Brian Kelly Revisited (RIP BOZO)

Brian Kelly Revisited


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TheRealLynch51

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I'm far from an elite football mind but I'd think 8 guys in the box all night unless Book figures it out. Since we are all confident we will get stomped by Clemson, we are definitely going to miss a 40 yard field goal to win, drop a winning touchdown, or give up a late score to lose. Notre Dame hasn't dropped a Heartbreaker (TM) since the Clemson Hurricane game as far as i can remember.

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Bluto

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The problem I see is that without Clark Lea we are an 8-4 / 7-5 team. Defense has carried ND for three seasons now. They basically never give up 30 points, and they routinely hold teams below their average.

Now we have an elite OL with a very good RB and this same kick ass defense... yet we score 12. Against a shit team. That’s a coaching and a talent issue. Kelly has had 10 years to get an elite QB and can’t do it.

Most programs are in that same boat in terms of putting it all together.

Imagine how good Oklahoma would have been with a kick ass defense the past couple years.

Conversely I think Georgia would have won a natty by now if they could ever figure out how to put an explosive offense on the field on a regular basis.

It’s looking like Orgerons natty was a total fluke.

Anyhow, I think Kelly is a top 5 coach for sure.
 

Ndaccountant

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Most programs are in that same boat in terms of putting it all together.

Imagine how good Oklahoma would have been with a kick ass defense the past couple years.

Conversely I think Georgia would have won a natty by now if they could ever figure out how to put an explosive offense on the field on a regular basis.

It’s looking like Orgerons natty was a total fluke.

Anyhow, I think Kelly is a top 5 coach for sure.

If he were top 5, I would expect more significant wins. ND has not won a game of significance since Michigan of 2018? I don't really consider that since they got absolutely roasted by OSU and Florida that year and finished 14th in the polls. So then you go to USC of 17? Again, they finished 10th and 14th in the polls that year, lost 3 games. 2016...nothing. 2015 was a good team, didn't beat anyone special. 2014...should have been FSU, but nope. 2013 did with Sparty who finished third that year.

But for a coach to be top 5, I would expect many more victories than that. I also think a top 5 coach doesn't have a 2016 type season that far into his tenure.
 

Classic Irish

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Best loss I've ever seen. Wettest game I've ever been to, that's for sure.

Wettest game I had ever been to until the following year’s game at NC State. The rain was coming down so hard in Carter-Finley that it was hard to see the game from the stands.
 

Irish YJ

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Wettest game I had ever been to until the following year’s game at NC State. The rain was coming down so hard in Carter-Finley that it was hard to see the game from the stands.

At the Clemson game, we had camped out in the monsoon, and actually had a fishing charter at the nearby lake. Boat capt thought we were insane that we still wanted to go. At the game, thank god we wore rubber boots, as we were standing in 6-10 inches of water all game in the stands. We had to abandon the popup canopy we brought for the tailgate because the water had pooled and was too heavy to push up and off. Rained all night back at the camp ground again after the game. Luckily the next morning we had 1 hour ish of no-rain that allowed us to pack up and get the hell out lol.
 

zelezo vlk

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Man and I thought the 2017 Navy game sucked (it did).

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ulukinatme

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I know I've posted it here before, but the wettest game I've ever been to was the game against Michigan in 2008. That one was fun as hell though! We knew how to play in the rain back then. Buckets were coming down, there was literally waterfalls cascading down the steps of the stadium. Michigan couldn't hold onto the ball, and we kicked their ass. I didn't care one bit that I was soaked completely through, I'd do a game like that anytime.

7 Fumbles, 2 INTs!

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9orixjAk87A" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>
 

Bluto

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If he were top 5, I would expect more significant wins. ND has not won a game of significance since Michigan of 2018? I don't really consider that since they got absolutely roasted by OSU and Florida that year and finished 14th in the polls. So then you go to USC of 17? Again, they finished 10th and 14th in the polls that year, lost 3 games. 2016...nothing. 2015 was a good team, didn't beat anyone special. 2014...should have been FSU, but nope. 2013 did with Sparty who finished third that year.

But for a coach to be top 5, I would expect many more victories than that. I also think a top 5 coach doesn't have a 2016 type season that far into his tenure.

So who is better? Saban and Dabo? After those 2 it’s debatable. Dude from Oklahoma hasn't won shit despite having 2 NFL level QB’s and they look like crap this year. Smart? He always looses the “big game”. ND almost beat him with a QB that couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn. The guy coaching Ohio State? Too early to tell. Orgeron? Kelly beat him head to head and it looks like last year was a complete fluke. So yeah. That top 5 is pretty fluid and considering what ND has done since 2017 there is a strong argument to be made for Kelly being in the top 5.
 
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zelezo vlk

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That game was the worst. It was wet and freezing.
I feel awful that I never met anybody there, several IE guys were there. Just didnt work out.

Still wasnt as miserable as 2008 Syracuse. Really felt like the whole stadium was just a big icicle.

