Kelly: Notre Dame Does Not Need to Change

That's the most important theme he expressed as far as I am concerned.

Notre Dame does not need to cut academic standards.

Notre Dame and its student athletes are different from other schools - they are expected to be gentlemen who are a credit to the School.

Notre Dame does not need to be in a Conference.

Notre Dame does not need Athletic Dorms and Athletic eating facilities.

Notre Dame does not need gimmicks.

Notre Dame does not need athletes who on day one are looking past Notre Dame to the NFL.

Notre Dame needs one and only one thing ... it needs the right Head Coach.

I cannot say for certain that we have him in Brian Kelly. But he's already shown me that he gets Notre Dame more than CW did. In his remarks upon being hired, CW made me wince when instead of being humble and honored to be chosen head coach and speaking of the special qualities of ND, he spoke arrogantly about Notre Dame's team not being good enough and his teams would play "nasty" football.

Now I was not surprised to hear that Kelly once wanted to be politician, because in a lot of respects he spoke like one. He'll either be the real deal or a smooth talking politician.

I am hoping that he's the real deal. Kelly describes himself as essentially being a "Subway Alum," as was Lou Holtz and that's what I am as well. I sometimes wonder whether we Subway Alums have a tendency to look at Notre Dame with more awe and place Notre Dame on a higher pedestal than actual graduates. I guess it would be a version of the notion that familiarity breeds less than awe.

I want Notre Dame to win at football as much as any other ND fan, but I want Notre Dame to win the Notre Dame way. The special way. It would be tough if I had to choose between Notre Dame winning the Notre Dame way and just winning. The thing is ... I don't believe that choice exists. I believe that when Notre Dame strays from being Notre Dame -- it does not help - It hurts on and off the field. I am not talking about adopting and holding firm to onerous, unjust, unfair and unbending rules and policies. Such things do not represent the Spirit of Notre Dame. Academic rules have their place, but they're not meant to bar kids like Rudy and Zorich, who demonstrated their being worthy of justly applied exceptions and who made the School proud. I am talking about Notre Dame remaining always true and faithful to her Spirit that makes her special.

One thing I learned as an athlete is that you do not truly appreciate winning, until you know what it feels like to lose. From time to time, Notre Dame goes through periods of losing on the football field. And when that happens, it puts our faithfulness in her Spirit and her Principles to the test. And it also makes winning all the more special.

I think the time has come for Notre Dame's football team and her true spirit and principles to triumph again - together and inseparable. Amen.