Kelly NFL Rumors

[NCND]

To be completely honest, I wouldn't even mind if this happens.

 

[koonja]

I'm not sure Alford stays much longer regardless of what BK does. The guy's next in line for an OC job and thta's not open at ND.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Would be quite the slap in the face to how far this program has dropped when your head coach bails for Florida.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Someone in ND media needs to ask BK about this reported interest ASAP, so he can address it. I don't expect BK to mention it otherwise...that'd be presumptious & silly.

As bad as the last two losses were (and likely next two losses will be),is there anyone here truly wanting to jump ship and replace Kelly? If this were the 1950s and 8-win seasons post-Leahy were the norm, I'd be calling for a change, too.

But it's 2014 & before BK got here, ND hasn't been in a NC conversation since 1993. Since then CFB has grown up...a lot. From the CFA to the BCS to the new Playoff. Every Power 5 conference has a tv deal now...not just ND. Was the internet even around in the Holtz era? Now you have recruiters fighting it out over recruits via social media in addition to the traditional in-home visits. High school all star games have popped up everywhere. You can buy football cards of the HS AA players for crying out loud.

The playing field has changed dramatically since 1993. While being the HC at ND is also tougher, I don't see a better realistic option than the one we have. You think he's having a tough year this year? Wait till 2015, when expectations will be Playoffs or bust! Look around, everyone (me incl) have been fantasizing about all the talent & experience returning next year. And that's assuming a lot considering the annual off-season academic scandals that seem to pop up along w/ retirements due to shoulder/knee injuries & possible transfers.

 

[BeauBenken]

To be completely honest, I wouldn't even mind if this happens.

lol Would you enjoy watching Notre Dame burn to the ground?

 

[Kingbish01]

If Kelly leaves, we are in trouble. Plain and simple.

 

[NCND]

Someone in ND media needs to ask BK about this reported interest ASAP, so he can address it. I don't expect BK to mention it otherwise...that'd be presumptious & silly.

As bad as the last two losses were (and likely next two losses will be),is there anyone here truly wanting to jump ship and replace Kelly? If this were the 1950s and 8-win seasons post-Leahy were the norm, I'd be calling for a change, too.

But it's 2014 & before BK got here, ND hasn't been in a NC conversation since 1993. Since then CFB has grown up...a lot. From the CFA to the BCS to the new Playoff. Every Power 5 conference has a tv deal now...not just ND. Was the internet even around in the Holtz era? Now you have recruiters fighting it out over recruits via social media in addition to the traditional in-home visits. High school all star games have popped up everywhere. You can buy football cards of the HS AA players for crying out loud.

The playing field has changed dramatically since 1993. While being the HC at ND is also tougher, I don't see a better realistic option than the one we have. You think he's having a tough year this year? Wait till 2015, when expectations will be Playoffs or bust! Look around, everyone (me incl) have been fantasizing about all the talent & experience returning next year. And that's assuming a lot considering the annual off-season academic scandals that seem to pop up along w/ retirements due to shoulder/knee injuries & possible transfers.

I get what u are saying. "Next Year" should be ND's new motto. I know this sounds bitter but that NW game COMPLETELY turned me off.

 

[Cali_domer]

I get what u are saying. "Next Year" should be ND's new motto. I know this sounds bitter but that NW game COMPLETELY turned me off.

We've become the Cubs. Just don't have the lovable loser part yet.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Bottom line, I would not blame him for leaving. The handcuffs that any coach has to wear to coach here are ridiculous. Our stadium is in the dark ages, you can't get half of your recruits to clear admissions, you don't have a conference which makes winning championships an all or nothing proposal.

ND is not a good job. Period. Yes, our ceiling is 7 to 10 wins a year, where maybe our schedule aligns and the stars align as well (2012) and we make a run every four or five years is what we should realistically expect.

Kelly was a dream fit...if we lose him it will set the program back three to five years. People are not lining up to come coach in South Bend. For those of you thinking it would be a blessing in disguise you are absolutely kidding yourself.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Like you said, it's all subjective, but I think the list of guys you just put up shows how little room for improvement is really there.

David Shaw: Really? Think ND's having a bad season? Look at Stanford. He rode Harbaugh's coat tails for a while, but the program is very much on track to return to mediocrity under him. 11-2, 12-2, 11-3, 5-5. Downward trend. You might think he's a better coach than Kelly, but there's no way you'd sell the fan base on him right now.

Jimbo Fisher: Absolute non-starter. Jimbo's values and Notre Dame's do not align. Also, there's no way he'd leave FSU for ND.

Kevin Sumlin: Has had two seasons as a head coach with fewer than 4 losses (2011, Houston 12-1/2012, A&M 11-2). Team is trending down in a serious way. Body of work is definitely not better than Kelly's.

Gus Malzahn: He's had 2 complete seasons as a head coach. Reputation benefited a ton from a)Tuberville's players and b)incredible luck last year. We have no idea if he can build and manage a program, recruit players, etc... might as well still be a coordinator for all his body of work says about him.

Les Miles: Not leaving LSU for ND under any circumstances. Not an objectively better coach than Kelly (think Kelly has problems with clock management...watch LSU.)

Gary Patterson: Probably could make the best case for him out of your entire list. However, he's given no indication that he's interested in leaving TCU. He'll have a statue there when he's done.

Helfrich: Still running Chip Kelly's program. Let's see where Oregon's at in a few years. Also, no chance at stealing away Oregon's HC (Nike $$$).

Not ND coaching related...just wanted to comment on your assessment above. Spot on, other than Malzahn & Helfrich, IMO. I think it's just too early on Helfrich but he could be the goods.

As far as Malzahn, I'm a bit biased as I've seen what he's done at a tiny HS in eastern Arkansas, a record setting offense at a private HS (Shiloh Christian), a nationally ranked big-time HS at Springdale, his controversial stop as OC under Nutt at Ark, his offenses that were tops in the nation at Tulsa, his success at Auburn as an OC, at Arkansas St as a HC & now Auburn as a HC.

This cat can coach IMO. I don't know about the entire roster, but I'm sure that Tuberville had nothing to do w/ getting Nick Fairly, Cam Newton & Michael Dyer on campus. Fairly was a JUCO transfer. We all know about Newton. Dyer was a highly touted RB out of Arkansas who went on to be the MVP of the NC game and broke Bo Jackson's freshman rushing record. To be fair, it's still early to say he's HoF bound. He could flame out or be no more than a RichRod (which ain't bad...but ain't great). Right now it's circumstantial evidence I know but look what happened when he left Auburn (yeah Cam was gone, too but they won a bowl game in 2011 w/ Malzahn)...Chizik is on radio now.

Last year may have been too good to be true when you factor in the amount of good fortune that team had (Hail Mary vs UGA, Kick six Iron Bowl), but they played in the big game & looked like they might win. This year that good fortune ran out after the Ole Miss game & they've been as bad as ND (argubly) ever since...despite being loved by the CFB as they're still ranked. Sorry for the long windedness, I just really think Malzahn will build Auburn into a power & be one of the better HC in the nation. If I'm wrong, it won't be the first time.

...and I wouldn't give a squirt of piss for Les Miles.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Someone in ND media needs to ask BK about this reported interest ASAP, so he can address it. I don't expect BK to mention it otherwise...that'd be presumptious & silly.

As bad as the last two losses were (and likely next two losses will be),is there anyone here truly wanting to jump ship and replace Kelly? If this were the 1950s and 8-win seasons post-Leahy were the norm, I'd be calling for a change, too.

But it's 2014 & before BK got here, ND hasn't been in a NC conversation since 1993. Since then CFB has grown up...a lot. From the CFA to the BCS to the new Playoff. Every Power 5 conference has a tv deal now...not just ND. Was the internet even around in the Holtz era? Now you have recruiters fighting it out over recruits via social media in addition to the traditional in-home visits. High school all star games have popped up everywhere. You can buy football cards of the HS AA players for crying out loud.

The playing field has changed dramatically since 1993. While being the HC at ND is also tougher, I don't see a better realistic option than the one we have. You think he's having a tough year this year? Wait till 2015, when expectations will be Playoffs or bust! Look around, everyone (me incl) have been fantasizing about all the talent & experience returning next year. And that's assuming a lot considering the annual off-season academic scandals that seem to pop up along w/ retirements due to shoulder/knee injuries & possible transfers.

As I said before, I am not in the boat that Kelly must go, but there are reasons to question whether or not 2012 was a fluke or a harbinger of things to come.

