Kelly Blames Fundraising for 4-8 Season

[NDEwing18]

As per article here: https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/08/17/brian-kelly-notre-dame-struggles-2016-fundraising

I'm not sure what's worse:
(1) If this is true, then it's embarrassing that our university is keeping our head coach away from doing what he's supposed to be doing. I'm thrilled that we concentrate on all of this off-the-field stuff.....

(2) Whether it's true or not, I'm bothered that our head coach of 8 or so seasons is still making excuses.

 

[SALittleGiant513]

Its a bad look. Fundraising did not force him to throw 25 times in a hurricane.

 

[NDEwing18]

Its a bad look. Fundraising did not force him to throw 25 times in a hurricane.

In truth, he was going around to people on the sidelines and selling candy bars to raise money during at least 20 of those throws, so he probably was unaware what was going on.

 

[NDSMC78]

Pretty weak, a cop out. BK should just admit that he did a poor job. Making lame excuses like this just makes him look worse.

 

[benko's army]

In fairness, Kelly has blamed himself very clearly in many interviews since the offseason. Even in this article, I don't get the impression that he's passing the buck.

 

[twalsh]

Pretty weak, a cop out. BK should just admit that he did a poor job. Making lame excuses like this just makes him look worse.

He has done that, taken responsibility, multiple times since the end of last season. If you ask a coach enough questions about what went wrong, eventually he will say something that sounds like an excuse. And that will be reported.

 

[NDSMC78]

He has done that, taken responsibility, multiple times since the end of last season. If you ask a coach enough questions about what went wrong, eventually he will say something that sounds like an excuse. And that will be reported.

Understood. By why bring up the fund raising at all?

 

[NDCap]

for whatever it's worth... there will be no excuses this season. BK has made it very clear that last year was predominantly on his misdoings . He said the culture has changed etc. he will have nothing to say if this team goes 7-5 that can convince the administration to keep him around. The staff has been overhauled so he cannot replaced anyone else . he would be gone. I like what I read about Long stating they want to be a physical team and intend to run the ball. Bk has always had that philosophy but his run game is too vanilla and lacks misdirection. I hope Chip brings a different dimension and sticks with the run game because I think the WR position right now is a shitshow. way too many guys competing for Wimbush to mesh with. However the 3 - headed monster in the backfield with Adams , Jones and Dex along with some good -great TE's this team can control the LOS and throw effectively to St. Brown and Mack when needed. Goota stick with the run game every week.

 

[Howard Hall 74]

"I was the absent professor," Kelly said. "I wasn't paying attention to the details that we needed. There were internal issues that—if a guy is on it, and he's doing his job as the head coach, he would've seen those things early. My flawed philosophy was, We're going to score points early while we're figuring it out on the other side with a young defense. Well, that didn't happen. We gave up way too many points early, we lost three games, and now we're in trouble."

Yep, bump his salary another mil. 7 years, one excuse after another, one disappointment after another...the dog ate his game plan explanation. This is a D1 head coach? This is the type of guy you have faith in? For those who say yes, well, Swarbrick agrees. If coach 8&4 or coach 4&8 has another excuse filled year, what do you do then, extend his contract another year? This program is a mess. It needs a complete change, but to do that the AD, BOT and Jenkins would have to admit a colossal mistake. The first 4 games will be the season. Lose 2 and the pressure and troubles will only mount. This program is hinged on how good Wimbush can become. He, above everyone else in this program, will determine ND football's future. Otherwise....more of the "absent" minded professor?

 

[NDSMC78]

"I was the absent professor," Kelly said. "I wasn't paying attention to the details that we needed. There were internal issues that—if a guy is on it, and he's doing his job as the head coach, he would've seen those things early. My flawed philosophy was, We're going to score points early while we're figuring it out on the other side with a young defense. Well, that didn't happen. We gave up way too many points early, we lost three games, and now we're in trouble."

Yep, bump his salary another mil. 7 years, one excuse after another, one disappointment after another...the dog ate his game plan explanation. This is a D1 head coach? This is the type of guy you have faith in? For those who say yes, well, Swarbrick agrees. If coach 8&4 or coach 4&8 has another excuse filled year, what do you do then, extend his contract another year? This program is a mess. It needs a complete change, but to do that the AD, BOT and Jenkins would have to admit a colossal mistake. The first 4 games will be the season. Lose 2 and the pressure and troubles will only mount. This program is hinged on how good Wimbush can become. He, above everyone else in this program, will determine ND football's future. Otherwise....more of the "absent" minded professor?

