Until 2016, Kelly totally transformed the program. Not necessarily in the win column (barely above 8-4 avg season). But he made major strides in all aspects of putting the program back on the map. Love or hate him ND is a better program with much better talent than when he got here. What's lacking is there is still not a translation into WINS.
The comparison I am making is that Richt recruited well, had the program in good shape (media spot light) played in bowl games and won for the most part, but couldn't get over the "hump". Most schools would take that.
The problem was UGA aspired to do more, but weren't going to pull one of the biggest coaching names to come in and take over. Therefore they were in the odd position of "who's going to do BETTER for the OVERALL program". That's way for about 3 or 4 years Richt would be "fired" in September and be the best coach ever by Bowl season. Also, UGA has never had a coach the quality of Richt (not the case at ND). When it came to pulling he trigger, UGA couldn't find anyone "better" for the whole program. They considered Smart a "home run" and look what he did. The same to worse. It is year one, but given all the hoopla it's like they thought he'd bring a NC.
I think ND is in the exact same position.
Make sense?