It’s probably the understatement of the year, but Notre Dame’s 2016 football season has not gone according to plan. This fall was one of tremendous promise and expectations after Notre Dame posted double digits in the victory column for only the second time in head coach Brian Kelly’s tenure in South Bend In 2015, and fell just shy of a playoff berth. Both Malik Zaire and DeShone Kizer were named to Heisman Trophy watch lists and NFL experts drooled over a Notre Dame offensive line that continues to churn out high draft picks, with Pro Football Focus even being so bold as to name ND’s line the best in the nation.
Now at the bye week with a 2-5 record on the heels of losing to arguably the least talented Stanford team since before Jim Harbaugh roamed the streets of Palo Alto, Brian Kelly faces a new challenge: keeping his team focused while the noise and distractions around the program ramp up in intensity. The distractions have become so potent that they teeter on the brink of the absurd, such as this article listing Urban Meyer as a potential replacement for Kelly and naming Lane Kiffin – uh, what? – to the top of the replacement list. Despite the foolish chatter coming from all angles, there were some distractions with merit.
The long-term future of Notre Dame’s defense took a hit with the decommitment of 4-star defensive tackle Donovan Jeter, who boasts an elite list of suitors that includes Alabama, Michigan and Ohio State. Every Irish fan knows the defensive line is one area where Notre Dame can ill-afford to lose talent, but the most devastating part of Jeter’s decommitment involved his rationale for leaving, which began with a phone call from Michigan’s defensive line coach Greg Mattison, the same Michigan assistant who did everything in his power to convince Jaylon Smith to leave Notre Dame after defensive coordinator Bob Diaco left to fill the head coaching vacancy at Connecticut.
“[Mattison] was like, ‘I still want you real bad,’” Jeter told the media. “I look and Michigan is undefeated and Notre Dame is 2-5. Nothing against Notre Dame. They’ve had some tough losses. I have to find a place that’s home and a place that fits me. Notre Dame fits me. But I want to explore my options. I went on one visit and committed. That’s like marrying the first girl you kissed.”
Being compared to a girl you just don’t want to settle down with wasn’t a great way to start the week – Jeter committed to Michigan over the weekend and then took a shot at Brian Kelly.
“Talking to Brian Kelly wasn’t fun. It wasn’t cool. You have to make an appointment just to go to his office. Coach Harbaugh has an open-door policy. Every one of Michigan’s coaches has an open-door policy.”
Jeter did later apologize over Twitter but it still wasn’t a good look for Brian Kelly.
The bad news of losing Jeter was at least partially mitigated by gaining the commitment of 4-star defensive back Elijah Hicks. But the distractions confronting the team weren’t all external. Sadly, a damaging one came from within.
Word came after Notre Dame’s loss to Stanford that defensive lineman Jerry Tillery, a Louisiana native, had liked several tweets advocating former LSU head coach Les Miles take Kelly’s place, such as the tweet, “Les Miles head coach of Notre Dame next season, please”. In the face of criticism Tillery deleted his likes and posted the following tweet: “Likes don’t = endorsements. We’re committed to this team and these coaches. #goirish.”
Tillery’s defense is an interesting one given the literal definition of the word “like” is to “wish or prefer”, but the oddity of watching a starter on Notre Dame’s team being forced to backtrack his support of bringing in another head coach is the perfect symbol for the 2016 season. And Brian Kelly must deal with all of these off-the-field nuisances while preparing for a Miami Hurricane program that, despite its 4-3 record, is showing signs the “U” will eventually become a dominant program again under new head coach Mark Richt.
Notre Dame’s defense has yet to be tested by a truly gifted passing quarterback but that is exactly what they will face in Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya. The junior and former 4-star recruit has thrown for 1,696 yards this season – good enough to be No. 30 nationally – and managed 323 yards passing and two touchdowns against a Virginia Tech defense that is ranked 10th nationally. And while Miami’s defense is not as highly regarded as Virginia Tech’s, it’s also not too far off. The Hurricanes boast the 12th ranked scoring defense in the country, which is bad news for a Notre Dame offense that has only managed 13 points over the last two games.
This week has been a difficult one for the Notre Dame program, but it should also serve as a warning. If Brian Kelly is unable to find a way to keep his team focused with all the negativity surrounding the program now, a decommitment and questionable twitter usage will be the least of his worries moving forward.
Scott Janssen is a blogger for The Huffington Post and has authored several nationally-featured articles, including an appearance on MSNBC as a sports contributor. He talks football 24 hours a day, much to the chagrin of his wife and those around him. Scott can be reached at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter.
Jeter…hold on. Three more losses and Brian (you-know) Kelly will be gone. Mia, Navy and the final blow, Army will push him out the door. He’ll be too embarassed to face defeats at hands of VaT and USC.
I love all the “we didn’t want him anyway” talk when you’re a hapless 2-5, likely to finish as the worst season in program history. Any player who doesn’t want a piece of that must obviously have character issues. While we’re at it, lets expel a few starters too.
Credit where credit is due- an old Jewish tradition-
George, that post was . . . ” “Beautiful, just f*#ing beautiful!”
As little Louie’s dad told his sister when she announced at the dinner table that Wayne just knocked her up, “Beautiful, just f*#ing beautiful!”
A couple of young kids making less than ideal comments and/or decisions. Big Fkng deal. Happens to every program out there. Bummer losing out on Jeter but considering the direction ND is heading right now sort of takes the surprise right out of it. Dont be surprised if ND loses a few more before all said and done. Tillery pressing the “like” button. Who cares.
I believe the incident with Donovan Jeter was more of a reflection of his lack of character than anything BK did or didnt do. It would have been one of thing if he was man enough to come and take responsibility for the change in his commitment, but the fact that he needed to take a shot at BK reveals his lack of maturity and character. Jeter liked him enough to commit to him in the first place. The whole thing with Jerry Tillery, I would cut his underachieving ass from the squad, he can go follow Les Miles wherever he lands. You cannot build a team around guys like these. I never thought I would live to see the day when football coaches had to baby their players or kiss recruits ass. I thought football players where supposed to hard nosed individuals. Sadly in today’s climate of entitled adolescents both are expected. So very sad. Go Irish!
What a bunch of BS, recruits are fickle , especially possibly spoiled ones who did not want to take another language class as required by ND. We will see. Keep the faith.
Nobody DID this to Kelly, HE did this to himself AND ND. This season, and all the resulting ramifications belong to HIM. Unfortunately, we as fans must just take a bite of the sandwich, or die.
I can understand why the blogger’s wife and those around him are chagrined by this guy’s writing. Huffington Post and MSNBC are his credits? Wow!
@domertom
In my defense I was causing those around me to be chagrined way, way before my work with The Huffington Post and MSNBC. 🙂
I enjoy The Huffington Post and MSNBC.
@domertom will probably watch Trump TV after Trump loses the election.
Frankie,
When are We going to start talking about basketball?
When a recruit chooses a school, it will likely be based on 1) what that choice will mean for his future (and with some recruits, both during and beyond his football days) and 2) whether he likes or at least respects his coach. A coach’s personality is what it is, and not all of them will be enamored with him. This year so far begs the question as to whether the players and recruits have the respect for BK that is needed. Without respect comes a loss of confidence- which might serve as exhibit A!
Here’s hoping the Irish find a way to win.
Despair has trumped hope, which is evident with most ND fans these days.
More importantly, do the players still believe?
No worries….he’s been doing this for 27 years.