Poster is beyond tiresome.

 

[echowaker]

"I was the absent professor," Kelly said. "I wasn't paying attention to the details that we needed. There were internal issues that—if a guy is on it, and he's doing his job as the head coach, he would've seen those things early. My flawed philosophy was, We're going to score points early while we're figuring it out on the other side with a young defense. Well, that didn't happen. We gave up way too many points early, we lost three games, and now we're in trouble."

Yep, bump his salary another mil. 7 years, one excuse after another, one disappointment after another...the dog ate his game plan explanation. This is a D1 head coach? This is the type of guy you have faith in? For those who say yes, well, Swarbrick agrees. If coach 8&4 or coach 4&8 has another excuse filled year, what do you do then, extend his contract another year? This program is a mess. It needs a complete change, but to do that the AD, BOT and Jenkins would have to admit a colossal mistake. The first 4 games will be the season. Lose 2 and the pressure and troubles will only mount. This program is hinged on how good Wimbush can become. He, above everyone else in this program, will determine ND football's future. Otherwise....more of the "absent" minded professor?

Last year was an anomaly. No reason to believe otherwise. Most folks learn from their mistakes. Most if not all moves since the end of 2016 seem to indicate Kelly has also.

 

[Chitownrealist]

The SI article wasn't as bad as the Bleacher Report article it came from. The vote of confidence portion re Swarbrick was bad. Why would Kelly give an interview like this and say these things to start a season? I read the article thinking, this must be the Onion or fake, but it appears it was legit.

I have defended him a lot, questioned him a lot, but man... this is hard to explain as the season is about to begin.

 

[twalsh]

Poster is beyond tiresome.

Always has been.

 

[TOMMY_23]

The SI article wasn't as bad as the Bleacher Report article it came from. The vote of confidence portion re Swarbrick was bad. Why would Kelly give an interview like this and say these things to start a season? I read the article thinking, this must be the Onion or fake, but it appears it was legit.

I have defended him a lot, questioned him a lot, but man... this is hard to explain as the season is about to begin.

It seems like he knows this season is going to be rough, too. Maybe he's planting the seeds to get fired mid-season or in November.

 

[TDIrish27]

As a future coach ready to toss your hat in the ring ?

 

[Gimmea10wincoach]

In all fairness, I'm no longer a Kelly fan but it comes across as a "Hot Take"! Really weak article.

 

[irishjimbo]

"I was the absent professor," Kelly said. "I wasn't paying attention to the details that we needed. There were internal issues that—if a guy is on it, and he's doing his job as the head coach, he would've seen those things early. My flawed philosophy was, We're going to score points early while we're figuring it out on the other side with a young defense. Well, that didn't happen. We gave up way too many points early, we lost three games, and now we're in trouble."

Yep, bump his salary another mil. 7 years, one excuse after another, one disappointment after another...the dog ate his game plan explanation. This is a D1 head coach? This is the type of guy you have faith in? For those who say yes, well, Swarbrick agrees. If coach 8&4 or coach 4&8 has another excuse filled year, what do you do then, extend his contract another year? This program is a mess. It needs a complete change, but to do that the AD, BOT and Jenkins would have to admit a colossal mistake. The first 4 games will be the season. Lose 2 and the pressure and troubles will only mount. This program is hinged on how good Wimbush can become. He, above everyone else in this program, will determine ND football's future. Otherwise....more of the "absent" minded professor?

Since when did clearly admitting fault and furthermore detailing one's shortcomings become excuse making vs. accepting responsibility?

Some people will read or listen to something totally ignore it and think they heard or read whatever it is that supports their view. Critical thought is gone, honest debate and discussion are a thing of the past. This mentality and closed-mindedness permeates our modern life.

But, then again, that's just my opinion....

 

[SALittleGiant513]

In truth, he was going around to people on the sidelines and selling candy bars to raise money during at least 20 of those throws, so he probably was unaware what was going on.

Risky proposition. The rain risks melting the chocolate

 

[twalsh]

Some people will read or listen to something totally ignore it and think they heard or read whatever it is that supports their view..

For a second I thought this was another political post and you were describing the mainstream media. Ha.

 

[ZORO50]

Kelly has lost 7 to 10 games a top coach wouldn't have lost.
Thats small compared to moronic decisions
Playing a 3-3-5 vs Texas, throwing all day in a hurricane, Getting embarrassed by Navy where their top defensive priority wasn't at all
stopping the fullback dive.
8-5 seasons would have been 10-3 seasons.

