I’m not exactly sure where to start with this, so bear with me, as I may be a little all over the place with this article today. I know there are quite a few people who do not share my opinion, but on the flip side, I also know quite a few people who do share my opinion.
And that being said, the following is my opinion. It is not right, it is not wrong, it is merely my observation of the current state of Notre Dame football. If you look at the definition of an opinion, it cannot be right or wrong, … Opinion: (noun) a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge.
I would like to revisit a few of the things that have been told to me in the past 24 hours, and simply give my thoughts, comments, and opinions on them. You don’t have to agree with me. In fact, I am totally okay with you having your own opinion (as you should), with you sticking to your guns regarding said opinion, and I am also totally okay with the fact that we may never be on the same page. What a boring world it would be if we all agreed on everything!
A little about me, to possibly help you understand where I’m coming from. I am a legacy. My dad graduated from Notre Dame in 1965, and I graduated from Notre Dame in 1993. While I did not play varsity athletics at Notre Dame, I did play interhall football and softball for my dorm. My interhall football team won the championship, and I have a letter jacket that looks identical to the one for football players received in my day.
Through my (book writing) research, I have learned a lot about Notre Dame and its thoughts on athletics, academics, faith, and how all three are intertwined at the University.
A great deal of what I know about Notre Dame, football, and Notre Dame football comes from this gentleman. When you read “God, Country, Notre Dame” over the basilica doors, that’s also this gentleman. A Notre Dame man, served in the Navy, and the best dad a girl could ever have. And yes, it’s because of him that I’m ridiculously proud this 9-3 Notre Dame team, because we know that those student-athletes are playing football at Notre Dame for the 40 year decision… not the 4 year decision.
Yes, you heard me right. I am proud of this 9-3 (potentially 10-3) Notre Dame football team. I am also happy with what head coach Brian Kelly has done this year. He took a 4-8 team, made the necessary staff changes, and turned these kids into competitors. Are they “there” yet? No. Are they on their way? Yep. Are we ready to beat some of the SEC powerhouse schools yet? No. But should we fire Brian Kelly? No.
So here’s the thing with me. I love my school. I love all facets of my school. Yes, I love football, but I also love everything I learned at Notre Dame, and that includes academics and the development of my faith. Without all three of those things, my time at Notre Dame would not have been a “Notre Dame experience.” It takes all three of those pieces to make Notre Dame what it is. So when I hear some of the things that I’ve heard in the past several days, it makes me sad that people don’t know the Notre Dame that I know and love.
The following quotes are going to remain anonymous, as I don’t want to call out any individuals, but all the same I’m pretty tired of being told my opinion is wrong. Nope, I’m not a fragile flower, but honestly, it does get old.
Here we go. In response to my asking who we should hire to replace BK:
- Urban. Give him all the money he wants and please LOWER academic standards!!
- Do you know the game of football or just write books? When has 9 wins ever been okay at ND? Kelly is sub par and will never win us a title. We need kids who want to win and have the athletic ability. We miss out on so many kids because they get Cs.
- I don’t give a $h!t about academics, academics isn’t why I watch football. ND owes the fans and the University better football than this bad to mediocrity program I’ve been witnessing past 25 yrs. Ridiculous already. If it weren’t for football, the University wouldn’t be what it is. The football program deserves better. Lisa, your holier than thou demeanor is why people can’t stand ND, it’s gross and off-putting. Kid’s going to OSU and Bama etc, are still getting a college degree but also have winning/dominate football programs. Meanwhile, ND has become the laughing-stock of college football.
Okay, first let me address the above comments. In my opinion, Notre Dame will never relax academic standards to the extent that many fans want them to. They may give athletes a little more breathing room, but at the end of the day, the reason they are called student-athletes is because they are students first, and athletes second. Also, Notre Dame doesn’t owe the fans anything, however, they do owe each and every one of those kids a top-notch education; that’s what they are in college for. Football just happens to be an added bonus.
I love the comment “do you know the game of football or just write books?” The question is so ironic to me. I love Notre Dame and ND football so much, that I chose to write books about it. I may not know the Xs and Os of football as much as a coach or player does, but I do think I know a thing or two about the game of football, and I love Notre Dame football with every ounce of my being, and want nothing more than to see the program be successful. But not at the expense of academics.
