One of the under-discussed headlines of the Brian Kelly transition is this:
No one left.
Not a single player has transferred. Yes, Tate and Clausen went Pro, but they were going no matter what.
Think about that: not a SINGLE player bailed when a new coach was brought in. And that's after a mediocre season, a drama-filled search, and on a team that obviously loved their previous coach:
Kelly is doing something right here. Because this isn't normal in a transition. Look back when RR came to Michigan (sucks). EVERYONE left when that guy came to town. The same could've happened to ND and Kelly.
I'm not sure what it is, but whatever he's doing, it deserves some credit.
By JVH March 24, 2010 - 2:32 pm
Great point.
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By E-Man March 24, 2010 - 3:40 pm
I’ll be the wet blanket –how about one word? Yet.
There sounds like there’s a couple of guys a little wavery, but considering that there was a pretty big shake-up from Tyrone to Weis, and Kelly is bringing in a new system, it is remarkable that no one has bailed on him. Yet.
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By The Biscuit March 24, 2010 - 5:17 pm
Yeah, E-man, could still happen, but I kinda doubt it. Making it to spring ball is a big step, and i think limits the chances big time. It’s true that someone could not like where they’re going to end up on the depth chart post-spring, or they may not like their position switch. But think of all the reasons guys COULD have left. Teo – mission. Riddick – position move. Etc etc. If anyone goes at this point, it’s because they fall lower on the depth chart. Very different from an RR-type situation, where everyone in the world left bc of the coach…so yes, it’s possible, but I still think Kelly deserves credit for the Yet, even.
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By Physical Ed March 25, 2010 - 8:05 am
It’s because the team believes that BK can and will do at Notre Dame what he has done with his last three teams – WIN! BK has some qualities that CW did not have. One of them I think is he doesn’t care if the players like him or not. They do like him, anyway. After CW’s first season when he had been labelled in the press as being a hard-ass that was hard on the players, he made a concerted and public effort to be liked, and to show that he was liked by the players. That was the beginning of the end for CW. Remember all those post game press conferences after losses, “I just feel bad for those guys in there”. BS. He needed to be putting some boots to some butts. He started out as a jersey tough guy in 2005, and then went soft on the team.
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By E-Man March 25, 2010 - 9:55 am
Maybe I don’t understand Riddick, or Riddick’s role, but if I was in his shoes, I’d be excited. Not only will he see the field this year when BK necessarily doesn’t use several RBs, but although his “touches” is reduced, his chance for ESPN highlight touches increase by getting him on more one-on-one situations.
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By Hurls, '89 March 25, 2010 - 2:42 pm
Not sure if UofM is anything worthy of comparison, for NoreDame, at least. But Kelly and his “all-in” attitude is a really good start! The dude is from Massachusetts, like me, like the 3-time-champ NE pats. NotreDame should expect greatness. As should we.
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By The Biscuit March 25, 2010 - 4:01 pm
Hurls, I’m with you except for the Patriots comparison. By that logic, we should wish he was from Pittsburgh (like I am), home of the SIX-time Super Bowl Champion Steelers…
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By E-Man March 25, 2010 - 4:21 pm
Let’s just all be glad that he’s not from Chicago, just one championship and one crappy music video that the team will never live down.
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By qb March 25, 2010 - 8:41 pm
sign of a good leader
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By Ted March 26, 2010 - 12:49 pm
Great observation. Perhaps someone will transfer after the semester ends, but I would doubt it. While I realize Brian Kelly doesn’t have a “W” yet, I believe he is the real deal.
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