Saturday Blitz
Fansided

Notre Dame Football: Should the Irish move on from Brian Kelly?

By Joel W. Cade

Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly argues a call in the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC won 45-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly argues a call in the fourth quarter against the USC Trojans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. USC won 45-27. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 4
Next
Sep 24, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly walks into the stadium before the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 24, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Brian Kelly walks into the stadium before the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

Even more issues

Questions continue to surround Kelly and his tenure at Notre Dame.

When things got rough, he deflected the blame onto others. It seems he cleaned house and rebuilt his rapport with the team. But were these measures designed to help him maintain his job at Notre Dame?

How much responsibility for the situation is he taking upon himself?

In a rather bizarre move, Kelly recently made unflattering comments about former Irish quarterback DeShone Kizer.

He makes the case that Kizer is not ready to enter the NFL. Kelly claims that Kizer is not yet complete and needed more time develop. These comments may be accurate about Kizer. He does need to show more consistency as a passer to compete at the next level. But the timing of the comments is bizarre.

Further, Kelly makes the subtle point that Kizer has some off the field maturing to do. These comments seem to be a return to the deflect blame mode that tore his relationships with players asunder. But Kelly is too politically astute to begin ripping down program he began rebuilding a few short months earlier.

Whatever the reason for the comments, they are not a good look for Brian Kelly or the University of Notre Dame football program.

Is Brian Kelly’s political acumen being used for the mutual benefit of both coach and university? Or has Kelly embarked on a self-beneficial program that no longer benefits the University of Notre Dame?

Universities have an obligation to its students. It must provide a safe, enjoyable and educational environment for its students to thrive. The university also has an obligation to the football program beyond the head coach. It must ensure the long-term health of the program.

Kelly’s comments jeopardize the program’s ability to recruit elite athletes. Who would want to play for a coach who throws them under the bus after a loss? Or potentially hurts their chances to make money in the NFL?

At some point, the University of Notre Dame must evaluate its relationship with Brian Kelly. Notre Dame must ask itself if Brian Kelly is using Notre Dame for his benefit without receiving a benefit in return.

Although Notre Dame may be the best place for Kelly (for now), Brian Kelly may not be the best coach for Notre Dame.

Related Story: Top 15 Heisman candidates to watch this spring

Is it time for Notre Dame to move on from Brian Kelly?

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish