Don't be quick to react...always look at all the viewpoints!

Often we react without thinking...sometimes we 
think, and don't react!

News comes to us and we can only see our viewpoint!

It's hard to put yourself in the shoes of others and see 

opportunity from their "viewpoint" of what it means. 

The next few weeks are going to be interesting in my
opinion...We have to take what comes with 
a grain of salt, and not get to excited or upset regardless!

Now...I usually don't  blog this close together, but

if the next few weeks go the way I see them, I need

my people prepared!

Well...Rutgers went pretty much the way I expected.

We hit 9 wins and are ready to watch our recruits 

perform at the Under Armor and Army All American

games. 

Now....ON TO THE BIG NEWS!

We hired Troy Niklas's Father for our new D-cord!

Just kidding...but what Kelly did in my opinion was 

a thing called "Addition by subtraction" 

Diaco leaves....We ALL PANIC!...and BOOM!

Kelly hits a HOME RUN hire!

BRIAN VANGORDER

Now...in addition to the INCREDIBLE 70's porn 

mustache!...there is a lot more to be happy about here!

Now..I can list the programs he's coached at!

I can shoot stats that will make you warm and fuzzy!

I could show you his LAUNDRY list of NFL draft picks!

His awards...etc!

No...I'd rather tell you about a conversation I had with 

a gentlemen from the south that's well connected in

SEC locker rooms that Brian has been in...

From what I'm hearing Brian is...

Dalton Baby!

He's hard...no nonsense, and it's

 MY WAY OR THE HIGHWAY!

He was groomed under the same coaching 

tree as Kelly and has a close relationship 

with Brian.

When I say MY WAY...he's known for taking
NO SH#T...he will flat run off players that 

don't comply with the mission of the 

defense!

He's not handcuffed to a system...

3-4....4-3?...doesn't matter..

He tailors his D to the personal on the team!

He does have one common preference!

BIG PHYSICAL LINE BACKERS!

He wants MONSTERS at the LB position!

He want's his linebackers to draw so much attention

that it frees up D linemen!

He likes BRUISERS!...He likes HITTERS!

ELIMINATE THE RUN AND MAKE THE
OPPONENT ONE DEMENTIAL!

Not known for his pass coverage so this marriage

is perfect with a veteran like Elliot coaching the 

secondary!

Of course it's hard to pass from your back!

Word from the Georgia program is that it's never 

been the same sense he left!

He prides himself in creating an "IDENTITY" for his

defense...nasty, hard hitting, pin your ears back

playmakers!

This is a tested coach....with an established track record,

walking into a laboratory full of talent!

I found NO ONE, that had anything but 

positive things to say....He's a perfect fit!

NOW...ON TO MY NEXT 

SPEAKING POINT!

There are some times in life....regardless of your 

position, or happiness in your current situation, if

people request a meeting with you to discuss 

opportunity...YOU LISTEN!

You listen out of respect...and you listen to not 

burn a bridge, or allow an industry to paint a picture of

you in an unflattering light!

*This one is for the ladies! 

I'm a financial planner, I've been doing it for

17 years...I've achieved success in the profession due to 

hard work, ethics and determination!

I own my own firm and my machine is pretty much built

and taking care of it's self...and my family and future!

I'm happy!...I have no desire to do anything else the rest

of my working days...but what I'm doing...

I don't want any other boss than ME...and my clients!

(and wife!) 

That being said....IF

They called...I'd board a plane...taxi to their office and listen!

The entire time they were talking to me...I'd realize that I have 

no desire to change...I have no desire to move my family...

I have no desire to work for them!

But out of respect...I'd listen!

Money is not everything...opportunity can mean

more than income!

Ask Chuck Martin who took a pay DE-CREASE

to become the head coach of Miami!

Cause what if?...I'm 41, what if in five years things change?

What if I get the itch to expand?...or change my challenges in life?

What if?.....So I'd listen!

So with that being said...change you viewpoint!

Change your way to reacting to things when the rumors 

start to swirl!

Cause...Brian Kelly in the past 4 years has had 

FOUR ASST. COACHES LEAVE TO BE
HEAD COACHES OF MAJOR
PROGRAMS!

He's got one of the highest winning percentages of current

coaches, that have been doing this for twenty or more years!

They are going to call!

