The Lions' Pride

I'm a Catholic growing up in West Michigan, so Michigan and ND were always programs that I liked and respected. I root for ND to win every game except for the Michigan game.

Do I pull for MSU? No, I root for MSU to lose every game each year, except when they play Ohio State. Actually, I usually root for them to win their bowl game, but that's because I'm rooting for the B1G.

Do I pull for Ohio State? No, I root for them to lose every game, including their bowl game.

I think we give up 3 water polo schollies to appease NCAA

As much as I think the NCAA has NO business here...they always do exactly what they shouldn't.

I can see why you would take that view. And you could be right. But you asked for my reasons other than blind homer-ism, so here they are:

1. I saw first-hand what he did at GVSU, specifically with relationships with the players. I believe as the years go by the players are going to become all "his player", and that will make a big difference.

2. You don't fire a coach unless you have a better replacement lined up. And because I'm not a "blind homer", I'm acutely aware that Notre Dame doesn't have the cache that it used to. Suppose they fired Kelly, I don't believe they could get an elite name with a proven track record. Listen Jetta, the grass ain't always greener on the other side, and I think ND realizes this by now.

Things ND needs that Kelly can provide:

1. A coach who loves ND. This is Brian Kelly to a T. This is his destination job, just like Hoke for Michigan.

2. A solid football coach. Brian Kelly is not Nick Saban, but he is solid.

3. STABILITY!!!!!! They need to show that ND isn't a revolving-f'ing-door of coaches. It is getting embarrassing, and I think they all know it.

I agree that Kelly hasn't lit the world on fire with his on the field performance, but I think he's better than they're gonna get by canning him and starting all over.

Ok, you asked for non-homer reasons, now it's your turn. Tell me a list of candidates who

a) you think would actually take the job, and
b) would get ND in a better position, keeping in mind they'd have to institute a whole new system.

I can't argue with your opinion. I thought his demeanor last year was over the top and out of line.

I was not defending him, but answering the question posed by another poster about "why anyone would want to play for him".

He crossed the line last year and there is no excuse for a grown man to act that way. But most of his players do love playing or him, and I do believe he will be the first coach to retire from ND since Lou Holtz.

I'm not claiming to know what is in the Freeh Report but I find it interesting that people who used to claim that PSU did things the right way are now certain the this report will uncover major violations. I'm not saying that there won't be some minor violations or that Joe didn't put pressure on people to handle things himself but to me if there was something major in the report it would have been leaked by now. Maybe i'm wrong...

Thanks diddy, guess I was just not paying attention when the OSu story came out, among others..

I really appreciate the insight. It makes a lot if sense. I had a couple coaches growing up that probably seemed like assholes to outsiders but I know for sure they got the best out of me. As long as it was clear that they were coming from the place of passion and wanting me to improve I had no problem with it. Something about his "tantrums" is the best way i can put it struck me as just him being a bully, but that's definitely not the case based on what you've said.

No one heard of Kelly until his one good season at Cinci. So it doesn't matter. A couple of 6 win seasons and he is gone. Bring in the next over-hyped coach.

All anyone needs to watch in regards to Joe, the program, and his student-athletes is watch The Joe We Know"

Period.

This is not the way I took this thread (although the timing of it probably suggests otherwise). The first post of this thread still asked a very reasonable question. It's a results oriented business and Brian Kelly is most certainly on the hot seat to perform this season and satisfy the lofty expectations that come with being the Notre Dame head football coach.

Not bitter at all and in all honesty no one should be. This kid held academics in very high regards so how can you blame him for choosing ND... better than choosing a school because it did or didn't have a Chick-Fil-A near the campus. From there I don't really know where people took this thread because frankly I wasn't that interested in reading 3 pages of a thread titled "Brian Kelly", I just kinda jumped to the last page to see what people were still bickering about.

Sorry for ranting, but I just don't think the original intent of this thread was bitter... just asking a very reasonable question about another team.

Carry:

Joe made a huge Mistake. Brian Kelly is a train wreck

And yea the biggest brand in college football!!!!! Last I checked northwestern is making more than you guys.

The only people who think nd is the biggest fan is their delusional subway alumni fanbase. I'm sure you are a community college graduate