Brian Kelly Revisited (RIP BOZO)

[Free Manera]

Have we moved on from Lea being his replacement? Did I miss the memo?

Give Lea that Venables bag to keep him for a few more years, let him take over when Kelly leaves. I know people say you can't hire a first time HC at ND, but Lea might be an exception.

 

[calvegas04]

Give Lea that Venables bag to keep him for a few more years, let him take over when Kelly leaves. I know people say you can't hire a first time HC at ND, but Lea might be an exception.

We have made a lot of assistance coaches an exception over the years here at IE.

 

[Free Manera]

We have made a lot of assistance coaches an exception over the years here at IE.

Ha that is true and I bet someone, at some point, said it about Van Gorder.

 

[zelezo vlk]

Ha that is true and I bet someone, at some point, said it about Van Gorder.

Oh it definitely happened in those first 6 games. Happened with Sanford in 2015. Then Elko in 2017.

 

[calvegas04]

Oh it definitely happened in those first 6 games. Happened with Sanford in 2015. Then Elko in 2017.

Bob Diaco was supposed to be HC right now with 4 championships

 

[Old Man Mike]

"When Diaco walks by a Mirror, his reflection salutes."

 

[ulukinatme]

Fickel? No thanks. Lea or Tommy at this point once BK retires. Both are now very familiar with the program, and they don't need to be acclimated to the rigors of the position. They've seen the blueprint Kelly has used the last few years, and they know how ND is different from other programs and what it takes to win.

 

[NDBoiler]

I just went to Brian Kelly’s wiki page and his photo made me laugh.

They got him mean mugging like Whitey Bulgher or something.

Quick, someone post the BK Homeboy pic. That’s what he should be rolling with on his Twitter right now.

 

[NorthDakota]

Quick, someone post the BK Homeboy pic. That’s what he should be rolling with on his Twitter right now.

His wiki page should be like the old MySpace pages and play a song when you view the page.

I nominate lose yourself lol

 

[Irish du Nord]

Quick, someone post the BK Homeboy pic. That’s what he should be rolling with on his Twitter right now.

 

[Irish YJ]

some less flattering...

So it's a mystery to me that he'll wear boots, but shorts and sneakers on a horse....

 

[irishff1014]

I know i have been critical of BK in this thread but congrats on his 100th career win at ND.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

Have we moved on from Lea being his replacement? Did I miss the memo?

Yeah, we're on team Tommy now

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[Irish YJ]

I know i have been critical of BK in this thread but congrats on his 100th career win at ND.

Which is pretty awesome in mid-year 11 given 2016.
I wonder if it's official though given the wins we lost.

 

[Irish YJ]

Yeah, we're on team Tommy now

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I like the co-HC narrative lol...

I think it's fair to say Lea will be gone before BK retires. Unless he's made HC in waiting...
Tommy on the other hand, is more likely to stick around. I'm sure he'll get some HC offers from some of the small schools, but won't be comparable to what Lea is potentially offered, or what Tommy might gain by sticking around.

I have to say though, while being a bit tongue and cheek about Tommy taking over at some point, I was highly impressed with some of his interviews. Full disclosure, I've seen very few.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

I like the co-HC narrative lol...



I think it's fair to say Lea will be gone before BK retires. Unless he's made HC in waiting...

Tommy on the other hand, is more likely to stick around. I'm sure he'll get some HC offers from some of the small schools, but won't be comparable to what Lea is potentially offered, or what Tommy might gain by sticking around.



I have to say though, while being a bit tongue and cheek about Tommy taking over at some point, I was highly impressed with some of his interviews. Full disclosure, I've seen very few.

Tommy and Lea are both so well spoken. Level headed, etc. Both know how to "read" players... Some players respond to different coaching styles in different ways.

Easily Long and BVGs biggest mistake. (if they don't like my style, F em, attitude).

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[IrishLax]

IMO, Lea is more ready to lead a program than Tommy is. It's a big job and while both guys are young Lea has (comparatively) a lot more seasoning than a 1st year OC. If BK were to get hit by a bus, I would want to see Lea promoted while tabbing Elston to run his system as DC.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

IMO, Lea is more ready to lead a program than Tommy is. It's a big job and while both guys are young Lea has (comparatively) a lot more seasoning than a 1st year OC. If BK were to get hit by a bus, I would want to see Lea promoted while tabbing Elston to run his system as DC.

Lea is absolutely more ready. But Tommy is looking good down the road... Elston might actually be ahead of Lea, maybe. Elston has been around longer, knows some in and outs. Seems to do great recruiting (not that Lea doesn't, but Elston seems to "like it").

We have 3 great candidates. And Lance is probably not too far behind either.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

The more I talk about the staff, the more I realize how dang great this staff is.
Props to Kelly (and Swarbrick) for straightening this out and getting this staff together.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

 

[ulukinatme]

IMO, Lea is more ready to lead a program than Tommy is. It's a big job and while both guys are young Lea has (comparatively) a lot more seasoning than a 1st year OC. If BK were to get hit by a bus, I would want to see Lea promoted while tabbing Elston to run his system as DC.

This is true, but isn't BK signed through mid 2020s now? If I was naming a HC internally today I would certainly take Lea, but by 2025? I'd probably take either. Tommy would be 33 by then and will have been with the program 8 years as a coach. By then he would have been working closely with BK for quite awhile and know the job fairly well, and who else besides BK himself would know all the pitfalls, the in's and out's better if Lea isn't still around?

 

[Irish YJ]

The more I talk about the staff, the more I realize how dang great this staff is.
Props to Kelly (and Swarbrick) for straightening this out and getting this staff together.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

I really had heartburn for several years due to the BK buddy parade of hires. He seems to have learned one way or another. And it's paying off for him.

