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Posted on Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 10:56 a.m.

Brian Kelly doesn't want Notre Dame to join the Big Ten

By AnnArbor.com Staff

New Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly told Sports Illustrated's Dan Patrick that he would prefer the Fighting Irish remain independent and not join the Big Ten.

"I'd rather play independent football, play anywhere across the country, with our natural rivalries, obviously, the games that we're always going to play," he said. "We recruit across the country, from the east coast to the west coast, so what a great way to be able to come back to a kid that plays on the east coast and play there or plays on the west coast and go there. I think tis' a great advantage for us."

Read more of Patrick's interview with Kelly here.

Comments

Tyler

Fri, Apr 23, 2010 : 8:12 a.m.

Notre Dame is a bunch of wusses, They know if they stay independant year in year out they can schedule a bunch of cupcakes that cant compete with them and earn a BS bcs berth

Terry Star21

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 7:08 p.m.

@ eyeloveypsi. Did Bo really say that? Where, when?

eyeloveypsi

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 3:01 p.m.

To quote Bo, "To Hell with Notre Dame!".

Macabre Sunset

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 2:40 p.m.

I'm trying to imagine Notre Dame football without Purdue, Michigan, Michigan State and Pittsburgh on the schedule. First, you'd have the dance of the service academies: Air Force, Army and Navy. Then, the three other major opponents: Boston College, Stanford and USC. And, instead of two games against other minor schools (this year it's Western Michigan and Tulsa), they would have five. Maybe they could talk a mid-Big XII school into taking the payment for a road game. Iowa State? Texas Tech? The bottom line, though, is that many schools won't play a major independent for fear of providing that team with a line to local recruits. Yeah, go ahead and play a game in Dublin, Brian. Good luck with that. Maybe Northern Illinois will go with you. But you need to remember that Notre Dame football without Big Ten opponents is about half as appealing. The Irish have benefited from this arrangement so long that maybe it's time for a reminder should this weird notion of true "independence" continue past the point of a final invitation.

Chango

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 2:23 p.m.

I read somewhere that Purdue and Indiana make tons more money than ND where TV revenue is concerned.

mgobluegold

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.

Notre Dame - NOT..... big, big mistake, besides it would hurt them more I believe. Theo212 and Terry star21, are you former UM players... dying to know?

Terry Star21

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.

I think it's pretty obvious that the majority of Michigan fans would not like Notre Dame to join. My reason may be different though. I think the integrity of the game, fans, and overall public is better off, I mean if you really think about it - would the build up, anticipation, excitement be the same if it was just another of the 8 (9) conference games UM plays? This separate, independent status of the Michigan - Notre Dame game is pretty special, just as it is. I stick with one team additional, Pittsburgh or Missouri. Pittsburgh/Missouri - add one for sure.... Notre Dame - not the cure.

Ignatz

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 11:59 a.m.

That's a hoot. I don't want them invited, anyway.

2000Blue

Thu, Apr 22, 2010 : 10:28 a.m.

Thanks Captain Obvious. ND fans/ alumni would flip out if they thought their coach wanted to not be independent.