Is Kelly a REALLY good coach?

[NDVirginia19]

^ Exactly what I was going to say, No idea what OlympiaIrishFan is smoking (who knows with Washington nowadays) that has him thinking that Kizer is ANYTHING like Turnover Tommy or Golson. Kizer had combined 10 turnovers on the season as a Freshman, and Golson had 14 interceptions and 8 fumbles lost (not to mention all the ones that he fumbled but an ND player recovered)

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

9 13 in Bowl Games since 1989
5 11 against ranked opponents in bowl games since 1989
1 3 against ranked opponents in bowl games since 2010
4 8 against top 10 ranked teams in bowl games since 1989

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

NDlighting, I should have clarified on DK. It was turnovers against ranked teams. Which the 5 ranked teams (Clemson, OSU, Stanford, Navy, and Temple) he had 6 Ints and 2 fumbles.

A lot of turnovers. But, he did save the season. But, every QB BK has had here are turnover machines--I should stipulate against ranked teams specifically.

Sorry, stats don't lie. 10 wins are great. But, 5 and 3 against ranked teams isn't great. And 0-3 against top 10 teams. isn't good. I wish we could have risen to the occasion this year.

 

[Rhode Irish]

There is a reason that those teams are ranked or in the top-10 though. If you're somewhere between the 7th and 10th best team, you're not going to beat all the other top-10 teams super consistently. I'm not all for moral victories, but you played two of those teams to the buzzer and lost by a combined 4 points with both games on the road. That has to be an indication that you're pretty damn close and you belong in that category. As far as the game today, OSU when engaged in the game is the 2nd best team in the country and you played them while severely undermanned. It didn't go the way I wanted it to, either, but you really shouldn't be melting down about it.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Rhode, good points. The more I look at the stats and results (this game made me look back more at exact stats) it is what we do. And I love BK, and don't want him to go anywhere. But, it is a trend against top end teams. BK can't get the guys over the hump. Then again nobody has in 28 Years. It maybe what we have to look forward to, I hope not. We did have moral victories. But, I guess Virginia, BC, Temple could say the same thing about Moral victories.

I guess I wanted more for the fans, alumni, and school. Moral victories are not enough.

 

[Cali_domer]

Meh... Good year, did a lot better then I expected. I'm not a Kelly guy but this year was a real good job by the man.

BVG is a whole different story.

 

[ulukinatme]

There's a damn short list of coaches that would have had 10 wins or more with the amount of injuries we sustained, and I can tell you that none of them but Kelly would probably come to South Bend. Meyer could probably still get 10 or more wins, but he falls in the camp that wouldn't come to ND because he had the opportunity already and chickened out, so it still falls to Kelly.

 

[dmort]

Win or lose some people still want to fire the coach,its what ND fans do.

 

[irish o'phile]

I think Kelly has really improved ND's talent. The D is the real issue the past two years. However, the team is always flat in big games, and this is a concern. It has to be attributed to the coach.

 

[Blazers46]

Brian Kelly is the best thing to happen to ND since Lou Holtz. He is not a perfect coach and seems to out think himself at times but the state of the program years before he came was plain bad. The injury/suspension fairy owes ND big time the next several years.

 

[TheTurningPoint]

How about Kelly coached up DeShone Kizer to get to a New Year's 6 game? I'll be the first to admit, as soon as Zaire went down, I figured 7-5 and 8-4 if the ball bounced right.

That doesn't account what happened with injuries over the course of the year or what happened in the last week.

Ohio State had injuries and suspensions and played great. I get that. But they also weren't missing their starting QB, top two RBs, etc. That makes a difference, esp when you have argubly the best RB in the nation.

In 2014, you saw the team fall apart with injuries. 2015 they had just as devastating injuries, but yet they were playing in the Fiesta Bowl.

I dont think the team progressed as well as other teams throughout the year, but that is in part to not playing guys that would have progressed the team forward....Tranquill, Prosise, Folston, Smythe, Jarron, Crawford, etc.

If you don't want BK at ND...name someone better that Notre Dame can actually get.

 

[irishfan]

How about Kelly coached up DeShone Kizer to get to a New Year's 6 game? I'll be the first to admit, as soon as Zaire went down, I figured 7-5 and 8-4 if the ball bounced right.

That doesn't account what happened with injuries over the course of the year or what happened in the last week.

Ohio State had injuries and suspensions and played great. I get that. But they also weren't missing their starting QB, top two RBs, etc. That makes a difference, esp when you have argubly the best RB in the nation.

In 2014, you saw the team fall apart with injuries. 2015 they had just as devastating injuries, but yet they were playing in the Fiesta Bowl.

I dont think the team progressed as well as other teams throughout the year, but that is in part to not playing guys that would have progressed the team forward....Tranquill, Prosise, Folston, Smythe, Jarron, Crawford, etc.

If you don't want BK at ND...name someone better that Notre Dame can actually get.

