Notre Dame's hiring of Brian Kelly could mean trouble for Michigan football
Brian Kelly is introduced as head coach at Notre Dame on Friday.
AP photo
Ever since Lou Holtz left Notre Dame, the one guarantee that the University of Michigan has enjoyed in its rivalry with Notre Dame is that it has always had the better coach.
Through the tenures of Bob Davie, Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis, Michigan has had Lloyd Carr and Rich Rodriguez.
Both brought more experience and better resumes to the U-M sideline than anyone the Irish brought to South Bend.
Michigan cannot say that anymore for certain, not since Notre Dame hired Brian Kelly on Friday. The Wolverines must look toward the southwest and be concerned.
Kelly has 19 years of head-coaching experience and been successful at every level. He’s coming off an undefeated regular season at Cincinnati.
Seventeen of those 19 years have ended with winning records. One had been at .500. His only losing season came in his first as a Division I coach at Central Michigan, when he had to rebuild a program that was one of the worst in the nation.
“He’s won at every level with every kind of team,” Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick said during Kelly’s introductory press conference Friday. “He’s a winner.”
If that sounds familiar, it should.
Michigan characterized Rodriguez, who has won at Glenville State and as a coordinator at Tulane and Clemson and then as the head man at West Virginia, the same way.
Yet since Rodriguez arrived at Michigan, he’s struggled. And his battle to succeed now becomes harder with Kelly at Notre Dame.
Kelly knows and has connections in the state. If he considers Grand Valley coach Chuck Martin as a defensive coordinator he’ll add more institutional knowledge of how to recruit in Michigan.
Kelly knows Ohio and has dabbled recruiting in Florida - seven current Bearcats and two recruits from 2010 are from Florida (although not all were recruited by Kelly). All three are key recruiting grounds for Rodriguez and Michigan.
Kelly runs a passing version of the spread offense, so the Irish and Wolverines could face each other far more often in recruiting than they have the past couple of years when the two schools ran markedly different offensive schemes.
“It’s going to put even more of a premium on the kids in the Midwest that have that athleticism, that can run that system, that quarterback that can fit that style,” Rivals.com national recruiting analyst Jeremy Crabtree said. “It’s not going to be Michigan battling just Cincinnati and other programs that run that style of offense.
“Michigan, it might turn into some classic Michigan-Notre Dame battles where it’s not the big offensive linemen we used to see under Bo (Schembechler) and former Notre Dame coaches, we might see some battles over kids at some of those skill positions, running backs, great dual-threat quarterbacks, receivers who can stretch the field horizontally as well as vertically.”
Kelly can recruit. He’s a smooth-talking Irish Catholic from suburban Boston. He’s got personality. And he experienced players to start with right away.
Notre Dame returns a quarterback who can run and throw in redshirt sophomore Dayne Crist, although Crist’s health is unknown as he’s coming off an ACL injury.
He’s got the best returning wide receiver in the country in Michael Floyd, a dynamic tight end in Kyle Rudolph and a pass-catching running back in shifty Armando Allen.
Although he’s an offensive coach, Kelly’s system of accountability runs throughout the entire football program.
One of the most concerning things about Rodriguez is he too often seems detached from the defense. That’s a far cry from the way Kelly sounded Friday when he was introduced as coach.
“I don’t just rely on one side of the ball,” Kelly said. “As the head football coach, you are responsible for all those areas.”
That was something lacking until Friday at Notre Dame. It is something that is questioned at Michigan.
One thing that is known, though, is the Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry just became a lot more interesting - and one that will probably go on as much on in the homes of high school prospects across the Midwest as on the field.
Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan sports at AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.
Comments
holden
Tue, Dec 15, 2009 : 10:27 a.m.
@Antonio I think the only reason that I get on here and complain is because there's not much compassion in Ohio for a jaded Michigan fan like myself. So this is my only medium for concern. I've grown too attached to this team, which has become unhealthy. I get physically angry when I see them do so poorly and class after class graduate without beating Ohio State. It's gotten to the point to where it can affect my day, weekend, and sometimes week.
hieyeq
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 2:38 p.m.
I've read the whiners, I've read the supporters, and I've read the nirvana predictors. I think this sums it up for UM football...battling Indiana for last place sucks.
uminks
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 10:59 a.m.
