24 hours later and the threads are still bashing our coaches. Not that they don't deserve it, but how anyone outside of God can predict failure for this coach is beyond me.
First I think people need to be realistic and honest. Stoops, Saban, or Meyer ain't coming. We are not going to bend that much (juco's, academics, weaker schedule, etc). Secondly the second we over pay for one of these guys we become like everyone else and every media outlet will be all over us like white on rice. Trading football glory for integrity is what will be said.
Second the three amigo listed above didn't succeed in their first year and have not been Rockne, Leahy or Ara. Stoops was 7 - 5 in year 1, lost his bowl game and is 5 - 6 in bowl games. He was 8 - 5 last year with a veteran team. Saban was mediocre at best at MSU 6-5-1 his first year. At LSU he was didn't win the NC till year 4 and had 2 three loss season one 4 loss season and one five loss season. Was 7 - 6 year one at Alabama and lost to Louisiana Monroe in week 11 at home. Meyer has had the most success and at his current gig was 9 - 3 in year one and won the NC in year 2. Have to say it though he has questionable character and not sure his type of players get in to ND.
Third and finally. I am not sure how Kelly and Co. will turn out. I can honestly say I do not know if the will turn it around. No one knows, I don't care what you say who you know at ND or in college football. Of the last three successful ND coaches Ara, Devine, and Holtz. Only Ara had a great first year(9-1) and he slipped a little his second year(7-2-1). USC was a monkey on his back his entire career. Devine was 8 - 3. His team had the knack for losing to teams they shouldn't, not Navy but others. Lou was 5 - 6 outside of Alabama (18) and the loses were by 5 or less points. He succeed once he got his players (Rice, Rocket, Waters) on offense and a great D coordinator (Alvarez).
We do know this. The team is similar to what Ara and Lou took over. Used to losing and not having talent in the places needed. Lou needed offensive talent to run his offense. Ara just needed to move people into a position they could contribute. Both needed to install confidence and a winning attitude. Kelly has to do the same. Get some players on D, install confidence, and get them to believe they can and will win every game.
What I did not like from yesterday game was two plays. The touchdown before the half and the long pass. Our players give up on those plays. The assumed the play was over the Navy player couldn't or wouldn't make a play. Navy kids never give up. Remember, the men playing for Navy have ability and brains. You do not get a commission to the academy without those attributes. We did not lose to a 2 - 8 Syracuse team or a Div II school. These kids will give 100% every play every game no matter who the opponent or the score.
First I think people need to be realistic and honest. Stoops, Saban, or Meyer ain't coming. We are not going to bend that much (juco's, academics, weaker schedule, etc). Secondly the second we over pay for one of these guys we become like everyone else and every media outlet will be all over us like white on rice. Trading football glory for integrity is what will be said.
Second the three amigo listed above didn't succeed in their first year and have not been Rockne, Leahy or Ara. Stoops was 7 - 5 in year 1, lost his bowl game and is 5 - 6 in bowl games. He was 8 - 5 last year with a veteran team. Saban was mediocre at best at MSU 6-5-1 his first year. At LSU he was didn't win the NC till year 4 and had 2 three loss season one 4 loss season and one five loss season. Was 7 - 6 year one at Alabama and lost to Louisiana Monroe in week 11 at home. Meyer has had the most success and at his current gig was 9 - 3 in year one and won the NC in year 2. Have to say it though he has questionable character and not sure his type of players get in to ND.
Third and finally. I am not sure how Kelly and Co. will turn out. I can honestly say I do not know if the will turn it around. No one knows, I don't care what you say who you know at ND or in college football. Of the last three successful ND coaches Ara, Devine, and Holtz. Only Ara had a great first year(9-1) and he slipped a little his second year(7-2-1). USC was a monkey on his back his entire career. Devine was 8 - 3. His team had the knack for losing to teams they shouldn't, not Navy but others. Lou was 5 - 6 outside of Alabama (18) and the loses were by 5 or less points. He succeed once he got his players (Rice, Rocket, Waters) on offense and a great D coordinator (Alvarez).
We do know this. The team is similar to what Ara and Lou took over. Used to losing and not having talent in the places needed. Lou needed offensive talent to run his offense. Ara just needed to move people into a position they could contribute. Both needed to install confidence and a winning attitude. Kelly has to do the same. Get some players on D, install confidence, and get them to believe they can and will win every game.
What I did not like from yesterday game was two plays. The touchdown before the half and the long pass. Our players give up on those plays. The assumed the play was over the Navy player couldn't or wouldn't make a play. Navy kids never give up. Remember, the men playing for Navy have ability and brains. You do not get a commission to the academy without those attributes. We did not lose to a 2 - 8 Syracuse team or a Div II school. These kids will give 100% every play every game no matter who the opponent or the score.
