Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame football: Five coaches who could realistically replace Brian Kelly

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Notre Dame football is off to a 2-4 start. Their latest loss, a 10-3 Hurricane Matthew clunker to North Carolina State, has Brian Kelly sitting on the hot seat. If Kelly is to leave South Bend, there are a few coaches who could be likely candidates to replace him.

Sometimes, a change of scenery is good. Brian Kelly has certainly done plenty to help resurrect Notre Dame’s football program after years and years of frustration after Lou Holtz left South Bend. With his peak being the BCS Championship game after the 2012 season, Kelly’s trajectory as coach of the Irish is currently at its lowest point.

Many Irish fans are ready for a change. Already there has been plenty of speculation as to who will coach the Irish next season. The hottest coaching name in college football is that of Tom Herman. However, with his ties to the state of Texas, it is far more likely that Herman becomes the next coach of Texas than the Fighting Irish.

Should Kelly be on his way out of South Bend, here is a list of five coaches who could realistically replace him.

Les Miles – Former Head Coach, Louisiana State University

Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles calls a play in the 2nd quarter during game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Already the top choice of many Irish fans, there is an outside chance that the “Mad Hatter” could be the next coach of the blue and gold. Highlighted by a BCS National Championship in 2007, Miles has a pedigree that is enticing for Irish fans. Those fans likely point to Ohio State, which hired another former SEC coach in Urban Meyer, as a model for what Miles could do in South Bend. Certainly, Miles would be great for recruiting talent to South Bend, but at first glance, his style does not seem to jive with the direction of the program.

Miles lost his job at LSU largely as a result of a lack of creativity on offense. Notre Dame currently has one of the best offenses in the country, with a multitude of explosive players. It would be a shame to see the likes of Equanimeous St. Brown and C.J. Sanders be under-utilized in a Miles offense.

If (and this is a big “if”) Miles were to seek help in re-designing an offense, he certainly would be a great choice for Notre Dame. Unfortunately, it is hard to see this happening. Still, though, there is always a chance.

Possibility Grade: B-

Next: Chris Petersen

Chris Petersen – Head Coach, University of Washington

Sep 17, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Chris Petersen looks on against the Portland State Vikings during the first half at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports

A really good option could be Chris Petersen, currently of the University of Washington. Petersen has elevated the Huskies to a current top-10 ranking. Prior to becoming the coach at Washington, Petersen was the head coach of Boise State when the Broncos were contending for BCS bowls.

The positives for Petersen are endless: He coaches in the Pac-12, which means he is already very familiar with two of Notre Dame’s perennial rivals in USC and Stanford. He has a track record of elevating his team to their highest potential. Finally, he runs an offense that would fit well with Notre Dame’s current roster.

Notre Dame is certainly a step up in the coaching hierarchy, but Petersen hails from the West Coast, which could potentially be reason for him to stay in the Pac-12, at least for awhile longer.

Possibility Grade: B

Next: Tom Clements

Tom Clements – Associate Head Coach, Green Bay Packers

Sep 3, 2015; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Tom Clements during the game against the New Orleans Saints at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Clements was Notre Dame’s starting quarterback from 1972-1974 and lead the team to a National Championship in 1973. He also got his coaching start in South Bend, coaching quarterbacks for Lou Holtz’s teams in the early 90s.

After leaving Notre Dame, Clements has spent the duration of his career in the NFL. Most recently, he has been the quarterbacks coach, offensive coordinator and eventually the associate head coach of Mike McCarthy’s Green Bay Packers. Clements is largely credited with developing Aaron Rodgers to elite status with the Packers.

Whether or not Clements would want to coach in college is unknown, but when your alma mater comes calling with a head coaching position, it’s hard to say no. Clements would certainly have the credibility to land top recruits in South Bend.

Possibility Grade: B+

Next: Mark Dantonio

Mark Dantonio – Head Coach, Michigan State University

Oct 8, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio walks the sidelines during the second half of a game against the Brigham Young Cougars at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

For the past nine seasons, Mark Dantonio has been the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans. Prior to that, Dantonio was no stranger to coaching in the Midwest. Before Michigan State, he coached at Ohio, Purdue, Akron, Youngstown State, Ohio State and Cincinnati.

Dantonio is certainly familiar with the Midwest recruiting landscape, which would bode well for Notre Dame. His teams are physical, balanced and well-prepared. In addition, quarterbacks who have played under Dantonio have had great college careers, which lead them to NFL opportunities. Dantonio has the reputation as a winner and would be familiar with future Notre Dame opponents such as Michigan and Ohio State.

Michigan State is off to a 2-3 start, which could spur the change for both parties. Notre Dame plays at Michigan State next season, which may throw a wrench in potential talks. However, Michigan State is replaced by Michigan and then Ohio State in future seasons.

Possibility Grade: B-

Next: Larry Fedora

Larry Fedora – Head Coach, University of North Carolina

Sep 24, 2016; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Larry Fedora yells out in the second quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Kenan Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Fedora started gaining notoriety by rising to offensive coordinator under Ron Zook at Florida. After leaving Florida, he took the same position under Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State before he broke in to the head coaching world with Southern Mississippi and then finally at North Carolina. At Southern Miss, Fedora’s teams had the four most prolific offensive seasons in the school’s history. In addition, his players graduated at a higher rate than at any other time in school history.

Hiring Fedora would almost make too much sense for Notre Dame. First, Fedora currently coaches in the ACC and would have familiarity with Notre Dame’s opponents. Not only that, but Fedora’s North Carolina team nearly won the ACC last season. They lost to Clemson 45-37 in the ACC title game.

Fedora is known for his up-tempo spread offense and Notre Dame surely has the personnel to ake this offense work in South Bend. A transition would be seamless.

Possibility Grade: A-

All of this talk is certainly premature. Brian Kelly is still the coach at Notre Dame. Conventional wisdom and tradition dictate that he will remain there, at least until the season’s end. Still, with the disappointing start to the season, it is only natural to wonder what is next for the Irish.