Who do you want to replace Brian Kelly?

Irish#1

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So here's a weird question... he's fielded a top 25 the past two years with zero star players. If you gave him a real defense and real athletes on offense... I mean, I definitely don't want him as our coach, but why hasn't another team tried it yet? Like Purdue or someone?

Purdue's issue is AD related. Their AD was as stingy with money as an 88 year old grandma on social security. They made some recent upgrades, but coaches salaries, recruiting budget, etc. have been terrible. Looks like the new AD has an idea on direction since he left Hazell go. We'll see if he gets a bigger budget.
 

Polish Leppy 22

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Throwing this one out there to see if it sticks.

How about Charlie Weis. He can recruit. And he has probably learned his lessons from his first go around. What do you all say?


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1) His offense is built for the NFL, not modern college football.

2) Swarbrick is smarter than to hire the same guy he fired.

3) Weis is very bitter about ND and won't step foot on that campus again. Says "irrepairable damage" was done to his family there.
 

IrishLion

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Kelly is the Michigan version of Hoke.
I was never happy about the 6 year extension Kelly got.
Herman has to be on the radar although I'm not sure how likely it is. I've always been a huge Les Miles guy ... But not sure where he's headed at this point in his career. I have never been more infuriated with a coach the past two or so years with the continuous level of underperforming with such high recruiting classes. The next move has to be the right move, thats for sure. Too much talent being wasted lately with this staff.

"I've always been a huge Les Miles guy..."

followed by

"I have never been more infuriated with a coach the past two or so years with the continuous levels of underperforming with such high recruiting classes"

Does not compute, brother.
 

NDohio

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Lane is the Norv Turner of college football. Good OC but not a leader of other men.

I strongly agree with this. Some guys are monster coordinators, but just don't have some of the skills necessary to sit behind the big desk. Lane's one of those guys. Unfortunately for him and some school, he'll probably get another HC job in the next year or two, but the Peter Principle will apply yet again to him.

So coaches can't learn and grow? Lane's failures, IMO, were largely because he wasn't ready to be a head coach. He was handed opportunities at too young of an age and was too immature to handle the position. Spending time under Saban - and having Saban as a sounding board for when he gets his opportunity should bode well for him.
 

NDohio

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Throwing this one out there to see if it sticks.

How about Charlie Weis. He can recruit. And he has probably learned his lessons from his first go around. What do you all say?


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Italics?
 

BeauBenken

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So here's a weird question... he's fielded a top 25 the past two years with zero star players. If you gave him a real defense and real athletes on offense... I mean, I definitely don't want him as our coach, but why hasn't another team tried it yet? Like Purdue or someone?

BYU did attempt to hire him. He said no.
 

Meatloaf

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BYU did attempt to hire him. He said no.

Pretty sure I read somewhere that he said no bc if he were to coach at navy for another few years, he would be eligible to collect a government paycheck for the rest of his life. Hard to pass that up.
 

BeauBenken

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Pretty sure I read somewhere that he said no bc if he were to coach at navy for another few years, he would be eligible to collect a government paycheck for the rest of his life. Hard to pass that up.

That was definitely the reason most people thought he said no. He also just claimed to really love coaching Navy, which with a guy like him, seems entirely plausible.

Passed up an opportunity to coach his own son at BYU to stay as well.
 
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NDRock

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So coaches can't learn and grow? Lane's failures, IMO, were largely because he wasn't ready to be a head coach. He was handed opportunities at too young of an age and was too immature to handle the position. Spending time under Saban - and having Saban as a sounding board for when he gets his opportunity should bode well for him.

I'm not sure how much Joey Freshwater has matured. I bet he'll get another chance soon, I hope to God it isn't here.
 

CrystalHead

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So coaches can't learn and grow? Lane's failures, IMO, were largely because he wasn't ready to be a head coach. He was handed opportunities at too young of an age and was too immature to handle the position. Spending time under Saban - and having Saban as a sounding board for when he gets his opportunity should bode well for him.

I'm not disagreeing with you and maybe he has learned a lot under Saban,but how good is Kiffin really? That's a big question. He has more talent to work with than anyone. He is the OC on a team that has a defense that can cover up a multitude of sins on offense. He can play it safe in his play calling and NEVER has to take a risk. If a series doesn't work out, you punt knowing in 3-5 plays your getting the ball back. Plus you work for one of the best that's ever been in the college ranks. I have heard he is very good with the X's and O's but being the CEO of a program is up for debate.
 

tko

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If we're going to get a guy who cheats on his wife, give me PJ Fleck. Row the boat baby!!!!
 

ulukinatme

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I feel like people are taking crazy pills when they suggest Kiffin. No...just....no. The dude is a coordinator, nothing more.
 

