Brian Kelly Pleased with Notre Dame's Response to Covid-19, Eager for Players to Return

Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly joined The Fight on Tuesday afternoon as the University raises money for students whose families have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Kelly's team hasn't been on campus in two months, but he's pleased with how they've adapted to the ever-changing situation surrounding the coronavirus. 

"I'm very proud of my student-athletes," Kelly told host Pete Byrne. "This is uncharted territory. They didn't come to Notre Dame to be online students. They came to be directly involved on a day-to-day basis with the greatest faculty in the world. Everybody had to improvise and adapt."

The semester has wrapped up and Kelly was quick to give credit to those who helped each student-athlete over the last two months. 

"Our faculty did an incredible job in less than ideal circumstances and our players did as well," stated Kelly. "We've had a great semester and I think a lot of our credit goes to them. Our academic support staff is outstanding led by Adam Sargent and certainly, our coaches. They had to put on a different hat. It wasn't football. It was about academics and supporting our student-athletes. 

"That constant communication where we were meeting with these types of online meetings. They went a long way in developing a very good routine for our student-athletes on a weekly basis."

The football offices have been closed during the same time period, so that has also brought new challenges to the Notre Dame staff. 

"Not being in the office, you concern yourself with not being able to be as efficient," explained Kelly. "I think we've been extremely efficient through the use of Zoom calls or FaceTime. The correspondence, communication, texting - I think it's been one where we've learned a lot. I think you can be effective from distance as long as you communicating effectively on a day to day basis. 

"I think recruiting has taken a bit of a chance. We had to bring our campus to the student-athletes that we're recruiting. We found ways to do that and be creative. 

"It gets you to think outside the box a little bit in these very difficult times. It forces you to look at things a little bit differently. I think we're better because of it." 

As of now, Notre Dame is still set to travel to Ireland to start the college football season and Kelly remained firm in stating teams need at least six weeks of work before starting the season. 

"I would say if you talk to strength and conditioning coaches, they would like it right now," Kelly said. "Football coaches would like a few months. I think what's most important right now is probably six to eight weeks. 

"I think we're looking at early July to get back and get our student-athletes in a position where physically from a cardiovascular standpoint and muscular - in other words, soft tissue, so we're not having injuries there." 

When it comes to his team on the field, Kelly knows it could be his best offense during his tenure. 

The Irish return starting quarterback Ian Book along with the entire offensive line, which bodes well for 2020.

"I just think they take control of the situations they are confronted with," Kelly explained. "In other words, they've seen a lot. They've experienced a lot and played a lot of football. Nothing will rattle this group led by Ian Book and a veteran offensive line. They're very, very talented, but they're also experienced. They're going to be able to handle all that is thrown in front of them, including a pandemic. 

"They've been able to workout and find ways to stay sharp. I expect them to come back and really have an outstanding football season." 

Notre Dame's early enrollees got to experience campus life for about three months, but only got to practice once in the blue and gold. 

The normal headstart early enrollees get on the field was lost, but Kelly believes they were still able to gain an advantage of those enrolling whenever the Fighting Irish can return to campus. 

"We've already had a couple of young guys come in as mid-year enrollees and certainly, they're going to have a little leg up on everybody," said Kelly. "We've brought in almost 10 mid-year enrollees that got the chance to workout, condition and be ready. 

"I don't know if there is one particular one. I will say this. For our Notre Dame fans, a true freshman will emerge and play significant time on both sides of the ball. We saw that last year with Kyle Hamilton and the impact he made as a freshman All-American. You're going to see that this year in 2020."