Antonio, unfortunately most blogs are negative. mgoblog.com is about the best one out there, and more true UM fans post there. The one's who care more about the school than the W-L record!
Antonio
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 10:47 a.m.
Oh my Lord, I tell you it can be so depressing coming to support your team. Blogging features have been given to us so that as fans we can have a voice. You would expect something productive, some valuable insight to be given. But not on a Wolverine website, a TruBlue website, not where the colors of Maize and Blue should be enveloped in every conversation. I will admit I was not fortunate enough to be able to go to UM as I grew up in AZ, but I have been a TRUBLUE MICHIGAN fan for over 20 years. My 3 year old son says "Michigan Quarterback" whenever he hears the word Michigan and/or quarterback and points to himself. I am not the only crazed father who loves his Maize and Blue so what is it that makes a true blue fan that will raise their kids to love UM football, to hate to see the colors scumred and sliver, to want to pose like Howard or Woodson, to root for every NFL team that has a UM player? To cry when they win a NC, to throw and pounce stuff when they lose? To know that everywhere you go, everyone who knows you knows your happiness to some extent ties in to the success of The Program. TO ABSOLUTELY HATE TO SEE ANYTHING OR HEAR ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH OSUCKU. Yet day after day I come to these websites and read the whining product that is the bloggers about our program. Do you think RR or any coach reads these blogs? No way, but the recruits do, how about that? Its not about RR ladies and gents its about the program. There is a reason why Michigan football games, EVEN during these past two horrible years are ALWAYS on television. Its fan base is that of a storied program. I now live in California and the networks have only not shown 4 games on television. IN CALIFORNIA!!! Yet when I come in to get my wolverine fix because in December, I MISS IT! all I read is negative, negative, negative, bash on troll, negative, negative, bash more on little brother, negative..you get the picture. Yeah let me tell you the one way to show strength in your program is to continually bash it so that little brother and suckeye fan can see how weak its fans, not the program are. Nice image guys and gals. I know this will ignite the obligatory "I am a true fan thats why I whine, because I care". How about we suck it up, its not the coach, coaches will come and they will go, but it is THE PROGRAM which transcends generations. RR is our coach, support him, trust me the boosters and administration will get him out when they see fit, its not going to be because of anything said on this or anyother blogspot. For now just wait until 2025 when you are reading in rivals.com about Ayden Xavier a highly recruited qb recruit that is screaming to go to UM and wants to visit no other schools, but will take a visit to OSU and in the middle of his tour take off his jacket to reveal his Maize n Blue. How many recruits are like that every year? I am sure there are many and its because of parents like me, THEY LOVE THEIR MAIZE AND BLUE!!!!!!!
uminks
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 10:46 a.m.
trublu if RR is still around.500 in 2012 then I will be on the dump RR wagon. I know our defense is very weak and we probably will finish next season around.500 and am willing to put up with a third no bowl! But if RR Juniors are not playing well in 2012, and we don't get 8 wins then it might be time to move on. Until then I will support RR 100%
uminks
Mon, Dec 14, 2009 : 10:40 a.m.
I don't know how you can make such future predictions! Kelly often recruits great athletes who have a history of problems that he thinks he can manage. It did not bite him at CMU, but at ND any type of scandal will get him kicked to curb.
tomhagan
Sun, Dec 13, 2009 : 12:37 p.m.
lol@trublue's latest comment.... yeah, well if any coach is afraid to come to Michigan because of what some fans say on the internet...well darn, we just wouldnt want such a weak-minded, self-concious, finger-pointing, excuse-making coach.... We already have one now.
BlueInBama
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 11:41 p.m.
There are plenty of coaches would would love to come to Michigan, despite the recent destruction caused by the redneck from West Virginia. I hope and pray that the RR Kool-Aid consumers stay FAR away from this team once he is kicked to the curb. They can support him at another school with their "In Rod We Trust" T-shirts. IN MICHIGAN WE TRUST
PortageLkBlu
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 9:03 p.m.
