Who do you want to replace Brian Kelly?

[kmoose]

I don't understand what that has to do with the state of the football program and Brian Kelly. ND has been and will continue to be a serious academic institution, but that doesn't mean we can't take football seriously. The state of Kelly's job security has literally zero baring on the school's academic mission. The only thing that Kelly does that is anywhere relevant to the academic side of his athletes is complying with any and all infractions as they come.

Swarbrick is the ATHLETIC director. As integral as the academic side of ND is, his responsibility is to the ATHLETIC dept of ND.

Insinuating that the AD is doing a terrible job because he won't fire the coach and sell the academic soul of the University to hire someone like Urban Meyer is the point. Add to it that all but ONE of the person's posts are in one "fire Kelly" thread or another, and the relevance becomes pretty clear.

 

[irishff1014]

Not to offend the multitudes here at Irish Envy, because I am a huge fan of most of you. I come here to read and gain insight into the program. While I read all the time, I post less often. That being said, you can tell many of you guys are fans and not coaches or don't really understand football. For anybody to be calling for coach Kelly to be fired is completely ridiculous. This is his first sub par season he has had in seven years. He has done the best with this program since Holtz. This team really isn't so far off. They are playing with a ton of young guys, and have been very close in every game. I am excited to see what this team does next year. I would only take three coaches over Coach Kelly. However, Saban, Meyer, or Harbaugh are not coming to Notre Dame. There is not another coach who would be better roaming the sidelines. Hiring a competent DC would be nice. I would love it if Charlie Strong wanted to come coach DC, but I imagine he will be a head coach next year. Sorry for the rant, I just could not read the lunacy anymore. Coach Kelly isn't going anywhere, and if for some crazy reason he did, ND would go in the toilet bowl. Be an Irish fan, and quit buying into the hype that someone else would be doing a better job. Those three aren't walking in the door. Coach Kelly has been, and will be, fine.

I would normally agree with you. But you can't keep losing games in the second half when you have a lead at the half. For what every reason Kelly and staff can't put teams away and the consist of not being able to adjust after that half. This is Kelly's bed he made now he must lay in it.

 

[CoachB]

I would normally agree with you. But you can't keep losing games in the second half when you have a lead at the half. For what every reason Kelly and staff can't put teams away and the consist of not being able to adjust after that half. This is Kelly's bed he made now he must lay in it.

I see what you're saying, but this hasn't typically been a problem under Kelly. Normally, Kelly's teams are very good after half. Just a rough year. If we are in the same place discussing the same things next year, then ok. The team is young, the staff has been shaken up, just a tough year. One bad year does not a coach make. It is crazy that people lack so much perspective. We were in a BCS game LAST YEAR, weren't we? A ton of programs would want to "struggle" as much as we have with Coach Kelly. People can't freak out over one down year. No program would ever have stability.

 

[Number3rockin]

We are always young, no longer an excuse. BK has been out coached throughout his 7yr career. 2012 was a long time ago. I don't feel like looking up, but south fla, Tulsa blah blah etc....Last year we had the talent to out way bad coaching...temple,wake,bc. Poor coaching has been there throughout.
Saw a stat that BK is 15-15 in last 30games I think(if so)...yikes

 

[NDgradstudent]

This is his first sub par season he has had in seven years.

8-5 is no longer sub par at Notre Dame? Good to know.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I hate Coach's offense.
I HATE Coach's Special Teams.
I HATE Coach's Defense.


Other than that, I'm cool with Coach.








IF he hit a home run defensive coordinator hire (Charlie Strong) and converts his running game into a POWER SPREAD instead of his metrosexual/horizontal/passive spread, I'd be VERY cool with Coach.

 

[irishff1014]

I see what you're saying, but this hasn't typically been a problem under Kelly. Normally, Kelly's teams are very good after half. Just a rough year. If we are in the same place discussing the same things next year, then ok. The team is young, the staff has been shaken up, just a tough year. One bad year does not a coach make. It is crazy that people lack so much perspective. We were in a BCS game LAST YEAR, weren't we? A ton of programs would want to "struggle" as much as we have with Coach Kelly. People can't freak out over one down year. No program would ever have stability.

I was on Kelly's side backing him even through they navy loss. But the atmosphere has changed you can see it. The team has no energy when they get done. There isn't a player on this team that's a leader. Again his unwillingness to have a package that the qb goes under center cost us 7 points in the first half. The defense did what they could. Our defense always struggles against dual threat QB's. It has been like that the whole Kelly era.

You are right we did get to a BCS game but like i said we had leaders on this team. Our o-line might be a C+ grade right now. Our QB play/decision making has been more inaccurate than the weather man. 3 people involved in the play calling is entirely to much and will always get f-ed up. Adams had a great year last year there is no denying that but this year has really struggled so why didn't Dexter get a shot when the coach himself self that he needed more time because of his fiery efforts? ND has talent. The Players lack heart and fight. And Kelly is at fault for this. I understand that he can only be responsible for showing them how/why to play the position it is up to the players to play. And the players have also lacked in that dept.

 

[NDRock]

I hate Coach's offense.
I HATE Coach's Special Teams.
I HATE Coach's Defense.


Other than that, I'm cool with Coach.








IF he hit a home run defensive coordinator hire (Charlie Strong) and converts his running game into a POWER SPREAD instead of his metrosexual/horizontal/passive spread, I'd be VERY cool with Coach.

And actually caring about being good at Special Teams. That's really not bad, just change/improve in all three phases of the game and we are good to go (to 8-9 wins that is).

 

[irishff1014]

And actually caring about being good at Special Teams. That's really not bad, just change/improve in all three phases of the game and we are good to go (to 8-9 wins that is).

Hell some of the early losses wouldn't be there if he would have canned BVG last year.

 

[NDRock]

Hell some of the early losses wouldn't be there if he would have canned BVG last year.

Agree, would also put Booker on the list as well since Special Teams has been a major part of our losing several games.

 

[IrishFanJMercy]

Our special teams sucks. Have you ever seen our team go after a blocked punt except last year against USC? and what happened? It was blocked! We need to bring in an agressive Special teams coach.

 

[dmort]

perhaps Urban could be lured to South Bend ?

 

[BobbyMac]

perhaps Urban could be lured to South Bend ?

lol

 

[Classic Irish]

perhaps Urban could be lured to South Bend ?

I can't believe that there are people who still believe this fairy tale.

 

[Jimmy3Putt]

I propose insta-ban to anyone who suggests Urban or Chuckie.

 

[NDisme]

Haven't seen this name anywhere, and not completely sure how I feel about him, but how about Bret Bielema? Only 46 and he's 93-48 as a coach and he's done it at schools that struggle to appeal to 5 stars. He runs an offense that many here are dying to see at ND. His personality rubs a lot of people the wrong way, but could be what we need. We are pretty damn soft as a team right now. He's get better talent here than he ever had at Wisconsin or Arkansas.

He's 46? Wow he looks awful

 

[CoachB]

I hate Coach's offense.
I HATE Coach's Special Teams.
I HATE Coach's Defense.


Other than that, I'm cool with Coach.








IF he hit a home run defensive coordinator hire (Charlie Strong) and converts his running game into a POWER SPREAD instead of his metrosexual/horizontal/passive spread, I'd be VERY cool with Coach.

I agree completely with your last sentence.

 

[tko]

I propose insta-ban to anyone who suggests Urban or Chuckie.

This ^^^^^^

Stop the fkn madness. Urban has zero interest in this nonsense. He's on easy street in Columbus.

 

[connor_in]

perhaps Urban could be lured to South Bend ?

Is your first name Vol?

 

[NDgradstudent]

No, I mean your insufferable and perpetual pessimism and criticism. Is there a switch somewhere?

You want Kelly gone, right? We'll see if he is gone, but even if he is, it means our AD is a liar (because he said Kelly would be back) and incompetent (because he extended another crappy coach who we will now have to pay to not coach for 5 years).

Oh yeah, and if Kelly is not gone, it means that a coach in year 7 who produces possibly the worst season in the history of the program can still be retained, because our AD wants to cover his rear.

So what is the reason for optimism again?

That's not how that works. An AD's job is not just hiring coaches. That is maybe 10% of the job.

Fair enough, but I'm guessing no names of Swarbrick hires jump out at you as huge successes. And that's the point. He hasn't hired any particularly distinguished coaches. His hiring has been serviceable and that's about it.

He got basketball and hockey and soccer and lacrosse stadium improvements, some of which world class, and has done tons behind the scenes beyond that to keep good coaches here and happy.

I'm glad he is good at raising money. Maybe he can be kept on for the non-football sports.

So the idea that he sucks despite securing the hottest coaching candidate at the time in Kelly because Kelly hasn't delivered per fan desires (and let's be very fair, he has had some success and bright spots or he would not have made it 7 years) and we now need to move on is just insane. Literally the only thing he has done that was negligent was the recent 5 year extension for Kelly.

If Kelly is fired a week from tomorrow, my opinion of Swarbrick will change. If Kelly is retained, it proves definitively that Swarbrick is putting his personal interest ahead of ND football.

Kelly has not been bad. He just hasn't been good, either. We're still waiting for that NY6 bowl win, and we ain't getting it this year.

And to be very clear, many more people than just the AD are involved in the football HC decision for Notre Dame.

