This is similar to what some other successful programs have done, and his familiarity with out program and the continuity his presence would bring would offset any transition he may have into the HC position.
ND is no place to learn the ropes as a head coach. Let him get his feet wet at another school; if he shows promise, then hire him. It might be a decade from now.
I think it was Ara who said he’d been a head coach for 13(?) years and needed every one of them tomorrow we him for the Notre Dame job.
"As in past years, the accountants also noted that Kelly “is permitted to receive compensation from external sources with prior written approval from the university.” Since the university is not a party to those agreements —- for example, between Kelly and Under Armour — and the coach doesn’t provide any services to the university because of those agreements, they don’t have to be included in this document."
Kelly is easily in the top ten of all college head coaches re: what he earns as head coach at ND. Because ND is a private institution, it is doesn't have the reporting requirements that public institutions typically have. Therefore, the total sum of what Kelly makes is typically shrouded in mist and fog. While I don't know specifically what Kelly makes in total, I once learned (since this is my career field of professional expertise) what one of ND's head coaches was making and his reported salary was a fraction of his total compensation.
Rest assured that Kelly is not underpaid in relation to his peers. While coaching pay may have lagged at one time at ND, I pretty much know that in the last 15 years, pay is not a cause of coaching turnover at ND nor does it really limit the guys ND wants to hire at the assistant coaching level. It has already been published that ND offered Mike Elko 1.8M to be DC when A & M was after him. Do you think Kelly was making only 1.86M? when they offered nearly the same for his DC?
Muschamp/Mack Brown at Texas. Muschamp ended up leaving and taking the FL job and never became TX head coach. This proves that the HC in waiting title doesn't mean much.
Jimbo Fisher/Bobby Bowden at FSU: Jimbo won a NC after Bowden retired, but the last few Bowden years were not good. Naming a HC in waiting basically is a death knell to the current coach since it undermines him and his authority. I wouldn't want to sacrifice Kelly's last few years (especially with how well ND is currently playing) just to keep Lea.
You may be referring to Riley at OU and Day at OSU. Both were promoted from within, but neither were ever named HC in waiting. If Kelly unexpectedly retires after this year, then Lea should be considered for a promotion like they were, but it doesn't mean you name him HC in waiting.
Also, Kelly will likely be the HC for at least another 2-3 years. That's a long time for Lea to wait. He may no longer be the hot name his is now at that time.
Usually you're pretty on with your posts but I think you are ill-informed here. All in all, I think if you looked at the whole arena of guys who had been officially named "Head coach in waiting, " you'd find no consistent indicator that it worked at all to retain coaches or as an indicator of future success as a head coach.
Even the use of the title "Assistant (or Associate ) Head Coach" does not mean "you're the next head coach." It serves as a mechanism to pay someone more money as well as a little expansion of responsibilities. It's like being called a Vice President at a Bank.
As a matter of fact, Mike Elston's title is "Associate Head Coach." but there is little chance he would replace Kelly if he left at the end of the year. And if Kelly couldn't coach on a given day, I suspect Bill Polian would be the substitute head coach.
Re: David Shaw's promotion from the Mercury News
"Bowlsby picked Shaw over a group of finalists that included associate head coach Greg Roman and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio.
The difference was Shaw’s unique combination of attributes: As Stanford’s offensive coordinator the past four years, he provides continuity for the program at a time of unprecedented momentum; as a popular former Stanford player, he brings a deep passion for the school and an understanding of its academic and athletic missions."
As to Riley, there were two other coaches titled Assistant Head Coach and Associate Head Coach. As I remember, there was general surprise in college football when Riley was named Head Coach.
He and several others interviewed for the job after Harbaugh left. There was no agreement that he would be made HC the moment Harbaugh left.
I believe Riley was recommended by Stoops, but there was no contractual obligations to make him HC the moment Stoops left.
You are correct on Day, but Meyer knew what season would be his last, and he was only HC in waiting for 1 season. Kelly is under contract through 2024.
Therefore, the earliest Swarbrick could lock in Lea is 2025. That is a lifetime in CFB. I'd agree if we knew this year or next year was going to be his last (as Meyer knew at tOSU), but by all accounts Kelly isn't leaving that soon.
Business colleague of mine hated Notre Dame, and when ND fired Willingham, he said Notre Dame fired him because ND was racist. Total dick move on his part, riding me hard about having gone to a racist school at a business happy hour in front of other colleagues.
I had the last laugh, though. He was a University of Washington grad and fan.
Evil preaches tolerance until it is dominant, then it tries to silence good.
I have no idea if Clark Lea is head coach material, success at DC means nothing And, ND has been down that road, see Bob Davie Id much prefer a candidate with proven success at the head coach level..BK could be still at ND 5 years or more, his current contract has 4 years left at a minimum THat's way too long for a "coach in waiting" even if I agreed to that principle..
Just pay Lea top dollar for a DC And if he does leave, for HC, You'll have a much better idea if he's the one to succeed BK...
He can spend the next few years learning under Kelly by being given more responsibility. Increase his role a little each year and in the final year make him Associate Head Coach or something like that. He's smart enough to figure it out. And the program has a much better foundation than it did when hiring Davie, Willingham or Weis. Seems pretty low risk.
I don't believe illusions because too much is for real.
The HC's coming from outside have a steeper learning curve (Kelly did). Notre Dame has very specific requirements.
I also forgot to mention the continuity in recruiting btw - yet another advantage.
