Notre Dame Football 2012: What We Learned from the Aaron Lynch Saga

Attending the University of Notre Dame is a unique challenge. It's a widely known fact, but a fact that is often overlooked. It's a challenge that Aaron Lynch simply wasn't ready to take on.

Lynch's sudden decision to bolt from Notre Dame shouldn't have come as a surprise, though. The 6'6", 270-pound behemoth defensive end was never truly happy in South Bend.

"I'd rather be in a different environment as in weather and stuff, but I've got no choice," Lynch said during a March 23 interview. "I'm here, so I've got to stay here."

If that doesn't sound like a person who genuinely wants to be in the position he's in, then maybe I need to have my brain scanned.

Brian Kelly wasn't shy about the subject either. During his press conference following Lynch's announcement, Kelly said that a person can't be successful at Notre Dame if his head and heart are elsewhere. He's damn right about that.

It's not Lynch's fault, though. A player can't be forced to have their head and heart in it. It's no secret that Lynch was homesick for the duration of his time in South Bend. I applaud him for doing what was best for himself.

However, what the newly coined "Lynch saga" did teach us is that Notre Dame's coaching staff, regardless of regime, must make a conscious effort to recruit "Notre Dame" guys.

What does a "Notre Dame" guy look, you may ask.

He must have a special makeup. At the forefront must be a strong mental resolve. Life at Notre Dame is not easy by any stretch of the imagination. The academic requirements are a load on their own, so when football gets thrown in the mix, the stress begins to pile on.

And as Lynch pointed out, South Bend isn't known for its weather. Having lived in South Bend for four years myself, I can attest to the poor conditions.

Weather shouldn't play a determining factor in the decision-making process of whether or not to attend Notre Dame, though. It's a challenge in itself. A challenge that only the strong-willed and even stronger-minded are meant to take on.

The players that do attend the prestigious school enjoy the rigors and obstacles that present themselves on a daily basis. Those players see their time at Notre Dame as not only a chance to make it at the next level, but to become quality men in the process.

Future prospects need to understand that they have a tremendous opportunity awaiting them should they choose to attend Notre Dame.

Oh, and don't forget that last line of the alma mater that the players recite with the student section following every home game.

"Love thee Notre Dame."