Concerns about Coach Kelly

[Kak7304]

A majority of us, including myself, were concerned and questioned whether or not Kelly could:
1. Get high caliber recruits to ND
2. Play good defense (or care about defense).

So far, he has been incredible on both fronts. Anyone else feel (happily) stupid right now?

 

[twig21]

NO!

 

[GreatGolson]

Kelly is poppin champaign tonight!

 

[Junkhead]

Kelly is poppin champaign tonight!

Wait until signing day. Then the champagne will flow.

 

[jakerbluegold]

Return to Glory anyone?

YouTube - Catholics vs. Convicts

 

[jason_h537]

It's still 2 weeks to signing day. Lets calm down

 

[Mr. McGibblets]

It's still 2 weeks to signing day. Lets calm down

I expressed that same thought in Tuitt's thread. Ill believe all of the committments when I see SLOI next to their name.

One thing I do like is that that I feel a sense of urgency that I have never really felt from the program in a long time.

 

[FightingIrishLover7]

My concerns with Kelly....

I worried that he'll be embarrassing too many schools in years to come....

 

[jason_h537]

We should have a countdown to signing day clock on the front page like we do for games

 

[IrishLax]

We should have a countdown to signing day clock on the front page like we do for games

yeah they have one over at domer domain..... 13 days and change...

 

[irishtrain]

Right guy-right spot-with the precise instrument to fullfill his destiny. Kelly will win a national championship befores he leaves Notre Dame.

 

[NDinL.A.]

A majority of us, including myself, were concerned and questioned whether or not Kelly could:
1. Get high caliber recruits to ND
2. Play good defense (or care about defense).

So far, he has been incredible on both fronts. Anyone else feel (happily) stupid right now?

Not me, and I'd say 'a majority' is pushing it. I was never concerned about his recruiting b/c I listened to the guy talk at press conferences and in interviews, and he just has 'it'. Notre Dame sells itself, and you put a natural salesman here and you will definitely be able to recruit. A lot of people here felt the same way.

And you don't take 3 programs to higher levels than they had before by not caring about defense. That and the fact that he was a LB in college told me that he'd care about defense. He just didn't have the athletes that he has now at ND.

I was right about Ty, and I was wrong about CW - way wrong for way too long. But you can look at my post history - I wanted Kelly for this job, and many of on here did. Everything about him just 'fit'.

Now, let's hope he's for real and not a mirage. But I thought it then and I think it still - Kelly is the right man for this job...

 

[ACamp1900]

Wait until signing day. Then the champagne will flow.

Wait until we actually win something that matters on the field.... then the champagne and all that stuff...


the last three coaches should have taught us all that.

 

[IrishinSyria]

But you can look at my post history - I wanted Kelly for this job, and many of on here did. Everything about him just 'fit'.

I'll save anybody who cares the trouble and confirm this...

Wait until we actually win something that matters on the field.... then the champagne and all that stuff...


the last three coaches should have taught us all that.

and I'll go ahead and agree with this. I love Kelly, but all he's done so far is raise the "expectations bar" to right about where CW had it in his first year. Don't get me wrong, there are differences between him and CW and I, a huge Charlie fan, think those differences favor Kelly, but as far as where the program is... it's still almost all hope.

We finished the season strong and we picked up some really good players, especially on the D side of the ball. After a long period, ND is finally a full strength football team with competition at almost every position. Things are looking up--- but they still have to get there.

 

[BGIF]

A majority of us, including myself, were concerned and questioned whether or not Kelly could:
1. Get high caliber recruits to ND
2. Play good defense (or care about defense).

So far, he has been incredible on both fronts. Anyone else feel (happily) stupid right now?

No, they were valid concerns/questions. He had no experience in prime time.

And now that Kelly has a 4 game winning streak and the #4 recruiting class, I suppose ND would be studpid not to offer a 10 year contract at $4 mill a year. Right?

Davie, Willingham, and Weis all won more than 8 games despite their faults. They also brought in recruits in their first full recruiting class. Faust knocked out classes like this one every year.

I think Kelly has tied a knot in the end of our rope and is starting the climb back up. We've got a long way to go.

Feel good, enjoy the rush, but keep some prespective.

Kelly hasn't lost a game since October. There was a time when ND didn't lose a game for 4years.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

There is still some legitimate Kelly criticism, and I'm a huge supporter.

He's very aggressive, and it's obvious that although he won't admit it, he did tone down the aggressiveness after the Tulsa game. Granted, he was working with a freshman quarterback, but don't kid yourself--he knows whose fault that game was and it wasn't necessarily Tommy Rees' less-than-perfect throw to Floyd.