He's going to listen!

It means NOTHING!

So relax....If nobody is trying to hire your head 

coach, then you don't have a very good head coach!

There is gonna come a time, when Kelly 

has accomplished all he can at ND, and he

will move on to the NFL!

But I'd say he will be holding a crystal football 

before we have to worry about it!

Do you think he'd hire a close friend from the 

NY Jets...just to drop him and leave?

So sit back and toast the direction of your 

beloved IRISH!

And realize....the future is bright,

FROM ANY VIEWPOINT!

GO IRISH & GOD BLESS!

See ya 2013....You'll be in the rearview mirror..but not forgotten!

Sometimes when you're "within" a moment you don't 

realize what that moment means, until you look back at it

after some time passes.

One of my favorite passages in the book "Don't sweat the 

small stuff and it's all small stuff" is the passage that

asks you stop...take a moment and when

your "tragedy" is happening...ask 

yourself, "In a year will this matter?" and if the answer 

is "NO" then it's not worth getting all worked up over!

We've had a HELLACIOUS 2013 football year!

But you know what...it's in the past and with some time 

to reflect and the aid of a nice glass of Jameson 

Black Barrel...it wasn't that bad!

When "GOLSON-GATE" happened  I was the first 

chicken to scream the sky was falling!

But then...I reflected on our situation and realized

that 12-0 had just gone out the window...but 10 wins 

was still within our grasp!

We battled...lost some soldiers along the way to injury.

We played games without Lou...and won!

We dropped some games to inferior teams...and recovered!

We laid an egg to Pitt...and yet still beat the Big Ten Champs!

So the IRISH glass...1/2 empty or 1/2 full?

We played one of the top 20 toughest schedules in the country!

In fact, out of the top 10 teams in the BCS, with the exception

 of Stanford, ALL PLAYED weaker schedules!

We played 4 teams that finished in the top 14 of the BCS...

Beat two of them and lost to two of 

them...but not by much!..

Hell...30% of our schedule are playing in BCS bowls.... 

NO ONE played 12 games in which their opponents won 

more games than ND...not one team!

Almost half our schedule won TEN OR MORE games!

And at the end of the day....we did all this with our 

back up QB!

We did all of this breaking in NUMEROUS freshmen starters

and relief players!

We did all of this...and most likely will still win 9 games!

And we did all this coming off a season where we lost 2 asst. coaches!

Take a minute and think about that!

Oh...and we still churned out graduates that will either 

move on to the NFL or into the world to make it a 

better place....so 1/2 full?

I'd say so...

RUTGERS

6-6

I mean...there's not much to say...they aren't very good!

Their best win I'd say is Arkansas if beating 

the worst team in the SEC is a chest pounder? 

They played the 89th toughest schedule in the country,

and still went 500!

85th in the country in total Offense!

68th in total Defense...but 120th vs the 

pass, so that should just be a field day!

So barring a COMPLETE meltdown we should

finish the 2013 campaign with 9 wins!

So....What's that do for the state of affairs?

It's time to reflect and realize this ship is headed in 

the right direction!

With the playoff system looming and the emphasis on 

a "Body of work" or as we've been preaching for years...

Your "Strength of Schedule" will make your team!

We have have an opportunity laid out before our IRISH!

We have statement games next season vs the REIGNING Heisman 

winner in his house!

We get to the opportunity to send Michigan on their 

way in our house!

We get to ruin Sark's first season at USC for the icing 

on this cake!

Oh...and by the way we get to do all of this with only losing

-3 starters on offense!

4- starters on defense!

And...with this under center!

2014 will be "breaking point" of the ND program!

It will be the "NO EXCUSES" year for the offense!

Brian Kelly has MORE TALENT than he's EVER had

in one offensive huddle!

We have DEPTH upon DEPTH on the offensive side of the 

ball...we should have the chance to WIN every game....NO EXCUSES!

Now...what's the D gonna look like?

Is Jarron Jones for real?

Is Jarret Grace ready to become a household name!

What is Jayon's ceiling...or does he have one?

Are Cole Luke and Devin Butler as good as we think 

they are?

What members of the Golden Army will compete early?

Are we on the verge of RUDY 2 with Joe Schmidt? 

2012 was special!

2013 was...let's say unexpected!

2014?....What should the teams facing ND expect?

So sit back and remember the good times of 2013...but 

also remember the bad times....cause it's the bad times 

that will make 2014 that much sweeter!

GO IRISH!

BEAT RUTGERS!

GOD BLESS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Balance is key...You're either "optimistic" or "realistic"... Can you be both?

Your favorite team often falls into the part of your brain 

where the concept of "balance" is foreign. 

It's kinda like your kids...you love them unconditionally!

They screw up..sure your disappointed, but it doesn't make 

you love them less!

They succeed..your pride is often displayed by a a natural glow 

coming from your face...along with a devilish grin that a surgeon  

couldn't remove!

When it comes to our BELOVED IRISH...well, that takes

me to the dilemma of, am I too "optimistic" and 

are my expectations "realistic"?

This season has reminded me of a Christmas special 

with beautiful ladies, awesome music, incredible stage

decorations...then halfway through you realize your

host for the evening is Charles Manson!

You're deflated...your excitement is tempered and you 

just don't know how the ending is gonna go, 

but your not quite as excited as you 

were when the whole thing started!

Stanford

Home of the overly educated...eccentric and not quite 

as funny as they think they are, really geeky band!

Oh...and the no. 8 Stanford Football team.

Stanford is no joke!

They've played a really odd mix of games this season.

They somehow figured out how to lose to

 Utah...who is 4-7!

Then they completely DESTROYED the 

Ducks who are 9-2

Then with the exit of Lane Kiffen the Trojans 

have pretty much beat the hell outta everyone

they've played including Stanford..but not ND??

So the Cardinal?...who are they?

Well they are a 9-2 team ranked top ten in the country 

who has:

1. Played a TOP 5 Strength of Schedule!

2. Their Defense is 22nd in the country

-but 101st vs the pass!

-and 3rd vs the run!

3. Their Offense is 69th in the country

-32nd rushing the ball!

-90th passing the ball!

So what does that all mean? 

It means lets be "optimistic" 

"But Damefan are you sure?" 

Look I'm from Ohio...I've lived with OVERLY optimistic,

yet WILDLY un-realistic people my entire life!

I know the difference!

Well...I'm here to talk to you about why we should be:

"OPTIMISTIC" 

1. IF...IF we establish the run we can control the game!

-Stanford is not a great pass defense, but if they 

know your passing the ball every down they 

will drop eight and make it very hard for us!

BALANCE!

Coach Martin will have to call a good game!

2. IF..IF we show up on defense!

-Stanford can run the ball...control the run,

force them to pass, which they are not great 

at and you control the game!

JARRON JONES and TUITT and FOX and CARLO

will all have to have the games of their year!

3. IF...IF we don't turn the ball over!

But is it "realistic"? 

I mean...they've played tougher teams!

They've seen "elite" speed!

We are BEAT UP...and have several starters out!

It's at their house!

They are still dumb enough to think this was a TD!

   Things have just not gone our way this year?

But....this is why they play the game..

This is why the IRISH have the word "FIGHTING" in 

their name!

This is our chance....will we RISE UP...or get beat down?

Are we "optimistic" with good reason?

Or are we just not being "realistic"?

Well my brothers and sisters...it's gonna be about the 

"X's and O's" of the game...

ND-One of only 3 teams with 3 wins over 

BCS top 25 teams!

ND-has two wins over BCS top 12 teams!

ND-had played 7 top 50 defenses and is 4-3 

Stanford- has played 3 top 50 defenses and is 2-1

Stanford- has played 6 top 50 offenses and is 4-2

ND has played 2...and is 2-0

You know what...I'm not really sure what it all means....but 

it seems to me that this is gonna be one hell of a game!

What this means to me...in a season playing with a QB 

that was never recruited to be the starter, and with 

the amount of injuries we've experienced....Hell I'm not mad at ya!

Just imagine what happens next year!

For that my friends I'm very OPTIMISTIC

and that feeling is very REALISTIC!

GO IRISH and GOD BLESS!

Wow...That game made me....Uh..

Let me tell you right now...this may sting a bit,

but if I don't get this outta my system, I may 

cut my own ear off in frustration!

This game...this scheme..this COMPLETE 

pooch screw that we laid on the field 

in Pittsburgh...is exactly what would NOT

be happening if we had all 

the right pieces!

I'm not here to make any excuses for this game!

Throw Tuitt out for nothing?... F-U it's Pitt!

Turn the ball over three times?... F-U it's Pitt!

Play with absolutely no emotion?... F-U it's PITT!!!!

Now...let's assign some blame!

Your Honor I'd like to call Coach Chuck Martin 

to the stand....

What in the Hell was that last night?

First things first...You do realize we are playing with a 

skeleton crew on defense...We are stopping NO ONE!

So slowing the game down and pounding the 

ball to protect this defense at 

it's most vulnerable state??

That never crossed you're mind?...no? 

So you decide that with the absence of what?...6 starters 

on our defense, and losing our 1st round Daft pick

D lineman...that trying to sling the ball 

around on a team that ANYONE has rushed 

on in the past was a great idea?

No...let's not run the ball at all in the second half?

No..let's reward the ONLY REAL running back 

on the team, that broke the freshman rushing record

THE WEEK BEFORE with what,

FOUR touches the ENTIRE GAME?

Really?...That made sense to you?

I mean I know it's Pitt, and they are 63rd in the country 

vs the rush....so that should be intimidating!

At one point I was expecting to see Weis's big ass

burping his way though a press conference

after this debacle!

Coach Brian Kelly, do you swear to tell the 

truth, the whole truth and nothing 

but the truth?

What in the world?...Take control brother!

Look...this is year four, and if a player is just 

not progressing...then you gotta get him 

outta there, regardless of the "C" on his uniform!

We have Defensive secondary running around like 

fairy tale characters!

If it's not a players night...then SIT THEM DOWN!

Let's get some new blood flowing!

Eilar Hardy

Devin Butler

Max Redfield

You can't tell me, that at WORST, these kids 

wouldn't at least TACKLE the player when 

they have one running at them!

I hope Coach Kelly takes a HUGE long

look in the mirror and says..

"WOW...That was fu#king embarrassing!" 

With our 3rd string we should beat Pitt by 20!

Look...I'm not looking to "NEG" you out...but 

this season is what this season is....we got caught

with our pants down!

We were a motor-cross racer without the proper 

spare tires on the truck!

This is Notre Dame's offense!

Got a great engine...speed and is full of horsepower.

But the front wheel is Tommy Rees....God love Tommy,

I'll never fault a kid for giving 100%, he is just 

limited...he's a great kid, and in a game 

when everything is clicking...he's more than 

enough to win...

But in a game when we need a QB to put the team on 

his back and lead....to make something from nothing.

In a game where we are needing the offense to bail out

the defense...Tommy is a square wheel on a dirt bike!

It may roll clumsily here to there,

but it's never gonna be smooth enough

 to win a race!

The quarterback at Notre Dame affects both sides of the ball

when you run a Brian Kelly type system.

Why was our D so dominant last year...The offense had long 

sustained drives...Keeping the defense fresh and ready!

By the time our 65 yard, 11 play 5 min drive was 

over...the D was rested and ready to attack!

When we had a 3rd and 4....if no one was open, Golson

would take off and get the first..When the pocket collapsed, Golson

would rush and gouge the defense for 15!

When the play would break down, Golson would scramble and

someone would get behind a defender and he had the arm

to make them pay!

Trust me my IRISH family....the darkest hours often 

produce the greatest light!

We have 3 more games....then we roll into spring 

ball with a commander at the helm of this 

battleship!

BIGGER-STRONGER-FASTER

And mentored by the best QB coach in the country!

The missing piece is returning...time to make the picture!

GO IRISH & GOD BLESS

**My editor was busy tonight...so sorry for the 

grammatical errors!

Can't get my secretary to accept editing my 

blog as part of her job description! 

There are girls you date, then there are spring break girls!

Life is all about timing...and anticipation!

The timing of an event must be right in order to test our

normal everyday standards!

Like when you trying to work out and eat right...then 

some lady brings brownies into work with cream cheese icing!

You don't want to eat one..but damn they are right there, 

and it's just bad timing!

Anticipation will build excitement if you 

can get excited about normal everyday

opponents?

Navy reminds me of spring break!

There were girls you'd date...if your buddies where 

watching..Then there were girls you'd date, cause 

all your buddies where out of town on spring break!

