When asked about how Zaire has accepted his role as No. 2, Kelly hemmed and hawed and finally said, ask me Thursday. When asked about dissension in the locker room, specifically in the context of QB competition, Kelly said to look at the record which doesn't reflect the quality of the player talent or coaching staff. It has me wondering, is this the last week in the program for Moaning Malik?
[A transcript is now available so here are the questions and reponses:
Q. Finally, shortly before you named Kizer the full-time starter, you talked about whoever end up the number two guy, he better get out of the way. How is Malik Zaire holding up to that challenge?
BRIAN KELLY: You know, it's a tough role. It's a tough role. He is understanding what needs to do in that role, let's put it that way. It's evolving. It's evolving. Are you going to be here Thursday? You will be? Ask me Thursday.
...
Q. Lou Holtz was on a radio show this week where he said in his own times he had to look and probe closely to see if there was player dissension within the ranks, whether it's -- it can be taking sides on the quarterback or anything like that. Have you been able to gauge anything on that front?
BRIAN KELLY: We're 1-3. We're 1-3. Our players aren't that bad. Our coaches are pretty good coaches. I've been doing it for 27 years. Obviously, we're working through some things. We're working through some things and our guys are working through 'em. We're working through 'em, and we think we're going back in the right direction. So I think I've answered that question.]