Tom Herman and that's it. I'm very happy with BK though.

 

[NDPhilly]

Brian Kelly has really recruited quality depth throughout the team. We are talented, but not talented enough YET. A couple 10 win seasons in a row will do wonders for recruiting. There is a gap between ND's and OSU, Bama, and FSU's overall talent level that needs to be closed if we want to win a NC IMO. Unsure if Kelly can take the step from very good to elite program like the previously mentioned teams. The 2017 class looks to be a good start. Need more overall athleticism at DL and LB especially. What's amazing is I don't think Clemson is any more talented than us. Curious to see how they play against Alabama.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Not wanting BK here is crazy. He is our best coach since Lou. But, there is issues. He has to correct them. I sure hope he can. At some time he will have to beat a big time team, never has beat a top 5 team. 2 top 10 wins. It looks to be more on the defensive side of the ball, and turnovers are the issues. Not the full reason, but we all need this.

But, wanting BK to be gone---that is crazy.

 

[Blazers46]

How about Kelly coached up DeShone Kizer to get to a New Year's 6 game? I'll be the first to admit, as soon as Zaire went down, I figured 7-5 and 8-4 if the ball bounced right.

That doesn't account what happened with injuries over the course of the year or what happened in the last week.

Ohio State had injuries and suspensions and played great. I get that. But they also weren't missing their starting QB, top two RBs, etc. That makes a difference, esp when you have argubly the best RB in the nation.

In 2014, you saw the team fall apart with injuries. 2015 they had just as devastating injuries, but yet they were playing in the Fiesta Bowl.

I dont think the team progressed as well as other teams throughout the year, but that is in part to not playing guys that would have progressed the team forward....Tranquill, Prosise, Folston, Smythe, Jarron, Crawford, etc.

If you don't want BK at ND...name someone better that Notre Dame can actually get.

To add. I think ND is the type of team where injuries might hurt more than the OSU's of the world because ND gives 4 year scholarships and other schools have had the power to "not offer" scholarships the following year to players that don't pan out. If ND played by a different set of standards like most of the Elite college programs have had the flexibility to do then the "next man in" might have looked a little differently the past few years. More colleges are rightfully adopting 4 year scholarships, OSU and the BIG10 just started doing this, so maybe there will more of a competitive balance in that regard. Although there will probably still exceptions to this rule in that scholarships might be able to be revoked for "violating team rules". Oversigning and roster management is huge in regards to overall team depth if coaches have the leeway to get creative with roster management.

I know this sounds like a typcal cut and paste line from a typical ND fan but its so true in regard to depth.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

I do really hope we are able to over sign. Then we don't have to throw away scholarships on players that don't really help the team. Having them available when kids transfer has been an issue lately.

 

[Blazers46]

I do really hope we are able to over sign. Then we don't have to throw away scholarships on players that don't really help the team. Having them available when kids transfer has been an issue lately.

Think about all the guys we have lost out on because there was not room because we could only take "x" amount at this position and that position. Kids that want to commit but are told to wait because ND is waiting to hear from another guy and in the end they don't get either, all because there is an incoming SR burning a scholly on the scout team that eventually transfers out anyway.

 

[OlympiaIrishFan]

Blaze, you are 100% correct. And year in and year out we are giving scholarships to the Green's and Van Gorders.

Remember pulling Tommy Schutt based on numbers after Day verbaled? recruiting is a hard job, don't make it harder.

 

[irishff1014]

Like Dickie V said when Kelly was hired Notre Dame football is back look out. But that's not exactly true yet. The Offense is good.

Special teams are below average. And the Defense isn't good enough to win games.

Not wanting kelly is like turning down a million dollars just stupid.

 

[Cackalacky]

Oversigning does nothing to solve the injuries that occur throughout the season. We still have to be at 85 before the season starts. We don't have JUCO options.

I guess y'all are saying that you would rather see the staff take more commitments each season and keep less 5th years.... That is not what the staff does. They place a premium on seniority and leadership...clearly.

 

[Hammer Of The Gods]

I think Kelly needs to take a long hard look at 3 things.

*Special Teams

Our specials teams need a over haul. Coaching to players involved.

*Defense

what more needs to be said on this topic? BVG needs to go. Defense is terrible from a pure schematic point of view. Good idea? maybe, but if you have to play Mensa members for to sole purpose of them understanding your defense you got serious issues.

*Strength and Conditioning

Longo must go. I know he's kelly's guy, but beyond the injuries lets use the eyeball test. We look like a butch of dweebs compared to Clemson, Stanford and Ohio State. So, Longo and his crew need to pack their bags.

Hard to be mentally tough when its constantly a David Vs. Goliath situation ever time you play a big game against a big time opponent.

I think Kelly is a good Coach, but, lets see him be a GM and Owner. That means you have to make hard decisions and sometimes fire your friends to make your program and organization better.

