One of the things I've started to love about Coach Brian Kelly is this message.
"Do Better".
It's not something he literally goes around saying to people, but it's inherent in almost everything he does. Think about all the people/groups to whom Kelly has approached with this message.
-Training Staff: Do better. Kelly mentioned tweaks to the way they evaluate and treat injuries.
- Athletic Department: Do better. Kelly has pushed for changes that make the team better. Training table. Making the Gug fun for the players. Etc.
- Players: Do better. Clean up that locker. Get in better shape than you've ever been in. Don't be 'hurt' when you're just dinged up - work through it. Work as a team on behalf of the Lady you owe. She doesn't owe you, so get that right. Do it now.
- NBC: Do better. Shorten up that broadcast. Get those breaks timed better so you don't screw us up.
- ResLife: (pure conjecture here, no proof of this at all) Do better. Quit with the draconian example-setting for tiny things that no one else cares about.
- Recruits: Do better. Challenge yourself. Come to ND and do it the right way, and get educated. Aaron Lynch is a prime example here. He challenged Lynch, but also let him know that he'd have the tools he'll need to succeed. Lynch is on board to Do Better!
Think about all of this for a second. Kelly is going around and telling folks to do better - telling EVERYONE to do better, so that he and his team can win. Recent ND coaches haven't approached the school, program and community in this way. Kelly is pushing everyone to work to make this program successful. He knows he's up against the ropes at ND. He has restrictions others don't have and he has a spotlight very few have. But he's out there, trying to make that environment a bit more palatable, even advantageous. He's embracing Notre Dame, what it is and what it stands for, but at the same time setting it all up to give us the best chance to win.
Love it.
By SDI August 25, 2010 - 5:16 pm
speaking of the medical staff, it hasn’t gotten too much play, but the misdiagnosis of JC’s injury last year is an unacceptable mistake. That injury could have ended his career and might still haunt him for years to come. If he was the selfish brat everyone said he was, we would have heard a lot more about that issue.
I agree, BK has taken a really comprehensive approach to this. Unlike his 3 predecessors, he has a complete set of plans for what he wants to do, and knows exactly how to do it. That doesn’t guarantee ultimate success, but it’s a good sign.
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By The Biscuit August 25, 2010 - 6:59 pm
Right. Dont know if it will work, but he has a blueprint and a plan and he’s executing on it, unlike Charlie’s whack-a-mole as he figures things out approach. Refreshing to see the plan, and refreshing to see it creating change in/around the program too.
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By SDI August 25, 2010 - 8:11 pm
Whack a Mole. That might be one the funniest yet perfectly insightful comments I have ever read at HLS. Describes the last 5 years perfectly.
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By TLNDMA August 25, 2010 - 7:18 pm
Biscuit, I wonder if Davaris Daniels is another recruit Kelly has challeged. He seems to be trying to get his academics in order.
And thanks, now every time I see that Ben Stein credit score commercial, I’ll be reminded of Charlie.
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By trey August 25, 2010 - 8:02 pm
Not that he isn’t, but this only works if Kelly himself DOES BETTER too. Great, 10 wins at a FBS school, bowl appearances. DO BETTER and win a BCS game, take your team to the NC game, etc.
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By Pat August 26, 2010 - 8:28 am
I think that’s the goal, especially when he answers the question “Will Notre Dame win a national championship?” unequivocally with “Absolutely.”
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By ND '80 August 26, 2010 - 8:20 am
What is even more encouraging is that Coach Kelly is even pushing himself to “Do Better”
He has been working with a personal trainer and has lost two pant sizes. His weight loss is evident just looking at him. His players have to admire that even HE is trying to DO BETTER. Nice read, Biscuit
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By Mark G August 26, 2010 - 9:25 am
Last weekend I heard someone describe Kelly as a CEO — he came in with a vision, an overall strategy and a plan, and has brought in his people to implement that plan. He is setting the tone and holding people, probably including himself, accountable. I think of him as a CEO hired in a turn-around situation, who happens to be a very hands on manager.
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By Mark G August 26, 2010 - 9:35 am
“Everything I have is stuff that I’ve done for 20 years.” Quote of Kelly from Brian Hamilton’s article on Chicago Daily Sports (which you guys linked to. Good to see an experienced CEO at the helm.
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By Erik '04 August 26, 2010 - 12:32 pm
This is a great read. Really demonstrates that BK understands what it takes to win at a major program. Now it needs to translate into a group of individual athletes playing together and winning.
Another area that needs to “Do Better” is the crowd at ND Stadium. That place can be quiet as can be, save for the students who cheer their hearts out. BK needs to tell the alumni and fans that we need to get up out of our seats once in awhile and let the other team know that there’s no chance in hell they’re going to make this third down conversion.
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By Pat August 26, 2010 - 12:44 pm
Agree with you on stadium noise — sometimes you can hear a pin drop in that place. Not the type of home field advantage the Irish deserve.
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By The Biscuit August 26, 2010 - 1:34 pm
Vuvuzela?
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By SDI August 26, 2010 - 4:05 pm
How about bag pipes? You rent out 2000 bag
pipes to liquored up ND students you would have plenty of noise. Doesn’t matter if they can’t play a lick.
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By The Biscuit August 26, 2010 - 4:13 pm
Lord that would be the worst thing ever. Which could be a good thing. Wonder how much it is to rent bag pipes…
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By Pat August 27, 2010 - 6:12 am
Ha. I think cheering would suffice — if the other half of the crowd would actually participate.
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By SDI August 26, 2010 - 4:18 pm
they can be pretty fricking loud. probably wouldn’t take that many to make a dull roar.
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By One Foot Down | The week in news- Independence, Carolina Blues and Coach Kelly August 29, 2010 - 12:02 am
[...] Over at HLS The Biscuit astutely summed up Brian Kelly’s MO. Do Better. [...]
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