An ol’ Irishman takes the reins at Notre Dame

An ol’ Irishman takes the reins at Notre Dame

By John Kelly
Football Reporters Online
Senior Writer
Midwest/Northeast Correspondent

AD Jack Swarbrick accomplished something his past predecessors didn’t. He identified a top coaching target and finally closed him. Former Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly was introduced as the 29th Football coach at Notre Dame Friday.

The job was a lifelong dream and he was up to the challenge of restoring Notre Dame’s glory.
“When I refer to the challenge, it's strictly getting to that high bar that's been set at Notre Dame," he said. "We've got challenges, but we'll go to work on those right away."


He also didn’t flinch at the idea of National Championships either.
"Those aren't 8-4 years. Those are national championship years," he said. "So any time you're talking about restoring a program and the challenges, it's not about winning the conference championship, it's about winning championships and being in the BCS and being nationally prominent. That's a challenge. We've got to get to work on that."
After beginning the season unranked in 2009, Kelly led the Bearcats to a 12-0 record, a Sugar Bowl berth, and number 3 ranking in the BCS. Kelly will not coach the Bearcats in the Sugar Bowl vs. Florida.

Kelly takes over for Charlie Weis and inherits a team that didn’t fulfill the exact aspirations of his former team. Kelly also implied about the aura of Notre Dame as an institution.



"Nobody does it better than Notre Dame,'' he said. "The excellence in academics and in the athletic arena is second to none.''


Kelly has produced 18 winning seasons in his coaching careers at Grand Valley State, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati compiling a 171-57-2 record. His only losing season was his first for the Chippewas.

Notre Dame’s 16-21 record the last three years hasn’t garnered the same muster as Kelly’s. Still he believes their mindsets aren’t any different from his past teams.

After weeks of rumors ranging from Bob Stoops to Brian Billick there was no doubting whom the Irish were targeting from day one. According to a local athletic department source Kelly was the only candidate Notre Dame was seriously pursuing.

“It was always Kelly,” said the source.

AD Jack Swarbrick reinterred that statement.

“Kelly was the first guy we spoke to and the only one we offered.”

"These young men want to win, and that's why I'm here at Notre Dame," he said. "I want to be around men that are committed, and we can't trade anybody. There's no waiver wire. We're going to develop our players, and they're going to play their very best for us. That to me has always been the most important principle. Let's go. Don't tell me what you don't have. I don't want to know about it. Tell me what you can do to help us win."

Kelly has got it done at his recent stops but he will have to recruit nationally to experience success in South Bend. Still, that doesn’t mean he is scared to public express his sales pitch.

“I would tell recruits that you’re coming to Notre Dame to restore the glory and develop as a football player and a person,” he said. “You ready to Go?”

Kelly seemed happier than a kid a Christmas standing at the podium. He gave the media respect and didn’t make a herculean promises. Kelly used his wits to tell the media and NDNation what they need to hear.

In order to be successful they will have to get work immediately. On Monday that journey truly begins.