My grades for Brian Kelly's first season, compared to how I view Charlie Weis' entire tenure:

Attitude and Professionalism: A+ (B)
Recruiting: A (A)
Player Development: A (C+)
Strategy: B+ (B)
Game Management: B+ (A)

In my opinion the Navy game and the Tulsa/Michigan calls hurt him in the strategy and game management.

Before you tear into me, I think I could make an argument for being a top ten coach in the country right now, and probably even in the top five if I being my A-game. I think he's going to be at Notre Dame for a long time and have myriad wins and great successes. I am merely playing devil's advocate here.

 

[IrishInColumbus]

Davie, Willingham, and Weis all won more than 8 games despite their faults. They also brought in recruits in their first full recruiting class. Faust knocked out classes like this one every year.

I think Kelly has tied a knot in the end of our rope and is starting the climb back up. We've got a long way to go.

Feel good, enjoy the rush, but keep some prespective.

Kelly hasn't lost a game since October. There was a time when ND didn't lose a game for 4years.

Now that is a post!

 

[PapaIrish37]

Wait until signing day. Then the champagne will flow.

Amen to this. My sense is that whether it is game day prep, recruiting or whatever BK hangs in to the end and pays incredible attention to detail. I bet he is still all over the whole staff to stay with this until all the LOI are off the fax machine on 2/2/2011.

 

[ThePiombino]

There is still some legitimate Kelly criticism, and I'm a huge supporter.

He's very aggressive, and it's obvious that although he won't admit it, he did tone down the aggressiveness after the Tulsa game. Granted, he was working with a freshman quarterback, but don't kid yourself--he knows whose fault that game was and it wasn't necessarily Tommy Rees' less-than-perfect throw to Floyd.

My grades for Brian Kelly's first season, compared to how I view Charlie Weis' entire tenure:

Attitude and Professionalism: A+ (B)
Recruiting: A (A)
Player Development: A (C+)
Strategy: B+ (B)
Game Management: B+ (A)

In my opinion the Navy game and the Tulsa/Michigan calls hurt him in the strategy and game management.

Before you tear into me, I think I could make an argument for being a top ten coach in the country right now, and probably even in the top five if I being my A-game. I think he's going to be at Notre Dame for a long time and have myriad wins and great successes. I am merely playing devil's advocate here.

As bad as Kelly's game management was in the Tulsa game, I distinctly remember many-a-weeks when the Irish would have the lead and the ball late and instead of running out the clock, Weis would insist on calling pass plays. On multiple occasions, the pass(es) would go incomplete and Irish would either punt or turn it over on downs and wind up losing the game.

Kelly was at least able to reason with his current situation and make adjustments. Adjustments that lead to a 4-game win streak w/a true frosh QB no less! CW couldn't manage that much with one of the best offenses in the county. I'm not saying, I'm just saying- BK is a better game manager than CW.

 

[irish1958]

CW had the same major problem that Faust, Kuharich and Devore had: he could recruit, but his players left ND with about the same skills and development that they had when they walked on campus. CW did develop QBs and wide receivers, however; if one judges his success by how his players fare in the NFL this is open to revision.

 

[UmphreakDomer]

CW had the same major problem that Faust, Kuharich and Devore had: he could recruit, but his players left ND with about the same skills and development that they had when they walked on campus. CW did develop QBs and wide receivers, however; if one judges his success by how his players fare in the NFL this is open to revision.

maybe he got them ready for the NFL, but the most success from CW in the NFL has been the TE's.

Being a GVSU grad, and being there during Kelly's NC run (and one year of Chuck Martin's), my only concern about kelly now, is; does he stick around for more than 3 years? i hope and believe "yes", but this is a legitimate concern, is it not?

 

[GEORGIA DOMER]

I would say yes!!!

I would say yes!!!

maybe he got them ready for the NFL, but the most success from CW in the NFL has been the TE's.

Being a GVSU grad, and being there during Kelly's NC run (and one year of Chuck Martin's), my only concern about kelly now, is; does he stick around for more than 3 years? i hope and believe "yes", but this is a legitimate concern, is it not?

kelly takes use to back to back BCS games and goes2-0 i would think people will be on high alert!!! just givin his track record

 

[tommyIRISH23]

I was as amped up as anyone after CW's first two years, but at the same time, comments from Kirk Herbstreit, and other writers, bloggers...etc still stung when they would talk about ND's lack of defense...especially against elite teams. I, like many ND fans, would insist that it's growing pains..etc.

