Notre Dame Football: Brian Kelly Could Retire on the Heels of a Championship

The Notre Dame football 2020 recruiting class is currently ranked in the top ten nationally. A class like this could be the foundation of a strong team a few years down the road–right around the time that Brian Kelly decides to retire.

Have you ever tried to speak something into existence? Yeah, me too.

The Notre Dame football team has a record of 22-4 over the past two seasons. As is usually the case, their solid performance on the field is positively affecting their recruiting classes.

The 2020 class recently moved into the top ten on 247 Sports after the commitment of running back Chris Tyree. It may be too early to judge, but I think Notre Dame’s 2021 class has the chance to do the same.

The last Notre Dame recruiting class that was ranked higher than 10th (according to 247 Sports) was the 2013 class. The six subsequent classes all finished ranked somewhere between 10th and 15th.

Now, the Irish staff has a chance to bring in back-to-back classes ranked in the top ten. Doing so would create some real momentum and lay the foundation of a return to the College Football Playoff.

Part of the reason why these recruits want to come to South Bend is to play for Brian Kelly and his staff.

The Notre Dame head coach is currently under contract through 2021. In a recent interview with Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated, Kelly said, “I may look to see if we can add two more years.”

If Kelly gets his wish, he would be coaching the Irish during the 2023 season. Barring any transfers, dismissals, or early departures to the NFL, the 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes will be entering their senior and junior years respectively.

There are a ton of variables that could change the outlook of the Notre Dame football team over the next few years, but let a man dream for a moment.

Picture this entering the 2023 season.

The 2020 and 2021 recruiting classes for the Irish both finish ranked in the top ten nationally. The success rate of the players in those two classes is above average. The 2022 and 2023 classes are at least ranked in the top 15 nationally.

There are no significant roster losses due to any reason. There is no irregular staff turnover, and none of the coordinators on the staff are entering their first year at Notre Dame in 2023.

Finally, alcohol sales are allowed at every concession stand in Notre Dame Stadium. Yes, this is an essential part of this hypothetical situation.

If all of that somehow falls into place. We could all witness an all-time great college football story unfold in 2023.

Rumors about Brian Kelly’s retirement would be talked about throughout the season, but the team, staff, and (most of) the fanbase would all rally behind him in his final season.

Naturally, the Irish would throttle USC under the lights in Notre Dame Stadium in front of 80,000 drunker-than-usual Irish fans.

Then, the team would go on to finish the year 15-0 after winning the College Football Playoff in the first year that it is expanded to eight teams. If we’re really lucky, maybe one of those victories in the playoffs will come against Michigan.

Actually, let’s be real, Michigan ain’t making it to the College Football Playoff.

After that magical season ends with the Notre Dame football team claiming their first national championship in 38 years, a tearful Brian Kelly officially confirms that he is retiring.

He would walk away as a national champion and as the winningest and most-tenured Notre Dame football coach in the school’s history. You could not write a better ending to Kelly’s career.

See, wasn’t that fun? Was it real, or was it all a dream? EndingSceneFromInception.gif