Brian Kelly is a top-five coach

[NotreDame du Lac]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

 

[geza67]

I agree. Kelly just needs a little more time to right the ship.

 

[nemeth#5]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

You are about to get crucified....... but I agree with you.

 

[ndfi65]

I agree. Kelly just needs a little more time to right the ship.

Yeah how about another 8, will that be enough?

 

[HDK]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

What illegal activity?

 

[football1irish]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

Yawn.....I've heard the same thing about every bad coach we've had for the last 25 years as we've continued to spiral into being irrelevant.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

LOLZ... no way he is top 5. This dude is always high as hell when he starts threads.

 

[tkirish]

This is just like saying Hillary is one of the democratic candidates for president in 2020

 

[impossibilityofreason1]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

How would you rank the top 5 coaches and where does Kelly rank?

 

[zonairish]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

I am not sure if Kelly is a top 5 coach or just pedestrian. I know historically we do not seem to win the big ones. Yes, we will beat a good team on our schedule here and there but never a big one. now, this season was a changing season. i.e. QB, coaches etc. So it seems compared to last year we may be expecting a lot. That said, the teams under Kelly after big loses tend to fall apart. So, I would guess if we have a let down against the navy and lose to Stanford. (Stanford is not a good team) then it's the same old same old. Even if we win the last two and make new years 6 game and lose to say Auburn it is the coaching and Kelly is pedestrian with one very lucky season.

 

[Telx1]

The head coach owns the programs overall success or lack thereof. This includes graduation rates, off field behavior incidents, recruiting, facilities, coaches, etc... in addition to wins and losses. IMO Kelly’s entire body of work at ND has been good, but clearly not great. His BVG hire was a disaster and keeping him into the third season was inexcusable. The embarrassing blow outs we’ve had against Alabama and Ohio State and Miami, etc... legitimately detract from his “good wins”. If we win our next two games, get invited to a big six bowl game and win, I personally think it will be his best job as HC at ND. That said, I don’t think his body of work at ND puts him into top five category.

 

[Pennick44]

Yeah how about another 8, will that be enough?

Sure.

 

[theskibro]

The head coach owns the programs overall success or lack thereof. This includes graduation rates, off field behavior incidents, recruiting, facilities, coaches, etc... in addition to wins and losses. IMO Kelly’s entire body of work at ND has been good, but clearly not great. His BVG hire was a disaster and keeping him into the third season was inexcusable. The embarrassing blow outs we’ve had against Alabama and Ohio State and Miami, etc... legitimately detract from his “good wins”. If we win our next two games, get invited to a big six bowl game and win, I personally think it will be his best job as HC at ND. That said, I don’t think his body of work at ND puts him into top five category.

This.

No way Kelly is top 15.

He flat out cannot game plan. Ask yourself one question. Why didn’t Wimbush RPO on Miami? He never did. I was floored that Kelly made BW throw from the pocket when Miami had 7 Players in the box.

The kid had a bad night throwing. Short option throws - even screens- would have been effective in spreading the field. But no plan B from your top 5 coach. No Plan A either. At least a plan A that anticipated Miami would sell out to Stop the run

He friggin sux

 

[scubastevefl]

Top 5+

1. Nick Saban
2. Urban Meyer
3. Dabo Sweeney
4. Jimbo Fisher
5. Chris Peterson
6. Gus Mulzan
7. Mark Richt
8. Gary Patterson
9. Brian Kelly
10. David Shaw
11. Mike Leach
12. Mike Gundy

Nope not in the top 5 and I'm in a generous mood, the only reason he is in the top 10 this year is because Bob Stoops retired, Chip Kelly is living off his NFL buyout and Jim Harbaugh, well sucks

 

[HuddleBurger]

Kelly had a good year, right up until the Miami game. The high-water mark was probably the USC game. I thought ND truly looked like one of the elite teams in the country. Obviously the playoff committee did too.

Probably if he could have coached one of his patented close losses to Miami instead of one of his patented blowout losses, it would have kept some of the momentum of his success this year. But getting completely dismantled throws his coaching skills into doubt again. I almost wonder if he isn't sniffing around the NFL again like he did before the Bama game. The team looked almost exactly the same as in that game.

