost. And the fact is, we ALL knew that this years team wasn't going to compete for a playoff spot, and if they did? They completely overachieved. There were too many things to overcome.... BUT, the shit I'm reading right now is amazing.

Notre Dame isn't Alabama (and no one else is)and reload with 5 star talent every season. Hell, Clemson without Trevor Lawrence seems to have hit the wall. Ohio State for all the talent they get every year, seems to not be the same team we're used to seeing. These things happen to normal programs (outside of bama).

A lot of you need to chill the F out and look towards Virginia Tech.

 

[IrishLax]

[TWEET]https://twitter.com/petesampson_/status/1445057508821938190?s=21[/TWEET]

Sounds like it’s Pyne Time.

 

[Rogue219]

I could go for an overhaul of the offensive staff. I do not think Kelly should be fired. That's a knee jerk reaction to a loss.

He needs to find a young OC who is an innovative play caller and balls out recruiter. Get a QB coach who is the same. If it is the same guy, great. Jeff Quinn doesn't need to be here anymore. He hung out as an analyst for years waiting for Hiestand to leave and I assume no other schools wanted him during that time. Too comfy.

Right now I'd keep Lance Taylor and everyone else I'm totally indifferent about.

 

[Free Manera]

I could go for an overhaul of the offensive staff. I do not think Kelly should be fired. That's a knee jerk reaction to a loss.

He needs to find a young OC who is an innovative play caller and balls out recruiter. Get a QB coach who is the same. If it is the same guy, great. Jeff Quinn doesn't need to be here anymore. He hung out as an analyst for years waiting for Hiestand to leave and I assume no other schools wanted him during that time. Too comfy.

Right now I'd keep Lance Taylor and everyone else I'm totally indifferent about.

This is where I'm at too. Replacing head coaches is a cluster. Kelly = stability and a decent floor. However, the nepotism has to stop. They went out and outbid LSU for Freeman, who was #1 on everyone's board for D coordinators. Do the same thing for an O coordinator and an O line coach and then we're in business.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

This is where I'm at too. Replacing head coaches is a cluster. Kelly = stability and a decent floor. However, the nepotism has to stop. They went out and outbid LSU for Freeman, who was #1 on everyone's board for D coordinators. Do the same thing for an O coordinator and an O line coach and then we're in business.

We're being very selective here in what counts as lazy nepotism by Kelly. Diaco followed Kelly from Cinci, and 2012 doesn't happen without his defense.Elston also followed Kelly from Cinci, and has turned our DL into a source of stability and excellent over the last 11 years. Promoting Clark Lea to DC was very risky, and he surely would have gotten crucified for it as an uninspired hire... except that Lea turned out to be even better than Elko.

Conversely, the outside hires haven't all been hits either. Chip Long was such an asshole that the players were on the verge of a mass walk-out when he was fired.

Staffing is hard, especially for a job as weird and demanding as CFB coach. Kelly's certainly not above criticism, but his hiring philosophy has paid off more than its hurt us.