Notre Dame Football: Brian Kelly Given Extension Through 2016

Shortly after Notre Dame ended a disappointing season with a 18-14 loss to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl, head coach Brian Kelly decided to shake up the coaching ranks.

Apparently that was enough for Notre Dame, as the university announced a two-year contract extension for Kelly on Tuesday, according to College Football Talk. He is now signed through the 2016 season.

But in reality, the coaching ranks should have been shaken up even more...by firing Kelly.

Let me say one thing: an 8-5 record isn't exactly deplorable. For some programs, that would easily earn a head coach an extension.

But this is Notre Dame we're talking about, a storied football program that was ranked No. 16 in the preseason.

I understand that Kelly didn't have the greatest quarterbacks to work with. But it also seemed that he spent more time yelling at them on the sidelines than actually coaching them. There was very little progression from the quarterback spot this season, and that partially falls on Kelly.

I feel like Kelly is being given a pass because of his work at Cincinnati. There's no doubt he had some great years there, particularly in 2009 when he led the Bearcats to a 12-0 regular season record.

But you can't live in the past. It feels like Notre Dame has been doing this for a while now. The reality is, Notre Dame had the talent to go far this season, and instead lost to Florida State in the Champs Sports Bowl. That falls on Kelly and changing up his coaches is nothing but a smokescreen to keep himself safe.

Kelly did nothing to earn an extension, and Notre Dame's decision shows that the Fighting Irish still have a long ways to go.