Okay, here are a few more comments I’ve received as of late.
- Football put ND on the map and stirred a subway following stung by a WASP America. ND is excellence not mediocrity. It’s embarrassing to view this product. Those 40 yr kids deserve better
- The fact he had a chance after 4-8 is the problem in the first place. You people are the problem.
- Yeah b/c obviously altering academics would help. ND is ND b/c of football not academics despite what some of you think. Football drives in the money. No one is paying thousands of dollars to watch a PowerPoint. The only way to wake up the echoes is to shut up the nerds.
- Don’t bitch about academics slipping in 30 years when ND’s a $h!t hole compared to what it is now. You are literally the problem.
- Not when your opinions are wrong. They’ve been trying to do it your way for years and look where we are. People want to make the comparison to Stanford but Stanford isn’t the goal. Who wants to be like them? Aspiring to be like them is the mistake.
- 9-3 may be good to you but the loyal subway alumni, us Irish Catholics that have put up with 8-4, 9-3, 7-5, 4-8 for the last 30, yes 30 years are tired, and we make the program go. Rockne knew this. If u keep BK go to the MAC we can win there.
And now to address these comments. In my opinion, I think the 40 years that these kids are getting for their 4 years at Notre Dame will be filled with world-class opportunities. I also am very aware of the fact that very few ND football players, or college football players in general, make it in the NFL; so that paper they carry with them into life, with Notre Dame written across the top, is invaluable. I don’t think Notre Dame football is embarrassing. I don’t think that shutting up the nerds will wake up the echoes. And I don’t think Notre Dame is in a spiral of decline because Brian Kelly hasn’t won a national championship.
Now of course, these are just a small sampling of the things I’ve heard in the past few days. Yes, some of the arguments have been intelligent, and some of the conversations have been civil, and I encourage for those conversations to continue. But let’s be respectful of one another, appreciate all of the differing opinions, and keep in mind that at the end of the day, these football players are just kids.
Okay, I’ve rambled on way too long. What do you think? Am I totally off base? Can you enlighten me and tell me why I am wrong? I want to hear it. Lets keep cultivating a respectful, civil conversation, and of course … GO IRISH!
Cheers!
P.S. If I don’t respond to your comments right away, I’m not ignoring you … things are just crazy busy at work and I’ll respond as soon as I can!
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Jimmy Grant
You bring up some great points. I think the frustration stems from “fan” – it derives (as you know from fanatic). Sometimes people can’t separate reality from a situation. I also think the frustration stems from the way 9-3 “went down”. People who suggested 7-5 got all crazy, when the team raced out to 8-1. Had Notre Dame lost to Georgia and USC and maybe Sparty and been 5-3 but then closed with a flurry to go 9-3 the fan feeling would be much different. I’m totally with you on Urban Meyer…no thank you…ever, he had his chance and he played ND to get more $ from Florida. At this point, I wouldn’t make a change either because we can’t guarantee the team would be better. Next year’s schedule is brutal also, as I suggested 9-3 playing who we are playing may be the ceiling? Though if I knew that answer I’d likely be delivering toys on a sleigh in about a month.
Lisa
Thank you for your thoughts, Jimmy!
Ed Moloney
I agree 100% Lisa
Our Family has been proud subway Alumni from Brooklyn NY for generations. And now through my Godsons attendance and graduation from The ACE program we have our Legacy!!
So sad the state of affairs in college sports.
Money and greed ahead of the student in “ student athletes”
Go Irish and Merry Christmas to you and your Family.
Ed Moloney
Lisa
Thank you, Ed, and Merry Christmas to you & yours!
Anthony
Hi.Very Good article. I think what you did here is help maintain perspective. College football is tough for everyone, especially ND, and it’s important to remember what makes the Irish special.Yes, 9-3 is good-especially with the schedule they played which included beat downs of multiple top 25 schools- and yes an improvement from 4-8. We can even presume, with the youth, that this team is a ” year early” and is set up to make a nice run next year. Here’s the problem, I don’t think academics is the problem (look at the recruiting rankings the past 8 years-multiple top 10 classes or first round selections). The problem is Notre Dame appears to do less with more than anyone. Look at Stanford or Wisconsin. Less talent but very well coached. (Albeit Wiscy doesn’t play anybody). For me, Notre Dame should be performing better on the field-the play is not commensurate with the talent. I don’t know Kelly or who he is and I’m sure he’s a nice guy but there’s enough that has happened on and off the field to make me wonder what the heck he is doing. He’s had some nice years a couple cool 12 and 10 win seasons and sure maybe ND has “peaked” maybe I’m delusional to expect better, fundamental football. Don’t you think though, that this team has a higher ceiling?
