Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/109499
fan forum maybe when you're 12-0 and No. 1 in scoring defense, you don't want to mess with what got you there. That can be a blessing and a curse. A Third Surprise? I have been an avid Notre Dame follower since the early 1950s. This year may have been the most interesting year yet for the team. With the possible exception of Ara Parseghian's 1964 team, I have never been as pleasantly surprised as I was with this year's regular season. We can be very proud of the players and coaches. At the same time, I have never seen a Notre Dame team so physically manhandled as the Irish were by Alabama. What a disappointing surprise that was. Now maybe we can see surprise number three — a national championship next season. After the 1972 season, Nebraska clobbered the Irish, 40-6, in the Orange Bowl. Many contend that dent in the Irish pride was the impetus behind Notre Dame's rise to number one in 1973, with only seven returning starters. I'm not sure we have the same horsepower now, but we can hope. Hugh O'Brien '66 Dallas An Issue Of Credibility I do not begrudge anyone from trying to seek a better professional position and to move ahead in this world. However, the audacity of Coach Kelly to interview for a new position with the NFL on the day after he and his team were embarrassed and humiliated on a national stage is outrageous. Does not Kelly have an employment contract? What [credibility] does he now have with last year's and this year's recruiting class? What [credibility] does Kelly have with Notre Dame administration, students and alumni? All of Kelly's talk over the last three years about Notre Dame now sounds disingenuous. Kelly is a good coach, and maybe someday he may become a great college coach, but his actions bring into question whether he has the character to obtain greatness for himself or Notre Dame. Mark Bonenfant Los Angeles Every Man For Himself What possible advantage was there for the university, the football program and each individual football player to give Coach Kelly permission to talk to the Eagles [following] the national championship game? For those who allowed it, Notre Dame football has become every man for himself, the worst possible message for the players, the program and Notre Dame. William O'Connor Hammond, Ind. be heard! Send your letters to: Letters Blue & Gold Illustrated P. O. Box 1007 Notre Dame, IN 46556 or e-mail to: lsomogyi@blueandgold.com