I've written a lot about the things Kelly has done with the program since last season ended. The new coaches, the strength staff, being around the team more, giving up play calling, etc. In my opinion, they are all good things. Full stop.
But, all it does is give the team a chance. Last year, the team didn't have a chance. He submarined an entire season by allowing the program to devolve into a shit show in the weight room, with his defensive staff, and with his own involvement. And in my opinion, he deserved to lose his job for it.
Last season was a referendum on Kelly, not the roster. That's why it's a little easier for me to predict a 9-10 win season, because I believe that's the type of roster it is, and I believe they've been given the best chance to succeed this season, as opposed to last season.
The question still remains whether Kelly can get the program where we all want it. He's still the guy who has gone for two, multiple times, in moronic situations that has cost them games. He's still never proven he can prepare for and win a big bowl game. He's still not recruiting at the level of his main rivals. A better process doesn't change his game day errors.
So there is a place where people can applaud Kelly for what he's done and still question whether or not he needs to move on.