I Hope the best for next year. Go irish
Lisa
Thank you for your thoughts!!
Anthony
P.S.
Keep in mind that football is nuanced. That many variables are at play and it would be foolish to blame error on one person or thing. Good coaches and even great coaches fail. Look at Saban or Meyer at Auburn and Iowa. Look at Jimbo Fisher. Other schools have off the field issues- considerably more so than ND. So it would be unfair to evaluate Kelly without looking at the bigger picture. Eight years is good long while to coach any where. Kelly needs to retire and relax, enjoy his family.
If it were me, I would have sent a blank check to Jim Tressel by now
Jimmy Grant
He would be the last hire anyone would make at ND, scandals at Youngstown State and Ohio State.
Ed Flaherty
Actually Meyer would have came to ND after Florida but they would not grant him the exemptions he needed. Just this last season two games where some tickets were 250 dollars do you think its not about money as well? Sooner or later the money will not come in as it does now and a better product will have to go on the field. Just once they have to win a big game on the road. I do think however there should be some reward for graduation rates which would help ND on the field.
Irish Elvis
So you’re saying that increasing ticket prices is proof that future prices will…decline?
And when did we go after Urban post-Florida? I must have missed that delicious rumor, or do you have some insider knowledge?
edwin flaherty
I can not share where my knowledge comes from but am sure it is true. 250 for a college game is more than what I pay for a NFL seat. While Georgia fans were willing to pay the price it seems many fans of Notre Dame would not or if they did they scalped them
Ed Flaherty
Yes some knowledge from someone who is friends with meyer
Tom Cusker
Lisa, what a wonderful piece. I agree with everything you said 100%. I graduated 3 years before your Dad and bleed blue and gold. Not just for football but for everything our university accomplishes and stands for. Do I like winning? Of course, but never at the expense of our values. Keep up the good fight and know you are not alone. Go Irish!
Lisa
Thank you!! Go Irish!
Michael Casey
Your article is spot on. As to the commentators from the above: they are obsidian. Brian Kelly is the PERFECT head football coach for the University off Our Lady. He reached into the marrow to change things, most especially himself. He has gathered a new coaching staff that, in the very near future, may very well be considered nonpareil. Stay with it, especially the writing. GO IRISH!
Lisa
Thank you for your support!
Lujackcity
I am in total agreement with your opinion. My dad and I are both ND fans and total opposites. He is negative and pessimistic while I am positive and optimistic. Reality probably lies somewhere between us.
I asked my dad if Notre Dame had fired Coach Kelly last year what he would expect the new coach to do?
My dad started to walk into my trap until he caught on. Of course his answer started to be fire the staff and start over. Oops. After long and careful introspection, Coach Kelly had the guts to swallow his pride, fire his friends, and start over. My next question would have been: what results would you have hoped for if this new coach fired everybody? How about several wins over ranked opponents, get into the top 20, beat the teams you should, lay a foundation for future success. Check all those boxes.
Since 1988 ND has had a handful of coaches and I jump behind all of them right away but they couldn’t sniff a national championship and rarely got close to 10 wins in a season. Coach Kelly has put ND close to that position on top and only the Famous Five (Rockne, Leahy, ARA, Devine, and Holtz) have been better.
Stay positive and keep the faith.
Lisa
Thank you & GO IRISH!
patrick moran
Lujackcity, if my daughters saw your comments about your father being negative they’d have a good laugh. During the games they are allways telling not to be so negative about the game outcome when it is not going well. Good for you on walking your father all the way through the complications of major school football.
Anthony Abalos
Good article Lisa. But I must say I respectfully disagree. You and I were at ND during the Holtz years (Pangborn/Keenan ’96). Can you honestly say the drop-off we’ve seen in football hasn’t disturbed you? Wasn’t in Monk who, when asked about the potentially contradictory goals of academic and football pursuits, replied “we strive for excellence in everything that we do.”?
