Weis, Kelly and the ND Coaching Position
I've seen speculation at a couple of sites that 1) Weis is gone after Notre Dame's latest debacle; and 2) Brian Kelly is the leading candidate to replace him. Anyone with some insight as to whether this is a real possibility? As a Michigan fan, I'm not sure I like the idea of Notre Dame hiring Kelly.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:35 PM ^
Can you go into more detail about "speculation at a couple of sites"? One could speculate from rivlas, scout, mlive, and even here that RichRod will be gone if (and likely when) we lose these last two games. We all know (or should know) that Rich will not be gone after this season.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:38 PM ^
If Notre Dame hires Kelly, we might never win a national championship. Seriously. If true, this makes me want to cry.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:39 PM ^
This might be a little over dramatic. I don't think Kelly will have a perfect record against us.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:06 PM ^
Oh for the love of God...............
If you're going to run your mouth, back it up.
Otherwise you add no value to this board and are wasting everyone's time.
If you expect to retain any credibility on this board at all, you need to back this post up with some substantial, demonstrable reasons as to why Kelly is such a far superior coach to RR that M fans can have little reasonable hope of being competitive w/ ND if Kelly becomes their coach.
If you cannot provide good rationale for your assessment, STFU with posts like this.
I won't be holding my breath.
BTW, people can neg away for me telling another poster to STFU, but, posts like this are becoming more and more common, and as they do, it dillutes the quality of the board. I have no problem w/ people criticizing RR. I do have a problem when people spout off ridiculous claims over and over and over, with no valid logic, substantial content, or well-reasoned argumetns to back them up.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:38 PM ^
Kelly and his high-flying spread'n'shread heading to Notre Dame.. Fuck.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:42 PM ^
fans were saying 2 years ago when RR was hired by M?
November 9th, 2009 at 6:27 PM ^
I was far more worried about Les Miles than RR.
November 9th, 2009 at 6:51 PM ^
This why, no matter how much I can’t stand notre dame, I’ve been secretly rooting for them to win. I hope they don’t fire Charlie!
November 9th, 2009 at 2:41 PM ^
but in the short term he would have some of the same problems they have here. That would be an overhaul process there as well. They are losing a lot of talent at the end of the year. On offense they will be really screwed. At least 1 of the wide receivers is gone as well as the QB because of money. The system isn't his system & even if Jimmy stayed they would have to find a way to hold off completely implementing the system for a year. It probably would be as horrible as here, but it would not be a smooth transition for a couple years. I could be wrong and it could be smoother sailing than I am predicting. I highly doubt it though. I think Brian Kelly stays put anyways after this season. I am not certain he would really like the ND job for the simple reason of having to deal with all the drama and high expectations as here. He can just sit back and wait for a better opportunity to come up, especially if he keeps winning the way he has since he started coaching here in Michigan.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:30 PM ^
Unfortunately, Jimmah's backup (Dane Crist) is actually very athletic and probably could function in a spread attack. I do not want to see this happen.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:44 PM ^
I'm willing to bet that if RichRod stayed at WVU and it was him being considered instead of Kelly, you would be saying the same things. RichRod's track record was just as good as Kelly's, likely better, before he took this job. Kelly would have to make a major recruiting transition if he went to Notre Dame. Cincinnati academic standards are not Notre Dame academic standards. He also appears ill prepared to deal with Notre Dame's defensive woes. The problem at ND is not exactly the offense at this point. Couple these factors with the likely NFL departures if there is a coaching change, and instant success is no sure thing.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:52 PM ^
"B"...Granted academic standards between the schools are as different as night and day, but are you making the argument that Kelly would have a tougher time bringing in talent @ ND than @ Cincinnati? The only recruiting transition I see is one of greener pastures for Kelly and his coaches.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:52 PM ^
That's a good point. He would likely be able to get better talent at Notre Dame, although it may take a while to get the players to complete the transition to his offensive system (the ND backup QB has looked pretty mobile when I've seen him play, so that may not be a problem).
November 9th, 2009 at 2:46 PM ^
a elite coach to take the job there.
(Using the logic of most of the posters here about why we can't actually get rid of Rich Rod for cause).
November 9th, 2009 at 2:56 PM ^
A - "Why would an elite coach leave a program that is in NC contention to try to rebuild a program in two years or be fired so that he can then start looking for a new job with a somewhat tarnished record."
