Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Kelly Wants That Old Irish Attitude for New Regime at Notre Dame

Filed under: Notre DameNOTRE DAME, Ind. -- Notre Dame welcomed the advent of fall camp on Friday at noon with a brand new head coach, Brian Kelly, meeting the media in a brand new reception area (the Naimoli Club; colleague Brian Hamilton cracked that he paid a $50 cover), eager to launch a brand new era.

"I think we were ready to go about two weeks ago," said Kelly, dressed smartly in a Kelly-green polo shirt with an ND insignia on its sleeve. "Three weeks ago would probably be even better."

The media guide, delivered to the school's media relations department only yesterday, was telling. On its cover you will not find Kelly, nor will you find preseason All-Americans Michael Floyd or Kyle Rudolph. Instead, you'll notice a painting by Cincinnati-based artist Tyler Hildebrand, commissioned specifically for the guide, of Rockne-era Irish players running out of the tunnel. That nod to heritage was Kelly's idea.

"That is the pervasive theme here," said Kelly. "Let's get back to the great tradition, who we are, how we play the game. We won't go as far as no facemasks, but I will tell you that toughness, that 'Fighting Irish,' is certainly the theme that we want to continue to advance forward." Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Commentsroad bikes inline skates copper mountain

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