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ulukinatme

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I've been to the Snowy Syracuse game, and I was there for Florida State in 2018. Seen a lot of cold ones, but the most miserable game I've ever been to was the Spring Game in 2013. It was 36 degrees at noon in late April, and the wind gusts were hitting 20-25 mph...I'm talking biting cold winds. Probably didn't help it was a Spring Game, so less people to insulate from the weather. First game my brother ever tapped out and left, I stuck around for the end....and to be honest it was kind of a snoozer...it was a defensive dominant game where the only highlight was a late TD that I'm pretty sure the defense only gave up because they knew Big Lou was gonna get to run in a 2 point conversion after.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DxS13tok_kw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It really was a miserable day though. People were ducking inside wherever they could all day to escape the wind.
Legends was packed and most of the people weren't there to eat, just hunker down lol. I'll take snow and cold weather all day, but if you get a strong nasty wind coming off the lake in that stadium...sucks balls.
 
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Irish YJ

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I've been to the Snowy Syracuse game, and I was there for Florida State in 2018. Seen a lot of cold ones, but the most miserable game I've ever been to was the Spring Game in 2013. It was 36 degrees at noon in late April, and the wind gusts were hitting 20-25 mph...I'm talking biting cold winds. Probably didn't help it was a Spring Game, so less people to insulate from the weather. First game my brother ever tapped out and left, I stuck around for the end....and to be honest it was kind of a snoozer...it was a defensive dominant game where the only highlight was a late TD that I'm pretty sure the defense only gave up because they knew Big Lou was gonna get to run in a 2 point conversion after.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DxS13tok_kw" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

It really was a miserable day though. People were ducking inside wherever they could all day to escape the wind.
Legends was packed and most of the people weren't there to eat, just hunker down lol. I'll take snow and cold weather all day, but if you get a strong nasty wind coming off the lake in that stadium...sucks balls.

That NW game 5 or so years ago was pretty chilly too. Had to dig a parking space open on the top floor of the garage lol.
 

Ndaccountant

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So who is better? Saban and Dabo? After those 2 it’s debatable. Dude from Oklahoma hasn't won shit despite having 2 NFL level QB’s and they look like crap this year. Smart? He always looses the “big game”. ND almost beat him with a QB that couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn. The guy coaching Ohio State? Too early to tell. Orgeron? Kelly beat him head to head and it looks like last year was a complete fluke. So yeah. That top 5 is pretty fluid and considering what ND has done since 2017 there is a strong argument to be made for Kelly being in the top 5.

I think if you swapped ND with UGA, ND would fare worse. I think ND schedule has softened considerably since the ACC agreement. That makes us feel better. But that doesn't mean he is a top 5 coach. I think Day has limited sample size, but has clearly recruited better and has a better staff. You say Riley had the benefit of the QBs, but he developed them. He also beat Urban and ND got boat raced by Urbs.

I am not saying that BK is terrible and not top 15. But top 5 should be reserved for the guys who have won big. Once/if BK wins big, he will move into the elite tier. Until then, he will be outside the elite tier IMO.
 

Irish#1

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It's Dabo and Saban, then everyone else. You can argue that BK isn't top 5, but who would you replace him with? Smart can't win the big one. Orgeron appears to have rode the perfect storm. Chip Kelly isn't very good without the Nike money. Riley has several clunkers. Maybe Day, but he lands top kids just by saying "This is Coach Day from Ohio State". Jimbo hasn't wowed the world at A&M. Franklin is doing decent, but is pretty much a mirror of BK, so if he's top 5, then BK is.

Let's just fire BK now, promote Lea to HC and Tommy to AHC. That should make some of you happy.
 

Free Manera

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It's Dabo and Saban, then everyone else. You can argue that BK isn't top 5, but who would you replace him with? Smart can't win the big one. Orgeron appears to have rode the perfect storm. Chip Kelly isn't very good without the Nike money. Riley has several clunkers. Maybe Day, but he lands top kids just by saying "This is Coach Day from Ohio State". Jimbo hasn't wowed the world at A&M. Franklin is doing decent, but is pretty much a mirror of BK, so if he's top 5, then BK is.

Let's just fire BK now, promote Lea to HC and Tommy to AHC. That should make some of you happy.


I was listening to the BGI podcast with Mike Goolsby yesterday and he was hard on Kelly for not having guys motivated. He said something like, ND isn't an exciting place to play during normal times, let alone empty stadium covid time. It's on the coach to have the team ready.

Everyone poops on rah rah guys, but I think that's what the next coach needs to be. You know who else was a rah rah guy? Lou.
 

IrishLion

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I've been to the Snowy Syracuse game, and I was there for Florida State in 2018. Seen a lot of cold ones, but the most miserable game I've ever been to was the Spring Game in 2013. It was 36 degrees at noon in late April, and the wind gusts were hitting 20-25 mph...I'm talking biting cold winds. Probably didn't help it was a Spring Game, so less people to insulate from the weather.

