Tag: Brian Kelly

All Decade Top 25: Notre Dame Good, Not Great

From a national perspective however, what is the biggest win Notre Dame had the last ten seasons?
At Oklahoma in 2012?

As the decade wraps up we’ll have more and more discussion as to the best this, that and the other in regards to college football.

Here on Fighting Irish Wire I’m working with contributor Jeff Feyerer on a ton of lists in regards to the last day decade that we’re excited to soon share and discuss with everyone of our loyal readers.

In the meantime, I stumbled into this list tonight – the top 25 programs of the decade.

I was curious how Notre Dame would rank and I think Berry Werner at Touchdown Wire did a pretty fine job.

No. 16 Notre Dame (91-37)

There are a lot of wins but the losses feel like they always come in the tougher games on the schedule, which has a load of soft spots. Brian Kelly has done a nice job getting the team to bounce back from off-years.

I have trouble arguing much with the ranking. For those curious Werner put the Irish one spot ahead of Michigan and one spot behind Michigan State.

For those curious Alabama was one while Ohio State, Clemson and Oklahoma all checked in just behind.

Oklahoma State was a little curiously ranked ahead of Notre Dame at 13 but it’s easy to forget how good their start of the decade was. It’s also hard to get to upset about a team who has won 10+ games six times in the window being ranked above, especially since they haven’t missed a bowl game since 2005 but for those interested, they have won just one more Big XII Championship in that time than Notre Dame.

Notre Dame has played for one national championship (and gotten destroyed) and made one College Football Playoff in that time, which alone gets them easily in the top-25.

From a national perspective however, what is the biggest win Notre Dame had the last ten seasons?

At Oklahoma in 2012?

Taking Florida State to the wire in 2014 or Clemson to the gun in 2015? Heartbreaking thrillers sure, but still losses.

They’ve had a seat at the table but until they knock off one of these top-five or so teams the perception will remain.

The good news however is that if you were to simply do this same top 25 over the last three seasons how many teams would come ahead of Notre Dame?

Clemson, Ohio State, Alabama, LSU, Georgia, Oklahoma and who else?

It’s the looks of a very good program on the cusp of joining the elites but until that top-five or so matchup is won, you won’t see many chirping for the Irish to be seen in quite the same class.

Notre Dame Football: Reesus Take The Wheel?

Seems like as long as Notre Dame doesn’t get blanked that Rees will get the gig.

The departure of Chip Long as Notre Dame’s offensive coordinator today comes a little bit of a surprise but not necessarily a shock.

As we mentioned earlier today, Notre Dame set a record for points scored this regular season, scoring 37.1 per game but being entirely out-matched by Georgia and Michigan’s defenses was more damning than anything thing else involving the Irish all season.

So per Bryan Driskell’s report earlier today, word is Tommy Rees will essentially have an audition to call plays in the Camping World Bowl to see if he’s fit for the job.

If you’re going to wait that long before ultimately even making a decision, is there really a decision to be made?

Seems like as long as Notre Dame doesn’t get blanked against Iowa State that Rees will get the gig.

This isn’t at all meant as a knock at Rees who has clearly worked his tail off to climb the coaching ladder, but is this the best idea to essentially give him the job without looking long and hard for someone more qualified?

Brian Kelly has done a lot of things well at Notre Dame and for the most part hiring quality assistants and coordinators has been one of them. Guys have left for jobs because they’ve earned them and the Brian Van Gorder type hires have been extremely rare.

But is due-diligence being done if Rees is just handed the keys to the limo?

I can’t help but think of LSU and how quickly their offense turned simply dynamic this season and how they’ll have a Heisman Trophy Winner officially come Saturday night.

I think of Oklahoma’s incredible offense and the now three straight CFP appearances it has made while it has its third different quarterback in three years getting a Heisman Finalist invite this weekend.

The two are extreme success stories but tales of how the coaching replacement who made a world of difference were found.

