Notre Dame Football: Why Reported Practice Fight Is Troubling for Irish

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish must come together this spring, not fall apart like they are reportedly doing.

According to Brian Hamilton at The Chicago Tribune, freshman phenom Aaron Lynch did not attend practice on Wednesday for what the team called a “family matter."

However, The Irish Illustrated and Tribune sources confirmed there was a fight between the promising defensive end and offensive lineman Tate Nichols during practice on Saturday.

Brian Kelly has not dismissed Lynch from the team over it and condoned his absence, but did warn his squad that any more altercations would result in disciplinary measures.

Coach Kelly also denied that the pass-rusher had quit the team, transferred or decided to turn pro and expects him back on Monday.

This is the last thing Kelly’s program needs right now and he must get control over his student-athletes immediately.

The Fighting Irish have a brutal stretch to start the 2012 college football campaign, including a season opener against Navy in Ireland followed by a contest in South Bend versus Purdue, a trip to East Lansing to take on Michigan State and a home battle with Michigan.

With former veteran leaders like Michael Floyd on their way to the NFL and a four-way competition for the starting QB job, the Irish cannot handle more turmoil and run a serious risk of starting 2-2, or even worse.

Notre Dame needs its players to be 100 percent ready and committed to themselves and their teammates by Sept. 1, when the season will begin.

Fights, controversy and drama will not help a program trying to return to prominence this year after a disappointing 2011 campaign.

Hopefully Lynch returns to practice with a new attitude and starts working to build his teammates up, not beat them down.