If they want to keep Kelly too, the problem is much deeper than Swarbrick. It may be beyond fixing.

 

[IrishLax]

Fair enough, but I'm guessing no names of Swarbrick hires jump out at you as huge successes. And that's the point. He hasn't hired any particularly distinguished coaches. His hiring has been serviceable and that's about it.



I'm glad he is good at raising money. Maybe he can be kept on for the non-football sports.



If Kelly is fired a week from tomorrow, my opinion of Swarbrick will change. If Kelly is retained, it proves definitively that Swarbrick is putting his personal interest ahead of ND football.

Kelly has not been bad. He just hasn't been good, either. We're still waiting for that NY6 bowl win, and we ain't getting it this year.



If they want to keep Kelly too, the problem is much deeper than Swarbrick. It may be beyond fixing.

I think a lot of your points are spot on. I think if Kelly hadn't been extended he would've already cut him loose. So that extension was a big mistake, and Swarbrick raising $500mil for stadium renovation tapping our booster base/cash reserves is also a questionable use of money for something no one really needed and puts us in a precarious situation.

I think it might make sense still to suffer through another year of Kelly and gear up to make a run at a coach next year. Ultimately, it's up to Jenkins, the BoT (really the board above them), and the boosters with the money whether they authorize Jenkins to make a move and tell him how much money he has to work with.

I believe Swarbrick wants to move on. I don't think he's beholden to Kelly. I'm just not sure he can do it right now. Cutting Kelly loose now and grabbing Fleck would be my ideal situation because it's extremely easy to execute that hire and he's going to immediately fix a lot of the attitude/mentality issues in the program.

 

[bkess8]

Since everyone else is throwing out crazy names that will never happen, how about Mike Leach? HAHA!

Lane Kiffin or bust for me boys. Let's give someone a shot that no one would think is a good idea.

 

[Classic Irish]

How about Matt Rhule at Temple? On his way to his 2nd 10 win season in 3 years at Temple. Always has a solid defense. Good shot to win the American conference this year as well. I say he will be coaching a power 5 school next year.

He's a Penn State alum. My guess is that he ultimately wants to return to Happy Valley as HC.

 

[MNIrishman]

I think a lot of your points are spot on. I think if Kelly hadn't been extended he would've already cut him loose. So that extension was a big mistake, and Swarbrick raising $500mil for stadium renovation tapping our booster base/cash reserves is also a questionable use of money for something no one really needed and puts us in a precarious situation.

I think it might make sense still to suffer through another year of Kelly and gear up to make a run at a coach next year. Ultimately, it's up to Jenkins, the BoT (really the board above them), and the boosters with the money whether they authorize Jenkins to make a move and tell him how much money he has to work with.

I believe Swarbrick wants to move on. I don't think he's beholden to Kelly. I'm just not sure he can do it right now. Cutting Kelly loose now and grabbing Fleck would be my ideal situation because it's extremely easy to execute that hire and he's going to immediately fix a lot of the attitude/mentality issues in the program.

What are your issues with the stadium renovation? What do you see as other needs? I personally would be investing like mad in our science/engineering facilities, faculties, and resources. There's no reason a school as good as ND should be so far behind schools like Michigan and OSU in the STEM department.

 

[irishandy]

I believe Swarbrick wants to move on.

Cutting Kelly loose now and grabbing Fleck would be my ideal situation because it's extremely easy to execute that hire and he's going to immediately fix a lot of the attitude/mentality issues in the program.

What makes you think that? I don't get that vibe. Kelly got an extension in January until 2021. If Kelly has another 4-8 season next year he'll be on the hot seat.

I have not seen a bigger believer with Fleck on this board than you. Why should ND go out a grab a coach who has a .571 winning % career...in the MAC conference???

Yes I get it that MAC schools can produce head coaches to go onto the next level. Look at Darrell Hazel who had a .605 winning % at Kent State was horrible at Purdue and you think that Fleck can do better at ND at his next stop??

Too many armchair quarterbacks on this board....

 

[Downinthebend]

Since everyone else is throwing out crazy names that will never happen, how about Mike Leach? HAHA!

Lane Kiffin or bust for me boys. Let's give someone a shot that no one would think is a good idea.

IM DOWN

edit:

i got baited
i mean im down for mike leach

not lane (not because hes uninteresting offensively, but because hes a meme)

 

[NDgradstudent]

Swarbrick raising $500mil for stadium renovation tapping our booster base/cash reserves is also a questionable use of money for something no one really needed and puts us in a precarious situation.

