Kelly says Notre Dame’s problems in guidance, not quality of recruits
if you create an environment and you lay out the expectations of your program and they are not met, then they should be SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame coach held accountable. Brian Kelly on Saturday dismissed talk “Look, this is never a one-sided issue. that he needs to do a better job of recruitWe have to internally look at providing ing players who are better students to our student-athletes all of the resources avoid the academic problems that have necessary that if, in fact, they took shortplagued the football program for the cuts, that they don’t. We have to look past 15 months. hard at that.”
“I think we’ve brought in the right Players know the high standards of young men,” he said. “I think we have Notre Dame, Kelly said, adding that his to continue to do a better job educating rules of conduct for players are posted them. We have to do a better job of proin the locker room: “Treat women with viding the resources.” respect, don’t cheat, don’t lie and don’t
The news conference was the first steal.” time Kelly talked to the media since Kelly said he doesn’t have any more the university announced a day earlier information about the investigation that starting cornerback KeiVarae Rusthan what the university announced at sell, leading returning receiver DaVaris the news conference Friday, saying as a Daniels, defensive end Ishaq Williams coach he will be “on the outside looking and backup linebackerin.”Kendall Moore were being withheld from practices and He said his reaction to the news was games until the university completes an “shock and disappointment.” investigation into whether papers and But Kelly said he’s proud that Notre homework they turned in were completDame has high standards, saying it’s one ed by others. of the reason he accepted the job.
Kelly said no one involved in the inves“We don’t look the other way,” he said. tigation has asked to talk to him or his The players were informed Friday staff. He cautioned against assuming the about the investigation. Kelly said he players are guilty, saying the investigahasn’t talked with them since. tion is ongoing. The Irish, who open the season against
Kelly said it’s his job as coach to creRice on Aug. 30, have faced other acaate an environment where players know demic problems. they can’t cut corners. Starting quarterback Everett Golson
“If you let your players do whatevmissed last season because of academer they want and they feel like they’re ic impropriety, and Daniels sat out the not accountable, then I don’t think you spring semester. Kelly described them should be a head coach,” he said. “I think as “good kids who made bad decisions.”
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS