Like a poised presidential candidate, Brian Kelly nonchalantly made his way to the podium in South Bend Dec. 11 to show Irish Nation the new face of their organization. Dare I say he looked good?
Kelly’s pedigree is not in question. He is the son of an old Boston Irish-Catholic politician. He was raised on Notre Dame lore. He established his coaching career in the Midwest. Did I mention he’s a Kelly?
Just five minutes into his opening press conference, Kelly spit out sound bites which will live on for years:
“There’s a football coach, and then there’s the football coach at Notre Dame, because nobody, nobody does it like Notre Dame.
“We don’t have a five-year plan, we have a five-minute plan and we’ll start working on it immediately.
“You do not come to the University of Notre Dame because you want to be average. You want to be the best of the best. That’s why I’m here.
“Our football players will continue to represent the motto of Notre Dame. I want tough gentlemen … I want gentlemen off the field that we all can be proud of.”
Kelly shifted into overdrive during the past month and has significantly reshaped Norte Dame’s ailing program. Will it be for better or for worse? Only time will tell.
He instituted his “Notre Dame Creed,” a motto every Irish player is supposed to learn, recite and live by. Although few details about the creed have emerged, Kelly insists it stresses the core values of not only his team, but also of the university as a whole.
“Camp Kelly,” an offseason condition program, is teaching his players a different definition of being in shape.
Most importantly, Kelly is reviving an old culture — a culture reminiscent of the 80s and 90s when the Irish were the planet’s most respected football team both on and off the field.
Back when Notre Dame meant something. When Notre Dame was still Notre Dame.
Kelly understands what the Irish faithful mean when they want a return to glory. It is more than winning football games. It is doing it the right way. Doing it Notre Dame’s way.
South Bend houses more lore than any other college campus in the country. The tradition, the legends and the mystique that floats around that campus are still enough to send shivers down the spines of opponents and excitement up the spines of recruits.
The last 15 years, however, have seen Notre Dame’s mystical power slowly fading away. The Irish may not withstand another mediocre coach without falling into irrelevance.
Kelly knows. Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick knows. Most importantly, the fans know.
If Kelly can muster a turnaround while working his “dream job,” it will be a very happy and fulfilling marriage for years to come. The weight on his shoulders may be heavier than any other coach in the country.
Failure is not a road Irish fans care to venture.
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