Rockne's Roundtable

Can't wait to read the rest of it.

Lou,
To add to what you posted, last year, I spoke to a few starters on that 88 team about what they thought about the coverage of Kelly and his screaming as well as what they felt we were missing to get back to where we belong amongst the football elite. They did not have a big problem with Kelly's screaming as they said they had experienced the same type of reactions from their coaches when they missed assignments (as mentioned in your post). However, they did add that the media coverage is so much more intense today than back in their day and thought it might not be good from a PR perpsective. They used the term "pollyannas" to describe the media, especially ESPN's coverage of the Kelly tirades.

Unfortunately, they did not have a crystal ball about what is keeping us from regaining the place in college football like when they suited up for ND. One of the players had met and liked Kelly. He did know of Kelly's background and success and felt he could do it at ND. Another item this player added, and I agreed, was that we needed to run the ball a bit more. Keep in mind, my conversations took place before and during the MSU game and we did end up running the ball more this year than the previous 4 or 5 years.

The other player had not met Kelly and did not know a lot about him, except to say that those who have met him have liked him. The interesting thing this former player said was he thought the missing ingredient was more between the ears (confidence, conditioned belief of success/winning). He thought we had plenty of talent, maybe not as much depth as the most elite programs, but enough to compete for both a BCS and National Championship. This player thought we would turn the corner as program soon.

Fyi, I have not spoken to either of these players since this conversation and I may not again until we tailgate during the Michigan game next year. Thought I would share it with everybody.

I've talked to a few of the players about this and they feel the same way. In fact they not only don't have a problem with it, they think it's kind of funny.....as long as they aren't the one getting yelled at but they said EVERYONE eventually gets yelled at.

I still stand behind the comment I made in the middle of the South Florida game, yell all you want but if it begins to become a distraction from the game then you've yelled too much.

In hindsight, if I just butchered the quarterback position I'd find someone to yell at also.

I played for high school and college coaches like Kelly, Holtz and Moore. They yelled they swore and they made me realize my face mask was a handle not protection. That being said I would only think that you can yell too much. I am more concerned with a coach who yells all the time. Players tune out eventually. When you really do have something to say or point to be made you may have already lost their attention. BK I have no problem.

This is good stuff Lou. I've always liked BK's coaching style. It's a breath of fresh air after our last three coaches. It's nice to see a lot of current and former players agree with his style.

I remember Holtz looking like he was going to explode on the sideline with veins popping out and all of that. I vividly remember Lou grabbing one of the big guys by the face mask and screaming at him as he came to the sideline and being seriously worried about Lou's well being. I do think if you are calling the plays such explosions can become a distraction and affect the quality of the play call and the communication of the play. Otherwise, as my wife says--"it's football!"

I love that, "If Moore yelled at you and saw that you didn’t like getting yelled at — he’d just do it more. It was like, ‘Take it like a man'." --That's how it should be IMO.