When coach Weiss left the Patriots for ND everyone thought it was a can't lose and lights out for Michigan. Fast forward 5 years. Come on boy's and Girl's college football is a crap shoot, wrong fits, injuries, coaches lose jobs etc. etc.. RR is going to turn this thing around no easy job at Mich. completely new system, differant style players, differant recruiting and last but not least the Michigan fans are fickle and want instant success and if they don't get it right away they make coaches and the players lives hell. Don't think for a minute that when RR is attacked, it affects the whole program even his family. I hope ND gets back it's glory days and starts getting after USC again. I'm not one of those people that wants to see Mich. win every game 50 to 0 besides it's not realistic. I see a close game between these teams and it's great entertainment not to mention with RR and Kelly coaching these great schools we're going to start seeing some big wins in bowl games. When RR gets his boys and gets this spread in a rhythm with some 3 and 4 year players he'll handle the 10 and some of those big name schools that Mich. couldn't compete with before when those schools were peaking. PATIENCE!!
6million$man
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 7:01 p.m.
Yes, we at Michigan have a problem; We've been decieved by RR, he's in over his head. There, that wasn't so hard was it? Get over it. Now that we admitted that we have a problem we can begin to solve it. Simply finish the NCAA "in search of" get the allegations out in the open, fire RR, don't pay him a dime, (he won 3 games in 2 years in a horribly weak Big 10). Hire Harbaugh. Jim beat the Irish 2x's as a Blue Q-Back under The Bo, had 15 years in the League, won 2 National Titles at San Diego State, and in 3 short years has Stanford as a Pac 10 contender and has beat Southern Cal 2 years in a row. Jim also recruits exceptionally well and is a Man in Blue, Made out of Steel. Kelly & Martin will be an extremely formidable enemy, who work hard and their records speak for themselves.Yes, they will do well, HOWEVER, This isn't the beginning of the end, rather the end of the beginning...
newe82
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 6:03 p.m.
Losses to Conneticut and ND to start out 2010 should be the nail in the coffin for RR. The remaining ten games will be unwatchable and UM will finish 2010 4-8. Having Kelly go to ND only shortens the list of possible UM coaches for 2011. Harbaugh jumped to the top of the coaching list on Friday.
wearingskimaskatfratparty
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 12:18 p.m.
Hey D.Rob, How come you don't tie your shoes? don't you think that would add a second to your forty time. I know you can do what you said. Don't be so frantic in the pocket and you will be a great QB.
Sean T.
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 9:24 a.m.
ND better not beat us this up and coming season! Actually I wished Jimmy Clausen got punched again for getting his coach fired.
GettingBluer
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 8:50 a.m.
So, did Kelly send most of ND's players off to other teams? (Then whining about a "lack of talent" is what makes RR the charming loser that he is.)
chosen1
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 8:36 a.m.
TCMaizefan....Kelly also replaced 10 starters on defense this year. Hell one of his linebackers was ND's former qb Jones (the one who left nd before the michigan game a couple years ago). While RR beat Kelly in their on head to head matchup, please be reminded that it was kelly's first year at cincy with a new offensive scheme being put in place. But he did what RR couldn't and that was beat Pitt to go undefeated and to at least have a slim shot at the national title game. But there is no way ND wins next year's game as pointed out ND has no healthy scholarship qbs on the roster for spring practice. Talk about leaving the cupboard bare...Their best LB is going on his mormon mission next year. Not alot to look forward to that's positive.
GoblueinNE_PA
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 2:30 a.m.
This article is only relevant as it relates to this coming year. Following 2010, a new coach will be patrolling the sidelines at the Big House and we can get back to kicking ND and the Big 10's collective arses.
aareader
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 12:42 a.m.
"Michiganiac" is correct about the author of this article. I read some of his stuff when he was covering Notre Dame. There may be some bias showing. RR will be a very equal match for Kelly. Recruiting will be spirited but when ND and Blue meet ND will NOT have an automatic advantage. Plus... A common comment about why MSU passed on Kelly is they did not see him as long term coach. The thinking was he is too much like N. Saban. Here today - gone day after tomorrow. So far he has lived up to that view. Go Blue
Chango
Sat, Dec 12, 2009 : 12:01 a.m.