GBdomer

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I feel like people are taking crazy pills when they suggest Kiffin. No...just....no. The dude is a coordinator, nothing more.

You realize all top head coaches were coordinators at one point. He's probably the best in the country at what he does. I'm not saying hire him but he would bring a rockstar staff with him and something different to ND. I'm sure Saban has taught him a few things the last couple years.
 

NDohio

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I feel like people are taking crazy pills when they suggest Kiffin. No...just....no. The dude is a coordinator, nothing more.

You realize all top head coaches were coordinators at one point. He's probably the best in the country at what he does. I'm not saying hire him but he would bring a rockstar staff with him and something different to ND. I'm sure Saban has taught him a few things the last couple years.

I'm not necessarily advocated for hiring Kiffin, but he is going to get a HC job soon and I would bet that he is much more successful this time around.

My whole thought process after seeing his name on that list is how fun it would to be a part of the fan base of the school where he is successful. There is already so much ND hate out there, then add the hate that most fans have for LK, and then have them/him be successful? That would be fun...
 

bluengold4732

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I'm not necessarily advocated for hiring Kiffin, but he is going to get a HC job soon and I would bet that he is much more successful this time around.

My whole thought process after seeing his name on that list is how fun it would to be a part of the fan base of the school where he is successful. There is already so much ND hate out there, then add the hate that most fans have for LK, and then have them/him be successful? That would be fun...

What better way to stick to USC!?
 

ulukinatme

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I'm not necessarily advocated for hiring Kiffin, but he is going to get a HC job soon and I would bet that he is much more successful this time around.

My whole thought process after seeing his name on that list is how fun it would to be a part of the fan base of the school where he is successful. There is already so much ND hate out there, then add the hate that most fans have for LK, and then have them/him be successful? That would be fun...

You're assuming a lot here. There's no guarantee that Kiffin will be suddenly successful. He's been falling up from the start, he hasn't been successful at any of his previous stops. Maybe he takes a few things away from Saban and gets it done, but to believe he's suddenly going to be a savior for a program like ours seems like a stretch and unrealistic.

You realize all top head coaches were coordinators at one point. He's probably the best in the country at what he does. I'm not saying hire him but he would bring a rockstar staff with him and something different to ND. I'm sure Saban has taught him a few things the last couple years.

I already knew you took crazy pills, I didn't need confirmation :laugh:

You say he's probably the best in the country at what he does. How hard is it to be successful at Alabama walking into a program run by Saban? Kiffin has made his bread by coaching under both Saban and Carroll, probably two of the most successful college coaches since the turn of the millenia. He certainly hasn't been dealt a shitty hand, he's been rather fortunate with the talent and locations he's worked at. My grandma could be the OC for Alabama in other words. I'll make one more point...that 2012 season, before Kiffy came in, Alabama's OC went to Michigan. Michigan said "We stole 'Bama's OC, we're going to be awesome!" Their offense was awful. Coaching under Saban does not translate to success when you leave Saban's program.

Now, I'm not saying he's not a good coordinator. I think he's pretty good. That said, we are not that far removed from a USC program that completely underperformed under Kiffin's watch. Some people will point to the sanctions, but Kiffin wasn't even affected by those sanctions for a portion of his time there. His track record at Tennessee and in the NFL certainly doesn't boast of great coaching either. I would argue that few head coaches that are unsuccessful end up finding their groove later. Most either got it or they don't. It's an awfully big dice roll to believe Kiffin will come in and bring Saban-like success with him after Kiffy's previous head coaching failures.
 
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IrishLion

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This is a question that I may regret asking, but what are the odds that Swarbrick has reached out to agents and/or coaches directly, to see if there is a realistic option for *if* he gives Kelly the boot.

Something like, "oh I'll check with Tom Herman and see what he's thinking. And if he expresses interest, I can put a plan in place to hire him after firing BK. But, if there isn't any interest, and our best option is to hire a coordinator, then I'll ride with BK for another year and see what's what."
 

NDRock

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You realize all top head coaches were coordinators at one point. He's probably the best in the country at what he does. I'm not saying hire him but he would bring a rockstar staff with him and something different to ND. I'm sure Saban has taught him a few things the last couple years.

It's really hard to say he's the best at what he does. He's the OC of a team which has had 6 consecutive #1 recruiting classes and the greatest HC of his generation. I have a feeling quite a few OCs could put up a lot of points with that talent.

I still don't think being a great OC translates into being a successful HC
 

CrystalHead

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This is a question that I may regret asking, but what are the odds that Swarbrick has reached out to agents and/or coaches directly, to see if there is a realistic option for *if* he gives Kelly the boot.

Something like, "oh I'll check with Tom Herman and see what he's thinking. And if he expresses interest, I can put a plan in place to hire him after firing BK. But, if there isn't any interest, and our best option is to hire a coordinator, then I'll ride with BK for another year and see what's what."

I don't think he's made the calls yet, but I bet he's made the list. Swarbrick is a smart man and isn't going to let the program get away from him.
 

NDohio

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You're assuming a lot here. There's no guarantee that Kiffin will be suddenly successful. He's been falling up from the start, he hasn't been successful at any of his previous stops. Maybe he takes a few things away from Saban and gets it done, but to believe he's suddenly going to be a savior for a program like ours seems like a stretch and unrealistic.

Yep - I am on a discussion board and am trying to add to the discussion with some interesting thoughts that have popped into my head.

I already knew you took crazy pills, I didn't need confirmation :laugh:

You say he's probably the best in the country at what he does. How hard is it to be successful at Alabama walking into a program run by Saban? Kiffin has made his bread by coaching under both Saban and Carroll, probably two of the most successful college coaches since the turn of the millenia. He certainly hasn't been dealt a shitty hand, he's been rather fortunate with the talent and locations he's worked at. My grandma could be the OC for Alabama in other words.

Now, I'm not saying he's not a good coordinator. I think he's pretty good. That said, we are not that far removed from a USC program that completely underperformed under Kiffin's watch. Some people will point to the sanctions, but Kiffin wasn't even affected by those sanctions for a portion of his time there. His track record at Tennessee and in the NFL certainly doesn't boast of great coaching either. I would argue that few head coaches that are unsuccessful end up finding their groove later. Most either got it or they don't. It's an awfully big dice roll to believe Kiffin will come in and bring Saban-like success with him after Kiffy's previous head coaching failures.


He has most definitely failed at times, but I think the reason that Vol Nation was so upset with him for leaving is they saw some good progress during his one season both on the field and recruiting.

Again, I just think it would be fun...
 

irishff1014

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This is a question that I may regret asking, but what are the odds that Swarbrick has reached out to agents and/or coaches directly, to see if there is a realistic option for *if* he gives Kelly the boot.

Something like, "oh I'll check with Tom Herman and see what he's thinking. And if he expresses interest, I can put a plan in place to hire him after firing BK. But, if there isn't any interest, and our best option is to hire a coordinator, then I'll ride with BK for another year and see what's what."

I highly doubt it. That shit would have been wildfire on the rumormill.
 
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NDohio

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Yeah, but in the very likely event Kiffin fails it won't be fun.

I feel this way about every single coach that has been mentioned as a replacement for BK with the exception of Saban, Urban, and Peterson. I do not have any confidence that any other coach is a slam dunk.
 

irishff1014

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I feel this way about every single coach that has been mentioned as a replacement for BK with the exception of Saban, Urban, and Peterson. I do not have any confidence that any other coach is a slam dunk.

You are REALLY going to be disappointed.
 

NDohio

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You are REALLY going to be disappointed.

LOL - yes, I know I will be. But really, who is an absolute slam dunk as the next HC at Notre Dame?

I am in the camp that BK won't be fired after this season though. I don't see Jack pulling that trigger.
 

irishff1014

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We all are. I'm starting to feel BK being back is a 100% lock, regardless of finish. Him leaving on his own is the only way he's out next season.

So my guess to you is; If Kelly hires an above average to great defensive coordinator and does good (9-3 or better) next year will you support him or continue to be done with him?
 

IrishSteelhead

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Who do you want to replace Kelly and BVG?

Who do you want to replace Kelly and BVG?

So my guess to you is; If Kelly hires an above average to great defensive coordinator and does good (9-3 or better) next year will you support him or continue to be done with him?



I'm honestly still on the fence, and haven't completely gone one way or the other. S-it happens, I get it.

The biggest complaint I have with BK right now is the incessant RBF, crabby demeanor, and awful body language.

If he came out and said something along the lines of "this is the job I want, and I'm going to fight like hell to keep it" without acting like somebody just ran over his dog, that would move the needle further towards him IMO.
 
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