I understand it.

by Buffalo , The Dirty South, Wednesday, October 12, 2016, 05:51 (3121 days ago) @ Jay

Brian Kelly has never been shy about jabbing back in public at his detractors. He even publicly prodded the school during certain events (e.g., the Frozen Five deliberations).

Some feel that his public comments are gratuitous shots at his constituents. From "get used to it" to "if people have a problem with that, they're not going to be friends or fans of Notre Dame football, and I can't help that," some of his comments really take on a personal and possessive tone. As if you can't disagree with the way he's handling the team without betraying Notre Dame.

Most people who follow Notre Dame football (whether alumni or not) feel a deeper connection to the University than just another team to root for. They really bristle at the notion that this guy--who has been entrusted with what they perceive to be a nearly sacred institution--insinuates or expressly asserts that they are betraying the University if they turn on him. That makes it personal.

As a side note, I know a lot of people who will never forgive Kelly or Swarbrick for their failure to avert Declan Sullivan's death. I can understand that, too.

Finally, I know a number of people who work at Notre Dame who are upset at Kelly because they view him as the driver of what they consider an undue relaxation of standards--academic and personal behavior--for the football team. They view it is a character flaw. I disregard this view, largely, because I think these same people would bristle at pretty much any coach NOtre Dame hired whose name did not rhyme with Lyroam Billingham.