Why ND Will Never Join the Big 10

The Big Ten conference released a statement today publicizing it's decision to explore adding a 12th team to the conference in the next 12 - 18 months.  Undoubtedly the most mentioned name on the list of possible additions will be the University of Notre Dame.  The Big Ten, which is currently made up of 11 teams (shouldn't it be called the "Big 11"... just a thought), has been unsuccessfully beckoning ND for years.

On the surface, it may appear to those outside of our "Irish Circle" that this proposed move would benefit all parties involved.  While the benefits of a conference affiliation are evident for most schools, Notre Dame has the ability to sustain its football program alone.

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The Irish Are Seeing Kelly Green

There is a party in South Bend tonight. The Irish faithful have reason to celebrate now that Brian Kelly will be assuming the role of Head Football Coach at the University of Notre Dame.  Christmas has come early, as Santa Swarbrick has fulfilled the wishes of many by delivering a proven winner to our storied program.

I've even heard reports that it's snowing shamrocks in Northern Indiana, the golden dome has turned Kelly Green, and the future chants of 81,000 fans can already be heard near Notre Dame Stadium.  Kelly! Kelly! Kelly!

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Speculation Station: Brian Kelly Interviewed by Dan Patrick

These days, the most mentioned name in the Notre Dame coaching search media circus is Brian Kelly.  Today Coach Kelly addressed the vacant Notre Dame job and the decisions that he will likely be making in the next few days in an interview on the Dan Patrick Show.  Here are some quotes from the Dan Patrick / Brian Kelly interview:

Dan Patrick: Do you guarantee you will coach in the Sugar Bowl?

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St. Patty's Prospects - Give and Take

In days like these, it is important for Irish fans to keep one thing in mind regarding recruiting… it could be worse. The Irish football program is currently at a crossroads, which is rarely a good thing for recruiting. The firing of a head coach usually leads to undecided recruits eliminating your school and/or de-commitments from players who previously verbally committed. Unfortunately, both of these situations have materialized in the discourse of the coaching transition at Notre Dame, but that is somewhat expected.

Most people would not expect a player committed to a different school to de-commit from that school and give a verbal commitment to a coach-less program. That is exactly what happened when Louis Nix changed his decision to play for the Miami Hurricanes and committed to Notre Dame.

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Speculation Station: Smoke from Two Camps

There has been a lot of buzz today surrounding the coaching search.  Here are two rumors that have stirred Irish fans:

Once again, "unnamed sources" started this one...
Irish Central says Brian Kelly IS the next coach

A new member of Irish Sports Daily started a rumor that Bob Stoops inked a deal with ND.  He claims that his brother works for the firm that moderated the deal.
Bleacher Reports summarizes the alleged Bob Stoops signing

One thing is certain -  rumors will continue to swirl and speculation will run amuck until ND makes the official announcement.  Up next: I'll guess your weight and bark for the yak-women.  What a circus!

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Dear Santa...

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas this year is for Notre Dame to pick themselves up off the floor, dust themselves off, and start off on the right path towards success. I have compiled a wish list for Notre Dame that I hope you will consider fulfilling this holiday season. Please don’t judge me, in regards to the naughty or nice list, based on my behavior while viewing or attending a Notre Dame games on Saturdays.

All I want for Christmas is...

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Speculation Station: Kelly, Stoops and Patterson

The two most common names mentioned in the ND coaching search speculation seem to be Stoops and Kelly. Here's a collection of other opinions about the chances of either coach arriving in South Bend.

Bob Stoops:
Sitting on Stoops?
Stoops says he's staying in Norman

Brian Kelly:
Why we like Kelly
Pat Forde says Kelly's a "perfect fit"
Kelly won't talk until after Pitt game



Maybe Kelly isn't talking becuase he doesn't want to spill the beans. We'll see...

It looks like Gary Patterson is no longer available for consideration: Patterson Signs Extension
On the other hand, the NY Times had this to say Monday:
Patterson said in a telephone interview that neither he nor his agent had been contacted by Notre Dame, but he called the university’s rich football history “intriguing.”

“I’d have to know the ins and outs,” Patterson said. “Just like anywhere, I’ve always listened.”

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