With that said, arguments like the one you laid out is a complete and utter fallacy. Even with the changing landscape, very few schools have the resources to offer what ND has to offer. Davie, Weis and Kelly recruited talent to South Bend. Davie couldn't coach worth a shit, but he did recruit well. Weis recruited positions he was interested in very well and neglected others, but when he wanted someone, he had a pretty good hit rate. So, getting the talent to South Bend isn't the issue.

Expectations are what they are and if you want to get paid big boy dollars, bog boy results are expected. There is no reason to expect ND to make the playoffs each and every year. However, is it unreasonable to think we should be a top 20 team more than 75% of the time? I don't. Top 20 is 10-3 territory which is very realistic to me. If he thinks these are unfair, what does he think Florida or the NFL would be like?

 

[IRISHDODGER]

Bottom line, I would not blame him for leaving. The handcuffs that any coach has to wear to coach here are ridiculous. Our stadium is in the dark ages, you can't get half of your recruits to clear admissions, you don't have a conference which makes winning championships an all or nothing proposal.

But those are some golden handcuffs. You're right but Kelly knew all that when he took the job. To his credit, he hasn't publicly cried about it like Davie did back in the day.

That aside, I agree...I want BK to be the HC until it's obvious he isn't.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

As I said before, I am not in the boat that Kelly must go, but there are reasons to question whether or not 2012 was a fluke or a harbinger of things to come.

With that said, arguments like the one you laid out is a complete and utter fallacy. Even with the changing landscape, very few schools have the resources to offer what ND has to offer. Davie, Weis and Kelly recruited talent to South Bend. Davie couldn't coach worth a shit, but he did recruit well. Weis recruited positions he was interested in very well and neglected others, but when he wanted someone, he had a pretty good hit rate. So, getting the talent to South Bend isn't the issue.

Expectations are what they are and if you want to get paid big boy dollars, bog boy results are expected. There is no reason to expect ND to make the playoffs each and every year. However, is it unreasonable to think we should be a top 20 team more than 75% of the time? I don't. Top 20 is 10-3 territory which is very realistic to me. If he thinks these are unfair, what does he think Florida or the NFL would be like?

I don't disagree w/ a lot you typed there...especially the 2012 comment...that's hard to argue as anyone who was on the field pre-game to give each team the dreaded "eye test" knows that ND failed and it was obvious that Bama would roll.

The "complete & utter fallacy" comment aside, I was comparing to how easy it was to recruit pre-Davie. When Tom Lemming was one of the few who did recruiting rankings and ND was ALWAYS in the top five. That was a time when the Midwest & North actually had some High School football talent & they were low hanging fruit for the likes of ND. Even Faust hauled in some #1 classes b/c it was still "Notre Dame". I should have included the migration to the south as well b/c that's a huge barrier that ND has done a nice job contending with but there's a lot of schools contending down there. Just look at the national parity this year w/ 85 scholarships and the ability for every Power 5 team to recruit & invest as much as they want (key word). Yes, ND has the resources but so do a myriad of other programs who got a taste of a 10-win season or BCS bowl payout & doubled down.

Other than that, you're spot on about expectations at ND. That's not too much to ask.

 

[IrishLax]

What did link actually say? Cancelled 247.

 

[Ndaccountant]

What did link actually say? Cancelled 247.

A different link, but similar story.

Mortensen: Brian Kelly a potential NFL candidate

The coaching carousel is in full swing after Sunday's announcement of Florida head coach Will Muschamp's firing, with Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly being among several names mentioned as possible candidates to fill that vacancy.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen said Monday on the SVP & Russillo radio show that Florida won't be the only team looking to lure Kelly away from Notre Dame. He says Kelly has piqued the interest of a few NFL teams as well.

"The reason Brian Kelly is an interesting name is, I'm hearing his name in NFL circles," Mortensen said. "I do believe he's probably a pretty serious candidate for the Florida job if he chooses to explore that, but he's also in season. That's why you have agents - to do that work."

Mortensen thinks Kelly's style of coaching makes him an attractive candidate to NFL teams.

"But yeah, there's NFL teams that are looking at Brian Kelly that see him as a CEO type with strengths on the offensive side of the football and Notre Dame, as great as the tradition and the institution is, still has some restrictions. There's still no redshirts. There's still academic standards that are above and beyond the norm. So that's a name that I think people are looking at."