LSU hiring Joe Brady from the Saints to be their passing game coordinator clearly did wonders for its passing offense, as Brady won the top assistant coach award earlier this week.

Meanwhile Lincoln Riley was promoted to head coach at Oklahoma three short years ago and helped take the squad from being really good to a College Football Playoff regular as the offense went next-level upon his promotion.

Tommy Rees could be the next Lincoln Riley, getting promoted and the offense taking off against any opponent, not just select ones next year. But is that likely?

Or is it more likely you see a guy run something very similar to what Long just did that results in plenty of points overall, but leaves a lot still to be desired against the great defenses?

3, 17, 14.

Those are the point totals Notre Dame has scored in their last three loses, all to quality teams.

37, 34, 62, 30.

Those are the point totals for the four 2019 CFP teams in their respective conference title games last week.

You may love defense and that’s fine because I do too, but ask yourself if this record-setting unit was anywhere near good enough to compete score for score with the likes of LSU, Ohio State, Clemson and Oklahoma this year, or next season under Rees.

The instant reports of him getting promoted and then Northwestern not even giving him a second interview for the same position with them last week makes me not optimistic that if he’s the one, the offense will make any real strides thanks to its coordinator change.

I hope like all getup that Rees comes in and Notre Dame hangs 35+ on everyone in 2020. But unless a new passing game specialist or something of the sort comes along as well, excuse me while I fall short of expecting much different than 2019 offered.

Not that it’s a bad thing, it just seems status quo for a team that has to get fairly creative if it’s to actually end a 31 year title drought that it speaks so loudly about wanting to do.

Notre Dame Football: Chip Long Out as O-C

Notre Dame set a team record for points scored this year, averaging 37.1 per contest. That on its own makes you wonder if there is something more to this story, however,

In what has become news-heavy afternoon it appears Notre Dame will be on the hunt for a new offensive coordinator.

Despite a team-record for most points scored in a season this past fall, Bryan Driskell of Irish Maven reports that Chip Long is out as O-C and that both Notre Dame and Long are ready for fresh starts.

Notre Dame set a team record for points scored this year, averaging 37.1 per contest. That on its own makes you wonder if there is something more to this story, however, it is worth noting that the Irish did combine to score just 31 points against the two best defenses on their schedule this year, Georgia and Michigan.

So who replaces Long?

Tommy Rees is named in the report as a candidate for the job and that some sources have indicated he’ll get an audition by calling plays in the Camping World Bowl.

Personally I’ve got nothing against Rees and he’s clearly been a man on the rise in the coaching world, even if he didn’t get a second interview for Northwestern’s recent O-C opening. Doesn’t just promoting him though seem like the easy way out?

There is a class of offensive stars set to be here, especially in the 2021 recruiting class.

I know that Joe Burrow isn’t coming with whoever the next O-C is, but how do you know the next Joe Brady isn’t out there if you don’t at least go look?

Notre Dame Football: Linebacker Enters Transfer Portal

Reports are out Wednesday afternoon (247Sports) that Notre Dame senior linebacker Jonathan Jones is entering the transfer portal and will be looking for a new place to spend his final year of eligibility. The senior earned a redshirt in 2016 leaving …

Reports are out Wednesday afternoon (247Sports) that Notre Dame senior linebacker Jonathan Jones is entering the transfer portal and will be looking for a new place to spend his final year of eligibility.

The senior earned a redshirt in 2016 leaving him with one year of eligibility remaining.

Jones was a three-star recruit out of Oak Ridge High School in Orlando and finishes his Notre Dame career with 16 career tackles, the majority of which came on special teams.

Jones signing with Notre Dame was greatly celebrated in 2016 as many expected him to pick Michigan.

Notre Dame Football: Irish Dominate 2021 Rivals 100

What was viewed as a top class received further validation as the five Notre Dame commitments was the most of any school besides Ohio State who also had five.

Tuesday saw the release of the latest Rivals 100 list, ranking the top 100 prospects in the Class of 2021.