I was at the Syracuse game in '08, which sucked all around, but the coldest I've ever been was I think the BYU game in 2013.

Late November, temperature in the teens with high wind, snow starting in the fourth quarter... it was miserable. It didn't help that we were sitting behind the endzone that had the wind blasting in our faces the whole game.
 

FightingIrishLover7

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Random, specific gripe.

Do you guys remember when Kelly was hired and we were all excited for "slot wrs".

What has he actually accomplished with that position?
 

IrishLion

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Random, specific gripe.

Do you guys remember when Kelly was hired and we were all excited for "slot wrs".

What has he actually accomplished with that position?

Theo Riddick in '10 and '11 was good.

CJ Prosise was trending in a good direction as 'Slot Receiver That Defenses Have to Game Plan For" in 2014... but then he moved to RB in '15.

Amir Carlisle was a legit threat in the slot in both '14 and '15.

Then we had Finke in '18 and '19, who was a big reason for how reliable Ian Book was on 3rd down during two really good seasons.

So basically in every four-year cycle, ND is good for two years of good slot WR production, followed by two years of minimal use.

2010: Theo
2011: Theo
2012: Meh (Eifert present)
2013: Meh (Jones and Daniels ate up targets on the outside)
2014: Prosise AND Carlisle
2015: Carlisle
2016: Meh (CJ Sanders had potential!)
2017: Meh (33 Trucking)
2018: Finke
2019: Finke
2020: Meh So Far (All of the TE's! But Avery Davis has potential)

And I'm betting that '21 will be 'meh' for slot production again. We will likely have a new QB running the show. New QB's love TE safety blankets... plus, the TE's will be worthy of building the offense around anyway. That will eat into snap counts and targets for slot WR's.
 
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Luckylucci

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Just keep in mind that the more we run 2-3 TE sets the less opportunities there will be for the slot WR. There is no slot in those formations.

But, IMO, slot WR is just another position on offense where we aren’t playing the better player. Keys should be getting Davis’s reps.
 

Rack Em

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I was listening to the BGI podcast with Mike Goolsby yesterday and he was hard on Kelly for not having guys motivated. He said something like, ND isn't an exciting place to play during normal times, let alone empty stadium covid time. It's on the coach to have the team ready.

Everyone poops on rah rah guys, but I think that's what the next coach needs to be. You know who else was a rah rah guy? Lou.

I've said that for 5 years now. The next HC needs to be a cheerleader first and an X's and O's guy second. There aren't enough Nick Saban's in the world to go around, so get a great motivator and hire great coordinators. That's the most likely recipe for winning a natty at ND.
 

Rack Em

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Just keep in mind that the more we run 2-3 TE sets the less opportunities there will be for the slot WR. There is no slot in those formations.

But, IMO, slot WR is just another position on offense where we aren’t playing the better player. Keys should be getting Davis’s reps.

Agree. The slot is getting taken up by Tremble and Mayer, which I'm fine with because you have to contend with their blocking and their catching. But it's getting old to watch perennial powerhouses run their best athletes out on the field and let them make plays, while ours sit on the bench because <insert BK coachspeak phrase here>.
 

IrishLion

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But, IMO, slot WR is just another position on offense where we aren’t playing the better player. Keys should be getting Davis’s reps.

Keys has been hyped the past two offseasons as a guy who has game-breaking ability... but then he gets hurt. He's had a lot of nagging injuries that keep him off the field, just when it looks like he's going to be ON the field regularly.

Is it legit? Or are the little, nagging injuries just the excuses that BK has for the public, when really they just aren't involving him? Idk, but I'd be interested to hear what the insiders say about it after having hyped Keys up for the past two years.

Agree. The slot is getting taken up by Tremble and Mayer, which I'm fine with because you have to contend with their blocking and their catching. But it's getting old to watch perennial powerhouses run their best athletes out on the field and let them make plays, while ours sit on the bench because <insert BK coachspeak phrase here>.

I'm still mad that they didn't force Davonte Neal into the offensive rotation in 2012. Golson scrambling around and then hitting that guy with passes over the middle would have been awesome, even though I have no evidence to back up my belief.
 

fightingirish26

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Keys has never shown anything to convince us he's actually good. He's gotten offseason hype and that's it. Davis is far less natural at the slot and he's produced more than Keys has with less snaps. Regardless, I'd rather see no more than 2 WRs on the field at the same time moving forward. Play more TE heavy formations and 2 back sets.
 

zelezo vlk

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I was at the Syracuse game in '08, which sucked all around, but the coldest I've ever been was I think the BYU game in 2013.

Late November, temperature in the teens with high wind, snow starting in the fourth quarter... it was miserable. It didn't help that we were sitting behind the endzone that had the wind blasting in our faces the whole game.

I was at both but thought Syracuse just felt so much colder than the BYU game. That wind was awful in 2013 though.
 
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