Notre Dame Fires Weis, Hires Brian Kelly

[Tracer Bullet]

Even if the ND brand doesn't resonate like it used to, the potential to get talent isn't even close to one of the biggest problems with the program. Weis got talent. It just didn't develop.

 

Did he get defensive talent?

 

Manti Te'o and uh...

 

Well maybe not great defensive talent but without looking through the rankings I'm pretty sure their defensive performance wasn't commensurate with the talent they did get.

 

He started to in the last 2-3 years. He missed big on DT, MLB, and S his first 2 years, which killed the defense. He landed great CBs, and some great ends/OLBs. The last couple years, he's hit big on interior players, Te'o being the most obvious. The ND brand still sells. But you have to actually go out and sell it. Weis did that, but he wasn't a fundamentals teacher (except for QBs). Unfortunately, neither were many of the coaches he hired until this year. They brought in 3 great coaches this year in Verducci, Alford, and Hart, but too little too late.

[jersey cubs fan]

But like I said, ND can still be an Oklahoma or Florida type with consistent BCS appearances and the occasional title run. It just takes a coach willing to go for it. Charlie worked hard enough, but he wasn't cut out for the job, so now ND has to try again.

 

Even if the ND brand doesn't resonate like it used to, the potential to get talent isn't even close to one of the biggest problems with the program. Weis got talent. It just didn't develop.

 

Right. Weis showed you can still bring the talent into ND. It's just a matter of finding the coach who can both bring in the talent and develop it.

 

It's not just coaching. And talent isn't just about getting a top flight QB and a wideout or two. Talent is about getting 1st round draft type talent everywhere; on the defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, offensive line, etc, and a truck load of depth.

 

I think it's possible for ND to contend for a title, because it's possible for just about anybody. But I do not think they can legitimately contend every year as Andy suggests. The Floridas of the world have too much of an advantage.

[Tracer Bullet]

But like I said, ND can still be an Oklahoma or Florida type with consistent BCS appearances and the occasional title run. It just takes a coach willing to go for it. Charlie worked hard enough, but he wasn't cut out for the job, so now ND has to try again.

 

Even if the ND brand doesn't resonate like it used to, the potential to get talent isn't even close to one of the biggest problems with the program. Weis got talent. It just didn't develop.

 

Right. Weis showed you can still bring the talent into ND. It's just a matter of finding the coach who can both bring in the talent and develop it.

 

It's not just coaching. And talent isn't just about getting a top flight QB and a wideout or two. Talent is about getting 1st round draft type talent everywhere; on the defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, offensive line, etc, and a truck load of depth.

 

I think it's possible for ND to contend for a title, because it's possible for just about anybody. But I do not think they can legitimately contend every year as Andy suggests. The Floridas of the world have too much of an advantage.

 

they can be in the BCS mix year in and year out. not going to a BCS bowl literally every year, but it should be a realistic goal that is attained consistently.

[jersey cubs fan]

they can be in the BCS mix year in and year out. not going to a BCS bowl literally every year, but it should be a realistic goal that is attained consistently.

 

Well yes, with the favorable standards and consistent overranking they could be in the mix for non-championship BCS bowls relatively frequently.

[Flames24Rulz]

But like I said, ND can still be an Oklahoma or Florida type with consistent BCS appearances and the occasional title run. It just takes a coach willing to go for it. Charlie worked hard enough, but he wasn't cut out for the job, so now ND has to try again.

 

Even if the ND brand doesn't resonate like it used to, the potential to get talent isn't even close to one of the biggest problems with the program. Weis got talent. It just didn't develop.

 

Right. Weis showed you can still bring the talent into ND. It's just a matter of finding the coach who can both bring in the talent and develop it.

 

It's not just coaching. And talent isn't just about getting a top flight QB and a wideout or two. Talent is about getting 1st round draft type talent everywhere; on the defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, offensive line, etc, and a truck load of depth.

 

I think it's possible for ND to contend for a title, because it's possible for just about anybody. But I do not think they can legitimately contend every year as Andy suggests. The Floridas of the world have too much of an advantage.

 

Right, I agree with this. I definitely think ND can be fully capable of contending for a title every now and then. There's no question about it. In fact, I think it's completely ridiculous that an offense that they had with as much NFL talent on the field that they possessed was only able to win six games against a schedule that is notoriously known for not being the most difficult in the land.

 

They can get talent there. Remember how bad their offensive line was during Claussen's freshman year and how improved they were this year? And as much as people don't want to admit it, ND still has name value. Like I said about a week ago, Notre Dame could do far worse than Brian Kelly. But there's no question about it that if they just had an average defense this year, they're probably looking at a BCS bowl. Kelly's not really going to help that out anytime soon. But again, it's still much easier to recruit players to play for ND than it does at Cincinnati and Kelly has completely revamped several programs along the way.