 

[Spitfire]

Like you said, it's all subjective, but I think the list of guys you just put up shows how little room for improvement is really there.

David Shaw: Really? Think ND's having a bad season? Look at Stanford. He rode Harbaugh's coat tails for a while, but the program is very much on track to return to mediocrity under him. 11-2, 12-2, 11-3, 5-5. Downward trend. You might think he's a better coach than Kelly, but there's no way you'd sell the fan base on him right now.

Jimbo Fisher: Absolute non-starter. Jimbo's values and Notre Dame's do not align. Also, there's no way he'd leave FSU for ND.

Kevin Sumlin: Has had two seasons as a head coach with fewer than 4 losses (2011, Houston 12-1/2012, A&M 11-2). Team is trending down in a serious way. Body of work is definitely not better than Kelly's.

Gus Malzahn: He's had 2 complete seasons as a head coach. Reputation benefited a ton from a)Tuberville's players and b)incredible luck last year. We have no idea if he can build and manage a program, recruit players, etc... might as well still be a coordinator for all his body of work says about him.

Les Miles: Not leaving LSU for ND under any circumstances. Not an objectively better coach than Kelly (think Kelly has problems with clock management...watch LSU.)

Gary Patterson: Probably could make the best case for him out of your entire list. However, he's given no indication that he's interested in leaving TCU. He'll have a statue there when he's done.

Helfrich: Still running Chip Kelly's program. Let's see where Oregon's at in a few years. Also, no chance at stealing away Oregon's HC (Nike $$$).

You realize everything you just laid out against most of these guys could be said about Kelly right? I.E.; Only had one year where he won, lot of luck, did it on the coat tails of Charlie Weis's recruits, program on a downward trend, etc.

It is all subjective, but I would bet if you polled the average college football fan to list the top 10 coaches in college football....you would be surprised how many do not have Brian Kelly on that list. Hell, I would bet you would get the same result if you polled the coaches themselves on a top 10 list.

 

[stlnd01]

"No redshirts." Right...

Sorry, but Florida's not a better job than Notre Dame. It might be easier in some ways (recruiting, academic standards). But harder in others (you've got to win in the SEC, and they'll fire your ass in a heartbeat if you don't).
If Kelly leaves for another college job, it's because for all his public statements about understanding that Notre Dame is unique, inside he's fed up with what that entails. And if he does that, it'll send a message to every other top-tier coach in the country that Notre Dame's just not worth the hassle. And then what do we do?

 

[NDRock]

Bottom line, I would not blame him for leaving. The handcuffs that any coach has to wear to coach here are ridiculous. Our stadium is in the dark ages, you can't get half of your recruits to clear admissions, you don't have a conference which makes winning championships an all or nothing proposal.

ND is not a good job. Period. Yes, our ceiling is 7 to 10 wins a year, where maybe our schedule aligns and the stars align as well (2012) and we make a run every four or five years is what we should realistically expect.

Kelly was a dream fit...if we lose him it will set the program back three to five years. People are not lining up to come coach in South Bend. For those of you thinking it would be a blessing in disguise you are absolutely kidding yourself.

Agree with this. I think the whole "frozen five" thing probably pissed Kelly off quite a bit. These coaches are control freaks, don't think it went over too well with him. Would hate to see him leave.

 

[CarrollVermin]

Is there any truth to the rumor that Swarbrick and he have not been seeing "eye to eye" as of late? Could also be a reason for him to bolt.

 

[Ndaccountant]

Is there any truth to the rumor that Swarbrick and he have not been seeing "eye to eye" as of late? Could also be a reason for him to bolt.

In what context? Scheduling? Control? Progress?

 

[Whiskeyjack]

You realize everything you just laid out against most of these guys could be said about Kelly right?

No, Spitfire. Your post isn't even remotely defensible.

I.E.; Only had one year where he won, lot of luck, did it on the coat tails of Charlie Weis's recruits, program on a downward trend, etc.

1. He's won 71% of his games at ND, which statistically requires a lot more than "one year" of winning over a 5-year span;
2. I would not say Kelly has been the beneficiary of good fortune while at ND;
3. The 2012 starters were split roughly 50/50 between his recruits and Weis'; and
4. How is winning 71% of your games and never less than 8 in a season "on a downward trend"?

Based on where the program was when Kelly took over, we have been on a strong upward trajectory ever since. To put it in financial terms, annual growth may be slowing down, but keep in mind that you're criticizing a successful CEO who has taken this Company's stock value to a 20-year high.

