There are a few comments here that stated that Holtz was a rising star when he was hired at ND. That is not the case. He had already won over 100 games at the D1 level. I would call that being an established coach who can win at the highest level.

I for one would like to see Phillip Fulmer. He is available, and he has been successful at the D1 level. He won 152 games at Tennessee. Let me say that again. He won 152 games at Tennessee.

Do we really want someone with the character of Nick Saban (who repeatedly denied going to Alabama, till the moment he did)?

One thing lost – and in my opinion translated wrong – is this idea of getting a coach who has maintained a program. The author of this article put Notre Dame on the level of USC, Florida and Oklahoma. It is not. Traditionally, sure, it is. But not over the last 15 years. So you cannot expect a coach from a Tier 1 BCS school to make a move to ND. If we use the author's criteria, there are only a few coaches that meet his standards: Pete Carrol, Mack Brown, Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops.

That is short-sighted. I don't want Carrol, Brown, Meyer or Stoops. The truth is, my dog has more character than all those men combined (well, maybe not Brown, but the definitely the others). And what Kelly has proven to me is the same thing, unless he TRULY plans on staying at Cincinnati. If he does, great, I commend him for turning down ND and telling his players the truth.

Tubberville? Come on. He didn't maintain anything. Does anyone remember WHY he was fired?

Fulmer? He had a good run at Tenn. And then drove the program to mediocrity. Hardly a recipe for inspiration.

Gruden? He can stay at ESPN. There is no "learning" curve at ND.

Stoops (either one) – can stay where they are at. Bob, we don't need you.

Meyer. I'm not even going to address that one.

Skip Holtz has come up recently. He's intriguing. But I don't see him at Notre Dame.

In my opinion, what Notre Dame needs is a coach who wins with "less." And by less I mean, less 5 star recruits, less attractive atmosphere, against opponents who "should" beat them. Who comes to mind?

My first choice – Paul Johnson of Georgia Tech. He's won championships (at Georgia Southern), tuned Navy COMPLETELY around, and has Georgia Tech as a top 10 and BCS team. His offense plays a style that is unattractive to warm weather QB's who want to be the next Peyton Manning. But guess what? I don't care. I want wins. Not QB's drafted on the first day.

To me, Paul Johnson is the complete package. He won with less talent, coached at a school more strict and held to higher standards than Notre Dame (and most importantly, won with men dedicated to not playing in the NFL, but serving this country).

I'm not sure if Johnson is open to leaving Georgia Tech. But that's who I would focus on.

Most of the big names simply won't leave their current position for ND. Based on what's transpired in the past week, I'd have to say Stoops might, but it's a longshot at best. I don't think Meyer will, and to be honest, I wouldn't want him at ND given what transpired in 2004, as well as the off-field incidents associated with Florida's program during his tenure. As for Tressel, I frequent a college football board with fans from many other teams, including tOSU. I haven't heard any of the tOSU fans there wanting him out, although of course, I can't say that they speak for the entire fanbase.

Gruden simply does not meet the criteria Swarbrick has laid out, most notably due to his long absence from the college game and the fact that he never has been a college coach. Tuberville? I honestly don't see him coming here, I think he's a Southern boy at heart. I wouldn't mind the next coach hiring him as DC, though.

Of those coaches in the obviously gettable category, I'd have to say that Kelly is the best bet. He has faced a higher level of competition than either Patterson or Peterson, at least on a week in, week out basis. Plus, he's built a very strong recruiting base in the Cincinnati area, traditionally a good area for ND to recruit.

Kelly to me stands out above not only Patterson and Peterson, but also Fitzgerald, Edsall and Skip Holtz. I'd like to get Stoops, don't get me wrong, but I'm still somewhat skeptical about our chances. If we don't get him, Kelly's our best bet.