[dew1679666265]

It's not just coaching. And talent isn't just about getting a top flight QB and a wideout or two. Talent is about getting 1st round draft type talent everywhere; on the defensive line, linebackers, defensive backs, offensive line, etc, and a truck load of depth.

 

I think it's possible for ND to contend for a title, because it's possible for just about anybody. But I do not think they can legitimately contend every year as Andy suggests. The Floridas of the world have too much of an advantage.

 

I see Notre Dame's upside sort of like Tennessee's. They have the tradition and prestige (moreso than Tennesse, though) to compete on a national level for recruits. And they have to because they don't have enough in-state recruits to contend nationally with only them - like Florida, USC, Ohio State, etc. can.

 

Because they have the potential to recruit nationally, they can be contenders for a BCS berth or a BCS title. But, they have to have a coach who excels at recruiting nationally. That was what Tennessee had to do when it fired Fulmer - find another coach who can recruit nationally for players. If ND gets that coach who can also develop players, they'll climb back into national prominence. Finding that coach is easier said than done, though.

[Tracer Bullet]

If ND gets that coach who can also develop players, they'll climb back into national prominence. Finding that coach is easier said than done, though.

 

the coach has to work his ass off, but I think it trickles down to the assistants. If Kelly is hired, it would be great if he could blend a staff of great fundamentals coaches with great recruiters. ND has a couple on board, including 1 that is both. We'll see what happens.

[Tracer Bullet]

they can be in the BCS mix year in and year out. not going to a BCS bowl literally every year, but it should be a realistic goal that is attained consistently.

 

Well yes, with the favorable standards and consistent overranking they could be in the mix for non-championship BCS bowls relatively frequently.

 

favorable standards? overranking? yeah, the coaches and media just LOVE the Irish.

 

Who was it that said it's not the 80s anymore?

[Andy]

they can be in the BCS mix year in and year out. not going to a BCS bowl literally every year, but it should be a realistic goal that is attained consistently.

 

Well yes, with the favorable standards and consistent overranking they could be in the mix for non-championship BCS bowls relatively frequently.

 

favorable standards? overranking? yeah, the coaches and media just LOVE the Irish.

 

Who was it that said it's not the 80s anymore?

Notre Dame hasn't been overranked in a poll past September in a long time. I guess one could argue the whole 'not dropping after losing to USC' was a case of it, but then again, LSU moved up a spot after Bama beat them this year, so...

 

My question to those people has always been, what incentive do conference brethren (coaches) or conference-based sportswriters (AP) have to rank Notre Dame high with BCS dollars on the line? And of course, there is no answer.

[dew1679666265]

If ND gets that coach who can also develop players, they'll climb back into national prominence. Finding that coach is easier said than done, though.

 

the coach has to work his ass off, but I think it trickles down to the assistants. If Kelly is hired, it would be great if he could blend a staff of great fundamentals coaches with great recruiters. ND has a couple on board, including 1 that is both. We'll see what happens.

 

Yeah, part of recruiting successfully nationally is having a great staff. That's what I like about Kiffin at UT, not only is he personally doing a good job, but more importantly he identified excellent coaches (both in recruiting and developing) and he brought them in. That's a major key in building a program that must recruit nationally.

[EricG]

Clausen, Tate to enter NFL draft

 

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4721703

[CubbieBum]

Clausen, Tate to enter NFL draft

 

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4721703

 

Well at least whoever comes in won't inherit a BCS caliber team creating an immediate false hope for BCS every year. I would love the 49ers to get Tate, even though we definitely won't. He has always seemed a top notch prospect at WR (once he switched from RB). He has great physical tools and seems to have a knack for getting open.

[hawkeyecub]

Honestly, what was Jimmy's biggest win at Notre Dame? Boston College at home? A 7-6 Hawaii team in a December 24th bowl?

 

The lesson again, don't follow Jimmy and Charlie's footsteps and be a total douche before you've done anything.

[Tracer Bullet]

Honestly, what was Jimmy's biggest win at Notre Dame? Boston College at home? A 7-6 Hawaii team in a December 24th bowl?

 

The lesson again, don't follow Jimmy and Charlie's footsteps and be a total douche before you've done anything.

 

don't follow Jimmy's footsteps and be the best QB in CFB this year and be drafted in the first few picks of the NFL draft and make millions? don't do that? any other advice?

[Derwood]

Honestly, what was Jimmy's biggest win at Notre Dame? Boston College at home? A 7-6 Hawaii team in a December 24th bowl?

 

The lesson again, don't follow Jimmy and Charlie's footsteps and be a total douche before you've done anything.