 

[collegepigskinfan]

I am not sure if Kelly is a top 5 coach or just pedestrian. I know historically we do not seem to win the big ones. Yes, we will beat a good team on our schedule here and there but never a big one. now, this season was a changing season. i.e. QB, coaches etc. So it seems compared to last year we may be expecting a lot. That said, the teams under Kelly after big loses tend to fall apart. So, I would guess if we have a let down against the navy and lose to Stanford. (Stanford is not a good team) then it's the same old same old. Even if we win the last two and make new years 6 game and lose to say Auburn it is the coaching and Kelly is pedestrian with one very lucky season.

Don't win the big ones? We were only small favs at MSU, at home vs. USC, and about 7 pts over NC State. None of these were big games? We did have a terrible game last Sat vs. the Canes though and part of the blame for that does go to the head coach.

 

[BGI-CANADA]

Kelly had a good year, right up until the Miami game. The high-water mark was probably the USC game. I thought ND truly looked like one of the elite teams in the country. Obviously the playoff committee did too.

Probably if he could have coached one of his patented close losses to Miami instead of one of his patented blowout losses, it would have kept some of the momentum of his success this year. But getting completely dismantled throws his coaching skills into doubt again. I almost wonder if he isn't sniffing around the NFL again like he did before the Bama game. The team looked almost exactly the same as in that game.

Kelly may be interested in the NFL, but - I have never understood the theory that the NFL wants Kelly - what has he accomplished at the major college level that would make him attractive to a NFL team?

 

[zonairish]

Don't win the big ones? We were only small favs at MSU, at home vs. USC, and about 7 pts over NC State. None of these were big games? We did have a terrible game last Sat vs. the Canes though and part of the blame for that does go to the head coach.

Big ones = Alabama, Miami, and in 2015 we imploded. , when we lose a big game we tend to implode look what happens after a big loss. OSU in the fiesta bowl, We win out and make it to a new year 6 and win then I will say we won a big game.

 

[collegepigskinfan]

Bama in '12 and OSU in '15 were much better than us imo. Still think we're better than Miami this year. We just had a terrible game and they played great.

 

[theskibro]

N

Don't win the big ones? We were only small favs at MSU, at home vs. USC, and about 7 pts over NC State. None of these were big games? We did have a terrible game last Sat vs. the Canes though and part of the blame for that does go to the head coach.

o none were big games. They were not undefeated or ranked number 7. Lou used to play those type of teams all the time n beat them. You have gotten so used to losing you think these are good big wins. Kelly has no big wins except Oklahoma in 2012. But he gVe it back with s shit show against OU in 2013

U need s list? Champ bowl FSU. 2nd half blowout.
FSU in Tallahassee with the push off no TD Clemson 2015. Alabama NC game. No way in hell we had a chance

 

[TOMMY_23]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

Bwahahahahahaha.

He hasn’t won anything and he’s not even close to being in the league of Saban, Meyer, Dabo, Shaw, and Petersen, etc.

 

[TOMMY_23]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

What ND fan expects the football team to win a national title every year? I’m as big of a fan as they come. My expectation is once out every four years they go 11-1/10-2.

I’m truly just hoping they can win a big road one time. I guess I used my one time with OU in 2012. That’s literally the only “big” game Kelly has won on the road. #Sad

 

[TOMMY_23]

Don't win the big ones? We were only small favs at MSU, at home vs. USC, and about 7 pts over NC State. None of these were big games? We did have a terrible game last Sat vs. the Canes though and part of the blame for that does go to the head coach.

Kelly is 0-2 at Michigan
Kelly is 0-3 at Stanford
Kelly is 0-2 in major bowls
Kelly is 0-4 in the big ACC road games since ‘14

Kelly should probably get a lifetime contract, no?

 

[TOMMY_23]

Bama in '12 and OSU in '15 were much better than us imo. Still think we're better than Miami this year. We just had a terrible game and they played great.

What about Stanford and Clemson in 2015? Were they better too?

The 2011 game at Michigan was a choke job as well. Some people have short memories though.

 

[88ND]

LOLZ... no way he is top 5. This dude is always high as hell when he starts threads.

Funniest thing all month...maybe even today.

 

[88ND]

What about Stanford and Clemson in 2015? Were they better too?

The 2011 game at Michigan was a choke job as well. Some people have short memories though.

I remember every single god damn snap let alone game.

 

[ND4Real]

If BK doesn't win these last 2 then he's got to go. Winning those games don't mean a thing at this point. The Irish got blown out in Miami. Beat Navy and Stanford handily then win a major bowl game BK will be the man. Drop 1 of the next 2 then we got 9 amd 3 which isn't good enough. This year's team should have been 11 and 1 .

 

[ndfi65]

Kelly is 0-2 at Michigan
Kelly is 0-3 at Stanford
Kelly is 0-2 in major bowls
Kelly is 0-4 in the big ACC road games since ‘14

Kelly should probably get a lifetime contract, no?

Just eight more years Tommy, he just needs a little more time to get the ship righted.

 

[ndfi65]

If BK doesn't win these last 2 then he's got to go. Winning those games don't mean a thing at this point. The Irish got blown out in Miami. Beat Navy and Stanford handily then win a major bowl game BK will be the man. Drop 1 of the next 2 then we got 9 amd 3 which isn't good enough. This year's team should have been 11 and 1 .

Oh he wont go now. Swarbrick loves him, and going 8-4 with a loss in the bowl game is status quo for bk. Only bk can take a team from 4-8 to 8-4. Coach ocho wins is back.

 

[zonairish]

Don't win the big ones? We were only small favs at MSU, at home vs. USC, and about 7 pts over NC State. None of these were big games? We did have a terrible game last Sat vs. the Canes though and part of the blame for that does go to the head coach.

Borrowed this response, from Mike and Mike
“You have to say it Greeny. Notre Dame just can’t win that big game.

That monster game; from that title game [in 2012], the Fiesta Bowl [in 2015] against Ohio State was a monster game, this was a huge game that can keep you on the road to where you need to be, and Notre Dame has just struggled to win those games. It’s right there on the scoreboard. And losing those games, big, that’s the issue.

It is one thing if it was a last-second field goal and you could say, ‘man, we were right there,’ but it wasn’t. It wasn’t. And that’s a tough pill to swallow for Notre Dame.”

Also saying NCST and USC were big games how about FSU and Clemson they were bigger

 

[justified1]

Geez, OP are you still holding Enron stock in hopes it will surge?

 

[tbonesays]

USC is a big game. But for that I agree, we never win the big one on the road save OU in 12.

Listing Shaw as a top coach is like including Michigan as one of the elite programs.

 

[zonairish]

USC is a big game. But for that I agree, we never win the big one on the road save OU in 12.

Listing Shaw as a top coach is like including Michigan as one of the elite programs.

Amen! Shaw is overrated

 

[collegepigskinfan]

What about Stanford and Clemson in 2015? Were they better too?

The 2011 game at Michigan was a choke job as well. Some people have short memories though.

Tommy 23 wrote: "What about Stanford and Clemson in 2015? Were they better too?" Answer is yes. We were underdogs in both of those games.

 

[Crabwalkers]

What he has done this season is remarkable. One bad game just like Ohio State had. Just like Oklahoma had. Just like Clemson had. Just like Georgia had. Just like Auburn had. Just like Penn State had. We are a fantastic program. There is only one team in the country that is consistently winning every single game and playing good opponents. Notre Dame can beat any team in the country this year when they are on. Unfortunately it puts us out of the top four but this is still a top 10 team in the country for sure. People that expect us to go to the national championship game every single year are out of control. Unfortunately they were a little little shellshocked by the trashiness and illegal activity exhibited by Miami. The joke is on them in the long run

LOL. Another HUMAN DONUT!!

 

[SALittleGiant513]

USC is a big game. But for that I agree, we never win the big one on the road save OU in 12.

Listing Shaw as a top coach is like including Michigan as one of the elite programs.

Do you have BK as a top coach though?

 

[Telx1]

My thoughts and emotions leading up to a Big Game under Kelly are filled with trepidation and hope that the Team shows up and plays competitive football, and of course pulls out a win. My thoughts and emotions leading up to a Big Game under Holtz were filled with bravado and confidence that we would represent well and find a way to win; and I want to experience this again! Can Kelly deliver This?

 

[tbonesays]

Do you have BK as a top coach though?

Top 25.

 

[DublinND]

LOLZ... no way he is top 5. This dude is always high as hell when he starts threads.

Probably top 20. Which shouldn't be good enough for ND.

 

[justified1]

Since 2012:
2-15 against top 10 teams.
0-5 in Florida

Of the other 4 Head Coaches you put in your Top 5, how have they fared in relation to Kelly’s record.