B - "Why wouldn't an elite coach trying to get to an elite program jump at an opportunity to go to a school that will give him 5 years to prove his coaching abilities"
ND is B. We are A trying to get to B.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:37 PM ^
Joeyb
November 9th, 2009 at 3:32 PM ^
You're an idiot.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:06 PM ^
"bhallpmh"...If you think that ND wouldn't be able to attract quite a few high quality candidates after giving Weis 5 yrs to implement his system and philosophies you're sadly mistaken. The logic and/or ill-logic of getting rid of RR is based on shutting the door on someone or something before fully realizing the fruits of its labor. This argument would be a mute pt for the ND fanbase.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:48 PM ^
Nearly every discussion of Weis' possible departure in South Bend invariably includes Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly atop the list of potential replacements. Viewers tuning into ABC's primetime UConn-Cincy broadcast Saturday night saw a remarkable display of Kelly's quick-strike spread offense, which racked up a school-record 711 yards against the Huskies in a 47-45 shootout.
SOURCE
November 9th, 2009 at 2:50 PM ^
The guy should be up for National Coach of the year seeing as how he lost Pike, and is still undefeated, and appears not to have lost much from his QB.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:52 PM ^
I'm in the camp that would be scared s*itless if Brian Kelly is hired by ND. As I can see it the best case scenario is ND gives Charlie another year or two and Boston College gets to him first.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:31 PM ^
Are you implying that you hope BC gets to Kelly first? I have a hard time believing BC is the elite jump that Kelly is looking for. BC, IME, would be a serious downgrade in terms of current program stature. BC hardly has the amount of tradition of an ND or an M. I would seriously avoid hedging your bets to this scenario. Kelly to BC will not happen.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^
I agree, BC can't light a candle when compared to ND or Michigan but I would argue that it's a step up from Cincinnati. Also, Brian Kelly is from Mass and his father was a politician in Boston. There could be something there.
I think all-in-all it's a possibility but not necessarily the most probable outcome.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:15 PM ^
Hmmm, interesting. Didn't know that about Kelly.
IMO, BC is pretty much a lateral move compared to Cinci. Traditionally, BC is probably a better program, but isn't great right now. Cinci, while traditionally not as great, is very good right now b/c Kelly has built a program there. Overall, Cinci to BC is probably not an upgrade or a downgrade, somewhere in between. The personal ties to Boston could make it alluring for him though. Wouldn't be surprised by it in light of that.
November 10th, 2009 at 1:32 AM ^
I'm with you here: the BC "lateral move" is definitely accurate IMO so something of a big contract + convincing Kelly to be a hometown hero would be in order to bring him to BC.
History (yes, the Dantonio to MSU history and little else) tells us that coaches will give up the Cincy seat for a 2nd rate program in a larger conference. If you're asking me then BC is a push, ND and Michigan are a "yes" and programs in the Big 12 N (Colorado) are a "no."
And finally, yes, I'm going to thoroughly enjoy speculating on this for months to come.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:58 PM ^
The Huskies aren't that great and if you have to put of 47 to win because you gave up 45 well just wait until you have to do it against USC. It would mean Brian Kelly would have to do some similar things at ND as RR is doing here. Got to get a defense on the big stage. You might be able to get away with that with offensive genius in the Big East (hmmm sound familiar) but when you have to face the elite programs and the bigger teams your going to have to recruit a higher level of talent. If not you are going to lose 36-38 to Purdue. ND doesn't have that kind of D. Michigan should have had it. Thats why you have to put some blame on Lloyd and the outgoing regime. And if Kelly was to go to ND the same problems would probably creep up on him too. To what degree I don't know.
November 9th, 2009 at 2:59 PM ^
And that is a big if, but if they beat UConn, Stanford and Pitt, I don't think you can fire him if 9-3 and New Years Day Bowl game. Navy's not that frickin bad, they should not beat ND, but I don't think that alone is firable. Now, if they flop the rest of the season and go say 7-5, he needs to start packing immediately. Weis did, however, make some pretty cocky-for-just-getting-smashed-by-the-midshipmen comments after the game that really seemed off putting. Humility, Charlie, would benefit you at this point I believe.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:05 PM ^
Humility doesn't exist in Weis' dictionary.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:09 PM ^
I realize this is a bit ironic coming from someone who supports Rodriguez, but I don't think anything can save Weis at this point, except for MAYBE a huge upset bowl win over a power (like LSU or maybe Oklahoma).