Well I woulda bashed it LOL. I came here to check on the Wolverines and I'm reading about the domers. So lets see, "Both brought more experience and better resumes to the U-M sideline than anyone the Irish brought to South Bend. Michigan cannot say that anymore for certain, not since Notre Dame hired Brian Kelly on Friday. The Wolverines must look toward the southwest and be concerned." - That retty much is the writer dissin' Notre Dame n a little respect for Michigan. Is the writer a domer homer? Just curious. Lets see though, Week 1 is Purdue, then Michigan!, Stanford, Pitt, and USC. Should be interesting to see how nd fares. Any who, keep the faith Go Blue!
Sean T.
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 11:25 p.m.
At first, I wanted to bash this article but I could'nt because it was accurate and it will make sense for kids to choose the best spread offense in the midwest. RR must work twice as hard to turn this around or we're gonna be in serious trouble in the recruiting department. Go Blue!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BlueInBama
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 11:08 p.m.
Good hire for ND. Too bad we're stuck with the shady, inarticulate redneck who's destroying Michigan football.
Danny
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 9:40 p.m.
Some of you guys must be on crack or LSD. Your defeatest attitude is enough to make me sick. Don't pencil in a win for anyone this day and age. I think the Wolverines will be a positive surprise to people next year (8 and 4 to 10 and 2). GO BLUE ALWAYS...........................................
NoBowl4Blue
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 8:13 p.m.
No Brainer Kelly a better than RR but then who isn't?
eagleman
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 8:03 p.m.
Off the field sleazay stuff? Bering accused of something that EVERY school does is sleazy? Being accused of practicing too hard is sleazy? XTR, there is stuff about Brian Kelly that make this hire a risk. There is a reason why MSU backed off its pursuit of him. You really shouldn't talking about sley stuff with the ethical questions that people have about Brian Kelly.
icegoalie
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 8:02 p.m.
At least we no longer have to pay a dime to read this garbage. Beggars can't be choosers I guess...
Michiganiac
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 7:41 p.m.
I told u guys a long time ago rothstien is a domer.I'm sure his love afair with Notre Dame came long before brian Kelly.I swear this is something i would read in the south bend tribune.In fact i wouldn't be surprised if i saw it there tomarrow, wouldn't be the first artical of his i've seen in there.
XTR
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 7:25 p.m.
With the results RR has been doing the past two years, plus all the off the field sleazy acts like the NCAA investigation, it will be easy to beat UM.
truebluefan
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 7:22 p.m.
Rich Rodriguez is 1-0 head to head against Brian Kelly & Cincy. The game was played at #21 Cincy.
azwolverine
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 6:34 p.m.
tc, What are you talking about? You're awful defensive. I never got the impression that this article implied Michigan should be "shaking in their pants." It spoke of the similarities between the schemes of the two teams offensively and how that might relate to recruiting battles over the same players. It also spoke of perceived differences between the coaches, their attention to all facets of the game being one of them. Regardless of that one game you spoke of, Kelley's team went undefeated and had a shot at the national title, not to mention he's won national titles before. There is certainly an objective difference between the two coaches in terms of results over the course of their careers. It's called 'reality,' not "poorly written."
michalllday
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 6:34 p.m.
I agree with tcmaizefan...Notre Dame scored against us with Charlie Weis. Their D just couldn't stop us...I don't know how much better it will get under Kelly considering the fact Cincinnati couldn't stop anybody this year they just outscored them.
tomhagan
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 6:05 p.m.
Michigan had the better coach up until Rich Rod came in. Weis' record at ND far exceeds Rich Rod. It would take several years of excellent football for Rich Rod to pull himself out of the hole that he created for this program, in order for him to reach Weis' ND record which was better than.500 at ND. Shows you how much the Michigan program has fallen under Rodriguez. The numbers do not lie. You are what your record says you are. Weis was a mediocre coach at ND and that is not good enough. RR has been a dismal failure at Michigan and hopefully that is not good enough for Michigan either. As for Kelly... promising coach who has a great deal of experience and success. However, the only reason that Michigan should fear Kelly is that Rich Rod is such a terrible fit here. If someone else came in that was a better coach and a better fit...say Jim Harbaugh for example.... coaching would certainly be even up.
tcmaizefan
Fri, Dec 11, 2009 : 6 p.m.
Kelly's defense gave up 44 points this past Saturday. Just another very poorly written article by the Ann Arbor News. Your trying to make it sound like Michigan should be shaking in their pants and I think that is shotty journalism in my opinion! At least you are accurate!