If it's not Bob Stoops, then who?

• sjmvsfscs08

  Let’s face facts: Bob Stoops will not be the next coach at Notre Dame and getting Urban Meyer to come would make me believe in miracles again. It’s just not happening folks. If I'm wrong I'll eat crow. Shit, I'll eat it twice I'll be so damn happy. So, dare I ask the question, if not Stoops, then who?
  
  The media is loving the situation, because it gives all of those talentless dipshits something to write about. Make no mistake about it, journalism has fallen further than Notre Dame has in the last decade or so. I would argue that it’s not Notre Dame that has become irreverent, it’s the media and all of these jackoff beat writers that want to ask every coach in the country if they want to be the next coach at Notre Dame. It’s getting ridiculous.
  
  Anywho, I don’t think Brian Kelly is a lock; so here are some candidates I’d like to see Jack Swarbrick seriously look at (Kelly included):
  
  Brian Kelly, Cincinnati
  
  Simply put, he wins everywhere he goes. He’s a whopping 171-57-2 throughout his career as a head coach. He was 108-35-2 at Grand Valley State, where he won two national championships. From there he went 19-16 at Central Michigan; that doesn’t sound too hot until you see he completely turned the program around, posting records of 4-7, 6-5, and 9-4—winning the MAC in his third year. Since he has arrived at Cincinnati he’s had a fantastic record of 34-6, with records of 10-3, 11-3, and 12-0 this season. The latter two seasons he won the Big East. Dantonio handed him a program with solid footing when he bolted for Michigan State, but Kelly has just elevated the program to new heights.
  
  Lots of people are worried about the defense. But he had to replace ten starters this year, and still went undefeated. Former Irish quarterback Demetrius Jones started at outside linebacker this season, that’s not a defense with boatloads of talent. Kelly also played linebacker himself in college and started out on the defensive side of the ball initially in his coaching career.
  
  Still though, I’ve maintained, and I believe correctly, that the Big East was overrated and that Cincinnati, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, and West Virginia were all about even this season. The Big East truly is the most competitive conference this season—lots of fun, close games.
  He’s also Irish, and Catholic. The only thing I really don’t like about him is that he used his political science degree for the bad guys (the Democrats) before he entered coaching. I can forgive that if he wins Notre Dame some national championships though.
  
  Skip Holtz, East Carolina
  
  Would we get Lou too? I would hope not, that would be a terrible distraction in my opinion. He would be great for recruiting though.
  On a serious note, Skip has done very well on his own without his father. While at Connecticut from 1994 to 1998, his teams went 38-23. It wasn’t a rebuilding job, it was a building job. In his initial season, the Huskies were a mere 4-7; however after that they went 8-3, 5-6, 7-4 and 10-3, winning the conference championship the last season. Some say the success Holtz brought to Connecticut helped launch them towards becoming an FBS season.
  
  He left Connecticut to join his father at South Carolina; after that experiment he went back to the head coaching ranks at East Carolina, and has had success. He prove once again that he can build programs, his teams posted season marks of 5-7, 7-6, 8-5, 9-5, and 9-4 so far this season. The last two seasons they have played for the C-USA championship, winning them both.He is 38-26 in his tenure at East Carolina. It’s important to note that his losses have come against the perennial powers of the area, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, North Carolina State, et cetera.
  
  He is an Notre Dame alumnus, and he played football and coached there too. This hire would be a bit of a risk, as he’s not fully proven, but the more I read about Skip the more I think I like the sound of another Holtz walking the sidelines in South Bend.
  
  One should have cognizance of the fact that he turned down Syracuse last year, which either means he loves coached at a mid-major, or he was waiting for a particular job. Hmmmmmm…..
  
  Butch Davis, North Carolina
  
  Butch Davis should get all of the credit for Larry Coker’s early success at Miami. Butch Davis recruited that team and set up one hell of a defense before he bolted for the Browns. If you need proof that Butch Davis is a good coach, just realize he coached the Browns to a playoff berth. Holy Shit.
  
  He rebuilt the Miami program and had it back on track to flirt with becoming a dynasty like they were in the 1980’s, but he left. Now, he’s at North Carolina and rebuilding that program. They are on the cusp of being in the Top 25 annually (which is terrific by North Carolina standards) and he’s recruiting some absolute studs to go there. If Notre Dame could steal Butch Davis away, he would be an excellent program builder for the Irish.
  
  Butch Davis is a tremendous coach, but his age, 58, scares me. In 2007 a cancerous growth was removed from his gums. He is cancer-free, but still. Nonetheless I wouldn’t not hire a coach because of that, he had a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
  
  Those are my three top picks. Who (and why) would you like to see in South Bend next season, realistically?
• rock_knutne

  If Stoops isn't coming then I want Brian Kelly. I watched this guy work up close and personal last Saturday in Pittsburgh, the guy can coach.
• The Equalizer

  

  Butch Davis is 58?! Jesus I'd have shaved 10 years off that if I didn't know better.
• killer_ewok

  

  Jim Harbaugh for reasons that I've previously stated.
• killer_ewok

  

  ccrunner609 wrote:

  killer ewok wrote:You know what this place needs? MORE Notre Dame threads.

  
  What ND needs is some more wins.

  Yeah, thanks.
  
  Anyways, my signature is pure sarcasm.
• dwccrew

  

  I really think Skip Holtz could be a great addition to Notre Dame. His father was a legend there and he has made East Carolina a pretty competitive program.
• devil1197

  Brian Kelly, end of story.
• Nate

  Butch would be a good choice.
• sherm03

  

  I'm still not sold on Kelly...but if it's not Stoops or Meyer...Kelly is the next best coach out there.
  
  The problem is...and I've been saying it from the beginning...Kelly, to me, is Charlie Weis Part Deux: All Offense and No Defense.
  
  Given recent Big East hires (read: Dantonio and RichRod), I don't put much stock in Kelly. Time will tell, but if Notre Dame goes with Kelly...I'm preparing myself for a string of 8-4 and 9-3 seasons. However, I do think Kelly would give ND the best chance to win out of the remaining candidates.
  
  Let's put it this way. If Notre Dame has to hire Edsall...ND should just join the Ivy League and get it over with...because ND will not be competitive again.
• dwccrew

  

  ^^^I would also say Kelly is the best hire right now that ND has a shot at getting, but I wouldn't write off Skip Holtz either. The guy has done some impressive things at East Carolina.
• rocket31

  sherm03 wrote:
  The problem is...and I've been saying it from the beginning...Kelly, to me, is Charlie Weis Part Deux: All Offense and No Defense.
  

  
  well then, you have no idea what you are talking about....
  
  cincy's defense was better then their offense LAST SEASON.
  
  THIS YEAR they had to replace 10 defensive starters and because of that they were ranked outside of the preseason top 25. and lo and behold they still manage to finish in the top 3...
  
  kelly can coach both ends of the ball.
• rock_knutne

  Again, I stood on the UC sideline Saturday and got a first hand look at how the guy coaches. He's firey and get's in his players faces. He may not be the ideal "defensive" minded coach but UC made critical stops when they needed them and his team was fired up from start to finish, IMO, that's a far cry from what Weis brought to the table, especially on the aspect of playing with emotion. I say all this under the assumption Stoops doesn't take the job.
• Tiernan

  "Again, I stood on the UC sideline Saturday" ...Lemio, are you Mardy "Graw" Gilyards dad?
• rock_knutne

  Tiernan wrote: "Again, I stood on the UC sideline Saturday" ...Lemio, are you Mardy "Graw" Gilyards dad?

  I have many connections, especially with ESPN and the Pittsburgh community but you probably don't believe that either since I posted it on an internet message board. What ever, there's people on here who know me personally and they know I speak the truth, unlike a flaming scumbag like yourself.
• sherm03

  

  I don't know what I'm talking about? Let's look at stats my friend...
  
  2009 Yards/Game allowed
  UC - 350.3
  ND - 397.8
  #1 Team - TCU - 233.3
  
  2008 Yards/Game allowed
  UC - 316.1
  ND - 327.5
  #1 Team - USC - 206.1
  
  2007 Yards/Game allowed
  UC - 370.7
  ND - 357.0
  #1 Team - Ohio State - 225.3
  
  Defense has not been Kelly's strong point while at UC. Period. His defense hasn't been much better than ND's. The difference is...he knows his strength and would just win the shootouts whereas CW would go into a shell and not utilize his weapons.
  