 

don't follow Jimmy's footsteps and be the best QB in CFB this year and be drafted in the first few picks of the NFL draft and make millions? don't do that? any other advice?

 

The same idiots who say Jay Cutler is a loser because of his college record and mediocre Broncos record will hound Clausen for the same things

[Tyrant]

Honestly, what was Jimmy's biggest win at Notre Dame? Boston College at home? A 7-6 Hawaii team in a December 24th bowl?

 

The lesson again, don't follow Jimmy and Charlie's footsteps and be a total douche before you've done anything.

 

don't follow Jimmy's footsteps and be the best QB in CFB this year and be drafted in the first few picks of the NFL draft and make millions? don't do that? any other advice?

 

Or, you know, don't follow Weis' footsteps and win three Super Bowl rings as an offensive coordinator.

[Andy]

ESPN's Joe Schad reporting that Kelly to ND talks are "heating up". No formal interview today though.

[hawkeyecub]

Honestly, what was Jimmy's biggest win at Notre Dame? Boston College at home? A 7-6 Hawaii team in a December 24th bowl?

 

The lesson again, don't follow Jimmy and Charlie's footsteps and be a total douche before you've done anything.

 

don't follow Jimmy's footsteps and be the best QB in CFB this year and be drafted in the first few picks of the NFL draft and make millions? don't do that? any other advice?

 

The same idiots who say Jay Cutler is a loser because of his college record and mediocre Broncos record will hound Clausen for the same things

 

I love Clausen as a pro prospect.

 

He showed up in a freaking limo to announce his committment at the hall of fame, promising championships. He had one good year in college and he never was really part of a winning team. Charlie showed up talking about schematic advantages over everyone else, saying he was the smartest coach in the country.

 

When you're over the top brash, arrogant and douchey, people will rightfully rejoice when you fall completely flat on your face.

[SouthSideRyan]

When you're over the top brash, arrogant and douchey, people will rightfully rejoice when you fall completely flat on your face.

 

But Clausen didn't fall on his face. He's going to be an NFL QB

[Andy]

Honestly, what was Jimmy's biggest win at Notre Dame? Boston College at home? A 7-6 Hawaii team in a December 24th bowl?

 

The lesson again, don't follow Jimmy and Charlie's footsteps and be a total douche before you've done anything.

 

don't follow Jimmy's footsteps and be the best QB in CFB this year and be drafted in the first few picks of the NFL draft and make millions? don't do that? any other advice?

 

The same idiots who say Jay Cutler is a loser because of his college record and mediocre Broncos record will hound Clausen for the same things

 

I love Clausen as a pro prospect.

 

He showed up in a freaking limo to announce his committment at the hall of fame, promising championships. He had one good year in college and he never was really part of a winning team. Charlie showed up talking about schematic advantages over everyone else, saying he was the smartest coach in the country.

 

When you're over the top brash, arrogant and douchey, people will rightfully rejoice when you fall completely flat on your face.

Jimmy Clausen "falling flat on his face" was the best quarterback in the country this year. With even a competent defense ND would have won 10 or more games.

[Tracer Bullet]

When you're over the top brash, arrogant and douchey, people will rightfully rejoice when you fall completely flat on your face.

 

But Clausen didn't fall on his face. He's going to be an NFL QB

 

And Weis is going to be an NFL OC.

 

ND needed a good dose of confidence when Weis came in. He was overly confident. Meh. I think it helped him as much in recruiting as it hurt. Same with Clausen. #1 rated QB makes very public announcement that he's coming to ND to win big and is a leader in getting recruits to sign on (not only to his class, but the next one, in which we landed the top QB in California for the 2nd straight year).

 

I think both guys served to boost confidence in the program so I don't care how history views those actions.

[hawkeyecub]

You're right only Charlie fell on his face.

[Tracer Bullet]

You're right only Charlie fell on his face.

 

2 BCS bowls and 3 bowls in 5 years (eligible for 4 bowls). He's going to be working as an NFL offensive coordinator next year and could easily be an NFL head coach someday.

 

I get that you don't like ND and want to enjoy a little schadenfreude, but you have a very unusual definition of people falling on their faces.

[illiniguy]

Clausen, Tate to enter NFL draft

 

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=4721703

 

Well at least whoever comes in won't inherit a BCS caliber team creating an immediate false hope for BCS every year. I would love the 49ers to get Tate, even though we definitely won't. He has always seemed a top notch prospect at WR (once he switched from RB). He has great physical tools and seems to have a knack for getting open.

Wait, I am derailing this but, you're a Purdue, Cub, 49ers, and Rockets fan? WTF??

[Tracer Bullet]

seems accurate

 

http://www.chicagobreakingsports.com/2009/12/after-meeting-last-week-brian-kelly-on-brink-of-becoming-notre-dame-coach.html