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Getting “Used To” Coach Kelly

Coach Kelly’s first season as Head Football Coach at Notre Dame was a difficult one. It was a season that saw great disappointment with the loss to Michigan, the fake field goal that led to a loss to Michigan State, total domination by an outstanding Stanford team, the Navy debacle and the surprising finish against Tulsa.

Not surprisingly, the lack of instant success had many second guessing the decision to hire Coach Kelly, and some even suggested that it was time for a coaching change.

In the press conference following the stunning loss to Tulsa, Kelly said, with regard to the game-ending interception, “get used to it.” Kelly was criticized for making this comment, and many viewed this as the equivalent to Charlie Weis’s “tactical advantage” moment.

Doubters began seriously questioning Kelly’s leadership and his ability to take Notre Dame back to a place among the elite programs in college football. Like so many others, with time winding down in the Tulsa game, my expectation was that Kelly would call several safe run plays, and put the game in the hands of one of the most reliable kickers in Notre Dame football history for the win.

Instead, Kelly asked his freshman quarterback, in his first start, to throw for the end zone, which resulted in an interception and the loss of a winnable game. Making matters worse, the loss seriously jeopardized Notre Dame’s chances of becoming bowl eligible.

As time passed and my disappointment subsided, I began to appreciate that one call which, now, gives me great confidence that Kelly is the right person to bring the Notre Dame football program back into prominence.

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As one considers so many great coaches in sports, they all have one quality in common: that is, they are risk takers. They don’t take unnecessary risks, they take calculated risks.

The “Tulsa call”, if executed properly, would have either won the game or, if the route was not open, the pass would have harmlessly sailed out of the end zone with enough time left for a game-winning field goal.

In the press conference following the game Kelly clearly stated that the play was a sound one, but its execution was poor. He took a calculated risk, believed in his players and himself, and in this case, it backfired.

I believe, though, that Kelly’s high-risk, high-reward mentality is one of the reasons he has experienced so much success in coaching over the years. Great coaches take risks.

For example, Mark Dantonio will be forever remembered for an 11-1 season and for his gutsy call that led to Michigan State's win over Notre Dame this season. That win propelled a good Michigan State team on to have a great season and a BCS bowl berth.

Throughout the season, Kelly has consistently sent the message to his team and its supporters that he believed in the university, its players, his staff and his vision for the Notre Dame program.

He ignored the criticism, kept his focus, kept the team and his staff focused and, after a much needed bye week, led this football team on a season-ending four-game winning streak, culminating with wins over USC and Miami.

Kelly, in my estimation, is the right person to lead Notre Dame at this time. In time, I believe the wins will come, and hopefully many trips to a BCS bowl game will come as well. That is something, I’m sure, all Notre Dame football fans can get used to.