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It's an inevitable part of the coaching industry. Successful college coaches get courted by the pros. After a fantastic season in which he orchestrated a major turnaround at Notre Dame, everyone knew that Brian Kelly was going to be a hot item.
So when the NFL came calling, Kelly listened. Why wouldn't he? Why wouldn't he investigate a potential pay raise... and a perceived promotion, at least from the industry's standards? It would be irresponsible for him not to check it out.
Kelly did, and came to the conclusion that Notre Dame was the best fit.
My hope now is that Kelly realizes that Notre Dame will likely always be his best fit.
Brian Kelly doesn't belong in the NFL. He belongs in the college game. He's a program builder. A motivator of young men. His tactics are proven time & again with 18-22 year olds. He has this game figured out. Why jump to a new game and start over? Kelly knows his philosophy works at the college level. There's no guarantee his tactics would be as successful with professional players. In covering Kelly for three seasons, it's clear he sees himself as a teacher. His face lights up when talking about seeing his players develop. Communicating, developing and leading these kids is what's allowed Kelly to be a colossal success at every stop he's made. Good luck reaching a multi-millionaire QB in the NFL the same way you can a young kid who's eager to learn.
Jack Swarbrick told the SB Tribune this weekend he wants his coaches to explore other opportunities, with the hope of realizing the grass isn't always greener. Whether it's grass of field turf, it doesn't get any greener for a coach of Kelly's pedigree than right here.
Kelly and Notre Dame are a perfect match. He's the one man in the last fifteen years (since Lou Holtz) who's been able to successfully balance Xs & Os with the foresight and charisma of a successful CEO.
Conversely, Notre Dame is a great fit for Brian Kelly. Kelly said it himself on the day he was hired. "Nobody does it like Notre Dame." Continue to build on the success of 2012, and the sky's the limit. Championships are a reality.
Kelly has a chance to be the next legendary coach in the Notre Dame lineage. A real chance to lead the Irish back to a national title. To be the next guy with a statue outside the house that Rockne built.
As long as he wants to. The next time a call comes from the NFL... four words will do: Thanks, but no thanks.
He's already got the best job in the game.