The guy has been there for 5 years. He has, what, 3 straight top-10 recruiting classes? The evidence suggests that this is as good as it's gonna get for Notre Dame under Weis.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:55 PM ^
no bowl game will be his saving grace, the decision to keep him or not will be made after the regular season and well before any bowl game
November 9th, 2009 at 3:28 PM ^
Remember how much of a joke ND's schedule looked like at the start of the year? My how the college football landscape can change in a few months.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:29 PM ^
Is a 7-point dog to Pitt (who are playing really well now) and will be a dog @Stanford. UConn is not an easy out either. 7-5 is the most likely outcome for ND (Losses to Pitt and Stanford and a close win against against UConn). A Gator Bowl game against Miami (YTM) would also be a tough game. I think Weis has had a long enough tenure to be shown the door. Let's hope they hire John Cooper.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:59 PM ^
There is no "likely outcome" with the way this ND team has played over the past few weeks.
Remember also that the line of a football game is set to make people want to bet one way or the other and is not any guarantee on the outcome of the game.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:10 PM ^
ND won't hire Kelly because he is publicly a 'pro-choice' catholic. yes i think its ridiculous, but my ND connections claim that it is a bigger issue than you'd think.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:19 PM ^
You know this isn't the first time I've heard this either ... in both UC and ND circles. This has to be my ignorance of the ND boosters and their fanbase because I find the fact that Kelly's politics would keep him from the HC job ludicrous.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:29 PM ^
I suspect that's a good point -- and does make it unlikely he heads to ND. (BTW, in addition to being pro-choice, at one time he worked for Gary Hart.)
November 9th, 2009 at 7:22 PM ^
Will ND only hire a Catholic as their HC?
Just curious, b/c if the whale gets beached, that fun fact will be useful when reading the tea leaves on possible replacements.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:38 PM ^
Tyrone Willingham is not Catholic. Going back a bit, I know Ara Parseghian wasn't, either.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:30 PM ^
Remember when Obama was in town. They do not care for that.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:01 PM ^
The same person who invited Obama to speak at graduation is also a key person who will have a say in who ND hires if there is an open position
November 9th, 2009 at 7:24 PM ^
And who exactly would that be?
November 9th, 2009 at 3:26 PM ^
on Sunday (after the Purdue debacle) I ran into many ND fans on the Ohio Turnpike. I asked them if they thought Weis was done and got a unanimous response that he was. I asked if they hoped to hire Brian Kelly but one other name was frequently mentioned:
Skip Holtz.
Please God...let this be true.
November 9th, 2009 at 7:36 PM ^
That makes entirely too much sense.
November 9th, 2009 at 9:12 PM ^
I spoke to an ND alum this afternoon. First words: Weis is gone. Second words: I'd love to hire Kelly. After I noted, the pro-choice issue: Crap, well, maybe we can get Skip Holtz.
November 9th, 2009 at 3:56 PM ^
"Scared shitless" "crying" "oh fuck".... Come on, he's the freaking coach of Cincinnati. Every year some next big thing coach flames out.
Show some balls people. Just because Michigan hasn't been Michigan the last 2 years doesn't mean it's time to start wetting ourselves out of fear of a MAC coach.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:13 PM ^
Big east, but I see what you're saying.
One thing to seriously consider is that ND may actually still run the table, as someone above said. Pitt is getting a wonderful media handjob but the big east is a lot closer to the acc than the big 12 in terms of parity this year. Cincinnati is the queen of the pack and Pitt has come very, very close to losing two or three other games. We all know the story with stew and wvu. I'm not saying it's a bad conference, but I don't think ND wins over Pitt and UConn would be at all unfeasible.
November 9th, 2009 at 4:24 PM ^
Granted he may seem like a flame at a Big East school that might fizzle out when the media moves on to someone else but to be intellectually honest you have to look at his entire body of work.
@ GVSU -- 5 conference titles, 2 D-III championships and a 118-35-2 lifetime record. (Sure, it's D-III, but anyone claiming success in D-III can't transfer over to D-I isn't following Chip Kelly's career).
@ CMU inheriting a team that couldn't muster more than 3 wins in the MAC in it's previous 4 seasons -- winning seasons in all 3 years including a MAC championship in 2004.
@ Cincinnati -- 2 bowl wins, 1 Big East Championship (en-route to their 2nd barring a loss @Pitt) and the first 9-0 start in school history in 3 seasons at the helm. Jumps in recruiting (per Rivals) from the 67th overall class in 2008 to the 42nd in 2010.
All scary to me with the sort of prestige, current talent and potential future recruits that a program like ND can provide.
November 9th, 2009 at 5:04 PM ^
i agree with the majority of your post, but GVSU is a division II school.
i won't stand to have my alma mater disparaged in such fashion ;)
November 9th, 2009 at 6:02 PM ^
My mistake .ghost. I'm a fan of the program - there are currently 3 kids on the roster from my former High School.