It is all subjective, but I would bet if you polled the average college football fan to list the top 10 coaches in college football....you would be surprised how many do not have Brian Kelly on that list. Hell, I would bet you would get the same result if you polled the coaches themselves on a top 10 list.

I have no idea how some arbitrary poll would turn out, but it's not all subjective. Among active I-A coaches with over 200 games coached, Kelly has the best record in the nation. Among those with over 150 games coached, he's #3, behind only Stoops and Saban. Among those with over 100 games coached, he's #4, just a hair behind Gary Patterson. So, Kelly is objectively one of the best coaches in the country. Whether you, or a random sample size of CFB coaches/ idiotic CFB fans recognize that is irrelevant.

The sense of entitlement and unrealistic expectations among our fan base is f*cking unreal. Almost makes me want to see him go, just so I can quote these absurd posts repeatedly when the program tanks again in his absence.

 

[Booslum31]

What Kelly does/says at his next presser will tell us a little of what he is thinking. He needs to get out in front of this and not fall off the grid like he did in 2012 when he was considering the NFL. Other programs will take the rumors and run wild with our verbals and those we are still in the hunt for. In a perfect world I'd like to see:

1) Kelly get out in front and say there is no way he's going anywhere (i know that there are not any gaurantees)
2) Those who are vocally expressing displeasure with him...shut their pie-holes!
3) Win the last two games and bowl game
4) Finish this '15 class with a bang!
5) Have a "quiet" off-season...LOL

If all of this were to happen we would be in strong contention to make the play-offs next year.

***Those coaches who are as good as Kelly or better won't come here. All the others we don't want IMO.

 

[T Town Tommy]

After Kelly's coaching performance last Saturday, does anyone really think an NFL owner or a university president or AD at a major school with coaching vacancies has his number on speed dial? I say no.

 

[IRISHDODGER]

A different link, but similar story.

Mortensen: Brian Kelly a potential NFL candidate

His last comment about the rigors of ND recruiting (academics, etc) proves to me that he's being fed by his agent (Trace Armstrong) who just happens to be BK's agent. And whoever interviews Mort at ESPN knows damn well that they share the same agent but they don't bother to include that as full disclosure. What a circus.

 

[Irish#1]

"No redshirts." Right...

Sorry, but Florida's not a better job than Notre Dame. It might be easier in some ways (recruiting, academic standards). But harder in others (you've got to win in the SEC, and they'll fire your ass in a heartbeat if you don't).
If Kelly leaves for another college job, it's because for all his public statements about understanding that Notre Dame is unique, inside he's fed up with what that entails. And if he does that, it'll send a message to every other top-tier coach in the country that Notre Dame's just not worth the hassle. And then what do we do?

Spot on my friend.

 

[Booslum31]

After Kelly's coaching performance last Saturday, does anyone really think an NFL owner or a university president or AD at a major school with coaching vacancies has his number on speed dial? I say no.

If they were basing their decision on last saturday's performance. I'd say you were right. If you look at the "body of work" that Whiskey laid out above...I'd say yes.

 

[T Town Tommy]

His last comment about the rigors of ND recruiting (academics, etc) proves to me that he's being fed by his agent (Trace Armstrong) who just happens to be BK's agent. And whoever interviews Mort at ESPN knows damn well that they share the same agent but they don't bother to include that as full disclosure. What a circus.

And that's how the game is played. If BK is wanting out, why not get it out there through the back door. I highly doubt Kelly gets an NFL gig. Moving on to another college program may not be out, but I just don't see Kelly getting any interest from the big time HC openings in CFB right now.

 

[T Town Tommy]

If they were basing their decision on last saturday's performance. I'd say you were right. If you look at the "body of work" that Whiskey laid out above...I'd say yes.

Maybe... maybe not. But with all things coaching, most decisions are made on the "what have you done lately" theme. But as we have seen, neither the NFL or colleges are immune to some speculative decisions when it comes to coaching hires.

Are there legitimate rumors that Kelly wants out at this point? And not simply from Mort - who shares the same agent.

 

[IrishLion]

5) Have a "quiet" off-season...LOL

 

[irishff1014]

lol Would you enjoy watching Notre Dame burn to the ground?

I think he has lost it. No way you can be happy about that.