Initially I was writing about how the team would respond to the South Florida loss and the character and the type of players and coaches the Irish have. You can see those thoughts below in the paragraphs in italics. However, I have been hearing a lot of chatter about Brian Kelly’s behavior and language on the sidelines during last Saturday’s game and I do not agree with much of what is being said.
Lou Holtz was the head coach of my youth and the one I was raised watching during my formative years. Lou looked out of place being surrounded by men that looked like mountains towering around and above him. Later on in life I would read of Holtz’s life and how he grew up scrappy and playing football and being as tough as the next guy. What I did see while he was coaching was fire in the belly, emotion and passion. Holtz spoke his mind and he spoke it loudly. He didn’t say please and he was not worried about hurting any player’s feelings. Along with all that came winning and I liked it. After Holtz came Bob Davie, who was a nice guy and a good coach, but he didn’t possess much excitement and we didn’t see a lot of winning.
Then came Ty Willingham. Defnitely more personality and some more winning, but unfortunately, not enough winning. I like the way Ty carried himself on the sidelines and I think most of us would agree he may have been escorted out to early. Either way, we then got Charlie Weiss. I mistook his cockiness for confidence, his arrogance for personality and as for passion, I really never saw any. He came across calm and collected, but I am not sure he really cared. He may have, but the fans didn’t see it. When Charlie was booted, I was rooting for guys like Jon Gruden and Bill Cowher - guys who got fired up.
So when Brain Kelly showed up I just wanted to know that he cared. Last year, we saw emotion and passion motivating his players and in turn, we saw his players responding. Yes, Kelly is not used to losing and I can also tell he does not like it. When he is in front of a microphone or giving an interview, Brain Kelly is a class act all the way and represents the University proudly. On the sidelines Saturday, he was doing what he was hired to do - coach and try to win games. He has acknowledged that he knows the camera (microscope) is on him and maybe he should be more aware of that. I say thank you for letting Irish fans know you care and your players have responded. I also say those who don’t like it, don’t watch, change the channel to another game. And for those easily offended, remember, “Ann Arbor is a WHORE!”
Character - that is what Saturday’s game is about. How will this team respond to last Saturday’s loss? Players and coaches alike have said they have closed the book on South Florida and have spent this week focusing on Michigan. I have not seen finger pointing or excuses being made. Watching player interviews I feel confident they can move forward with a positive attitude. Cierre Wood had a look of needed redemption in his eyes and I liked it. I’ll go to sleep tonight knowing Rees is ready, Wood is focused and the defense is fired up.
Many of these players have faced adversity in the past (all the players from last year’s team). What is important now is how the players handle the thoughts of the past week in combination with the hype of this week’s match up. Kelly may recruit athletes who can play football, but Notre Dame enrolls young men that have character.
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