Recruiting class, after recruiting class just left a hollow feeling when the talent was loaded up along the offense, and the defense left over with the average at best prospects. (aside from Manti)

CW also could not manage his team, how many D-Coord's did he go through, all with different systems?

Also, aside from the skill positions, I feel like the other positions were neglected, and not developed. Sam Young for example, you can make an argument that he was worse after 4 years at ND then he was when he came in. Not to mention, CW did not see the value in a true strength, and conditioning program. But, from looking at him, is it really that surprising?

BK just feels different. He recruits to the needs of the team. Every player on ND's team had gotten better each game. BK is an incredible teacher, and leader.

I drink the Kool-aid as much as anyone on this board, but realistically, will he win a NC? Who knows. The stars would have to align perfectly, and a little Irish luck wouldn't hurt the cause. But I do think ND will be relevant again, and will be competing in BCS bowls with fair regularity.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Kelly hasn't lost a game since October. There was a time when ND didn't lose a game for 4years.

One time. When?

As bad as Kelly's game management was in the Tulsa game, I distinctly remember many-a-weeks when the Irish would have the lead and the ball late and instead of running out the clock, Weis would insist on calling pass plays. On multiple occasions, the pass(es) would go incomplete and Irish would either punt or turn it over on downs and wind up losing the game.

Kelly was at least able to reason with his current situation and make adjustments. Adjustments that lead to a 4-game win streak w/a true frosh QB no less! CW couldn't manage that much with one of the best offenses in the county. I'm not saying, I'm just saying- BK is a better game manager than CW.

Zactly!

 

[military_irish]

One time. When?



Zactly!

I know it is a long time ago but it was in the 40's, 1946-1949

 

[GRON1503]

Ill be honest here I am totally stoked about the defensive side of the ball and the ability to get top tier players here and yes I am very impressed with Coach Kelly in every aspect. However, as much as we've been getting on defense its just the opposite for the offense and that worries me ALOT, the fact that we have lost 2 potential studs at RB in Emir Carlisle and Justice Hayes is a big worry for me, i don't know maybe i'm worrying to much and hopefully somebody on here can give me some peace of mind that has better knowledge of our talent, but again just by looking at our commitment list and seeing it defense dominated for a team that is already pretty good on that side of the ball and not so much on offense is again concerning for me, with Rudy being gone and only seeing 4 or 5 players on this list on offense that might ever have an impact on that side of the ball in Atkinson, Daniels, Farley, and Koyack worries me a little bit, i think Mcdaniel and Golson could help out to but that's a stretch to, when Mcdaniel might play D and Golson playing a position with alot of competition!! So, again maybe im worried when i shouldn't be and if so somebody of well knowledge please give me there insight, please and thanks!!
Go fighting laprechans!! ND

 

[Veer option]

Weis, Willingham, and Davie all have something in common too, they lost their first bowl games. Just saying...



Concerning Kellys coaching, as long as the Irish play great defense and run the ball effectively I am a happy camper.

 

[ND_HAS_RISEN]

No, they were valid concerns/questions. He had no experience in prime time.

And now that Kelly has a 4 game winning streak and the #4 recruiting class, I suppose ND would be studpid not to offer a 10 year contract at $4 mill a year. Right?

Davie, Willingham, and Weis all won more than 8 games despite their faults. They also brought in recruits in their first full recruiting class. Faust knocked out classes like this one every year.

I think Kelly has tied a knot in the end of our rope and is starting the climb back up. We've got a long way to go.

Feel good, enjoy the rush, but keep some prespective.

Kelly hasn't lost a game since October. There was a time when ND didn't lose a game for 4years.

Not that you need em..... REPS!!!!!

 

[irish1958]

In Kelly's offense a running back must pick up the blitz and catch passes out of the backfield. This eliminates a lot of "stud" backs who have no interest in these skills.
When the spread offense is working, quickness is more important than power in a back as the holes are there for the taking.
I really hope we get a great back, but I think having great, tall and tough receivers is more important.

 

[Rudy89]

I like what BK has done at the end of the year but with all due respect to him I'm not gonna christen him anything until I see something that really makes me want to. After I thought Charlie was gonna lead us back to glory after 2 embarassing BCS losses then it lead to a humiliating season and unjustiable losses against teams like Syracuse I had to eat a lot of crow so while I think in the last part of this season Kelly did a tremendous job....im still kinda wait and see but Im more optimistic now than I was earlier this year.