Blue & Gold Illustrated: America's Foremost Authority on Notre Dame Football
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/109499
eventual No. 4 finish in the Associated Press poll (highest in 19 years). Recruiting is getting closer and closer to matching that of perennial powers such as the Crimson Tide. At the time of Kelly's flirtation with the NFL, less than a month away from National Signing Day, the main gripe from those that believed he would ultimately see the light and return to Notre Dame was how much damage would result on the recruiting trail. "The recruits, I tell them up front that I'm committed to Notre Dame," Kelly said. The day after meeting with Lurie in Nashville, Kelly left for a short vacation with his wife. He didn't watch television or keep up with the news and reaction to his meeting until he returned five days later. Kelly released a statement on Saturday, Jan. 12, that said he would remain at Notre Dame. The coach said the one mistake he made in the process was waiting so long to address the situation. "I should have been more sensitive to the fact that there was this time period that had been going on and released a statement much sooner." Per Kelly, Philadelphia first reached out to Swarbrick within a day or so of dismissing Reid Dec. 30. Swarbrick then notified Kelly, and both agreed there would be no contact with the Eagles until after the BCS National Championship. "Subsequently, my agent was involved in talking and setting up a meeting with the Eagles on Tuesday [Jan. 8] when I was in Nashville accepting the American Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year Award [later the same day]. "If there was anything that I would have done differently, it would have been to close that timeline relative to my interview and coming out with a statement. I was on vacation with my wife, we were away, we weren't watching TV, but I should have been more sensitive to the fact that there was a time period going on and released a statement much sooner." Having knowledge of Philadelphia's interest for roughly a week before the biggest game of Kelly's career wasn't a distraction, he said. "I wasn't even certain I was going to interview," he explained. "It wasn't even on my radar. So there was never any consideration. It wasn't an option. I think I even said that it wasn't an option for me because I wasn't even thinking about it, and hadn't decided that that was the direction I was going to go." Now the compass is again pointed at the crystal football and a return trip to the title bout. After winning championships at the Division II level, claiming the top prize at Notre Dame would cement his place in Irish history. If he were to check that box, the NFL might be the next challenge. It wouldn't be surprising for him to have a change of heart. But for now, Kelly says he bleeds blue and gold. "I love Notre Dame," he said. "I love the college game, but I think the intrigue was more just finding out about it so it's now easy for me to say no." ✦