What was already viewed as a top class received further validation as the five Notre Dame commitments was the most of any school besides Ohio State who also had five.

Here’s how a few future members of the Fighting Irish Football team ranked:

Offensive tackle Blake Fisher of Avon, Michigan was the highest ranked Notre Dame commitment, checking in at 18.

The 6’6″, 330 pounder also checks in as the highest rated player from Michigan in 2021.

Lorenzo Styles, Jr. checks in at 34 overall and is the fourth highest rated receiver.

Styles committed to Notre Dame after making an official visit on USC weekend this last October and ranks as the second highest player for 2021 from the state of Ohio.

Quarterback Tyler Buchner of La Jolla, California sky-rocketed in these rankings moving up 23 spots to 42nd overall. Injuries kept Buchner from the field his sophomore but he wasted no time showing off his stardom this fall, leading his team to a state finals appearance.

Buchner had an insane performance in that game despite a loss and remains listed as a “pro style” quarterback – something you may question if you’re to watch any highlights.

Athlete Deion Colzie of Athens, Georgia also soared in these latest rankings, up 23 spots this time to 72.

The 6’4″ Colzie figures to be a favorite target of Buchner’s in the future.

Finally defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio came in at 95, down nine spots from his previous ranking.

Rubio, of St. Peters, Missouri is the only committed defensive player in Notre Dame’s 2021 recruiting class.

Although early, Notre Dame’s hot start on the recruiting trail has them currently sitting atop the 2021 recruiting rankings.

Notre Dame Football Well Represented on ESPN’s Top 150 Coaches List

Knute Rockne was the highest former Fighting Irish coach to make the list, coming in at three. He trails only Paul Bryant and Nick Saban on the list.

In honor of 150 years of College Football, ESPN and other publications have been releasing their lists of greatest all-time everything this year.

Earlier we went over the 150 greatest games list and the incredible games Notre Dame contributed to that list both good and bad.

Today ESPN released their rankings of the 150 greatest coaches in college football history.

It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that Notre Dame is again well represented.

First up – “Rock”

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Notre Dame Football: Offers Star Defensive End Scholarship

offers from several powerhouses including Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Florida and plenty of others. He made it known to the world Monday that Notre Dame was in.

The race to find the next great pass rusher at Notre Dame is on as Brian Kelly’s staff made a big-time scholarship offer Monday, to one of the top 2021 prospects in all of the northeast.

Aaron Armitage is listed as a four-star recruit from Blair Academy in New Jersey has already been given offers from several powerhouses including Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Florida and plenty of others. He made it known to the world Monday that Notre Dame was in.

Armitage is listed as 6-4 and 242 pounds and is easy to spot on film.

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The current Notre Dame commitment list in 2021 is very-highly regarded but only has one defensive player on it, Gabriel Rubio, a defensive tackle from Saint Peters, Missouri.

Notre Dame: Five Things to Know About Iowa State

You may look from a far and wonder how in the world a 7-5 Iowa State was chosen to get to Orlando over 8-4 squads they lost to. You might not think of a traditional football powerhouse when you hear Iowa State but they’ve got a following that would lead you to believe otherwise.

When chinstraps are finally buckled, mouth pieces are in and the Camping World Bowl gets here on December 28, Notre Dame and Iowa State will be playing for the first time in each-others history.

What needs to be known about Notre Dame’s next opponent as preparations for the season-finale are now upon us?

Here are five things to know about the 7-5 Iowa State Cyclones.

A Loyal Following Helped Earn Them This Invite

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James Franklin Extended at Penn State: Who’d You Rather?

Since taking the Penn State job in 2014 he’s returned the Nittany Lions to glory, winning the Big Ten in 2016 before falling in the Rose Bowl to USC. What about Kelly?

News came down Friday that Penn State head football coach James Franklin has been extended through 2025, putting an end to rumors he’d end up at Florida State.

That got me wondering about where Brian Kelly ranks in terms of all college football coaches.

If Saban is the GOAT and Dabo Swinney is the next best thing going, how far down would you have to go in order to find Brian Kelly?