  I stand by my statement.
• killer_ewok

  

  Rock is being honest about being on the sideline. He was for the ND-Pitt game too. I saw the pictures. Not saying that makes him a big shot or anything but he isn't lying about it.
• Society

  sherm03 wrote: I don't know what I'm talking about? Let's look at stats my friend...
  
  2009 Yards/Game allowed
  UC - 350.3
  ND - 397.8
  #1 Team - TCU - 233.3
  
  2008 Yards/Game allowed
  UC - 316.1
  ND - 327.5
  #1 Team - USC - 206.1
  
  2007 Yards/Game allowed
  UC - 370.7
  ND - 357.0
  #1 Team - Ohio State - 225.3
  
  Defense has not been Kelly's strong point while at UC. Period. His defense hasn't been much better than ND's. The difference is...he knows his strength and would just win the shootouts whereas CW would go into a shell and not utilize his weapons.
  
  I stand by my statement.

  Are those seriously the only stats you want to look at to argue your point? It's a good thing that you are in comedy, because stupid people like stupid things.
• sherm03

  

  Society wrote: Are those seriously the only stats you want to look at to argue your point? It's a good thing that you are in comedy, because stupid people like stupid things.

  Bite me Society.
  
  2009 Points Allowed
  UC - 20.8
  ND - 25.9
  #1 Team - Alabama - 11.0
  
  2008 Points Allowed
  UC - 20.2
  ND - 22.3
  #1 Team - USC - 7.8
  
  2007 Points Allowed
  UC - 18.6
  ND - 28.8
  #1 Team - Ohio State - 10.7
  
  How bout that stat? With the exception of 2007, Kelly's first year, UC's defense has been pretty much on par with ND's defense.
• newarkcatholicfan

  

  If both the QB and WREC leave does anyone think that this might keep a coach from deciding to come in?
• Society

  sherm03 wrote:

  Society wrote: Are those seriously the only stats you want to look at to argue your point? It's a good thing that you are in comedy, because stupid people like stupid things.

  Bite me Society.
  
  2009 Points Allowed
  UC - 20.8
  ND - 25.9
  #1 Team - Alabama - 11.0
  
  2008 Points Allowed
  UC - 20.2
  ND - 22.3
  #1 Team - USC - 7.8
  
  2007 Points Allowed
  UC - 18.6
  ND - 28.8
  #1 Team - Ohio State - 10.7
  
  How bout that stat? With the exception of 2007, Kelly's first year, UC's defense has been pretty much on par with ND's defense.

  Good job. You now have a 2nd part in a 10-piece puzzle.
  
  You idiot.
• sherm03

  

  Society wrote: You idiot.

  You got me. Glad you still follow me around on here like you did on JJ's. Eat a fatty buddy.
• Society

  sherm03 wrote:

  Society wrote: You idiot.

  You got me. Glad you still follow me around on here like you did on JJ's. Eat a fatty buddy.

  Follow you around? Ha Ha Ha! Excuse me for reading threads. I feel bad for you.
• rocket31

  sherm03 wrote:

  Society wrote: Are those seriously the only stats you want to look at to argue your point? It's a good thing that you are in comedy, because stupid people like stupid things.

  Bite me Society.
  
  2009 Points Allowed
  UC - 20.8
  ND - 25.9
  #1 Team - Alabama - 11.0
  
  2008 Points Allowed
  UC - 20.2
  ND - 22.3
  #1 Team - USC - 7.8
  
  2007 Points Allowed
  UC - 18.6
  ND - 28.8
  #1 Team - Ohio State - 10.7
  
  How bout that stat? With the exception of 2007, Kelly's first year, UC's defense has been pretty much on par with ND's defense.

  
  wait, cincy replaced 10 starters on defense and still had a better squad than notre dame?
  
  thank you for arguing my point.
• Al Bundy

  Looking at yards allowed or points allowed is meaningless because they play two completely different schedules.
• Society

  Al Bundy wrote: Looking at yards allowed or points allowed is meaningless because they play two completely different schedules.

  The dumbass comedian doesn't understand that. Thank you for clarifying for him.