“Wanting the head coach to show some standards and commitment to the program is hardly ridiculous.”

Thanks David for the comment,

In the big business of college football – Notre Dame needs to decide if the current day “ok” status of whatever it takes to be the best in football works best with a university founded on and commited to the highest moral and academic standards…starting with the head coach and the program he leads into a football season. I agree with you 100%.

Zac
Point taken ….but Coach Rockne held classes at ND back in the day and had no high priced agent to renegotiate any contract. Knute for sure was a business man, but in no way did that effect his effort for the impact he had on the school. I am sure if Kelly was part of the teaching staff at ND right now…his agent would put that on the bargaining table. New times…sad times …when we compare coaches bag then to the the biz/coaches of today.

I’m not sure I’m following what you’re saying. Swarbrick told Kelly at the end of the season he was going to get a raise/extension and they also meet after every season to discuss what Kelly/the program need (facilities, assistant pay, etc.). Kelly interviewing with the Eagles didn’t accomplish anything other than stroking his own ego and costing ND a 5 star recruit. Most people don’t have a problem with him interviewing; it’s the low brow manner in which he went about it. You don’t have a problem with how he handled it, but based on most of the posts here (and elsewhere), you’re in the minority. As for all the other things you think Kelly will do in the future (great recruiting classes, in the top 5-10 consistently) we’ll see how it plays out. I hope you’re right, but Kelly himself said ND football will only be “back” when they win consistently over a period of years. What he pulled this last week didn’t help the program accomplish any of those things, it didn’t help anyone but himself. He’ll be around until his next “dream job” opens up and if that coincides with the consistent winner he’s trying to build that’s fine with him. I’m comfortable that I’ve seen enough of his character, or lack thereof, in how he handled this situation to say he’s not a good guy. You obviously feel differently. We’ll have to agree to disagree. I’m paraphrasing, but “For those who get it, no explanation is necessary and for those who don’t no explanation will suffice”.

Ah you’re right. I did what I accused others of doing: I overreacted to the information.

I think Swarbrick’s comments in the SB Tribune article “Finer points on Kelly’s return” are much closer to what I was attempting to articulate, that this interview wasn’t underhanded or surprising, nor does it indicate any deep flaws in Kelly’s character.

I disagree with the tone and hyperbole that sometimes happens here, but I truly appreciate the thoughtful criticism this site aims to achieve. Thanks.

Well, he didn’t receive an offer from the Eagles, and (most likely) did his return act because the Eagles weren’t going to submit an offer on a timetable that worked for him.

One more emotional reaction made, before the facts are in, by a squemish fan after the #3 team in the nation lost its only game of the season, a record matched or beaten by only 3 of the remaining 117 teams among the BCS schools. We now know Brian Kelly will continue to coach at Notre Dame, that the recruiting will continue to take place a level that has them ranked at the top 5 or 10 consistently and most likely will have success at the highest level commensurate with the best in 18 year performance that was the 2012 grid season. The Eagles wanted to hire him. He heard them out and turned down their offer which would have at least matched and probably been more than the $4 million per year Swarbick will come across with. The other concesssions Kelly will seek out of the ND Administration will be increased pay for Assistant Coaches so they will not turn over and so success won’t have to be re-created and further upgrades to athletic facilities, hardly the type of moves worthy of your vitriolic “scumbag” designation. Just do the rest of a favor ND Chicago: just let the people who brought us the joy of this season continue to build the program and keep your negativity to yourself

Actually, neither the “Knute reincarnate” or “mud” thing is true, but whatever

The team was supposed to be happy if they could somehow eek out 9 wins this year. Instead, Kelly (the winner of coach of the year what seems like seventeen organizations) has the team undefeated and playing in the national championship game, and somehow has wrangled what looks to be the best recruiting class Notre Dame has hauled in. He’s done what you all said he couldn’t: develop a quarterback. AND he’s changed his sideline demeanor so as not to disrupt your delicate sensibilities. All this while maintaining a roster full of the best academically performing team in college ball. Laughably, (though predictably) crotchety Notre Dame fan is not satisfied.

Last Sunday, Kelly was Knute reincarnate. Today his name is mud.

I love Notre Dame football, but I absolutely hate the ridiculous fans it seems to attract. Do you live your life to the same standard you hold the coaching staff at Notre Dame?

After reading this board and thinking about the whacko boosters Kelly must have to listen to, I couldn’t blame him for wanting to bolt. Absurdism lives here.