The bottom line is a reset button was hit on Kelly.
Swarbrick has admitted his shortcomings.
They are trying to identify patterns for recruiting success. Trying to recruit the defensive lineman needed. Trying to have the best strength science facilities.

I want Kelly to succeed and he needs to do it now. No more crying to protect your BS reputation.
I'm tired of the past. Tired of hearing about Alize Jones or Mack- tired of hearing how great McGlinchey and Nelson allegedly are.

Get on the field and prove it by winning.

 

[ndfi65]

As per article here: https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/08/17/brian-kelly-notre-dame-struggles-2016-fundraising

I'm not sure what's worse:
(1) If this is true, then it's embarrassing that our university is keeping our head coach away from doing what he's supposed to be doing. I'm thrilled that we concentrate on all of this off-the-field stuff.....

(2) Whether it's true or not, I'm bothered that our head coach of 8 or so seasons is still making excuses.

bk always makes excuses, that's why he is a mediocre coach. Always will be

 

[Pennick44]

bk always makes excuses, that's why he is a mediocre coach. Always will be

blah , blah, blah,
Mediocre coaches don't get teams into the Nat. Champ game.
Read more , post less.

 

[ndfi65]

blah , blah, blah,
Mediocre coaches don't get teams into the Nat. Champ game.
Read more , post less.

Really? If you look at the year objectively which you cant because you are a bk lover. They could have easily lost 3 games. Beating unranked and sorry Purdue and BYU by 3 in OT along with Stanford in 3 OT's could have easily been a 3 loss season. And lets not even talk about the complete beat down in the NC game with a completely unprepared team. He has had two good seasons, the rest have been mediocre and last years was a complete embarrassment. In fact your buddy Mr. echo with all his Pop Warner Pee Wee coaching experience could have gone 4-8.

 

[Pennick44]

Really? If you look at the year objectively which you cant because you are a bk lover. They could have easily lost 3 games. Beating unranked and sorry Purdue and BYU by 3 in OT along with Stanford in 3 OT's could have easily been a 3 loss season. And lets not even talk about the complete beat down in the NC game with a completely unprepared team. He has had two good seasons, the rest have been mediocre and last years was a complete embarrassment. In fact your buddy Mr. echo with all his Pop Warner Pee Wee coaching experience could have gone 4-8.

You could have easily had a brain. Natty Champ game!! . Mr. " I would have never left my guys" . Nice comic relief.

 

[tbonesays]

Understood. By why bring up the fund raising at all?

Every HC hates fundraising seeing it as a necessary bit of grunt work. Here is where the priorities of a coach and a university dean diverge. For the bowties, athletics exist to raise funds and publicize the school. For the coach, wins are for advancing himself.

 

[tkirish]

So far the preseason camp has been uneventful. That's a very good thing. Now Kelly makes a stupid statement. Unreal. It sounds like he's unhappy at ND. Maybe he feels stuck . I don't know. I think the writing is on the wall. ND didn't cut him loose because there was no viable option. But believe me, the countdown has begun. I'm hoping the Irish have a great year, I always do. But if you're honest, you can see that it's time to look for the ne t coach and have him ready. Don't be surprised if Kelly leaves win or lose after this season.

 

[stu4don]

Actually I read it differently. He blamed himself for allowing himself to get distracted with his fundraising duties and for taking his eye off the ball. He's faulted himself with the the way he interacted with the players and led the team. He has been particularly hard on himself this year and rather than entrench himself he changed in a big way. Hired new coaches. Changed the way he interacts with the players and coaches. Fired or let go of old friends and hired fresh blood. He never blamed BVG (of course he hired him in the first place and hung onto him way too long). He, Kelly, took the blame for last year's debacle. I give him credit for this. It is a shame our political leaders don't have the same quality.

I really hope he shoves that bullshit article down Sallee's throat with a top ten, 10-2 or better finish. That would be damn good with a new QB and all the coaching changes.

Go Irish.

 

[deadirishpoet]

As per article here: https://www.si.com/college-football/2017/08/17/brian-kelly-notre-dame-struggles-2016-fundraising

I'm not sure what's worse:
(1) If this is true, then it's embarrassing that our university is keeping our head coach away from doing what he's supposed to be doing. I'm thrilled that we concentrate on all of this off-the-field stuff.....

