Notre Dame Football: 5 reasons to be optimistic about 2019 season

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 29: Khalid Kareem #53 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish reacts with Adetokunbo Ogundeji #91 after a play in the first half against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Brian Kelly of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish takes the field with his team before the game against the Clemson Tigers during the College Football Playoff Semifinal Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

4. Minimal coaching turnover

If you’ve been paying attention to some of the nation’s top programs, such as Michigan, Ohio State, Alabama and Miami, you’d see that the coaching turnover has been tremendous.

That’s not to say those programs have no chance of contending in the coming years, but not having that consistency among the coaching staff could hinder immediate progress and stymie any hope for a deep run in 2019.

Notre Dame has had minimal coaching turnover in the last couple of years outside of losing Mike Elko to Texas A&M last offseason. He was replaced by Clark Lea who spent time learning under him and he did a solid job as the defensive coordinator in his first season, leading Notre Dame to the 12th-ranked defensive nationally by the S&P+.

Outside of that, the offensive staff has remained relatively intact and Brian Kelly is no longer on the hot seat.

The staff is a cohesive unit with no major flaws, and that’s more than most programs can say.

Home/Notre Dame Fighting Irish