Kelly hopes QB Golson rejoins Irish in 2014

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said Tuesday that no other schools had contacted him or his university’s compliance office about Everett Golson’s availability for a transfer and he hoped the suspended quarterback would return to the Fighting Irish in 2014.

Golson, Notre Dame’s starter last season, revealed Sunday that he had been suspended for the fall 2013 semester after an incident of what he called “poor academic judgment.” The suspension will prevent him from playing football this season.

“In my conversations with Everett and his family, whatever he needs to do, he’s going to do it to get himself an opportunity to be considered back here at Notre Dame,” Kelly said in a teleconference.

“I think he started in my eyes by accepting responsibility,” Kelly continued. “Once you accept responsibility and follow through on what is asked of you month after month, that’s all I need to see from Everett. He doesn’t have to show me anything other than making sure he took responsibility for his actions, which he did, and understand that he made a mistake and he wants to atone for it. If the university allows him back in school, that will be enough for him to be back on the team.”

Though Golson has the chance to return to school as soon as January, Kelly would not commit to Golson returning as the starter. When asked if Golson would start for the 2014 Irish, Kelly did not answer directly, saying, “I’m really focused on right now.”

For 2013, three quarterbacks already in the program — rising seniors Tommy Rees and Andrew Hendrix and early-entry freshman Malik Zaire — will compete to be the starter. Kelly praised the former two for their experience and noted Zaire had made strides in his few months on campus.

“I think he’s made an impact in his football knowledge and acumen and the way he’s picked up things in a short period of time. Very impressed with that,” Kelly said. “I like the way he competed in the (spring) game. ... He’s got a lot of work left, but the early indications, we really like what we see from this young man.”