This is another big problem. The "stadium renovation" is a joke- it looks bizarre and is discontinuous with the rest of the campus' architecture. The building is so large and ostentatious that walking between the stadium and DeBart or the Joyce Center now feels like walking around the NYC financial district. All of the stadium 'improvements' (assuming a jumbotron is an improvement) could have happened without the mega-stadium. Everyone will look back at it in 30 years and wonder why it was built, but just like our football coach it will be too expensive to get rid of. It is another Jenkins/Swarbrick misjudgment and the rationalizations provided for it (it 'connects academics and athletics' (?) and the football stadium 'is only used 8 times a year'- well, yeah, it's a football stadium) are insulting.

 

[T Town Tommy]

Are you people really this stupid????

Urban,Saban,Harbaugh are NOT coming here. None of them want to follow the standards that the University of Notre Dame want from their head football coach.

They all are good coaches but they don't/won't put up with the academics standards.

I guess people Never watched Les me coach. He is offense sucks and his game management is bad. Not to mention he is a PR nightmare.

Bret Bielema also is a PR nightmare with class issues. The admin would not be happy with him. That's why he won't be considered.

And maybe us fans are the problem. Notre Dame is NOT a tier 1 program anymore. We won't complete with the lines of Bama, Michigan, Osu, Clemson, and other schools. This isn't the old days when ND was always on tv, that happens everywheres now. Kids don't want to work for an education they want to take the easiest path they can. The only tradition ND has is the golden dome and the everyweek on tv, as well as great academics. The last time ND won a Championship was 1988! Yeah 28 years ago. These young kids know nothing about ND winning football. So since it has been that long why do us as fans think we should be considered a tier one program?

What exactly is the ND academic standard for football? Quick answer is nobody knows. It seems the biggest obstacle for getting a recruit in to ND is whether they have two years of a foreign language in high school. Further, it is a widely held belief that BK has been able to recruit many players that the three coaches before him could never recruit.

To say other coaches would not come to ND due to academics may be shortsighted. The Urban example is a poor one simply due to the fact that at that point ND hadn't softened their requirements for athletes - if the belief that it has softened under Kelly is true. Once they are at ND, they have a very good academic support system to ensure they are successful... given they put in the work.

Any elite level coach that wants a recruit for his system will make sure the recruit gets the classes they have to have to get in. So what if they miss on one or two every cycle? Their ability to coach the ones they do get far outweigh that one or two they don't.

 

[irishff1014]

What exactly is the ND academic standard for football? Quick answer is nobody knows. It seems the biggest obstacle for getting a recruit in to ND is whether they have two years of a foreign language in high school. Further, it is a widely held belief that BK has been able to recruit many players that the three coaches before him could never recruit.

To say other coaches would not come to ND due to academics may be shortsighted. The Urban example is a poor one simply due to the fact that at that point ND hadn't softened their requirements for athletes - if the belief that it has softened under Kelly is true. Once they are at ND, they have a very good academic support system to ensure they are successful... given they put in the work.

Any elite level coach that wants a recruit for his system will make sure the recruit gets the classes they have to have to get in. So what if they miss on one or two every cycle? Their ability to coach the ones they do get far outweigh that one or two they don't.

agree to disagree all you want.

 

[Calabrese's People]

I think you'll see a situation where Coach Kelly is advised that if he were to accept another offer from a different school, we would waive penalties. Then you'd likely see his agent approach Phil Knight about putting Oregon in a position to win titles before he is too old and telling LSU that BK is the QB-wizard they need to get their collection of 5-star athletes over the hump.

BK knows next year is going to be intense pressure on him, especially breaking in an untested QB. Opens to Temple (No.3 ranked D), then Georgia (No. 14 ranked D),then BC (No. 12 ranked D), then Michigan State. There is a real possibility that he could be forced out before the end of September. Im sure BK and his agent are strategic enough to know that best case scenario he knocks the DC hire out of the park, we have a 2012-like home run season and he rehabilitates his standing with the fanbase.

There is no home-run hire at DC. Todd Orlando can slide right into the big chair at Houston, Mike Elko is going to be a candidate for a number of smaller HC positions. Colorado, Boise, WMU, FAU, Umass, BC are likely to need a new HC. NFL guys are going to be harshly judged due to BVG. Elston would get criticised because its more-of-the-same etc. Im just struggling to see a realistic hire that would re-invigorate the fanbase.
There are some BIG spots needing to be filled (Texas, LSU, Oregon) and not enough clean candidates for them either.

I think BK's agent is looking at it like - Pivot to a high-profile school now, then jump to NFL or potentially be the HC at Rutgers come opening game 2018.

** In my opinion Kizer is going to the NFL. He's going to get a RD1/2 grade and in that case would be foolish to return. He saw what happened to Jaylon last year and this is a weak QB class. 49ers, Bears, Jets, Browns, Saints, Cardinals and Skins should look at QB in the early rounds. Make hay while the sun shines **