 

[Grahambo]

Great job by BK this season. Clean up some things on defense and next season should be a good one.

Kept it close in the bowl game but what else do you want when you are missing your starting RB, DT, Top 10 LB and his backup, safety, CB and his backup, a DL who was sick and playing on a broken foot, also playing a DL who hasn't played the entire season.

(Refs were terrible too.)

Next season will be a good one.

Oh, for those clamoring for a change, Urban, Saban, and Stoops are not coming. Tom Herman? Can we get more then a year of head coaching out of him before we start asking about him? He coaches in the AAC; let's slow down. Who else? Kyle Whittingham? The guy who has gone 37-26 the last 5 years? By the way, BK is 47 - 18 during that time period.

If you are calling for a change, then a change at ST and DC is warranted but not HC.

 

[tko]

Great job by BK this season. Clean up some things on defense and next season should be a good one.

Kept it close in the bowl game but what else do you want when you are missing your starting RB, DT, Top 10 LB and his backup, safety, CB and his backup, a DL who was sick and playing on a broken foot, also playing a DL who hasn't played the entire season.

(Refs were terrible too.)

Next season will be a good one.

Oh, for those clamoring for a change, Urban, Saban, and Stoops are not coming. Tom Herman? Can we get more then a year of head coaching out of him before we start asking about him? He coaches in the AAC; let's slow down. Who else? Kyle Whittingham? The guy who has gone 37-26 the last 5 years? By the way, BK is 47 - 18 during that time period.

If you are calling for a change, then a change at ST and DC is warranted but not HC.

This ^.

 

[Blazers46]

Oversigning does nothing to solve the injuries that occur throughout the season. We still have to be at 85 before the season starts. We don't have JUCO options.

I guess y'all are saying that you would rather see the staff take more commitments each season and keep less 5th years.... That is not what the staff does. They place a premium on seniority and leadership...clearly.

I'm not really saying I'd rather have ND do anything differently. I was just pointing out that injuries hurt a team like ND more than others because ND doesn't oversign or not renew/take away scholarships. Schools that have leeway with year by year scholarships, over signing, gray shirting, have an advantage in regard to depth if injuries do occur.

 

[BabyIrish]

Like Dickie V said when Kelly was hired Notre Dame football is back look out. But that's not exactly true yet. The Offense is good.

Special teams are below average. And the Defense isn't good enough to win games.

Not wanting kelly is like turning down a million dollars just stupid.

I don't believe special teams was below average this year nor does it need an overhaul. It needs some more tweaking but it improved this year. Sanders did wonders for the return game, Yoob and Newsome have some serious legs and I don't think we once gave up a td to opposing returners. It can get better for sure but it wasn't a lost cause.

 

[yankeeND]

I'm not even really upset about yesterday's game. I was more disappointed with Max and Jerry getting into trouble and Jaylon hurting his knee more than the final score.
DeShone missed some big throws before he settled in that would have made a difference, but was pleased overall with his performance. He's still a first year starter as a RS Freshman, not bad at all.
Personally, I think Kelly is the perfect fit at ND and if we can stay healthy next year, I think he gets it done. If Will hangs around, and the defense isn't decimated again, and BVG can simplify some things, we will make a title run.
Oh, and dammit we should have offered Hubbard. That kid is a fantastic DE.

 

[GUknights75]

I don't believe special teams was below average this year nor does it need an overhaul. It needs some more tweaking but it improved this year. Sanders did wonders for the return game, Yoob and Newsome have some serious legs and I don't think we once gave up a td to opposing returners. It can get better for sure but it wasn't a lost cause.

I agree that our ST were not below average, Yoon missed a couple early FG's but has been a machine since and Newsome might be the best punter in the country. I don't think we had 1 FG or Punt blocked all season. Our return game was vastly improved this year, it wasn't very good in the fiesta bowl but I would put that on CJ being indecisive whether to take the ball out or not. But what does need improvement is our coverage team, which all the injuries probably hurt that ST unit the most.

 

[koonja]

Osu's kick coverage was maybe thr best I've ever seen in college. And agree with the poster that says Longo must go.

 

[bkess8]

Our return game was vastly improved this year, it wasn't very good in the fiesta bowl but I would put that on CJ being indecisive whether to take the ball out or not.

You and others need to go back and take a look at the film. The one time he had the chance to down it he did. The other kicks he didn't have an option because he was fielding the kick at the 2 or 3 yard line. Getting tired of hearing that it was CJs fault for the poor kick returns yesterday. Maybe OSUs KO team was just that good yesterday or maybe people didn't book anyone.

 

[SoJerseyIrish]

As others have said, Urban and Saban are not walking through the door. Those would be the only two sure things in my opinion. BK has done a fine job, he has things to improve upon but I don't feel like we're taking steps backwards.

I would like them to review the S&C Program, we can't continually have all these injuries and say its bad luck.