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Notre Dame Football: Wondering Wednesday – How Long Will Brian Kelly Stay at Notre Dame?

By Andrew Hall

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Brian Kelly of Notre Dame Fighting Irish talks to an assistant coach in the third quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Brian Kelly of Notre Dame Fighting Irish talks to an assistant coach in the third quarter of a game against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Brian Kelly has coached eight years in South Bend. His future appears to be secure after a 9-3 rebound season in 2017.

Here is what we are wondering about the Notre Dame football program on this Wednesday. How long will Brian Kelly stay in South Bend?

His eight-year tenure at Notre Dame ranks as the fifth-longest stint in the school history. The grandfather of Irish football, Knute Rockne, coached for thirteen seasons in South Bend. Frank Leahy, Ara Parseghian, and Lou Holtz each graced the sidelines for eleven years.

Kelly’s time in South Bend is extremely unique. Of the coaches who have coached as much as he has at Notre Dame, all won National Championships.

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His 2017 campaign secured his future for at least another year. The 2018 season appears set for success. The Irish could return twenty players with starting experience. So, a return in 2019 and 2020 seem likely. At that point, Kelly would have eleven years in South Bend.

“I’ll be sipping a Mai Tai on the beach somewhere. Watching that game.”

Brian Kelly said that in reference to a question about Notre Dame scheduling Texas A&M for a 2024-2025 home-and-home series. Although the quote was from 2014, there is probably a lot of truth to comment.

Therefore, the end of the Kelly regime likely comes between 2020 and 2023. Whether he meets his end by his own choice or by the hand of Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick remains to be seen.

Most likely, this is Kelly’s last stop. Following the BCS National Championship Game in 2012, it felt as if it was only a matter of time before the former Assumption Linebacker left for greener pastures. But now, it feels like championship or bust in South Bend.

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If Kelly would happen to win a title, it would be a wonderful way for him to depart. But, these things are never that clean.

Put your money on him leaving in one way or another in the early part of the next decade.

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