James Franklin took a program that was awful before and has again turned south since his departure into a pretty respectable team in his time at Vanderbilt.

Since taking the Penn State job in 2014 he’s returned the Nittany Lions to glory, winning the Big Ten in 2016 before falling in the Rose Bowl to USC.

He’s gone 55-23 overall since 2014 but 44-11 in his four years Penn State has played without any scholarship restrictions.

Residing in the Big Ten East is no simple life as Ohio State, Michigan and Michigan sit in your division and provide top-tier competition on an annual basis (OK, perhaps not Michigan State).

It gets me wondering though, which coach would you rather have if I were to give five years with each at the helm?

Brian Kelly took advantage of a generous schedule by year-three and had Notre Dame playing in (and getting blown out in) the national championship his third year on campus. Year-nine saw Kelly take Notre Dame to the College Football Playoff where eventual national champion Clemson routed them, 30-3.

Franklin has won at Penn State and in his first year without scholarship restrictions won the Big Ten. However, he hasn’t done so again and despite having a top-ten team this season, is yet to get back to that second Rose Bowl appearance.

I’m curious which coach you’d rather have going forward.

Brian Kelly appears to have an elite recruiting class taking shape for 2021, 11 years into his run.

Franklin again won ten games in one of college football’s best divisions and seems to have Penn State on a level they haven’t been at with any consistency since the nineties.

It’s a tough to make a choice and both coaches bring plenty of off-the-field drama with them.

But gun to my head, Kelly has shown an ability to hire quality assistants on the regular who often take head jobs elsewhere and find the next up-and-comer in the coaching ranks regularly.

That’s something Franklin is yet to show, as he has watched only Joe Moorhead leave, taking the Mississippi State job previous to 2018.

Although a longer tenure, Kelly has seen Chuck Martin, Matt LaFleur, Butch Jones, Bob Diaco and Autry Denson take head jobs elsewhere after being his assistants at various points the last decade or so.

The ability to hire quality assistants is so important to me and if Kelly keeps seeing assistants get head-jobs, it must mean he’s doing something right.

James Franklin is a very good college football coach and worthy of every dime he gets from Penn State.

But even if you complain about Brian Kelly on the regular, would you take Franklin over him given the chance?

At very worst that question is harder than you’d like to admit while truthfully, Kelly’s resume at Notre Dame is incredibly-difficult to compete with unless you’ve actually won a national championship.

Franklin’s extension at Penn State and the desire of other premier programs to hire him should make you appreciate Brian Kelly as a coach a bit more, even if you’re not entirely in love with him.

Notre Dame Football: Kyle Hamilton Named Freshman All-American

It didn’t take long at all for Kyle Hamilton to make his presence known at Notre Dame this year as fall camp was pretty much just a daily breakdown of how many interceptions the freshman from Atlanta had that particular afternoon.

It didn’t take long at all for Kyle Hamilton to make his presence known at Notre Dame this year as fall camp was pretty much just a daily breakdown of how many interceptions the freshman from Atlanta had that particular afternoon.

It didn’t take long for him to make an impact on the gamefield either, getting substancial playing time as a true-freshman in the opener against Louisville before returning his first career college interception for a touchdown a week later against New Mexico.

The season would see him pull down four interceptions in total and have pretty much an entire defensive gameplan built around him in October’s win over USC.

On Friday Pro Football Focus named their Freshman All-American Team and named Hamilton their first-team safety.

Notre Dame landed the best coverage safety in the entire 2019 recruiting class. Hamilton recorded a near-elite 89.7 coverage grade in his true freshman season, allowing just seven passes to be completed on 22 targets. Those seven went for 74 yards and no touchdowns. However, the Fighting Irish safety stole possession four times by way of interceptions, and he forced another five pass breakups for a passer rating of 3.0 when targeted, best among all defenders in the nation with at least 15 targets.

– Pro Football Focus 12/6/2019

High praise for a star in the making at Notre Dame.