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Kelly is Doug Collins, but Swarbrick isn't Jerry Krause by gregmorrissey

I think it's that simple. We are in a good position, but in all likelihood have reached the pinnacle of Brian Kelly's abilities.

But, there is a big difference between making a change because you've found Phil Jackson, and making a change because you're tired of Brian Kelly and like Tim Floyd (apologize for the mixed metaphors).

First, I think the issue goes beyond Brian Kelly and Jack Swarbrick. I don't think Notre Dame's institutional leadership are interested in sticking their head above the crowd to be elite. And, I think that goes for all parts of the university and not just football.

Second, what is the payoff for pursuing elite status in football? Because the risks are myriad -- financial, reputational, failure to achieve. For Notre Dame, is there a rational argument to making the same kind of commitment as Ohio State, Clemson, or Alabama?

Now back to my original comment, how does Notre Dame identify and hire "Phil Jackson"? It's not fucking Matt Campbell that's for sure. If the last 20 years have shown us anything, it takes elite coaches who are elite recruiters to win multiple national championships. Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, Urban Meyer, Pete Carroll. Luke Fickell has to be the first call -- any maybe the only current head coach call. Beyond him, it would take a ton of work - analyzing the traits it requires to be successful at ND, analyzing recruiting performance, observing intangibles like leadership, demeanor, etc. It's not conducive to a firing then public search process. It's a behind the scenes search and orchestration, i.e. you only fire Kelly once you have the next guy identified and "signed". Who at Notre Dame do you trust to execute that kind of search?