Make sense?...Navy is the full figured lady!

Yeah...she's pretty...She's nice and she's here...but 

damn, she's a bit bigger than the standard you're used too!

Now to the "idiotic" fan of other programs pointing out 

Navy on our schedule is like justifying playing teams 

from Florida with an "A&M" behind their name!

But to the "educated" fan we all know why Navy has 

a relationship with Notre Dame and that is to be 

respected and honored!

HISTORY LESSON ON NAVY & ND

But Navy can be like that full figured girl A LOT!

When your not looking this can happen!

She creeps away and re-appears and SHOCKS YA!

Navy is one of those teams!

In the past 4 years they've:

Taken Ohio State to the final minutes 

and the Buckeyes barely escaped!

Taken South Carolina at home to the 

wire..and the Cocks barely escaped!

They run the ball...they are very disciplined, and they

play with heart cause they all know: They are 

NEVER gonna play football beyond this 

stage of life!

So you have to respect them!

So who are the 2013 Navy football team?

4-3

Wins over:

Indiana- Nobody

Pitt- Nobody this year

Deleware- ? Uh yeah

Air Force- Bad

Losses to:

Western Kentucky- I got nothing

Duke- Not much better

Toledo- and were done!

They are 61st in Total Defense

89th in Rush Defense 

And...as always a top 10 rushing team!

Now with that being said..this should be a very 

similar game to the Air Force match-up from

last week!

On to more interesting topics:

Watkins is IRISH as I'm sure most 

of you have heard!

I first laid eyes on Watkins at the ND coaches clinic

in March...The kid walked around the practice 

like a 1st round draft pick being shopped 

by NFL teams...he is not short on confidence 

that's for sure!

From what I heard just this morning this is domino 

one, in a decent size line that should be dropping 

in the next few weeks!

Then we have a few that are "work in progress" type

of situations...

 Two are HUGE names ready to pop,

and one that popped, then un-popped, all 

are due to academics!

These kids getting into ND will be a marathon not

a sprint...so don't expect them anytime soon!

One would be as big a get as Jaylon last season and 

can play ANY position...but he's gonna have to hit the 

books hard to even come close!

The other is a substantial need with what I'm sure will be

 a mass exit of our current D line come draft day!

But again this kid is not splitting the atom anytime soon!

Sometimes being ND is hard...cause at any other school

they'd already be committed regardless of grades!

A big time Offensive playmaker is getting ready to 

join the ranks also...just working on timing!

We are on the verge of taking that next step 

in the re-birth of the IRISH program!

Notice since Kelly's arrival each recruiting class 

get's better and better!

Each season more and more young talent hits the 

roster and is making a substantial impact!

Aggression

Speed

Determination

Kelly recruits a different breed of kid than we've seen 

at Notre Dame in a very long time!

No more free lunches!

No more 5'11 D tackles!

If ND offers...there's a reason!

So with that being said...not much going on,

the team is together...a bit dinged up but timing 

seems to be on our side with 

the bye week approaching!

Get a W vs Navy!

Move on to Pitt!

Relax and get healthy!

Cause BYU is no walk in the park!

Then it's time to chop some trees!

So drink it if ya got it, and have a great weekend!

GO IRISH & GOD BLESS! 

Picked up this locker name tag this week...
Just felt right to me....May you walk with the 

angels big Ace...See ya again some day and 

rest in peace!

GO IRISH! 

Light at the end of what started as a pretty dark tunnel...GO IRISH!

A wise man once said...."Wake up every day and thank 

God for the good times, but also thank him for the bad 

times...Why? It's the bad times that make the good times 

feel so much better!" 

This season has been like riding on a roller coaster with 

a pit bull sitting next to you!

You're up.....Then you're down!

You're thrown from this side...to that side!

Your stomach at times feels queasy...then 

celebratory happiness kicks in...but you never have

a real safe feeling that the ride is gonna end without you

being bit...HARD!

So here comes Air Force...to give us the MUCH needed

break in the gauntlet known as the 19th toughest schedule

in college football!

Now normally I'd break down a bit of the Air Force 

team for you...but at 1-6, and the teams they 

beat  resemble a Big Ten out of conference 

schedule...So I figured why break this game down?

I mean they are BAD...not just a little bad...

But really...really bad!

