Notre Dame Football: Don’t Let Change Scare You

Notre Dame football has endured more change than it has in 10 years in less than three months, but don’t let the unknown begin to worry you.

Must Read: Has Brian Kelly Left the Hot Seat?

Few teams in the NCAA have done what Notre Dame did this offseason. Adding a new offensive and defensive coordinator, a strength coach, special teams coach, and starting a new quarterback. That’s a lot to take in as a team let alone a fan. But stay calm.

As I scrolled through my timeline on Facebook, I came across an article cautioning Notre Dame fans to embrace of the change. Should we be concerned about all the change? Was the main point of the story. It wasn’t that the writer for was scared for all the new in South Bend, was more stating that people were. Most times, I’ll just shake my head and move on to the next read, but this one intrigued me.

I’ve heard of fans overreacting that the Fighting Irish were now basically guaranteed a College Football Playoff run, but not the opposite. For the first time since the whole, “get rid of Brian Kelly,” fiasco was going on did I read something about a negative future for the Irish.

What’s there not to like, I questioned. Chip Long is an animal on the offensive end, and with the weapons, he has this year he should average around 100 points per game. Mike Elko has a defensive scheme built to succeeded and is one of the best young coaches in the game. Matt Balis actually scares me.

Then I thought to myself, “what if it’s the extra stuff that’s scaring people?” The new stadium, uniforms, or the overall fact that Notre Dame was becoming more modernized. Change does bring fear, and when it comes in masses, it tends to worry people, I understand that.

Reading the article, it appeared more that these writers, and the fans who followed, weren’t scared of the change, but more uncertain of it. Even then, the competitor in me still questioned it. “Why the hell are you worried about making this team so good?” Completely disregarding the fact that Notre Dame is yet to play a game since their 4-8 embarrassment of the season in 2016.

I eventually left the post. I couldn’t wrap my head around people’s skepticism, and it began to upset me. I may not be the strongest believer in change, but looking at this team, a lot of change was needed. Notre Dame was years behind the rest of the NCAA, and now, they feel like a modernized program on and off the field.

Don’t let change scare you. If these coaches were unknown and unproven, then it’d be okay to question them. But they are winners and leaders. And simply, some of the best coaches out there now all in one place. The 4-8 team barely exists anymore. So, leave you concerns with the past and feel good about 2017.

No one knows if this team will win a National Championship next season, but I can tell you there’s a lot better shot than they’ve had in years. Yes, there are a lot of unknowns still, but they’re only in spring practice, and already it feels like something special. Let the season begin before you worry. For now, just enjoy the rise of this program. If they crash and fail, we’ll deal with it then, but don’t let that concern you all offseason.

Next: Top 20 Players of the 2017 Season

Change it good. When you go 4-8 the year before, change it needed. Notre Dame may have done everything all at once, but it was all necessary to recreate this program. The new Fighting Irish start now, and they’re already looking like the champions.