Author posits a very plausible hypothesis that Jack will give Kelly 2 more years, no matter what, based on all the recent assistants hired (all with multi-year deals). To get rid of Kelly after 2017 they'd have to buy both Kelly and his staff out.
I'd add that the complete rebuilding of the staff can't really be judged after 1 year.
That said, no way Kelly survives back-to-back sub .500 seasons, but I suspect he'll be back if he gets to 8 wins whether we want him back or not.
Link: https://www.18stripes.com/notre-dame-football-brian-kelly-one-last-gasp-2017-tradition/