Brian "Body Kount" Kelly (HC Louisiana State)

[BrutusBobcat]

I'm wondering if recruiting-wise if Kelly will be a great fit for ND. For what they aspire to be, and with the self-imposed restraints they have, is Kelly going to be the guy to sweet talk top level recruits into South Bend?

The RichRod comparisons are apt in that sense. The Rodster has his offensive scheme, but can't bring in the talent he needs to operate at the Big Ten level. I haven't seen Kelly pull off any real recruiting coups at Cincy; mostly he's done a nice job of working with kids who were overlooked by the regional powers for one reason or another and developing them into solid players. That's a great formula at a less prestigious school, but will not fly at ND.

Of course, recruiting blue chip talent alone isn't any sort of magic bullet (see Willingham, Ty), but I think that ND has some unique challenges (and advantages) in recruiting. I'm just not sure Kelly is the guy for it.

 

[Mike80]

there are/were a lot of drooling mouthbreathing retards on the Dayton radio stations setting themselves up for a fall....

Listen stupids, You're Cincinnati fans (I know it's only been 4 months but hang with me here). You're NOT Ntre Ame. You are NOT a destination spot for coaches. Why did Dantonio use you? To get to the Big Ten. Why did Minter not go anywhere else? Because he's NOT A GOOD HEAD COACH.

So get ready to cry in your beers fUCksticks, Kelly is likely going to Ntre Ame and if not there, then some other high-end job that ISN'T Cincinnati.

 

[sandgk]

I'm wondering if recruiting-wise if Kelly will be a great fit for ND. For what they aspire to be, and with the self-imposed restraints they have, is Kelly going to be the guy to sweet talk top level recruits into South Bend?

ND believes that ND sells itself. To an extent that is and always has been true. What they absolutely lacked under Weis were two critical components - defensive depth (when DB McCarthy, bless the kid, is your leading tackler you clearly haven't got DL or LB corps straightened out), and player development, for which I'd say exhibit A is Sam Young.

I haven't seen Kelly pull off any real recruiting coups at Cincy; mostly he's done a nice job of working with kids who were overlooked by the regional powers for one reason or another and developing them into solid players. That's a great formula at a less prestigious school, but will not fly at ND.

On the issue of recruiting coups, he hasn't done too badly against his extant competition - which has never really included Ohio State. He has chosen his battles wisely enough. Who knows, this coming year perhaps he would have gone for the throat more with in-state recruiting, but to this point he has not had to test the UC vs. tOSU mettle in a head-to-head recruiting battle.
On the second part, I'd say player development is key at any level. A HS Blue Chip who remains at or close to his Senior HS class level of skill development is not good enough. A HS Blue Chip who gets better because he is coached up? Now you have the makigs of something truly special.

As for those "overlooked" players - I think the Irish would have loved to see some of those hard working kids on their squad as improved Seniors this year. I am just guessing they would call it something like "Depth."

Of course, recruiting blue chip talent alone isn't any sort of magic bullet (see Willingham, Ty), but I think that ND has some unique challenges (and advantages) in recruiting. I'm just not sure Kelly is the guy for it.

I am not sure on that score either, though I figure he has to be better than the last fellow whose idea of talent identification seemed to come down to counting stars in a Rivals database, perhaps looking at "players with an offer from USC." Whose idea of player development seemed to lack skill instruction, full fledged weight training and, last but not least, development.

If I were to posit a glaring question mark about Kelly it would not really be on any of the foregoing criteria you mention. It would be on his record in pulling together stifling defenses. Which is something a championship level team absolutely needs to strive for.

 

[Fungo Squiggly]

I'm sorry, I don't see that and I would say that you're just making assumptions basesd on your distance from the city and the program. Huggins and Kelly couldn't be more polar opposites than conservatives and deomocrats...

He is not relying heavily on JUCCO players the way Huggins did and the players he has brought in during his three years do not come close to having the checkered pasts that Thuggins players did. The kids who have been recruited have qualified academically both at UC and through the NCAA. UC is not 'The U'...Kelly has maintained the standard that Minter and Dantonio set years ago. There is nothing 'renegade' about UC's football program as there was with the basketball team under Thuggins and Bob Goin. I try to be fair in all of my arguments/posts/statements to all parties involved. I am not happy that Kelly will be leaving for ND. I was a long time supporter of Dr. Zimpher...I despised Bob Thuggins and the way he ran his program...I tend to call a spade a spade. But in Kelly's case, it just isn't true. Does he argue and fight on the sidelines? sure. he's done it for three years. But off the field he is not that guy. At least, as best I can tell.

Mardy Gilyard (or GztKz for ORD's sake ) wears gold plating over his teeth, ergo Brian Kelly = Bob Huggins. Get with the program, H&G.

 

[billmac91]

I'm wondering if recruiting-wise if Kelly will be a great fit for ND. For what they aspire to be, and with the self-imposed restraints they have, is Kelly going to be the guy to sweet talk top level recruits into South Bend?

