Notre Dame fell to 1-2 on Saturday after losing to Michigan State at home, 36-28. It was another disappoint result for the then No. 18 Irish, who started the year ranked No. 10 in the country and now find themselves outside of the AP Top 25.
The Irish managed to make the game close near the end, but the Spartans got out to a very quick start in South Bend, leading Notre Dame 36-7 at one point.
Kelly certainly had his own struggles on the offensive side of the ball, but as he is one to do, Kelly began blaming everyone else around him for the team’s failures. Defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder was a notable victim of Kelly’s ire Saturday night.
Brian Kelly right in his DC's face: "What the F_ _ _ are you doing?"
— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) September 18, 2016
https://twitter.com/1410Aaron/status/777350448806293504
This incident on the sideline was only compounded on Sunday when someone noticed that Kelly’s Twitter account revealed he might be ready to make a permanent change to his defense.
Among other issues, Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly probably wants to address who does his Twitter likes. pic.twitter.com/ib4nNvx1Nk
— Brian Hamilton (@_Brian_Hamilton) September 18, 2016
Kelly held a press conference later that afternoon, and offered the typical defense for when something like this happens to a famous person, “The intern did it.”
Brian Kelly says he has a number of people that manage his Twitter account. Like of fire BVG tweet was inadvertent mistake. #NotreDame
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) September 18, 2016
For now, VanGorder is still the defensive coordinator, so I am inclined to believe Kelly this time. He also doubled down on his support for VanGorder at Sunday’s media session.
Brian Kelly: "There’s not a question about scheme, there’s not a question about who’s leading it with Brian (VanGorder)." #NotreDame
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) September 18, 2016
He even seemed to walk back his actions during the game.
Brian Kelly: "It’s easy in times like this to start to point fingers. And we should be thumb-pointers as coaches." #NotreDame
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) September 18, 2016
The Kelly-VanGorder marriage is safe for now, but if the Irish make a change on the defensive end this season one could certainly wonder if this was the Tweet in the digital coal mine.