So instead I'd like to talk about my MID-Season

surprise players...and what impact I think they 

will have moving forward!

OFFENSE:

RONNIE STANLEY

At this point...I didn't expect to be talking O-Tackles!

But Ronnie has asserted  himself as a first year starter

and as reliable and mean!

He plays with no fear...and just seems to always 

be part of the "big plays" on game day!

There are times when I see the OLB ready to blitz,

he'll seem to have wide angle on Stanley and then

he flexes out with the speed a 6'6 320 lb kid 

normally doesn't have...he's an All American before 

he leaves Notre Dame!

With Steve Elmer and Ronnie Stanley caliber of talent, 

our drop off with seniors graduating should be 

minimal next season!

WILL FULLER

With the return of Everett Golson just around the 

corner and the departure of TJ Jones, young players 

like Fuller are exciting not only to watch...but to imagine 

what could be possible with a QB extending 

plays!

Fuller is a burner with GREAT hands!

He gets off press coverage with ease and has demonstrated 

the play making abilities that have made the coaches

want to put the ball in his hands!

His transition from freshmen to sophomore year should 

be an exciting one...especially with finally having all 

the pieces in place to run a "Brian Kelly" offense!

Combine Everett with Fuller and Robinson sprinkle in some

Daniels with Niklas, and the emergence of 

Tori Hunter?....Lord..that's a top 5 passing game!

DEFENSE:

DEVIN BUTLER

The easy choice would have been Jaylon Smith!

But I think...when you land the "HIGHEST" rated recruit

Notre Dame has landed in 20 years...You kinda figure he'll 

be a game changer!...and HE HAS!

But when you see a kid like Devin Butler CRASH 

onto the scene, it's exciting!

With Jackson graduating the need for a corner to step 

up...is essential!...Butler is that guy!

Sometimes I watch him and my mind will say...

"DAMN!...RJ looks like he's picked up some speed 

in the off season!" 

He's not lost...he's not confused, and again plays with 

a motor and aggression that is a breath of fresh air!

Most frosh CBs are just concerned with not getting burned...this 

kid wants to make plays!

COLE LUKE

The thing that jumped out to me with

 Cole is his pursuit!

He PROWLS a runner coming out of the backfield!

He closes....and then tackles!

He's experienced some growing pains this season, good QBs 

have picked on him here and there...but every game 

you see less and less of that....he's a big play waiting 

to happen...a tackle for loss, a QB sack...a pick!

He brings sideline to sideline speed to ND!

The defense with Grace returning...and Jaylon with an 

entire season under his belt...we need some D line 

talent to be born!...But the future is gonna be very 

fast and hard to control for teams facing

the D-Boys!

Next year will be, in my opinion the first season 

that we don't feel the HUGE drop off due to 

graduation!

We will need some answers for NIX & TUITT no 

question...they are once in a decade type of talent!

But the cupboards are stocked...and the current 

recruiting class looks to be shaping up nicely...and

from what I'm hearing...there are some REALLY 

exciting additions that will be joining the 

GOLDEN ARMY!

On to the :

 JAMESON IRISH WHISKY 

DOUCHEBAG OF THE WEEK!

This one might not make sense to all of you...but 

there are a select few it will make perfect sense!

Some people are very upset the way their life has turned

out...to the point, that with every breath and every 

bit of dishonesty they will attempt to spread 

negativity about others...

It's sad..but the bottom line is, and the moral

to this story...don't let your buddies have your 

password to forums where they can make you

look like an idiot trying to spread fiction!

If your not happy the way life is turning out...CHANGE IT!

Air Force-Navy-Pitt-BYU-Stanford

When the history books are written...will this season be 

the "rebuilding year" because of the loss of Teo and Golson?

Or will this be the year that a team was born!

A year that the young talent rose up!

A year where at the darkest hour...the brightest light was born? 

We have an opportunity ahead of us....

We have the chance to show that our two fluke losses,

where exactly that!

We have a mission....The Future of Notre Dame football 

is very bright...

So...the big question is this....What does this CURRENT

team have the ability to do..by taking ONE game 

at a time....?

That's gonna be the Real light at the end 

of this season's tunnel!

This season and next...the IRISH are, and will 

remain a force to be reckoned with!

GO IRISH & GOD BLESS!