(2) Whether it's true or not, I'm bothered that our head coach of 8 or so seasons is still making excuses.

Amen brother

 

[Toby Smart]

All I know is Georgia and USC. Both at home. You gotta win these games. I see Darnold having a career day, but then I realize this is 2017 and a new DC who understands what he is doing. I hope we can get to him with hurries, hits, sacks, passes knocked down. I hope we can do it without blitzing every play.

 

[pennirish]

Its a bad look. Fundraising did not force him to throw 25 times in a hurricane.

For Sure. His act is wearing on me. I need to see something that gives me hope. And for a fan of ND for 35 years, this is just sad. For me, this is it, his last chance. I believe people can change, we'll see..

 

[Domer7]

For Sure. His act is wearing on me. I need to see something that gives me hope. And for a fan of ND for 35 years, this is just sad. For me, this is it, his last chance. I believe people can change, we'll see..

Well put. I do not think, however, IMHO he's the type that will never truly change. When things get tough and start to go south he'll revert to once again taking total control and blaming everyone but himself. Hopefully the season doesn't set up this scenario but if it does the wheels will rapidly come off. Everything will swing on the Georgia game.

 

[HRC08]

Pretty weak, a cop out. BK should just admit that he did a poor job. Making lame excuses like this just makes him look worse.

He actually did. Calling himself "absent" and admitting to not doing his job. I'm on the side of those that have BK on a Hot Seat but he did show some contrition in the linked article.

 

[HRC08]

For Sure. His act is wearing on me. I need to see something that gives me hope. And for a fan of ND for 35 years, this is just sad. For me, this is it, his last chance. I believe people can change, we'll see..

I agree. What is this, his 8th season? And he's had 2 good years. The rest were either bad or very average. He's out of rope imo.

 

[Islero]

Last year was an anomaly. No reason to believe otherwise. Most folks learn from their mistakes. Most if not all moves since the end of 2016 seem to indicate Kelly has also.

This may be true, but why would such mistakes crop up after having coached for so long? Definitely the profile of a slow learner. I hope he eventually corrects his mistakes in trying to record a win against a team that might be slightly favored over ND.

 

[Islero]

Really? If you look at the year objectively which you cant because you are a bk lover. They could have easily lost 3 games. Beating unranked and sorry Purdue and BYU by 3 in OT along with Stanford in 3 OT's could have easily been a 3 loss season. And lets not even talk about the complete beat down in the NC game with a completely unprepared team. He has had two good seasons, the rest have been mediocre and last years was a complete embarrassment. In fact your buddy Mr. echo with all his Pop Warner Pee Wee coaching experience could have gone 4-8.

You overlooked the biggest blight in the regular season, which was the game against Pittsburgh. If the refs were competent enough to detect 2 players wearing the same number, ND would have been penalized and Pitt would have won on a chip shot FG.

 

[Ara64]

I like the fact that if you asked Kelly a question he'll give you an answer. That's why the players love playing for him. I would rather have an honest answer than a political correct answer any day of the week. Setting here on the banks of the Ohio River; I don't know Kelly's schedule. I remember Coaches Martin and Diaco helped out with meetings and speaking engagements. I know Uncle Jack lessen that burden last winter. Just more noise. IMLTO.

 

[Islero]

Mediocre coaches don't get teams into the Nat. Champ game.

What's Gene Chizik doing these days?

 

[Saint Pat]

Heard this on the radio in Charlotte. Does it really matter at this point? It is strange after all this time in the offseason that this is what he comes up with. But the season is two weeks away.

JBT.....(Just Buy Temple) tickets because there are a lot left in section 16.

 

[ndfi65]

So far the preseason camp has been uneventful. That's a very good thing. Now Kelly makes a stupid statement. Unreal. It sounds like he's unhappy at ND. Maybe he feels stuck . I don't know. I think the writing is on the wall. ND didn't cut him loose because there was no viable option. But believe me, the countdown has begun. I'm hoping the Irish have a great year, I always do. But if you're honest, you can see that it's time to look for the ne t coach and have him ready. Don't be surprised if Kelly leaves win or lose after this season.

We can only hope.

 

[ndfi65]

You overlooked the biggest blight in the regular season, which was the game against Pittsburgh. If the refs were competent enough to detect 2 players wearing the same number, ND would have been penalized and Pitt would have won on a chip shot FG.

You are right, I forgot about that one.