Lea is absolutely more ready. But Tommy is looking good down the road... Elston might actually be ahead of Lea, maybe. Elston has been around longer, knows some in and outs. Seems to do great recruiting (not that Lea doesn't, but Elston seems to "like it").

We have 3 great candidates. And Lance is probably not too far behind either.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

Lance was my first thought thinking about future/potential OCs should Tommy move on or get promoted down the line. I know it's a likely a pipe dream, but hanging on to Lea, Tommy, and Lance will be on my mind every year.

 

[greyhammer90]

Lea is absolutely more ready. But Tommy is looking good down the road... Elston might actually be ahead of Lea, maybe. Elston has been around longer, knows some in and outs. Seems to do great recruiting (not that Lea doesn't, but Elston seems to "like it").

We have 3 great candidates. And Lance is probably not too far behind either.

Sent from my SM-G973U using Tapatalk

In meme-world I'd like Elston just because if he's amazing then it would mean that ND found the fabled "Michigan Man worthy to lead the program" before Michigan did.

Honestly I want BK as long as he's focused on the job. Lea leaving seems like a certainty, but I don't want to hear he left for somewhere else because of the money. If we're paying him more than we should and he leaves to be a HC somewhere, so be it and a sincere and hearty best of luck to him.

 

[Blaise]

I don't see any way we go the Bob Davie route... Feel Like we are a lock to take a HC with experience... I remember when people on this board wanted Sanford to be coach in waiting. Now he is fired from Western Kentucky...

Neither Coordinators will be HC here without going somewhere else first

 

[Irish YJ]

In meme-world I'd like Elston just because if he's amazing then it would mean that ND found the fabled "Michigan Man worthy to lead the program" before Michigan did.

Shush Grey.

I've always had a thought scUM may come after him... lol.

 

[Irish YJ]

I don't see any way we go the Bob Davie route... Feel Like we are a lock to take a HC with experience... I remember when people on this board wanted Sanford to be coach in waiting. Now he is fired from Western Kentucky...

Neither Coordinators will be HC here without going somewhere else first

IDK. It's a different day and time.

Who would have thought Tommy would be OC before going somewhere else?

 

[ulukinatme]

I don't see any way we go the Bob Davie route... Feel Like we are a lock to take a HC with experience... I remember when people on this board wanted Sanford to be coach in waiting. Now he is fired from Western Kentucky...

Neither Coordinators will be HC here without going somewhere else first

Davie was a buffoon. He was an DC for 3-4 years at A&M where they lost the Cotton Bowl three straight seasons getting blown out by Pittsburgh and then losing to Holtz's Irish in back to back years. I guess his claim to fame before coming to ND was helping A&M to their first ever three straight 10 win seasons, but their schedule was pretty sad...one ranked team each regular season and never higher than 16. Not a tall order against that cupcake schedule. He then came to ND and somehow convinced people behind closed doors he was ready for the job and helped get Holtz ousted. I'm not even sure he was ready to be DC. The years with Davie as DC were the worst for Holtz aside from his very first year. We lost both the bowls we went to and didn't finish better than 9-3. Well, we all know what happened after he took over as HC.

When it comes to Lea and Rees, as far as I know the players like playing for both guys (PJ excluded). By 2025 Lea will have been here close to a decade of combined years at ND while Tommy will have 5 years as OC and a few as QB coach. The jury is still out on Rees' abilities, although the early returns are very good and by the time BK retires we'll certainly have more data to work with. Lea certainly has proven his coaching skill, maintaining a good defense for awhile now. Bottom line, both these guys know ND more than Bob Davie ever did, even near the end of his tenure. More importantly, they know how to win. These guys have helped cultivate a winning culture at ND again, and the unfortunate reality is that whoever we bring in from outside the program will have likely less big game experience or a less impressive resume because we're not luring a Saban or Urban Meyer away from an established football factory. It'll be an up and coming coach from a Group of 5 program, and they likely won't have any experience at a program like ND, nor will they have faced as many Power 5 opponents.

 

[IrishLax]

This is true, but isn't BK signed through mid 2020s now? If I was naming a HC internally today I would certainly take Lea, but by 2025? I'd probably take either. Tommy would be 33 by then and will have been with the program 8 years as a coach. By then he would have been working closely with BK for quite awhile and know the job fairly well, and who else besides BK himself would know all the pitfalls, the in's and out's better if Lea isn't still around?

I think what's important -- in the long run -- is that we don't go with an outside hire when the day eventually comes. Unless it's some ludicrous situation like John Harbaugh or Nick Saban being available and interested, at which point you evaluate all options.

From 2017 to now, it is clear to me that the recipe for success is not hiring on "resume" but rather evaluating fit + identity. Emphasize retention + continuity when it's working, but don't be afraid to move on to the "right" guy as soon as it's clear that it's not.

 

[Irish YJ]

I think what's important -- in the long run -- is that we don't go with an outside hire when the day eventually comes. Unless it's some ludicrous situation like John Harbaugh or Nick Saban being available and interested, at which point you evaluate all options.

From 2017 to now, it is clear to me that the recipe for success is not hiring on "resume" but rather evaluating fit + identity. Emphasize retention + continuity when it's working, but don't be afraid to move on to the "right" guy as soon as it's clear that it's not.

perfectly stated Lax.

 

[ThePiombino]

I don't even wanna put this out into the universe by asking, but...any chance Michigan offers Elston HC or DC duties once Harbaugh is gone?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

 

[Irish YJ]

I don't even wanna put this out into the universe by asking, but...any chance Michigan offers Elston HC or DC duties once Harbaugh is gone?

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

I already shushed Grey on the topic.

Shush P....