We’ve seen 8 years from this head coach. To me it’s painfully obvious we’re not attaining the level of football excellence to which our university aspires. It’s time to move on.
Lisa
I appreciate your input!
Patrick Neary
Well stated, but I have to disagree. First, opinions can be wrong. Nothing in the definition you cited indicates to the contrary. Simply as a matter of logic, your statement does not stand, for I could say “my opinion is that opinions can be wrong” and you would have to accept it (by your standard). Anyway, I agree with you that those who say academics are irrelevant miss the point of ND athletics. While ND will never again dominate the way it did under Leahy (for example), there is no reason the Irish should not attract the playing talent, and have the support staff and facilities, to compete for a national championship, IF properly coached. After 8 years, Coach Kelly shows he is an 9-4//8-5 coach. That is his record. He shows little ability to win big games, especially on the road. He formerly showed a poor temper and a tendency to blame his players. He has continued to show thin skin (wrt fan comments and reporters). He stuck with incompetent associate coaches of his own choosing. Do I need to bring up NCAA probation and forfeiture of wins? All coaches lose sometimes, or have a bad season. Even a great coach may get blown out. Rarely do good leaders act the way Coach Kelly has. Why stick with him? Do you think excellence in football at ND is impossible under current circumstances? Would starting over be hard? Yes, but accepting the mediocrity that is Coach Kelly is madness.
Lisa
Maybe my Notre Dame education isn’t as good as I thought it was!
Joepalooka1
those of you with the opinion that Coach Kelly “showed a poor temper and a tendency to blame his players…he has continued to show thin skin” etc, etc suggest such an incredible disconnect from the stance so many of you also take to being a hard-nosed and motivating leader (and the accusations are factually incorrect on many if not most occasions). This is major college football (it’s in Pee Wee football that ‘yelling’ is inappropriate). I agree w the facts that Coach Kelly’s teams have been unimpressive vs the Top Ten tier and it may be he would ‘soon’ lose his job (but I wouldn’t agree w it being this year). I agree with the author’s stance that the University “may(be should) give athletes a little more breathing room” on academic admissions (a little possibly, along with the responsible academic support to any in need of it).
Bill Connor
Brian Kelly needs to be fired. He will never lead ND back to the top where they deserve to be. He does not have the personality or the skill to take a program like ND to the top. He has survived by offering lame excuses which are embraced by foolish ND staff. He consistently blames the players for errors and short comings that are actually his. You ask who we could get to successfully lead the Irish to the top. He is right under your nose. He is the immediate past Coach of the Oklahoma Sooners – Bob Stopps.
Joepalooka1
This has pretty much never been an accurate criticism of Kelly (blames the players) …”He consistently blames the players for errors and short comings that are actually his”.
patrick moran
I enjoyed your perspective. Our 4-8 season came with a second year quarterback who lost his top three receivers to the NFL. 8 other departing team mates went to the NFL. That’s a lot of experience to lose. That year our QB had one experienced receiver with 16 catches. As for this year, practice is different than game experience and Wimbush is a first year QB. Juxtapose the foregoing with that same fact of 11 players leaving for the NFL. ND’s academics are not stopping us from getting a whole lot of talent. So I think the core of evaluating the coaching is what are we doing with our talent. We are in our first year of recovery from a major defense problem and we’ve made very good progress there but a lot of the key defensive players in the secondary are in their first or second year of playing and all are in their first year of a new system. On offense, we settled into a very predictable play calling routine. Do we have to start every game on offense with two off tackle run attempts and a short out route on 3rd down? Who will be our new CJ Procise? Are the coaches watching the player for ‘tells’, little mannerisms that give opponents a read on the play or the snap count? We have some issues there on offense as well as predictable play calling. We are now in Mike Elco’s first full year of defense side recruiting. This defense is just going to get better. If Wimbush can improve on just the long ball, he’ll add two touchdowns per game ( yes he does miss that many ).
Joepalooka1
“Notre Dame will never relax academic standards to the extent that many fans want them to. They may give athletes a little more breathing room, but at the end of the day, the reason they are called student-athletes is because they are students first, and athletes second” is the crux of the matter, NICELY and accurately said!