The RichRod comparisons are apt in that sense. The Rodster has his offensive scheme, but can't bring in the talent he needs to operate at the Big Ten level. I haven't seen Kelly pull off any real recruiting coups at Cincy; mostly he's done a nice job of working with kids who were overlooked by the regional powers for one reason or another and developing them into solid players. That's a great formula at a less prestigious school, but will not fly at ND.

Of course, recruiting blue chip talent alone isn't any sort of magic bullet (see Willingham, Ty), but I think that ND has some unique challenges (and advantages) in recruiting. I'm just not sure Kelly is the guy for it.

I think he'll recruit very well. He runs a spread offense with a lot of pro-style principals. This is the opposite reason Rich Rod isn't recruiting well at Michigan, and smart football fans could see it would fail immediately. High school kids dream of playing in the NFL. Rich Rod doesn't prepare his players for Sundays...he runs a college scheme, that doesn't translate. Kelly's system will.

I think Brian Kelly will recruit equally as well as Charlie Weis did, but develop his players further, and be a better Head Coach. He now has a major program behind him, great facilities, and a huge brand name. His system might be the biggest draw...prepare you for Sunday, and also provide you an opportunity to put up huge numbers in college...best of both worlds.

 

[ORD_Buckeye]

Mardy Gilyard (or GztKz for ORD's sake ) wears gold plating over his teeth, ergo Brian Kelly = Bob Huggins. Get with the program, H&G.

Speaking of his Grillzness, anyone else think Cincy is a 9-3 team this year without Grillz that Killz on the field?

 

[Buckeye Maniac]

Speaking of his Grillzness, anyone else think Cincy is a 9-3 team this year without Grillz that Killz on the field?

At best. They certainly wouldn't have beaten Pitt without him.

I'd also say that if they were in another BCS conference they'd be at best 9-3.

 

[ulukinatme]

Source: Likelihood of Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly bolting to Notre Dame 'heating up' - ESPN

Latest ESPN article thinks Kelly could be named the coach by Friday. No contract has been offerred yet, however. Thursday is the team banquet, Friday is speculated as that would be a day after he has talked to the players.

If he ends up taking the job, does he coach the bowl game, or does an assistant take over ala Dick Rod?

 

[Woody1968]

At best. They certainly wouldn't have beaten Pitt without him.

I'd also say that if they were in another BCS conference they'd be at best 9-3.

I think they could have been undefeated in the ACC, as long as they had a good game against Georgia Tech..

 

[jlb1705]

I think they could have been undefeated in the ACC, as long as they had a good game against Georgia Tech..

Cincinnati in the ACC? I think Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech & Clemson would all beat them. Miami would probably beat them more often than not too. And, given the way UC let some inferior teams stay within striking distance - like Fredo, Fresno, UConn & even Illinois to some extent - I think ACC teams like Free Shoes & UNC a puncher's chance against them.

 

[Mike80]

Source: Likelihood of Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly bolting to Notre Dame 'heating up' - ESPN

Latest ESPN article thinks Kelly could be named the coach by Friday. No contract has been offerred yet, however. Thursday is the team banquet, Friday is speculated as that would be a day after he has talked to the players.

If he ends up taking the job, does he coach the bowl game, or does an assistant take over ala Dick Rod?

cincy would rightfully tell him to go....it's not his team anymore....

 

[Honor&Glory]

cincy would rightfully tell him to go....it's not his team anymore....

absolutely agree 100%. If Kelly accepts NoD's offer to coach, he is no longer an employee at the University of Cincinnati and he should leave immediately especially if plans on taking half of his staff with him. Just my opinion.

 

[Oh8ch]

This is the kind of BS reporting ESPN is becoming known for:

Kelly has had direct communication with representatives for Notre Dame but a decision was made not to have a formal interview with athletic director Jack Swarbrick while they were both in New York City on Tuesday, the source said. Further discussions between Kelly and Notre Dame are expected, said the source, who indicated that no contract had yet been offered but that the entire process could be completed within days.

An official announcement that Kelly will replace Charlie Weis could come Friday, after Kelly has had a chance to talk with his players at Cincinnati's annual football banquet Thursday night, according to a report on the Chicago Tribune Web site.

Kelly talked to ND. They are "expected" to talk again (no indication of who expects this). Some things "could" happen (or not, obviously).

All speculation based on what was already known - Kelly said he was going to talk to ND.

 

[CookyPuss]

This is the kind of BS reporting ESPN is becoming known for:



Kelly talked to ND. They are "expected" to talk again (no indication of who expects this). Some things "could" happen (or not, obviously).

All speculation based on what was already known - Kelly said he was going to talk to ND.

They'll badger him into making a denial of taking the job and then hammer him for being a hypocrite if he does take it.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

Kelly would be a mistake. His defensive at Cincy has been very average, so from that standpoint, he has nothing over Weiss. If ND wants a guy who can give them those extra seven points to beat teams like Navy, then Kelly is their guy. But if they want to compete on a national level against the likes of UF, Texas or OSU, they need to start with a defensive minded coach and a program builder.